NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE® OFFERS MORE OPTIONS FOR PORT-IMMERSIVE EUROPE ITINERARIES FOR ITS 2026 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON

Rhea-AI Summary

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its 2026 spring/summer season, offering more port-immersive Europe itineraries across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Greek Isles. The new lineup includes:

- 225 new voyages featuring 150 unique ports of call
- More seven-day Europe cruises with or no sea days
- 11 unique embarkation ports across 10 European countries
- First-time calls to Portree, Scotland; Leirvik, Norway; and Palamós, Spain
- A full Baltic season on Norwegian Sun with open-jaw sailings from Copenhagen and Helsinki
- Overnight stays in select destinations like Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Istanbul

NCL aims to provide guests with more options to customize their European vacations, focusing on port-intensive itineraries and varied sailing lengths to suit different preferences.

Positive

• Expansion of port-immersive Europe itineraries, offering more options for travelers
• Introduction of new embarkation ports and first-time calls to enhance destination offerings
• Increased number of seven-day cruises with or no sea days, allowing for more time in ports
• Addition of overnight stays in select destinations, providing extended exploration opportunities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Travel Industry Analyst

Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) expanded 2026 spring/summer itineraries represent a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for immersive European travel experiences. The introduction of more port-intensive voyages, including seven-day itineraries with or no sea days, aligns with current travel trends favoring deeper cultural engagement.

The addition of Helsinki as a new homeport and debut calls to Portree, Leirvik and Palamós demonstrate NCL's commitment to diversifying their offerings and tapping into new markets. This expansion could potentially increase market share and revenue by attracting both new and repeat cruisers seeking unique destinations.

From an investor perspective, this strategy could lead to improved occupancy rates and higher per-passenger spending due to increased shore excursion opportunities. However, the success of these itineraries will depend on factors such as geopolitical stability in Europe and post-pandemic travel recovery.

Financial Analyst

NCL's expanded Europe offerings for 2026 indicate a long-term growth strategy focused on high-value markets. The emphasis on port-intensive itineraries could potentially increase onboard revenue through shore excursion sales, a high-margin segment for cruise lines.

The introduction of new homeports and destinations may require initial capital investments but could lead to improved operational efficiency and reduced fuel costs in the long run. This expansion also helps mitigate risk through geographical diversification of revenue sources.

Investors should note that while this strategy positions NCL for potential growth, it also exposes the company to increased competition in the European market and currency fluctuation risks. The success of these itineraries will be important in assessing NCL's ability to drive revenue growth and maintain profit margins in an increasingly competitive cruise industry landscape.

- The Brand Offers Guests a Wide Variety of Seven-Day Europe Cruises with No Sea Days Along with Longer Voyages Visiting Ports Nearly Every Day -   

- Norwegian Sun^® Will Offer a Full Baltic Season with Seven- and Nine-Day Open-Jaw Sailings from Copenhagen, Denmark, and for the First-Time Helsinki, as a New Homeport for NCL - 

- Among the 225 New Voyages, Featuring 150 Unique Ports of Call, NCL^® Will Make its Debut in Portree, Scotland; Leirvik (Stord), Norway; and Palamós, Spain - 

MIAMI, Aug. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norwegian Cruise Line^® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, has open for sale additional cruises for its 2026 spring/summer season with more port-immersive Europe sailings across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Greek Isles across eight ships providing cruisers a variety of sailing lengths and embarkation ports to plan their dream European vacation; in addition to bucket-list itineraries through the South Pacific, warm weather summer voyages through the Western Caribbean, journeys to Canada and New England for the fall season, among other fascinating destinations. 

As part of NCL's guest-centric itinerary planning, the Brand is offering more seven-day itineraries throughout Europe with many voyages that include limited or no sea days, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves into each destination. Select seven-to-14-day sailings also offer overnight stays in Reykjavik, Iceland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey and more. There are a total of 22 overnights in Europe this season, where cruisers can choose to enjoy late night dinners and nightlife on shore. With 11 unique embarkation ports offering voyages across 10 different European countries, including Helsinki -  a brand-new homeport for NCL – the company is providing travelers the opportunity to begin and end their vacation in the destination that best fulfils their European travel desires. Among the newly open for sale Europe cruises, NCL will call to Portree, Scotland; Leirvik (Stord), Norway; and Palamós, Spain for the very first time.  

