JILL WEINLEIN

After graduating from UCLA, JIll traveled the world looking for unique destinations. She’s been writing about her travels for almost 30 years in various publications.

She writes a weekly restaurant review for the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News. It’s inserted into the Los Angeles Times every Thursday and delivered to subscribers from Hancock Park to Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills to the Wilshire Corridor.

Traveling To Exotic Lands On Norwegian Cruise Line Cruises

BY JILL WEINLEIN

According to The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), cruise travel is forecast to reach 106% of 2019 levels this year, with 31.5 million passengers sailing on the water. Other predictions include cruise travel will reach 36 million people in 2024, and more than 37 million people to cruise in 2025.

Cruising is seeing an all time high in reservations, because it’s an easy and carefree way to travel. Cruise travel offers guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule.

When I boarded the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) new Prima ship, I enjoyed how there was no assigned dining and entertainment times, and no formal dress codes. I just walked into my beautifully designed cabin and unpacked at once. Passengers get to see multiple cities and countries without hauling a suitcase, taking trains, and making connecting flights. Cruising is safer and a less stressful travel experience. Plus you have ocean and sunset views daily.

NCL’s fleet of 18 contemporary ships sail to 400 of the world’s most desirable and exotic destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize.

Those traveling solo will appreciate the Studio Complex and Lounge. The Studio cabins are stylish, yet affordable, because they are priced for one passenger, instead of a single supplement that can go up to 100% per person on double occupancy fares. Travelers can find this solo cabin benefit on Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Pride of America.

Each solo cabin has a full-sized bed, flatscreen TV and private bathroom. Some offer virtual portholes that stream ocean views. Norwegian’s single rooms also have access to an exclusive, shared social space called the Studio Complex and Lounge. It’s a great spot to meet other solo passengers. This common area has its own large-screen TVs, coffee-making facilities, and a bartender at certain times of the day for daily hosted pre-dinner gatherings.

Another Norwegian Cruise Line perk is The Haven by Norwegian, the company’s small ship-within-a-large ship concept. Guests have their own elevator, plus an exclusive restaurant and bar, their own pool and lounge area. It’s the best of both cruise worlds.

Right now NCL is sailing to stunning exotic locales, expanding their itineraries to some of this year’s trendiest destinations. Now is the time to visit Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. As an innovator in global cruise travel with 56-years of sailing history, they have opened sale of new 2024/25 exotic itineraries, including the debut of Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky in Asia for an extended eight month season.

Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line shared, “Our guests are craving longer, immersive and more unique itineraries that take them off the beaten path. These new sailings represent the most diverse itinerary program to date and feature many brand firsts, including an extended Asia offering and new ports in Argentina, Bahrain, Japan and Egypt. Coupled with NCL’s renowned onboard experiences from spacious accommodations, exceptional entertainment and diverse dining options that rival land-based offerings, it truly is an unforgettable way to explore the world.”

Those searching for next year’s ultimate vacation, will want to learn more about NCL’s “Extraordinary Journeys”, a collection of immersive port-rich adventures. This new season of itineraries begins on October 2024 through December 2025, offering expanded voyages to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

NCL’s first voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina onboard Norwegian Star will sail a 14-day South American voyage to Brazil and Antarctica departing on March 1, 2025. Experience South America embarking from Ushuaia, Argentina, for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Antarctica. Leaving from this port reduces the number of sea days needed for an Antarctica cruise, and provides more port time for travelers. During the voyage, guests cruise through Paradise Bay in Antarctica and witness the surrounding glacial mountains and local wildlife while also having the opportunity to experience the culture in Puerto Madryn, and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo and Punta Del Este, Uruguay; and Sao Paulo (Santos).

NCL’s maiden call to Bahrain is its first dedicated Middle East sailing ever.  A seven-day cruise departs on April 12, 2025 on the Norwegian Sun. It leaves from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with an overnight in Abu Dhabi, UAE to explore the culturally rich destination. This voyage includes visits to Dammam, Saudi Arabia; Manama, and for the first time, NCL will visit Bahrain, as well as Dubai and Sir Bani Yas, the largest natural island southwest of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The same ship, Norwegian Sun will embark on a 16-day cruise from Dubai, UAE to Haifa, Israel on April 19, 2025. This sailing will visit 10 ports of call, including a brand new port for NCL~Sokhna, Egypt. This allows easier access to Cairo for guests to explore the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza.

Three NCL ships debut in Asia for the first time on the Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky. They both will offer an extensive eight-month season from October 2024 through May 2025. The voyages visit the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan in time for the coveted Japanese Spring Cherry Blossom Bloom, and fall foliage.

NCL will arrive in Akita, Japan for the first time during when the Norwegian Sun sails for 12-days from Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2024. The Norwegian Spirit is scheduled to embark on a brand-new repositioning voyage from Australia to Asia on Dec. 7, 2024, followed by her first voyage in Asia on Dec. 21, 2024.

Extraordinary Journeys are NCL’s immersive cruises to lesser-visited destinations. The two new back-to-back voyages will be aboard Norwegian Sky. Departing December 2024, the vessel will sail for a 16-day Africa sailing to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania and during its voyage from Dubai, UAE to Mauritius.

Norwegian Sky sails on a 17-day sailing from Mauritius to Singapore with ports-of-calls to Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar.
There is a brand-new Australian itinerary onboard the Norwegian Spirit that includes a new 14-day Sydney to Bali, via the Queensland coast in December 2024. The voyage includes ports of call Cairns and Darwin, Australia. There will be an overnight visit to Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, for guests to have more time exploring the exotic destination. In November 2025, the ship will make it’s debut to Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

Now is the time to cruise comfortably creating memories onboard Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise. Go to https://www.ncl.com/ to start your adventure.