Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today opened bookings for its 2028 summer itinerary season, which includes more than 450 voyages spread across 20 ships, giving travelers early access to popular destinations thanks to the company's global network.
From the glaciers of Alaska and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and the South Pacific, NCL’s 2028 summer season offers itineraries ranging from three to fourteen days departing from twenty-five homeports, including Miami, Seattle, Rome (Civitavecchia), and London (Southampton), with calls at nearly 150 destinations across 51 countries. Designed for deeper exploration, the ships will spend approximately 80% of each voyage in port, with an average port call time exceeding 10 hours. The season also features 175 overnight stays and late departures in 53 destinations, including Santorini (Greece), Livorno (Florence/Pisa, Italy), and Juneau (Alaska), providing more opportunities to discover the world’s most sought-after destinations beyond the typical cruise schedule.
“It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “With summer 2028 cruises now on sale, guests can enjoy a wider selection of itineraries with numerous destinations, 80% of their time spent in port, as well as a greater variety of preferred staterooms and exceptional value. From Northern Europe and Alaska to the Bahamas and the South Pacific, this season features some of our most exciting cruises to date, with more opportunities for guests to fully immerse themselves in the destinations they visit.
To introduce the new cruise season, NCL highlights 10 essential reasons to start planning a cruise now for the summer of 2028.
1 – Sail aboard the Norwegian Jewel®on its debut in Morocco
The Norwegian Jewel will embark on one of its most varied European seasons to date. During a 12-day round-trip cruise to the Canary Islands departing from Barcelona, it will make its debut in Morocco with calls in Casablanca and Agadir, as well as its first-ever stops in Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Expanding NCL’s Atlantic offerings, the ship will also sail two dedicated cruises exploring destinations along the coasts of Spain, France, and Portugal: an 11-day repositioning cruise between Barcelona and London (Southampton) in May 2028 and a new nine-day round-trip cruise from London (Southampton) in September 2028. Together, these cruises highlight some of the most picturesque coastlines and cultural regions of Atlantic Europe. In the Baltic countries, the Norwegian Jewel will offer seven, nine, and ten-day cruises between London (Southampton), Copenhagen, and Helsinki, as well as five round-trip voyages from Copenhagen, with visits to famous capitals such as Tallinn, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; and Klaipeda, Lithuania.
2 – Enjoy the midnight sun aboard the Norwegian Getaway®
The Norwegian Getaway will sail 10- and 11-day Northern European itineraries between London (Southampton) and Reykjavik, giving passengers the opportunity to begin and end their cruise in two different destinations. These itineraries will take place during the height of the midnight sun season, when the long daylight hours allow for more time to explore ashore. The ship will visit destinations in Norway, Iceland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, while making inaugural calls in Grundarfjörður, Iceland, and Vik, Norway—the latter being NCL's first visit to that destination. Later in the season, the Norwegian Getaway will sail three nine- and eleven-day Baltic Sea itineraries, making its first call in Helsinki and an inaugural call in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
3 – Discover the treasures of the Mediterranean in Croatia and Sardinia
For the first time, the Norwegian Dawn®will call at Zadar, Croatia, and Cagliari, Sardinia, giving passengers two more reasons to explore the Mediterranean aboard this cruise ship. Throughout the season, the Norwegian Dawn will sail a series of 10- to 11-day cruises with various embarkation and disembarkation ports, including Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), and Venice (Ravenna). With virtually no days at sea, passengers can enjoy destinations ranging from Marseille to Salerno, including Koper and Kotor, all in one vacation.
4 – Discover Europe with fewer days at sea and more time on land
From the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands, and the British Isles, NCL offers guests more ways to explore the region with fewer days at sea and more time ashore. The Norwegian Viva®will continue to offer nine-, ten-, and twelve-day cruises between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Venice (Ravenna); Barcelona and Istanbul. Itinerary highlights include overnight stays in Istanbul and late-night departures to Santorini and Mykonos in Greece, as well as Livorno (Florence/Pisa) in Italy. The Norwegian Pearl®returns with seven-day, destination-packed Greek Island cruises between Venice (Ravenna) and Athens (Piraeus), allowing guests to discover some of the region’s most iconic destinations almost every day. For Greek Island cruises, the Norwegian Epic®will sail round-trip itineraries from Rome (Civitavecchia) ranging from nine to twelve days. The Norwegian Star® will once again sail the waters of the British Isles and Northern Europe, with stops in Belfast, Northern Ireland; Newhaven (Edinburgh) and Invergordon, Scotland, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
5 – Cross Fiji, Australia, French Polynesia and Hawaii off your bucket list, and head for the South Pacific
The Norwegian Spirit® will continue to offer immersive Pacific cruises, with homeports in Sydney; Lautoka, Fiji; Papeete, French Polynesia; and Honolulu, from April through October 2028. The ship’s 11- to 13-day itineraries connect some of the region’s most captivating destinations with various embarkation and disembarkation ports, including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Hawaii. With island stops in Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Apia, and Hawaii, guests can enjoy a blend of vibrant cultures, volcanic landscapes, turquoise lagoons, and relaxing days at sea.
