Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled its 2027–28 northern hemisphere winter deployment, rolling out more than 320 new sailings across the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and the Mexican Riviera, marking one of the cruise line’s most extensive seasonal schedules to date.

The newly announced voyages form part of a wider release of over 370 itineraries across 50 countries for the October 2027 to April 2028 period, underscoring NCL’s continued emphasis on warm-weather destinations, flexible homeporting and week-long itineraries aimed at both first-time and repeat cruisers.

A key highlight of the deployment is San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will, for the first time, serve as a dual homeport for two of NCL’s Prima Class ships. From November 2027 to April 2028, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva will operate alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, offering access to destinations including St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, Tortola, Aruba and Curaçao. The move positions San Juan as a strategic Caribbean gateway, enabling deeper island-hopping routes without extended sea days.

Florida continues to anchor NCL’s Caribbean strategy, with seven ships sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville. From Miami, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Luna will offer a mix of short Bahamas cruises and longer Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings. Port Canaveral will see Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic operating Western and Eastern Caribbean routes, while Jacksonville will host Norwegian Dawn for four- and five-day Bahamas itineraries.

Many Florida-based sailings will include calls at Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, where new infrastructure enhancements are planned, including a pier, a large heated pool and an expanded waterpark, aimed at handling higher passenger volumes and improving shore experience efficiency.

Beyond Florida, NCL is maintaining year-round operations from Philadelphia, with Norwegian Pearl offering itineraries ranging from five to 12 days to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Several sailings will feature overnight stays in Bermuda, reflecting growing traveller demand for slower-paced itineraries and extended port immersion.

On the US Gulf Coast, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway will operate Western Caribbean voyages from Galveston and New Orleans respectively between November 2027 and April 2028. These routes will include calls at Cozumel, Roatán and Harvest Caye, NCL’s private destination in Belize.

On the West Coast, Norwegian Encore will sail seven-day Mexican Riviera itineraries from Los Angeles throughout the season, calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. The ship’s onboard offering is designed to appeal to families and multigenerational travellers, aligning with the cruise line’s broader focus on flexible, experience-led cruising.

The deployment builds on NCL’s previously announced Asia-Pacific, Australia–New Zealand and Hawai‘i sailings for the same season, including longer itineraries aboard Norwegian Spirit and Norwegian Jade, some extending up to 21 days and featuring overnight port stays.

Together, the expanded winter schedule reflects NCL’s strategy of diversifying homeports, increasing ship deployment density in high-demand regions, and offering a wide mix of short, mid-length and immersive voyages as global cruise demand continues to normalise and grow.

  • Published On Dec 21, 2025 at 03:06 PM IST

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