The NCL 2027-28 Winter Season marks one of the most ambitious cold-weather deployments ever announced by the brand, combining high-frequency Caribbean cruising with immersive long-haul journeys across the Asia and the South Pacific region. Designed to give travelers greater freedom in both itinerary length and destination choice, the season stretches from September 2027 through April 2028 and encompasses more than 370 sailings across nearly 50 countries.
Rather than focusing solely on volume, this winter program emphasizes time, access, and variety. Guests can choose everything from short tropical escapes to extended voyages lasting more than three weeks, with itineraries intentionally structured around longer port stays, overnight calls, and late departures that encourage deeper exploration ashore.
A Winter Deployment Built Around Exploration, Not Just Escape
At the heart of the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season is a clear shift toward immersive travel. Across 144 destinations worldwide, itineraries average close to ten hours in port, supported by more than 70 overnight stays and dozens of late-evening departures. This approach allows guests to experience destinations beyond headline attractions, from local dining scenes to cultural events that typically unfold after sunset.
Voyage lengths range from two to 22 days, ensuring flexibility for both first-time cruisers and experienced travelers seeking more destination-intensive journeys. The deployment spans the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, creating a truly global winter footprint.
Free at Sea Plus Returns with Expanded Premium Inclusions
Complementing the new itineraries is the return of the Free at Sea Plus package, reintroduced in response to strong guest demand. The upgraded offering allows travelers to bundle premium amenities into a single opt-in experience, including enhanced beverage selections, streaming-quality Wi-Fi, specialty coffee options, and additional dining value.
By pairing this package with the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season, the brand reinforces its emphasis on flexibility and ease, enabling guests to customize their cruise experience while simplifying onboard spending. The result is a more seamless vacation that places the focus on relaxation and shared moments rather than logistics.
San Juan Emerges as a Southern Caribbean Powerhouse
A defining feature of the season is the decision to base two Prima Class ships in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking a first for the fleet. Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva will operate alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, each offering a distinct routing while maintaining consistent embarkation convenience.
From late 2027 into early 2028, these sailings will visit a diverse mix of destinations including Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao, Tortola, and St. Thomas. By staggering departure days and ports of call, the two ships collectively deliver broader regional coverage while allowing guests to select the itinerary that best fits their travel style during the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season.
Florida Homeports Anchor the Caribbean Program
Florida remains a cornerstone of the winter deployment, with multiple ships sailing from Miami, Port Canaveral, and Jacksonville. From Miami, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Luna offer a wide spectrum of itineraries, ranging from short Bahamas sailings to extended Caribbean and Panama Canal voyages.
Port Canaveral adds further variety with Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Breakaway, and Norwegian Epic, delivering both Western and Eastern Caribbean routes throughout the season. Jacksonville rounds out the Florida lineup with Norwegian Dawn, returning for a second winter of Bahamas-focused itineraries.
Many of these sailings include calls to Great Stirrup Cay, the private island destination in the Bahamas that will debut significant enhancements, including a new pier, a large heated pool, and the Great Tides Waterpark. These upgrades elevate the island experience and play a central role in the appeal of the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season.
Continued Investment in Regional U.S. Homeports
Beyond Florida, the winter deployment underscores a continued commitment to regional cruising. From Philadelphia, Norwegian Pearl will operate a varied program of five- to 12-day itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Several of these voyages include overnight stays and longer port calls, offering a more immersive alternative to traditional Caribbean sailings.
The Gulf Coast also plays a prominent role, with Norwegian Escape sailing from Galveston and Norwegian Getaway departing from New Orleans. These Western Caribbean itineraries provide convenient access to destinations such as Cozumel, Roatán, and Harvest Caye, blending cultural discovery with relaxed resort-style days ashore.
Mexican Riviera Sailings from the West Coast
On the U.S. West Coast, Norwegian Encore will maintain a consistent winter presence from Los Angeles with roundtrip Mexican Riviera itineraries. Calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, these sailings combine warm-weather destinations with onboard attractions tailored to families and multigenerational travelers.
The ship’s mix of outdoor venues, entertainment options, and dining experiences ensures that West Coast guests have access to the same breadth of onboard offerings found elsewhere in the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season, without the need for long-distance travel to embark.
Asia and the Pacific Deliver Destination-Rich Voyages
Further afield, Norwegian Jade will anchor the Asia program with itineraries spanning Japan and Southeast Asia. Sailing from ports such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore, these nine- to 14-day voyages feature near-daily port calls and select overnight stays, including extended time in Kobe and Hong Kong.
In the South Pacific, Norwegian Spirit returns for its fifth consecutive season in Australia and New Zealand. Homeporting across Sydney, Auckland, and Singapore, the ship will offer itineraries ranging from eight to 21 days, including overnight stays in key Australian cities and a debut call in Esperance. The ship’s refined, adult-focused atmosphere aligns well with the longer, destination-intensive nature of these voyages.
A Winter Season Defined by Freedom and Flexibility Taken together, the NCL 2027-28 Winter Season reflects a deliberate evolution toward longer stays, broader destination access, and greater onboard value. By balancing Caribbean frequency with once-in-a-lifetime global journeys, the deployment offers travelers a winter program that is both expansive and thoughtfully designed.