Cruise Ahead to 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils Unmissable Destinations
Visit NCL Summer 2024's website.
Latest News By Erica Silverstein, Email
Make 2025 the year you cross off travel dreams from your bucket list. Imagine soaring above Alaska's glaciers in a helicopter, sipping wine at vineyards across Italy, Spain and France, or exploring new countries like Japan, New Zealand, or Thailand. With Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), living these adventures is easier than ever.
Skip the tedious research for hotels and tour operators. Let NCL handle the travel planning while you decide on the exciting experiences to try. NCL's ships sail to various destinations, from must-visit places in the Caribbean to exotic locales in Asia. Your worries about navigating from Greece to Turkey or Australia's Sydney to Melbourne are gone; the ship will take you there. No need to worry about buying tickets for trains or figuring out ferry schedules.
Once you've chosen your destination, personalize your vacation with NCL's shore excursions. A Norwegian cruise is not a one-size-fits-all holiday; you can customize each day according to your taste. In Alaska, choose between kayaking, tasting local food and beer, taking a wildlife cruise, or learning about totem poles. In Italy, consider a pasta-making class, immerse yourself in Florence's art museums, drink wine at a Tuscan castle, or climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
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NCL's tours, subsidized by excursion credits on every cruise, will ensure your days ashore are the best they can be. Plus, enjoy other Free at Sea offerings such as an unlimited open bar, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining credits.
NCL takes pride in giving travelers freedom to shape their cruise experience. There are no strict dining times or forced interactions with strangers. Instead, spend your days pampering yourself at the ship's spa, racing around the go-kart track, trying your luck at the casino, or watching award-winning shows in a grand theater. With dozens of dining options and a variety of cuisines, you'll never have trouble finding a place for dinner—no matter the foreign language.
See six destinations you could visit with NCL in 2025:
Alaska
A cruise is an excellent way to experience Alaska, reaching places where roads don't go. Marvel at nature up close—glaciers, salmon, and bears—and learn about the Native communities living in this northerly region. NCL has the longest Alaska cruise season of all the big-ship lines, offering spring, summer, and autumn voyages from April to October. Whether you want to take the kids, avoid crowds, or chase the northern lights, NCL has a ship and itinerary ready for you.
Four ships will sail to Alaska in 2025: Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore offer seven-night cruises from Seattle and are perfect for families seeking onboard attractions like go-kart tracks, laser tag, and a water park. Norwegian Joy offers slightly longer nine- and ten-night sailings, visiting five Alaska ports and Victoria, BC, with a glacier-viewing day included. For more Alaska, Norwegian Jade sails between Vancouver, BC, and Whittier, AK, allowing you to extend your land stay and explore the interior. Alternatively, combine a cruise with bus and train travel on NCL's cruisetours, visiting places like Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Seward, and Anchorage. Meet sled dogs and mushers, search for bears and moose, and embark on a flightseeing tour of Denali National Park's tallest peak.
Europe
Fall in love with Europe again. From warm Greek islands to the fjords of Scandinavia and vibrant cities along the Mediterranean, there's no limit to the inspiration your 2025 trip will bring. NCL offers over 295 different itineraries, visiting 160 individual ports across nine ships.
Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Prima, NCL's newer, upscale ships, make Europe their home from spring through fall. In 2025, Norwegian Viva sails to the Greek islands and Turkey, while Norwegian Prima heads to Iceland, Norway, and the Baltic cities. For families, Norwegian Breakaway offers Mediterranean highlights with an onboard water park, ropes course, and multiple dining options.
Maximize your European experience with NCL's destination-intensive itineraries, often featuring a new city every day. Long days and late departures can be found in ports like Santorini, Greece, or marquee destinations like Florence, Italy; Copenhagen; Stockholm; and Reykjavik. To immerse yourself in local culture, book NCL's Go Local tours, which offer authentic experiences and activities showcasing how locals live. Perhaps you'll tour an Old Market in Livorno, Italy, enjoying regional treats, or learn about fishing techniques and sardine barbecuing in Pedregalejo, Spain.
Looking to save on flights? Keep in mind that Norwegian Cruise Line's Free at Sea promotion often includes free airfare for the second guest on your reservation.
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a can't-miss destination where NCL sends a brand-new ship in 2025—Norwegian Aqua— loaden with fun features like Aqua Slidecoaster (a hybrid waterslide-roller coaster) and an onboard beach club. One of 15 NCL ships sailing through the Bahamas and Caribbean in 2025, Norwegian Aqua offers a range of experiences suitable for every traveler, with itineraries ranging from Caribbean classics to extended cruises exploring the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) and Panama Canal voyages.
Travelers short on time and money can embark on 2-night cruises to the Bahamas. Families will find excitement aboard megaships like Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy, complete with water parks, ropes courses, and thrilling slides. Retirees seeking relaxation can enjoy longer Caribbean or Panama Canal cruises on NCL's smaller ships.
