Norwegian Cruise Line makes history as first major line to homeport in Panama
Norwegian Cruise Line has become the first mainstream cruise line to homeport in Panama, with Norwegian Jewel set to sail Central American itineraries from March, 2022. Norwegian Cruise Line has signed a multi-year agreement to seasonally homeport at the Colon Cruise Terminal as well as at Fuerte Amador Cruise Terminal located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country and adjacent to Panama City.
The new homeporting agreement provides Panama Canal transit benefits to Norwegian Cruise Line from 2022 through 2024, while operating homeport turnarounds. Through 2022 and 2023, 12 such itineraries will be offered.
Norwegian Jewel will cruise roundtrip from Panama City from March 20th, 2022, sailing 9-night cruises traversing the Panama Canal and visiting destinations including Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Oranjestad Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Kralendijk, Bonaire and Cartagena Colombia before arriving to the Caribbean side of Panama in the city of Colon.
“Part of our Company’s mission is to create unforgettable experiences in some of the most special places around the world,” said Harry Sommer, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line. “This new agreement enables nearly 24,000 guests to experience the beauty of Panama each year.” Norwegian Gem will be next in January, 2023, offering select Panama Canal voyages such as an 11-day journey visiting Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, before arriving in New York City.
On December 6th, 2023, Norwegian Joy will sail a 10-day cruise from Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama and visiting Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Roatán, Bay Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico before ending her journey in Miami.
On this cruise, the ship will also call in Harvest Caye, NCL’s private resort destination in Belize, and Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in the Bahamas. Currently, only Windstar cruises from Colon on the Pacific coast, while Seabourn, Viking, Windstar and Hapag-Lloyd cruise from Panama City on the Caribbean coast. However, none of them cruise from Panama roundtrip.
Norwegian Jewel will sail roundtrip from Panama City on March 20th and 29th, 2022, as well as November 24th and December 12th, on 9 or 12-night itineraries.
She’ll return in 2023 for six roundtrip itineraries of 8 to 12 nights from Panama City during January, February and March.
