ROME (ITALPRESS) – 2024 will be another record year for Italian cruises. The Cemar Agency Network forecasts in fact confirm the growth indicators of cruise traffic in Italian ports, already highlighted in 2023 and linked to the strong recovery in demand from the market, as reported by ShipMag.it. In 2024 the new record will stand at 13,800,000 passengers handled in the ports of the peninsula, with 5,187 ships calling and 166 units sailing Italian waters representing 53 shipping companies. There will be 74 Italian ports involved in cruise traffic. On the podium we will see the new record of Civitavecchia (3.5 million passengers), followed by Genoa (1.7 million) and Naples (1.6 million).
In this context, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched the 2024 cruise season in Europe, with the arrival of the Norwegian Epic at its seasonal home port in Rome (Civitavecchia), before embarking on a 10-day voyage between the Greek Islands it’s Italy.
During the summer season, travelers embarking on NCL Europe cruises will have the opportunity to choose from 101 different itineraries with 38 round trips and 63 open-jaw sailings calling at 140 fascinating ports across Northern Europe , the Mediterranean, the Greek Islands and the Atlantic Coast. Additionally, guests can thoroughly explore top destinations such as Istanbul, Türkiye; Florence (Livorno), Italy and Reykjavik, Iceland with selected itineraries offering overnight stopovers. Cruises will depart from 13 ports such as New York City; Paris (Le Havre), France; and Oslo, Norway. The Company will have a total of nine ships in the region, including the innovative and brand new ships, Norwegian Prima and Norwegia Viva, as well as Norwegian Escape, which will return to Europe following its successful season in 2022.
With an average of 10 hours in port, guests can explore independently or choose from a wide range of shore excursions designed to provide an in-depth experience of each destination. For more immersive experiences, NCL offers unique collections of shore excursions including, Beyond Blueprints, to discover the design secrets and stories of Europe’s most iconic monuments; Gourmet Tours, designed for lovers of good food, who will be able to discover the behind the scenes of local cuisines; and Go Local, a selection of excursions that invite you to rediscover the daily rhythms and customs of life in the destinations. Guests aspiring to spend more time in Europe and dive deeper into the region’s rich history can take advantage of NCL’s Cruisetours program, a pre- and post-cruise option that includes round-trip flights, hotel stays, transportation and excursions. Cruisetours are currently available in 10 European destinations, including Istanbul, Türkiye; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rome and Venice, Italy, among others.
“As we return to Europe this season, our goal remains consistent: to create unparalleled and captivating experiences for guests to immerse themselves in Europe’s most iconic and sought-after destinations, so they can maximize their travel with us,” says David J. Herrera , President of Norwegian Cruise Line. “In fact, we’ve found that a cruise to Europe with NCL offers up to 20% more value than a similar vacation on land, making it not only a memorable experience, but also more affordable. There’s still time to book a last-minute vacation to Europe with NCL and enjoy the beauty of waking up in a new destination almost every day.”
NCL in Europe also provides a variety of offerings to enjoy on board, including high-production-value entertainment; up to 20 world-class dining options and a wide range of onboard activities suitable for the whole family, from thrilling races on the unique three-level circuits at sea, to serene moments in the award-winning Mandara Spa – reads a note -. Plus, with NCL’s Freestyle Cruising philosophy, guests have the freedom to customize their vacation experience to their preferences, with no set schedule. NCL’s freedom of choice and value proposition invite guests to explore the world while benefiting from the convenience of unpacking only once and waking up in an exciting new destination almost every day. Additionally, with NCL’s Free at Sea offering, guests can further customize their vacation to suit their desires, receiving perks such as specialty dinners, unlimited beverage packages, shore excursion credits and more.”
Norwegian Star is the only ship in NCL’s fleet equipped for polar navigation, allowing it to reach ports above the Arctic Circle. As such, the ship will be the first in the NCL fleet to offer a new summer series of 12- to 14-day, port-packed cruises between New York City and Reykjavik, Iceland, with calls in Akureyri and Grundarfjordur, Iceland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Halifax, Canada. These itineraries will depart in July and August 2024.
Norwegian Getaway will call in Athens (Piraeus), Greece on June 25 to embark on seven- to 10-day round-trip itineraries around the Greek islands. Each day, the ship will dock in a new port allowing guests to explore must-see destinations such as Istanbul, Turkey; Heraclius (Crete), Santorini and Mykonos, in Greece, as well as hidden gems such as Izmir (Ephesus), in Turkey. Select departures include overnight stays in Istanbul that give guests more than 24 hours to visit the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar.
Between May and November 2024, NCL’s newest ship, Norwegian Viva, will offer guests a selection of nine-, 10- and 11-day open-jaw Mediterranean cruise voyages. These unique itineraries feature a different port of embarkation and disembarkation in sought-after destinations such as Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, offering travelers the opportunity to plan an extended vacation before or after their cruise.
Norwegian Escape will be the company’s largest ship in Europe this season at nearly 165,000 gross tons. This ship will call at Barcelona, Spain; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Venice (Trieste), Italy, with 8- to 10-day round-trip cruises in the western Mediterranean calling daily at a sun-kissed port, as well as 7- to 11-day open-jaw cruises with stops in Italy, Greece and France with just one day at sea.
Additionally, NCL cruises in Europe are already on sale through December 2025, giving guests the chance to plan and book their next summer vacation in advance.
– Norwegian Cruise Line press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
