Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed that the Norwegian Spirit will spend the summer of 2028 sailing an extensive collection of South Pacific, Hawaii and French Polynesia cruise itineraries, opening up one of the most sought-after but underexplored cruising regions for travellers planning ahead.

Itinerary Details

Between April and October 2028, the Norwegian Spirit will offer 11- to 13-night voyages across the South Pacific. According to the cruise line, the itineraries have been designed to link together some of the region's most captivating destinations, using a range of distinct embarkation and disembarkation ports rather than a single fixed round trip.

Departures will be available from four key hubs — Sydney (Australia), Lautoka (Fiji), Honolulu (Hawaii) and Papeete (Tahiti) — giving travellers flexibility to start or end their South Pacific cruise from whichever gateway suits their travel plans best.

Destinations Featured on the Voyage

Guests sailing the Norwegian Spirit's 2028 South Pacific season can expect a blend of volcanic landscapes, turquoise lagoons, vibrant island cultures and generous days at sea. Confirmed ports of call include Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Apia and Hawaii, alongside additional stops in New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and the Cook Islands.

This combination makes the itinerary particularly appealing for travellers seeking a South Pacific and Hawaii cruise that goes well beyond the typical single-destination island holiday.

Positioning Ahead of the 2028 Season

Before beginning its South Pacific deployment, the Norwegian Spirit will spend the 2027–28 winter season sailing in Australia and New Zealand waters, positioning the ship conveniently for its transition into the Pacific Islands programme.

Part of a Broader 2028 Global Deployment

The South Pacific and Hawaii season forms just one part of Norwegian Cruise Line's wider 2028 summer deployment, which also includes new itineraries across Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska and Bermuda. Notable highlights include the debut of the Norwegian Gem sailing from Philadelphia, along with the company's first-ever year-round sailing schedule from Galveston, Texas.

In Europe, seven Norwegian vessels will operate itineraries spanning the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Iceland, Scandinavia, the North Sea and the Greek Isles, while four ships — the Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Jade — will sail dedicated Alaska cruise itineraries.

Across the full 2028 programme, Norwegian says its ships will spend close to 80 percent of each voyage docked in port, supported by 175 overnight stays and later evening departures — a deployment strategy aimed at giving guests significantly more time to explore each destination in depth. In total, the season spans close to 150 destinations across 51 countries.

What This Means for Travellers Planning Ahead

With South Pacific and Hawaii cruise itineraries typically drawing strong early demand due to limited seasonal sailings, travellers interested in the Norwegian Spirit's 2028 season are advised to begin planning well in advance. Multiple embarkation ports also make this a strong option for combining a South Pacific cruise with an extended stopover in Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii.

Source: Cruise Industry News