Norwegian Spirit offers “grown ups” more Sydney departures and overnights in Melbourne and Adelaide

• Norwegian Cruise Line has today announced the return of the Norwegian Spirit.
• The line has also announced 11 new sailings with overnights and a new Tasmanian short itinerary.
• Norwegian is noticeably targeting the adults-centric “grown ups”.

Norwegian Cruise Line is raising the stakes for its Australian and New Zealand cruising push, unveiling a season of Norwegian Spirit sailings out of Sydney, now with open-jaw itineraries, overnight calls, and curated experiences that include wine region excursions and in-depth exploration ashore.

In a clear demarkation from lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean – but a position quite close to Viking’s “No kids, no casinos” tagline – Norwegian is offering an “adults-centric” concept (“no waterslides, no kids’ clubs”).

Norwegian still welcomes families with children.

Sydney as the homeport: Where Spirit will sail

For the 2025/26 season, Norwegian Spirit will operate 11 open-jaw voyages from Sydney.

These sailings range from 11 to 19 days, linking Sydney and Auckland in both directions. Each itinerary is tailored to showcase the highlights of both countries — from New Zealand’s fjords and cultural hubs to extended stays in cities like Melbourne and Auckland.

While NCL’s press release broadly outlines the destinations (including maiden calls to Timaru and Gisborne, and visits to Bay of Islands, Napier, Kangaroo Island, Eden, Burnie, and more), the live itinerary listings confirm a number of standout round-trip and open-jaw options from Sydney.

The sailings include:

• 11-day open-jaw Sydney → Auckland (or return) – These shorter voyages appeal to travellers seeking a manageable trans-Tasman journey, with scenic coastal and fjord experiences.
• 13-day or 14-day overnight Melbourne / Adelaide sailings — two signature cruises in the 2026/27 season will feature overnight calls in both Melbourne and Adelaide, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the culture, food and wine that those cities and their surrounding regions offer.
• 19-day longer voyages that combine Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and New Zealand in one sweeping itinerary.

By mixing round-trip and open-jaw formats, NCL gives travellers flexibility – start in Sydney and end in Auckland (or vice versa) – while still returning them to local ports without requiring air repositioning.

Overnight calls, wine regions

One of the strategic differentiators of the new season is the emphasis on overnight stays in destinations like Melbourne and Adelaide. These extended calls unlock the possibility for curated excursions into nearby wine regions and culinary precincts, something harder to deliver on tight turnaround itineraries.

• In Melbourne, guests might enjoy late-evening access to the city’s laneways, arts precincts, or riverside dining, followed by a morning departure. Excursions could include trips to the Yarra Valley wineries or regional food trails.
• In Adelaide, overnight time allows journeys to McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills, or Barossa Valley — all storied wine districts within reach of the port.
• On Kangaroo Island or other natural destinations (e.g. Eden, Burnie), guests get the chance to deeply engage with local wildlife, landscapes and gourmet food producers.

The average port stay across the season is pegged at around 10 hours, giving guests substantial time ashore in each locale. Combined with overnight stays, that timing supports more immersive shore excursions rather than the quick “touch-and-go” visits typical of many larger ships.

By positioning these experiences as part of a grown-up, relaxed cruising model, NCL is clearly speaking to travellers who want more depth, fewer distractions, and meaningful time in port.

Unique Australian/NZ options

Norwegian Spirit’s 2025–27 deployment is taking advantage of several key differences:

1. More local departures from Sydney — fewer constraints around flying in to depart.
2. Open-jaw flexibility — travellers can disembark in Auckland (or start there) and still return or originate from Sydney, reducing the need for repositioning flights.
3. Overnight calls in Melbourne & Adelaide — enabling evening-into-morning experiences and access to regional attractions beyond the port city core.
4. Wine and gastronomic tie-ins — leveraging proximity to world-renowned wine regions (Yarra, Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills) as part of tailored shore excursions.
5. Adults-only positioning — no waterslide queues, no children’s clubs, which differentiates Spirit markedly from family-focused cruise options by rival brands.

NCL is aiming to offer something that bridges the gap between big-ship spectacle and boutique elegance — for travellers who want more substance ashore, refined onboard ambience, and convenience in departure ports.

For more, see here.