Norwegian Cruise Line has extended its South Pacific cruise seasons to meet close-to-home demand with eight- to 13-day itineraries from now through to December 2026 and additional voyages between April and December 2027.
NCL has added more close-to-home sailings for Aussies aboard the adults-focused Norwegian Spirit, plus a Winter Warmers Sale with up to AUD$2,500 off South Pacific cruises with fares starting from AUD$210 per person per day on the 30 November 2026 departure.
Guests can also upgrade to the Free at Sea package from AUD$59 per person per day, bundling premium beverages, specialty dining, shore excursion credits and Wi-Fi.
The reimagined Norwegian Spirit is a more intimate ship designed for adult travellers with no kids’ clubs or waterslides and a choice of dining, bars, lounges and entertainment.
The extended seasons land as Aussies increasingly choose to holiday closer to home with three once-yearly sailings anchoring the program.
- 12-day South Pacific: Fiji, Brisbane & Vanuatu sails from Lautoka, Fiji to Sydney on 30 November 2026, offered once a year
- 11-day South Pacific: Fiji, Vanuatu & Lifou departs Sydney on 23 April 2027, with flight options available for the return leg from Lautoka.
- 8-day round-trip South Pacific: Rarotonga, Raiatea & Moorea sails from Papeete on either 9 June or 22 September 2027.
It also comes as one in three Australians plan to cruise in 2026 as demand surges.
Why close-to-home cruising is booming
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) data shows 1.16 million Australians cruised within Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in 2025, making close-to-home destinations the most popular for Australian cruisers.
It also reveals Australians are cruising in record numbers with South Pac allowing cruisers to visit multiple destinations in one trip – a primary reason travellers choose cruising over other holiday styles.
A 2025 Norwegian Cruise Line survey found that experiencing local culture (82%) and opportunities for relaxation and leisure (69%) were also key motivators, alongside accessibility and value for money.
Norwegian Cruise Line APAC Vice President & Managing Director Ben Angell said: “We are seeing strong interest from Australian travellers in cruising closer to home, particularly in the South Pacific, where cruising offers an effortless and cost-effective way to explore multiple islands without the hassle of inter-island flights – not to mention the ease of unpacking just once.”
“Having sailed there myself, I can confirm there’s nothing quite like travelling between these picture-perfect destinations by sea, and we are delighted to offer travellers even more opportunities to discover it during our extended 2026 and 2027 seasons,” he said.
KARRYON UNPACKS: With 1.16 million Australians already cruising close to home, NCL’s extended 2026 and 2027 South Pac seasons give advisors more opportunities to sell popular multi-destination itineraries for Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
