Norwegian Cruise Line has announced it will resume operations from additional U.S. and international ports this fall. Passengers will once again sail aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, Encore, Escape, Pearl, Jewel, Sun, Spirit, and Pride of America to explore Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Asia, and more. Earlier this week, NCL also announced its return to Seattle for the Alaska cruise season, beginning August 7, 2021. The U.S. sailings are contingent upon receiving a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In total, the company has announced redistribution plans from the USA and other international ports for the following ships:
- The Norwegian Joy will depart from Miami starting October 19, 2021, with five- to eleven-day Caribbean cruises
- The Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day cruises to Bermuda from New York starting October 24, 2021
- The Pride of America will offer seven-day inter-island voyages from Honolulu starting November 6, 2021
- The Norwegian Bliss will depart from Los Angeles for seven-day trips to the Mexican Riviera starting November 7, 2021
- The Norwegian Encore will offer seven-night itineraries from Miami to the Caribbean starting November 14, 2021
- Starting November 20, 2021, the Norwegian Escape will make its first cruise from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, offering seven-day Caribbean itineraries.
- The Norwegian Pearl will depart from Miami offering cruises through the Panama Canal, the Bahamas and the Caribbean starting December 23, 2021
- Starting January 20, 2022, the Norwegian Jewel will be the first ship in the fleet to offer round-trip cruises through the Panama Canal from Panama City (Colon and Fort Amador).
- The Norwegian Sun will sail to Asia for the first time starting January 28, 2022, offering a five-day Japan itinerary from Hong Kong, before sailing 11-day cruises from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok
- Norwegian Spirit will offer 12-day trips to Australia and New Zealand from Sydney and Auckland (New Zealand) starting February 9, 2022
“When we welcome our guests aboard Norwegian Jade this July, it will have been exactly 500 days since our ships last sailed,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “I’m thrilled that we’re finally getting back to what we love, and I’m so proud that we’re continuing to gradually and methodically redistribute our fleet. We always said we wouldn’t rush back to sailing, but that we would return when we felt we could do so safely while maintaining our unparalleled guest experience. Our efforts to safely resume sailing will remain unwavering, guided by the science-based protocols of our SailSafe health and safety program, collaboration with our destination partners, and a variety of government agencies. We can’t wait to see our guests rediscover the world and create beautiful memories again with their loved ones.”
Along with the rescheduling announcement, the cruise line has canceled all Pride of America sailings through October 30, 2021; Norwegian Escape through November 2, 2021; Norwegian Jewel through January 9, 2022; Norwegian Pearl through December 7, 2021; Norwegian Spirit through January 28, 2022; Norwegian Sun through January 18, 2022; and the October 24, 2021 itinerary aboard Norwegian Bliss.
Due to the time required to relaunch a ship and in order to maximize the short Alaskan cruise season, the cruise line has decided to transfer the crew of the Norwegian Joy to Alaska and has canceled all Norwegian Joy itineraries departing from Montego Bay, Jamaica. Passengers and travel partners with affected reservations will be contacted directly.
The cruise line's Peace of Mind cancellation policy remains in effect for passengers sailing on cruises with embarkation dates up to and including October 31, 2021. These passengers have the option to cancel their cruise up to 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of cruise credit, which can be applied to any voyage through December 31, 2022.
NCL will continue its carefully planned fleet redeployment program, working in collaboration with destination partners, governing bodies, and leading experts from the Sail Safe Global Health and Wellness Council. This council will regularly assess the robust protocols of the Sail Safe health and safety program and make science-based decisions to protect passengers, crew, and the destinations NCL visits. Updates will be published as protocols evolve and are modified, and as additional information becomes available.
