Thursday, July 18, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Norwegian Cruise Line, known for its pioneering spirit in global cruise travel over the past 57 years, has unveiled its 2026 spring/summer cruise itineraries. The destinations include the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, and the Canada and New England regions. Additionally, NCL announced a fresh season of voyages departing from the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort), marking the line’s return to this port after several years.
Starting April 16, 2026, Norwegian Jewel® will begin offering seven-to-nine-day cruises to Bermuda, introducing the city as a new cruise hub. These cruises will depart from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex, where collaborative efforts with the local government are in progress to establish a new facility to accommodate cruisers by 2026. The Bermuda journeys on the Norwegian Jewel will include extended stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda, allowing guests ample time to explore the island’s stunning turquoise waters and pink-sand beaches. As the exclusive cruise line operating out of Philadelphia until October 17, 2026, this new homeport will provide greater cruising accessibility to residents of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.
“We remain committed to delivering more experiences for our guests to create unforgettable memories, so they can vacation better with us,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are particularly proud to partner with PhilaPort to launch cruising in the area, making it even more accessible to the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.”
“The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s premier cruise lines,” said Jeff Theobald, executive director and CEO of PhilaPort. “Philadelphia has so much to offer, as the birthplace of freedom and the home to much of our nation’s history, we look forward to connecting cruisers with our world class city. This new service rounds out the portfolio of services offered at PhilaPort, and we look forward to this next phase of growth.”
The Company’s newly announced 2026 spring/summer season features nearly 250 itineraries across nine of its upcoming 20 ships. These voyages are scheduled to depart from various U.S. and Canadian ports from April through November 2026, visiting 30 distinct destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, New England, and Alaska. With each port of call allowing for an average of 10 hours of exploration, guests have the opportunity to bask on the idyllic beaches, immerse in the vibrant cities and cultures of the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda; experience the rustic autumn scenery of Canada and New England; or delve into the untouched wilderness and stunning natural landscapes of Alaska.
Herrera continued, “Our new 2026 spring/summer deployment further meets the vacation demands of our guests with more shorter cruise offerings to fun-in-the-sun destinations, such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean, as well as a variety of longer itineraries to bucket-list destinations, such as Alaska.”
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is set to captivate travelers with its spring/summer 2026 itineraries, revealing exciting new routes and homeports.
Exploring New Horizons with Norwegian Jewel
Beginning April 16, 2026, Philadelphia will welcome the Norwegian Jewel for its inaugural Bermuda season, offering voyages until August 27, 2026. After its Bermuda stint, the vessel will traverse the cooler climes of Canada and New England with 10- and 11-day itineraries. These journeys will alternate between Philadelphia and Québec City, featuring lesser-known gems like Saguenay, Charlottetown, and Halifax, along with popular stops in Bar Harbor and Boston.
Record-Breaking Sailings from Boston
The Norwegian Breakaway is slated to become the largest NCL ship to operate regular turnarounds from Boston, starting April 19, 2026. The ship will provide seven-day trips to Bermuda through November, including an overnight stay in the Royal Naval Dockyard and a visit to Halifax. Post-summer, it will pivot to charming Canada and New England routes until mid-October.
Norwegian Aqua’s Big Apple Return
The Norwegian Aqua will dock back in New York City for a second Bermuda season, offering a variety of five- and seven-day trips with extended stays in Bermuda.
Enhanced Bahamas Adventures
Responding to high demand, the Norwegian Getaway will embark on nearly 40 short cruises to the Bahamas from Miami throughout the season. These quick getaways will include stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, home to NCL’s best-rated port and a new multi-ship pier slated for completion by late 2025.
Caribbean Escapes on Norwegian Prima
Norwegian Prima will offer week-long voyages from Port Canaveral, exploring the Eastern and Western Caribbean’s most coveted destinations, such as Montego Bay, George Town, and Puerto Plata. Travelers can opt for consecutive sailings for a comprehensive 14-day Caribbean exploration.
Alaska’s Youngest Fleet
The Alaska sailing season kicks off in late April with the Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Joy cruising from Seattle, Whittier, and Vancouver. These modern vessels boast the only racetracks at sea and are designed to optimize viewing of Alaska’s stunning landscapes. Norwegian Jade will also offer seven-day voyages between Vancouver and Whittier, providing an intimate experience of Alaska, including the option for a cruisetour.
NCL’s expanded 2026 offerings ensure that travelers have ample opportunity to plan and book a diverse range of voyages to over 450 global destinations, promising a season filled with adventure and new discoveries.