If the view of its passengers – both literal and figurative – is any indication, Norwegian Spirit‘s Western Australia debut this month should prove to be a huge success both for the line and the smaller ports it is visiting.
After departing Singapore, Norwegian Spirit arrived in Fremantle where Travel Weekly boarded before she continued along Western Australia’s stunning coastline, with calls to Busselton then Albany before two days at sea on the way to Adelaide where we debarked. She was then off to Kangaroo Island, Eden and Burnie, plus had an overnight stay in Melbourne ahead of concluding in Sydney this Sunday, 21 December.
While Norwegian Spirit offers tailored cruising for adult travellers, with no kids’ clubs, waterslides or other child-friendly bells and whistles, there were kids on boards, but just a handful among the 2000-odd grown-ups.
While there is little to do for the little ones, except perhaps a swim in either of the two pools, it does offer a range of other entertainment, including an impressive staff talent show, comedians, duos in the bars and and a guitarist in its sole snug pub. There are also talks – we became an astrophysicist in 40 minutes thanks to UNSW scholar Luke Barnes and at the other end of the spectrum are paid-for games such as Deal or No Deal and free time-filling trivia shows.
While it is an older ship, it has been meticulously refurbished with interiors that belie its age of 25. Revitalised from bow to stern in 2021, Norwegian Spirit features upgraded staterooms, stylish lounges and elevated dining options ideal for couples, solo travellers, and mature explorers.
With just five nights onboard, we were able to indulge in a wide variety of cuisines across its 14 dining options. Our favourites included Cagney’s Steakhouse, the French-inspired Le Bistro and the entertaining Teppanyaki, plus we scored a late booking at Onda by Scarpetta depite initally being told it was booked out on the Friday night. And that is the odd thing, despite almost every night feeling like the weekend, bookings are invariably heavier on a Friday or a Saturday nights, so plan your dining on the app or with speciality dining at as soon as you board.
There are also seven other complimentary dining venues, including the expansive Windows, which offers a huge seascape through the large rear windows as white-coated waitstaff tend to a sprinkling of guests. There is also the Gardens for breakfast and lunch, with an array of cusines, from Indian and Filipino, to cold meats and salads. Add to that several bars and lounges – such as the adults-only Spice H2O – and there is no shortage of venues.
There is a shortage of good coffee (one of our Amercian friends declined to drink it) so best be prepared to head to Starbucks where the quality of the coffee and the friendliness of the staff help overcome the cost. While you would think it would be included in a premium beverage package, think again. Prepare your client for a bit of bill shock with up to US$8 per latte.
While there is much debate about shore excursions and the expense of going, there is a lot of ground that will go uncovered if passengers walk off the gangway with little idea of what there is to see and how far away it is, despite the daily printed schedules, pointers and TV updates. We discovered a lot of unknown territory on our two shore excursions.
For the days at sea, guests can unwind at the award-winning Mandara Spa, which offers more than 50 specialty treatments and an adults-only Thermal Suite with heated loungers and panoramic ocean views. While cabins look like new, and the dining facilities are expansive, recent upgrades across most lines mean there is usually an opulent spa facility. While Norwegian Spirit has treatment rooms galore, a general daily pass will give you access to just the sauna, steam room and loungers. While there are several hot tubs on deck, there is no jacuzzi in Mandara.
From now until April 2026, Norwegian Spirit will sail a curated collection of 11 open-jaw itineraries, ranging from 11 to 19 days between Sydney and Auckland. This season also includes brand-first visits to Timaru and Gisborne, along with appealing ports such Bay of Islands and Napier. There is an average port stay of 10 hours across the season, guests will have ample time to explore each destination in depth.
While this marks her third season in local waters, Norwegian Spirit will be returning to the west coast for 2027/28, adding Esperance for the first time on top of existing port stops in Albany and Busselton.
Following her Australia-New Zealand season, she will then reposition to the stunning South Pacific for a series of 14 idyllic island itineraries ranging from 11 to 13 days departing from Sydney, Lautoka, Honolulu or Papeete. In addition to destinations such as Moorea, Fiji, Bora Bora and Nouméa, Norwegian Star will offer maiden calls to Rarotonga, Port Denarau, Port Vila, Aitutaki and Savusavu.
“Norwegian Spirit’s return for a third season in Australia and New Zealand reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to the region – not just as a destination, but as a vibrant source market,” NCL Asia-Pacific VP and MD, Ben Angell, said of the season launch.
“In response to guest feedback, we’re expanding our local footprint with more curated opportunities for Australians and New Zealanders to explore their own backyard. At a time when local cruise options are narrowing, NCL is proud to offer greater choice – giving both loyal guests and newcomers more flexibility in how, when, and where they cruise.
“Norwegian Spirit, fully reimagined and tailored for adult travellers, fills a unique gap in the market.
“With her return already confirmed for the 2026/27 season and beyond, close-to-home cruising across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific is here to stay.”
Looking ahead to her fourth local season during the summer of 2026/27, Norwegian Spirit will introduce a fresh collection of four to 14-day sailings, including nine departures from Sydney – the most ever for the brand. Among them are five round-trip Sydney voyages and NCL’s first ever four-night Tasmanian Taster cruises, offering a unique opportunity for local cruise fans to enjoy a premium long weekend escape on a smaller ship, without compromising on entertainment, service, or amenities. Departing on 6 & 21 January 2027, these round-trip sailings are the ideal introduction to cruising and to NCL, underscoring the cruise line’s commitment to giving guests more of what they want from their holiday.
Further brand-firsts during Norwegian Spirit’s 2026/27 season will include two curated 11-day round-trip cruises departing Sydney on 12 December 2026 and 10 January 2027 featuring overnight calls in both Melbourne and Adelaide, offering plenty of time for a more in-depth exploration of celebrated wine regions such as the Yarra Valley, Derwent Valley, McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley. Additional highlights will include calls in historic Hobart, and Kangaroo Island, a bucket list destination for lovers of nature and native wildlife.
A series of 11-day open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland will conclude the season with scenic journeys through New Zealand’s fjords, vibrant cities, and coastal gems – featuring the brand’s first-ever call to Phillip Island.
NCL is currently offering up to 50 per cent off all cruises and the popular Free at Sea package which includes over $3,250 in value with additional perks such as unlimited premium beverages; specialty dining meals; high-speed Wi-Fi package and shore excursion credits.
