No formal confirmation has been given by Norwegian Cruise Line on whether at all or to what degree Australia will feature in its 2017/18 cruise schedule as the line today released details of its movements during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
While berth bookings in Sydney over the 2017/18 summer peak have Norwegian Star clearly listed over an extended period of time, the line is yet to confirm whether that particular ship will return or if another will come in its place, a clandestine move cruise lines have been known to do in the past.
Today’s release focuses on Europe, Hawaii, New England and Caribbean deployments and covers ships which will, by this point, all feature the Norwegian Edge program of enhancements whereby all ships will offer all or most of the same facilities and onboard passenger experience currently offered on the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape.
Europe – Norwegian Spirit.
After emerging from dry dock early next year, Norwegian Spirit will be based from Barcelona from 23 November 2017 until 24 April 2018. It will operate a 10-day loop taking travellers to the Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco visiting Casablanca, Las Palmas, Tenerife, Funchal, Malaga and Alicante.
Hawaii – Pride of America.
Long established in the Aloha State, Pride of America will return to its seven-day rotation from Honolulu where it visits the four major islands in the chain, stopping in Kahilui, Maui; The Big Island ports of Kona and Hilo and an overnight stop in Nãwiliwili, Kauai which also includes scenic cruising of the Napali Coast.
The ship will emerge from dry dock this month sporting all sorts of new dining and entertainment venues. This itinerary is extremely popular with Australian travellers and will continue until at least April 2018, likely longer.
Canada and New England – Norwegian Gem.
The North-East region of the US offers a limited window each year where cruising is a possibility, which makes it a very popular option. Departing from New York City, Norwegian Gem will run seven-day rotations where it will visit Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Corner Brook and Newfoundland.
Autumn foliage in this part of the world makes for an extremely scenic and picturesque vista which adds to its popularity. This means cabins can sell out quickly, so book soon.
The heartland for Norwegian Cruise Line will see five ships operating from a number of different ports around the US Sunshine State. After its time sailing New England and Canada, Norwegian Gem will remain in New York but will instead head south on 10 and 11-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries.
From Miami, Norwegian Escape will continue on its seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyages which also includes the Bahamas and US Virgin Islands. Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean including Mexico and Belize including stops at Harvest Caye – the line’s newest privately-owned island.
Additionally, travellers who only wish to sail for a shorter period of time can take a three or four-day cruise from Miami on Norwegian Sky, all of which visit the line’s other private island, Great Stirrup Cay.