6 – Discover Alaska with weekend getaways
NCL’s award-winning Alaska program will run from April to October 2028 with four ships offering guests multiple ways to experience the glaciers, wildlife, and natural beauty of this destination. The Norwegian Encore®,Norwegian Bliss®, and Norwegian Joy®will sail seven-day round-trip cruises departing from Seattle’s Pier 66 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, giving guests ideal embarkation days to plan a summer getaway. Glacier views will be featured on all cruises, including the Norwegian Joy’s longer nine- to eleven-day itineraries. The Norwegian Jade®will return with seven-day cruises embarking and disembarking in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Whittier, Alaska, including a scenic tour of Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier. Guests can further extend their adventure with NCL Cruisetours, which include iconic inland experiences such as Denali National Park and the historic Alaska Railroad.
7 – Enjoy to the fullest at Great Stirrup Cay: a destination for all generations
In the summer of 2028, more guests than ever will have the opportunity to experience Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas. The centerpiece of the island experience is Great Tides Waterpark, featuring 19 water slides, including the industry-first Master Blaster “Duel” slides, float slides, and splash-filled attractions designed for all ages. Families can spend the day exploring interactive water play areas and kid-friendly experiences, while thrill-seekers can embark on adrenaline-pumping adventures, and adults can unwind at the exclusive Vibe Shore Club. Whether traveling with family, friends, or as a couple, guests can create their own version of the perfect island day without missing out on the experiences they truly want. The Norwegian Aqua®will spend its first full summer season offering three- and four-night round-trip Bahamas cruises from Miami, perfectly complementing the Great Stirrup Cay experience with options for all types of travelers, both on land and on board, from the Aqua Slidecoaster to world-class entertainment and rejuvenating treatments at the award-winning Mandara Spa®.Together, the ship and the destination create the perfect getaway where every guest can choose their own combination of excitement, relaxation, and family fun.
8 – Explore the Caribbean aboard NCL’s newest and most innovative ships
From the Eastern to the Western Caribbean, NCL’s newest fleet offers travelers a wide variety of itineraries to discover the region’s most sought-after destinations. The Norwegian Aura™, one of NCL’s newest ships, will offer seven-day round-trip Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay. Designed with multigenerational vacations in mind, the ship will feature Ocean Heights™, NCL’s first outdoor activity complex. Dedicated spaces for kids and teens will include Adventure Alley, Little Explorer’s Cove, and the Teen Hangout, making it the ideal choice for families looking to make the most of the summer travel season. In the Western Caribbean, Norwegian Prima®will return to Galveston, Texas, and sail seven-day round-trip Western Caribbean itineraries that include stops in Harvest Caye, Belize, NCL’s resort-style destination known for its pristine beaches, nature adventures, and easy access to the region’s tropical beauty. For travelers seeking a longer Caribbean getaway, Norwegian Luna™ will embark on a special 10-day repositioning voyage from Miami to New York City in May 2028, with inaugural calls in Aruba, Curaçao, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Additionally, Norwegian Escape®will offer alternating round-trip Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Great Stirrup Cay from Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, giving guests the opportunity to combine two consecutive itineraries and explore more of the Caribbean in a single vacation.
9 – Sail to Bermuda from New York, Boston and Philadelphia, including the debut of the Norwegian Gem®in Philadelphia
NCL will set sail for its fifth consecutive season from the “City of Brotherly Love” with the regional debut of the Norwegian Gem in April 2028. The ship will offer a seven-day Bermuda cruise season with overnight stops at the Royal Naval Dockyard, giving guests more time to enjoy the island’s pink sand beaches, waterfront restaurants, and laid-back island culture, as well as visits to Norfolk, Virginia. Alongside the Norwegian Gem in Bermuda, the Norwegian Luna will sail five- and seven-day cruises from New York City, and the Norwegian Breakaway®will once again offer week-long cruises from Boston with additional stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where guests can explore maritime heritage, sample fresh seafood, and enjoy the picturesque coastal scenery of Atlantic Canada.
10 – Book in advance to enjoy the best selection and the best value for money
The best vacations rarely stay a secret for long. From first stops in Northern Europe and new discoveries in the Mediterranean to family getaways in the Bahamas and dream adventures in Alaska and the South Pacific, summer 2028 is packed with experiences guests won't want to miss. Travelers looking to secure their next summer vacation should book now to get the best value and take advantage of the guest-favorite Free at Sea™ upgrade, which includes premium beverages, specialty dining, excursion discounts, and a Wi-Fi package.
