Asia Cruises With NCL Expand in 2024/25

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2024/25 season will triple its offerings in Asia Pacific, and allow guests to explore deeper than ever before.

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to expand its sailings in Asia next year, bursting back into the region with three ships – Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky (the latter two making their debut in Asia) – tripling the line’s offering in the region and extending a full eight months from October 2024 through to May 2025.

For the new season, expect port-rich and country-intensive itineraries with fewer sea days and even more overnight stays in-country, thanks to the smaller size of Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky allowing access to smaller ports.

Cruisers can choose from hundreds of shore excursions, from a night in vibrant Phuket to a cycle rickshaw tour around Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial architecture, pagodas and markets.

Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky have joined the Asia sailings for 2024/25.

Asia destinations

With new ships heading to Asia, Norweigan Cruise Line is offering a deeper dive into Asia than ever before: Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia are all on the itinerary. Some itineraries will even take you through parts of Africa and The Maldives.

Departure ports include Tokyo and Osaka; Singapore; Colombo; Ko Samui; Bali (Benoa); Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang); Lembar (Lombok); Malé; Seoul; and NCL’s first departure from Akita.

Ko Samui thailand — Relax in idyllic Ko Samui.

Itinerary highlights

Asia cruises range from 10 to 14 days, with an average of fewer than two sea days per voyage, and a great mix of tropical islands, major cities and lesser-known ports.

Discover the stunning colours of Japan in Autumn with Japanese autumn foliage cruises board Norwegian Sun, or view the iconic spring sight of cherry blossoms on a collection of popular Japanese spring cherry blossom cruises aboard Norwegian Sky.

cherry blossoms in front of Mount Fuji Japan — View the iconic spring sight of cherry blossoms in Japan.

New voyages to and from Seoul in March 2024 will include an excursion to the fascinating volcanic landscape – from craters to cavelike lava tubes – on Jeju Island.

Explore further around Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines thanks to a suite of country-intensive Asia cruises aboard both Norwegian Sky and Sun.

Or take your adventure beyond Asia with a new 17-Day Asia: Maldives, Thailand & Seychelles Extraordinary Journey sailing across the Indian Ocean from Mauritius to Singapore. Stop along the way at 10 different ports from Madagascar and the Seychelles to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Sychelles Maldives — Stop in the Maldives before ending your cruise in Asia.

What to expect onboard Norwegian Cruise Line

Returning for another year, mid-size Norwegian Spirit can accommodate 2,376 passengers in 1,118 recently revamped cabins and larger suites. The Haven, located in an exclusive area at the top of the ship, offers the most luxurious suites and villas for up to eight people, with concierge and butler service, and a private sundeck and pool.

Norwegian Spirit champagne bar — Enjoy a tipple in the Champagne Bar.

Among the 15 dining venues are Sushi, Teppanyaki and Chin Chin, which serve freshly prepared Asian cuisine, a Brazilian steakhouse, a French bistro, an Italian restaurant, a cafe with a bakery, and plenty of complimentary options. Speciality bars focus on specific beverages such as sake, whiskey, beer, cocktails, Champagne and wine, or guests can enjoy the poolside bar, O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill, and the Ultra Bliss Lounge nightclub.

A theatre hosts free shows including Rock You Tonight, covering hits by Queen, Journey and The Who, as well as Blazing Boots, a full-scale production that is a tribute to pop country.

Norwegian Spirit pool deck — Spend sunny days on the pool deck.

Guests can get also be pampered at Mandara Spa® and Thermal Suite, which houses a thalassotherapy pool, steam room and sauna. Other amenities include pools, spas, casino, kids and teens clubs, a card room, a library, video arcade, and basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.

Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky provide more intimate experiences, with a guest capacity of 1936 and 2004 respectively. A smaller size certainly doesn’t mean less to do, however.

Norwegian Sky, refurbished in 2019, offers guests 10 dining options and plenty of bars and lounges to relax in. Take a splash in its two spacious outdoor pools or head to the award-winning Mandara Spa for some pampering between destinations. Find a further range of activities and entertainment to keep guests busy, from dance floors to the Comedy variety show at the Stardust Theatre to outdoor Basketball and Volleyball courts. Kids can stay busy at the Splash Academy kids club and children’s pool, plus there’s the teen hangout, Entourage.

Norwegian Sky pool deck — Splash in one of two spacious outdoor pools.

Aboard Norwegian Sun, a full 15 dining options, plus bars and lounges, keep culinary choices fresh. Stop by Cagney’s Steakhouse for a prime steak, or let your tastebuds travel the world with French, Italian, Brazilian, Asian and Japanese cuisine options. Here, you can also enjoy Rock You Tonight and once again, Splash Academy keeps kids busy (as well as a video arcade) while adults relax in Mandara Spa.

Norwegian Sky Cagneys Steakhouse — Stop by Cagneys Steakhouse for a hearty feed.

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Key dates for Asia season

Thanks to the two new ships the 2024/2025 season will be longer than ever, stretching out to a full eight months. Sailings start in October 2024 and continue through to May the following year.

NCL Returns to Asia — The Asia season for Norweigan Jewel includes some incredible destinations.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

NCL’s new season of Asia cruises pulls out show-stopping itineraries

Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2024/25 season will triple its offerings in Asia Pacific, and allow guests to explore deeper than ever before.

Asia destinations

Itinerary highlights

What to expect onboard Norwegian Cruise Line

Key dates for Asia season

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