"At NCL, we take pride in offering our guests various options to plan where they want to vacation," said David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line. "Whether they choose our seven-day sailings, longer immersive voyages, or cruises that begin and end in a new destination, we make it so our guests can vacation with ease with us from start to finish. From transportation, air programming and so much more, we strive to offer the best service all around."

Additional highlights from the 225 new and available sailings include:

NORTHERN EUROPE

From June through October 2026, Norwegian Sun will offer a full Baltic season with seven- to 10-day sailings where guests can embark in Copenhagen, Denmark or Helsinki, and visit a port nearly every day including towns in Norway, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden and more. On select nine-day voyages from Helsinki, Norwegian Sun's itinerary includes an overnight stay in Copenhagen, Denmark where guests can explore the history of the city, visit the famous entertainment district of Nyhavn; or stroll down Stroget, one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe.

Norwegian Sky^® will commence her second full Europe season on April 19, 2026 with four unique seven-day open-jaw sailings to the Northern Capitals embarking in Le Havre, France and Copenhagen, Denmark, offering an overnight stay in Hamburg, Germany and visiting Zeebruge, Belgium; Tilbury, United Kingdom; and Ijmuiden, Netherlands. The vessel will then cruise a series of 10- and 11-day British Isles voyages from May through Sept. 2026 where NCL will make its debut in Portree, Scotland on its May 17, 2026 sailing.

Travelers looking to take advantage of the long hours of summer daylight in Iceland can embark on one of Norwegian Star's^® 10- or 11-day Extraordinary Journeys between May and September 2026 embarking in Reykjavik, Iceland or Southampton, UK. With these open-jaw sailings, guests can choose to extend their vacation on land pre- or post-cruise. During the May 21, 2026 voyage, NCL will cruise to Leirvik (Stord), Norway for the very first time, and revisit the port on select 10-day cruises. Known for its attractive harbor, travelers can explore Leirvik's Sunnhordlandstunet, an open-air museum featuring several historical courtyards, and much more. Norwegian Star's 11-day Iceland sailings also offer a unique opportunity – an overnight stay in Reykjavik, Iceland – providing more time in destination to explore nature's wonders.

MEDITERRANEAN AND GREEK ISLES

Beginning April 2026 and through October 2026, NCL's newest ship, Norwegian Viva^®, will cruise nine and 10-day Western Mediterranean and Greek Isles voyages. To further provide guests with more port time, a selection of the Greek Isles voyages will also include an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey for guests to discover the city late into the night. Perfect for those searching for a warm European escape, the itineraries visit popular towns in Turkey, Malta, Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia. These unique open-jaw cruises provide travelers more embarkation and disembarkation port options to choose from including Barcelona, Spain; Venice (Ravenna), Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, allowing them the opportunity to continue their vacation with loved ones on land.

Amongst the new seven-day Western Mediterranean sailings are:

• Norwegian Epic^®: Sailing a variety of open-jaw voyages to and from Barcelona, Spain and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy between May 2026 and October 2026, with calls to Nice/Monaco (Villefranche) and Marseille, France; as well as Messina, Salerno and late-night departures from Livorno, Italy, offering between 10 to 17 hours in port to enjoy a longer shore excursion day trip into a nearby town such as Florence or Pisa, Italy.
• Norwegian Dawn^®: These port-intensive open-jaw cruises between April 2026 and October 2026 offer no sea days and embark and disembark in Barcelona, Spain and Lisbon, Portugal. Ports of call include late departures from Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza, Spain allowing more time for guests to enjoy popular beach clubs on these Mediterranean islands; as well as visits to Portimao, Portugal; Gibraltar; and more.
• Norwegian Gem^®: On May 10, 2026, the ship will start her Europe season with a sailing from Barcelona, Spain where NCL will make its debut in Palamós, Spain, known for scenic hiking paths and beautiful beaches, during the ship's voyage. Norwegian Gem will also call for the first time in Salerno, Italy and Nice/Monaco (Villefranche), France. Following this sailing, the ship will then embark on a series of cruises to and from Venice (Ravenna) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy with no sea days calling to Greece; Montenegro; and Croatia, where guests can fully enjoy Dubrovnik, Croatia as select itineraries offer a departure late into the evening.