Want to feel like a celeb in the Virgin Islands or explore Central America's ancient cultures and reefs? NCL has a ship sailing your way, whether you want to spend time in the Bahamas, the ABC islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, or other Caribbean destinations.
Make the most of your Caribbean cruise vacation with NCL's two private islands—Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye off the coast of Belize. Enjoy complimentary lounge chairs, dip in the warm waters, or take your adrenaline pumping with a zip line or parasail ride.
For families, NCL offers deals with free third and fourth fares, perfect for saving on a family cabin. Or opt for a family suite with plenty of itineraries scheduled during school breaks.
Asia
2025 is an ideal year for bucket list travel, and NCL can take you to Asian destinations spanning Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and more. A cruise is an excellent way to explore Asia and the Pacific islands if language barriers and foreign cultures seem intimidating. Imagine NCL as your knowledgeable guide, recommending the best places to go, things to see, and food to eat, all while taking the stress out of vacation planning.
Three NCL ships—Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky, and Norwegian Spirit—will be based in Asia in 2025. With an average of 10-hour port calls and overnight stays in 11 ports, including Osaka, Japan; Hong Kong; and Bali, Indonesia, NCL offers extensive opportunities to explore these fascinating destinations.
Sailing lengths ranging from 10 to 19 nights cater to busy professionals as well as travelers with more time to immerse themselves in a destination. Plus, the ship's range of cabins ensures a bucket-list trip fits various budgets.
Australia
The Land of Oz awaits in 2025, and NCL can help you uncover its wonders. With a Norwegian cruise, you'll visit all the hot spots in Australia and New Zealand without having to worry about long drives or pricey intercity flights.
Join Norwegian Sun in 2025 for a selection of 12- to 15-night voyages between Australia and New Zealand, including routes to the Great Barrier Reef and South Pacific. You'll visit destinations in Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji.
Norwegian Spirit takes over in late 2025, offering a 14-night tour of Australia and New Zealand during Christmas and New Year's. Imagine ringing in the new year on a cruise, visiting Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania, and multiple ports on New Zealand's North and South islands.
Hawaii
Don't forget about Hawaii when planning your bucket list trips! NCL is the only big-ship line to offer year-round, seven-night, interisland itineraries on its U.S.-flagged ship, Pride of America. The other foreign-flagged cruise ships must include a foreign port in their itineraries, necessitating at least one ocean crossing on each itinerary. Most working professionals and families don't have the time for leisurely ocean voyages with several consecutive days at sea. They want what NCL offers: a week-long trip packed with visits to five ports on four islands, including overnights in Kauai and Maui. Throw in an included scenic cruise of the Napali coast aboard the ship, and the vacation value proposition is clear. NCL brings authentic local culture on board with hula dancing lessons, lei making workshops, and even a Hawaiian language class. On shore, you'll have time to attend an evening luau, tour active and dormant volcanoes, learn to surf, snorkel, and dive, and relax on the famous island beaches. If you can't get enough of Hawaii, NCL offers three-night land-based add-ons, allowing you to spend more time in Oahu, visiting Pearl Harbor, the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Kualoa Ranch.
In conclusion, act fast to secure your preferred cabin or suite on an NCL cruise to one of these top destinations for 2025. To ensure the best fare and an unforgettable cruise vacation, start your travel plans now! [Uncover even more details about NCL's cruises to the top destinations in 2025 by exploring our in-depth guides][GuideAlaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do][GuideThe 10 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2025 and 2026][Guide6 best Alaska cruises for families][GuideBest summer cruises to beat the heat: Check out these 5 cooler-weather destinations]
[1] News about NCL's 2025 Alaska cruises: GuideAlaska cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do
[2] Details about NCL cruises to the Bahamas in 2025: GuideBest summer cruises to beat the heat: Check out these 5 cooler-weather destinations
[3] Information about NCL cruises to Northern Europe in 2025: GuideThe 10 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2025 and 2026
[4] Explanation of NCL's shore excursions: Guide6 best Alaska cruises for families
[5] Overview of NCL's Asian and Oceania cruises in 2025: GuideThe 10 best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler in 2025 and 2026
- With the convenience of excursion credits and Free at Sea offerings, you can personalize your vacation and enjoy unlimited open bar, Wi-Fi, and specialty dining on NCL ships.
- Whether you're interested in wine tasting in Italy, exploring Asia, or seeking adventure in Alaska, NCL offers a variety of cruises that cater to diverse travel preferences.
- Sign up for the TPG Cruiseletter to stay updated on cruise deals and top stories related to travel, cruises, lifestyles, and credit cards.
- No need to worry about train tickets or ferry schedules; NCL's cruises take you from one destination to the next, making travel planning stress-free.
- Stay informed about the latest news and deals for NCL's Summer 2024 cruises, including Alaska, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Hawaii.
