Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is elated to mark its much-anticipated return to Asia after three years. The journey commenced as Norwegian Jewel set sail from Tokyo, embarking on a substantial six-month season of voyages throughout the region.

As the first ship in the NCL fleet to revisit Asia after an absence of over three years, Norwegian Jewel will present 16 immersive, port-rich itineraries. These journeys will encompass 11 countries and depart from nine different ports, including Bangkok (Laem Chabang) in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) in Malaysia, Singapore, Taipei (Keelung) in Taiwan, Bali (Benoa) in Indonesia, Tokyo, Yokohama, Japan, and, notably, Seoul (Incheon) in South Korea for the very first time in NCL’s history.

The cruises vary in length, spanning from 10 to 14 days, with an average of fewer than two days spent at sea on each voyage. This allows guests to relish up to 13.5 hours in iconic destinations such as Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It also features extended overnight stays in vibrant nighttime locations like Phuket, Thailand, Osaka, Japan, and Bali (Benoa), Indonesia. Furthermore, the brand will make its inaugural calls to Manila, Boracay, Palawan, and Salomague in the Philippines, as well as Bintan Island in Indonesia and Hualien in Taiwan.

David J. Herrera, the President of Norwegian Cruise Line, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Today is a celebratory moment as we return to Asia with Norwegian Jewel’s arrival in Tokyo. We take pride in providing the ultimate vacation experience and endless opportunities for our guests to explore the world, including Asia. This region offers some of the most fascinating history, cuisine, and culture for travellers to discover, and we are thrilled to offer a diverse selection of port-rich voyages. This market holds great importance for us, and we are committed to serving it in the long run.”

Demonstrating the brand’s unwavering commitment to Asia as both a source market and a destination, NCL will deploy a record four ships in the region during the 2024/25 season. This will provide travellers with an unparalleled array of choices. Alongside Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Spirit, Sun, and Sky will also visit a wide range of ports in the area, affording guests the opportunity to explore both iconic and less-explored destinations, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.