Norwegian Pearl's^® seven-day Greek Isles voyages from May 2026 through October 2026 is the ideal cruise for guests looking to island hop through picturesque Greece. Cruisers have the option to choose from varied itineraries with late departures in Santorini and Mykonos, Greece; as well as Dubrovnik, Croatia; to fully immerse themselves in the destination to enjoy a beautiful sunset, indulge in a lively evening dinner, and more. Embarkation and disembarking ports for these voyages alternate between Venice (Ravenna), Italy and Athens (Piraeus), Greece providing guests greater vacation choices.

WESTERN CARIBBEAN, AND CANADA & NEW ENGLAND

Norwegian Escape^® will offer guests seven-day roundtrip sailings to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans between April 12, 2026 through May 10, 2026, followed by seven-day roundtrip sailings from Miami between May 24, 2026 and Aug. 9, 2026. Both itineraries will visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán (Bay Islands), Honduras; and Harvest Caye, NCL's 75-acre resort-style destination in Southern Belize.

To kick off her fall season, Norwegian Escape will offer a selection of seven-day roundtrip Canada & New England voyages from New York City between August 2026 and October 2026. During her Aug. 28, 2026 sailing, the ship will call to Boston for the very first time, making it the first Breakaway Plus class ship to visit the city. The itinerary takes guests through a journey to Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada; to enjoy the fall foliage and bask in the cool fall weather.

IMMERSIVE VOYAGES WITH NORWEGIAN SPIRIT^®

From April 22, 2026 through July 3, 2026 and Sept. 17, 2026 through Nov. 17, 2026, Norwegian Spirit^® will offer a variety of open-jaw South Pacific sailings between 11- and 13-day voyages calling to New Caledonia; Fiji; Samoa Islands; French Polynesia and the Hawaii islands. Guests have a variety of embarkation ports to choose from including Sydney; Papeete, French Polynesia; Honolulu; and Lautoka, Fiji – a brand new embarkation port for Norwegian Spirit.

For travelers looking for a once-in-a-lifetime cruising experience to explore Alaska and Hawaii, affectionately named NCL's "Fire and Ice" voyages, Norwegian Spirit will offer four unique 16-day sailings starting July 15, 2026 through Sept. 1, 2026. The voyages offer embarkation in Honolulu or Vancouver, Canada and visit bucket-list destinations such as the dreamlike and warm-weather islands of Kahului (Maui), Hilo and Nawiliwili (Kauai), Hawaii; as well as the majestic and cool-weather towns of Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska.

For B-roll of Norwegian Cruise Line ships, please click here.

For full details about the Company's spring and summer 2026 worldwide itineraries and its award-winning 19-ship fleet, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line^® has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 19 contemporary ships sail to 450 of the world's most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company's private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, club balcony suites, and The Haven by Norwegian^®, the company's ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com. For the latest news and exclusive content, visit the NCL Newsroom and follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube @NorwegianCruiseLine; and Twitter @CruiseNorwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

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SOURCE Norwegian Cruise Line

FAQ

What new destinations is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) offering in its 2026 Europe itineraries?

Norwegian Cruise Line will make its debut in Portree, Scotland; Leirvik (Stord), Norway; and Palamós, Spain as part of its 2026 Europe itineraries.

How many new voyages and unique ports of call are included in NCL's 2026 spring/summer season?

NCL's 2026 spring/summer season includes 225 new voyages featuring 150 unique ports of call across Europe.

What changes has Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) made to its Baltic season for 2026?

Norwegian Sun will offer a full Baltic season with seven- to 10-day sailings, embarking from Copenhagen, Denmark or Helsinki, Finland, visiting ports in Norway, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, and more.

How is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) enhancing its Europe itineraries for 2026?

NCL is offering more seven-day itineraries with or no sea days, adding overnight stays in select destinations, and providing 11 unique embarkation ports across 10 European countries to enhance flexibility and destination immersion.