Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced plans for a major global expansion that will extend their reach to areas such as Asia, Australia/New Zealand and South America. These new itineraries will be available throughout the Autumn & Winter of 2016 and 2017.
This new development will be the first time Norwegian has visited the Far East since 2002. However, it will be a first for this freestyle cruise line to voyage to the Persian Gulf and India.
Norwegian’s president, Andy Stuart is looking forward to these new routes stating that: “We are truly excited to offer these incredible new itineraries to our guests, who now have the opportunity to explore areas of the globe that we haven’t called on in many years and some that we’ve never before visited”.
Exciting Ports And Schedules
Leading up to these new itineraries the Norwegian Star will sail from Istanbul on October 31st 2016 after a summer season of sailing through the Baltics.
This Eastern Mediterranean and The Gulf sailing will last for 20 days and will sail through areas such as Kusadasi to explore the Roman city Ephesus and Rhodes for Lindos and its Acropolis. Then it’s on to climb the majestic Mount Carmel in Haifa and swim in the Red Sea in Safaga, Egypt. This is followed by Aqaba, Jordan and Dubai.
After this voyage, the Norwegian Star will head to destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland.
On November 26th, the Star will set sail on a 21 day long “Journey to the East” itinerary which includes Singapore. Leaving from Dubai she will head to several ports in India as well as Abu Dhabi, Oman, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand and Malaysia.
Then from December 2016 to January 2017, the ship has scheduled 11 and 14 day cruises through Southeast Asia, from Singapore to Hong Kong.
The itinerary changes for its February 7th 2017 sailing when the Star departs from Hong Kong for Sydney, Australia making stops along the way at Bangkok, Bali and Komodo, Indonesia.
From there, the ship will do several tours through New Zealand and Australia, heading to ports like Melbourne and Burnie, Australia; and Dunedin, Akaroa, Wellington, Napier and Tauranga, New Zealand.
A 19 day cruise leaves Auckland, New Zealand and takes the ship back to Singapore on February 18th, 2017 to exotic locales such as Airlie Beach, Cairns and Darwin, Australia; and Komodo and Bali, Indonesia; plus Kuala Lumpur.
From there, the ship makes its final tour to the west, on March 9, 2017 which will take 38 days. It can be split into two segments. The first part will be 18 days through Southeast Asia including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia; Phuket; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Kochi (Cochin), Mangalore, Mumbai and Goa (Mormugao), India; Muscat and Khasab, Oman; Fujairah and Abu Dhabi.
Continuing on towards western waters is the 20-day segment departing on March 27th, 2017 from Dubai. This is an exciting venture to Venice via the Suez Canal. Embark in exotic ports such as the Fujairah Emirate and visit its extensive archeological site and impressive Al-Bidyah Mosque.
Check out all of the antiquity mixed with high rise buildings in Muscat and the subtropical city of Salalah in Oman. The Jordanian coastal city of Aqaba follows, along with Safaga and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Afterwards, disembark for a spell in Haifa, Crete, Dubrovnik, and the city of canals, Venice.
Book Early and Receive A Bonus
NCL is offering a Freestyle Choice promotion if booked by August 31, 2015. A variety of bonuses will make the trip even more desirable. Guests who book any stateroom can select an extra amenity for free.
The choices are a free Ultimate Beverage Package, a specialty dining package, a Wi-Fi package, free pre-paid gratuities, or Friends & Family Sail Free, where the third through to the eighth guest in each stateroom can even sail for free. All five offers are allotted free to those who book a suite.
Written by Veronica Shine
