Are you daydreaming about your next holiday to escape the hustle and bustle of work or school? Look no further than the Norwegian Jewel, the perfect cruise getaway to recharge your weary soul and unlock undiscovered destinations.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) recently made its long-awaited return to Asian waters in October 2023 after a three-year hiatus, and the revitalised Norwegian Jewel will sail across Asia over the next six months for its 2023/24 season, visiting a series of exciting departure cities and new ports of call. With renowned destinations like Singapore’s iconic Gardens by the Bay, the idyllic beaches of Boracay in the Philippines, and the breathtaking scenery of Japan’s Mount Fuji, this Asian season is poised to be among the most exciting in NCL’s history yet.
If vibrant cities, stunning views, and coastal towns sound like your vacation, keep reading to uncover ten reasons you should go on a cruise onboard the Norwegian Jewel.
- Hitting all your dream destinations in one trip
Say goodbye to decision paralysis — you’ll never have to choose between a city or countryside holiday on the Norwegian Jewel. Pick from 16 unique and immersive itineraries that feature the perfect mix of city and country, including visits to capital cities like Tokyo, Bangkok, Seoul, and Singapore and tranquil seaside escapes like Bali, Bintan, and Phuket.
On this 11-day Asia: Thailand, Vietnam & Malaysia cruise, start your adventure in the lavish port of Singapore before stopping by Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia for cultural immersion. Next, you’ll unwind at the picturesque beaches of Phuket and Nha Trang before ending your voyage in the lively cities of Ho Chi Minh and Bangkok. Who doesn’t like the best of both worlds?
- Discover remote and idyllic beachside towns with our six new ports of call
You’ll experience several brand firsts with NCL, joining them on their maiden departures from Manila, Philippines, and Seoul, South Korea. Furthermore, Norwegian Jewel will be sailing to six new ports of call, Manila, Boracay, Palawan and Salomague in the Philippines, Bintan Island in Indonesia, and Hualien in Taiwan.
If you’ve ever wanted to visit the glittering beaches of Boracay, the Subterranean Rivers of Puerto Princesa, and the well-preserved historical sites in Salomague, you can easily discover these remote yet remarkable towns on this 11-day Asia: Philippines, Vietnam & Malaysia cruise.
- Go on extended cruises with less than two sea days per sailing
Cruises usually range from 10-14 days, with ships spending an average of less than two sea days per sailing and up to 13.5 hours in key destinations like Ho Chi Minh and Singapore.
This means that you’re getting the most bang for your buck, with plenty of time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and culture of each port and to explore Norwegian Jewel’s many onboard offerings.
- Enjoy overnight stays and shore excursions
For an even more immersive experience, Norwegian Jewel offers dedicated shore excursions to key landmarks for you and your loved ones, with transport and often meals included. You can sightsee and explore at a leisurely pace.
Deep dive into the culture and history of Nagasaki with this excursion that will bring you to museums highlighting the effects of the 1945 atomic blasts, or explore a vast underground network of tunnels that hid and protected thousands of Viet Cong troops during the Vietnam War in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City.
For a taste of local cuisine, try your hand at this Cooking Class and Fish Market in Busan, South Korea, where you’ll learn to prepare two classic Korean dishes for your lunch in a hands-on cooking class and browse the country’s largest seafood market. Another unmissable adventure is the Go Green – Marine Turtle Foundation and Gibbons Project, where you’ll feed sea turtle hatchlings and join a beach clean-up to help protect their nesting sites and watch gibbons being rehabilitated for release into Phuket’s only remaining rainforest.
NCL is committed to providing you with the most authentic local experiences in every port, with activities for all kinds of travellers.
Certain itineraries include extended overnight stays in iconic ports that come alive at night. Visit the infamous Patong beach when the sun sets in Phuket, Thailand, or take a photo with the Glico man in the Dotonbori area of Osaka, Japan.
5. Discover more with immersive land explorations
With our exclusive pre-cruise land tours, you can combine your voyage with immersive land explorations to make the most of your Asia trip.
In your Tokyo pre-cruise tour, spend four days visiting the Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace Plaza, the Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street, the Tokyo Tower, and so much more. Explore the modern metropolis of Singapore with cultural landmarks like Chinatown and Little India and skyline staples like Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay.
6. Splurge on The Haven, NCL’s most elevated suites
When you’re on holiday, you deserve nothing but the best — treat yourself to a stay at The Haven by Norwegian®.
Located at the top of the ship, The Haven houses NCL’s most elevated suites and villas that can accommodate up to eight people, complete with a concierge and 24-hour butler service and a private courtyard area for guests of The Haven. Think of it as first class, cruise edition.
7. Indulge in wellness at Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite
What’s a cruise without a relaxing spa experience? Voted the world’s best cruise spa by World Spa Awards, NCL’s Mandara Spa and Salon offers massages, facials, acupuncture and more.
Recharge and rejuvenate at Mandara Spa’s adults-only Thermal Suite with saunas, steam rooms, ice and snow rooms, vitality pools and therapeutic rooms. Dive into the Thalassotherapy pool, which harnesses the soothing properties of the sea to relieve all your tension and stress.
8. Eat your fill with the myriad of dining options
You won’t have to worry about a lack of dining options — the Norwegian Jewel boasts 15 dining options, including three Asian restaurants serving fresh quality dishes.
Some specialty restaurant highlights include Moderno Churrascaria for an authentic Brazilian feast, classic French fare at Le Bistro, and an unforgettable culinary experience at Teppanyaki. Dine and drink casually at Topsiders Bar & Grill, or eat to your heart’s content at the Garden Cafe.
9. Lounge at any of our 13 bars
You read that right, Norwegian Jewel has a whopping 13 bars scattered throughout the ship.
Each bar has a different theme — visit Bliss Ultra Lounge for a clubbing experience, Shakers Martini & Cocktail Bar for a 60’s Art Deco vibe with James Bond references, or the Spinnaker Lounge that turns into a dance floor at night. You’ll be spoiled for choice throughout your voyage, with no shortage of bars to unwind and let loose.
10. Enjoy show-stopping performances or a breezy jog on the deck
Entertainment or exercise, we have it all. You can keep the young ones occupied with the Splash Academy, the Video Arcade, or a basketball game. Meanwhile, you can explore the Art Gallery, count your cards at the Jewel Casino, or even curl up with a book at the Library.
Cap off your evening with a family outing to Le Cirque Bijou, a magical circus featuring death-defying acts and jaw-dropping stunts, a production exclusive to the Norwegian Jewel.
To make the choice easy for you, here’s one of our highlight cruises for Norwegian Jewel’s Asian season – the Asia: Singapore, Philippines, and Vietnam cruise. This unforgettable 11-day voyage departs from Manila, which marks NCL’s first departure from this iconic port, taking you to dreamy destinations like Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, Nha Trang in Vietnam, and the vibrant city of Singapore. Available for booking from 30 November 2023, you won’t want to miss this cruise.
For more information about the Company’s award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries or to book a cruise, please get in touch with a travel professional, call Hong Kong on +852 800 901 951 and Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.
