Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Winter 2013/14 Fleet Deployment

The really big news in the Norwegian Cruise Line announcement of its winter deployment for the 2013/2014 season is that the line is bringing Norwegian Star back to the West Coast to sail from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. After a two-year hiatus, it's a limited engagement, but certainly one that will please tourism officials in the beleaguered Mexican ports.

In another show of confidence, Norwegian Jewel will homeport in New Orleans. When she debuts there on to offer 7-day Western Caribbean itineraries in 2013/2014, she'll be the first Jewel-class ship to call the Big Easy home and, in addition to offering increased capacity, her features include The Haven by Norwegian, a deluxe enclave of suites, pool, and other amenities in a private access area on the top of the ship, along with Nickelodeon programming.

Caribbean and Bahamas and Florida Deployment
Norwegian will have three ships sailing from Miami in the winter of 2013/14. Norwegian Epic returns for her fourth season, sailing a series of 25 seven-day Easter Caribbean cruises from Nov 2, 2013 to April 19, 2014 departing on Saturdays. Norwegian Pearl is set to embark on a series of 26 seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Oct 20, 2013 through April 13, 2014. Offering a longer cruise option, Norwegian Sun will sail 10 and 11-day Southern Caribbean cruises with Sunday and Wednesday departures from Oct 9, 2013 through April 16, 2014.

In New Orleans, Norwegian Jewel's series of 26 seven-day Western Caribbean cruises sail from Oct 13, 2013 through April 13, 2014. New for 2013 are Norwegian Jewel's alternating Western Caribbean itineraries in Nov and Dec. The first itinerary features Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Bay Islands Honduras; and Belize City, Belize. The second itinerary includes Ocho Rios or Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico

Norwegian Dawn will return to Tampa and sail a series of 22 seven-day Western Caribbean sailings from Nov 17, 2013 through April 20, 2014. The ship will also offer a 2-night cruise on Nov 15, 2013.

From New York, Norwegian Gem will continue her year-round sailings offering 7-day Bahamas and Florida cruises from April 27, 2013 through Sept 7, 2013. The port order of the Bahamas and Florida sailings has been changed to include more port time in Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral). Beginning Oct 19, 2013, Norwegian Gem will sail 21 nine-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 23, 2014. The ship will also offer a series of six one-night cruises from New York offering a quick getaway on Nov 15 and Dec 13, 2013, along with Jan 10, Feb 7, March 7 and April 4, 2014.

Panama Canal and Mexican Riviera Deployment
For the first time since April 2011, Norwegian will seasonally base a ship in Los Angeles, sailing a series of both 14-day Panama Canal and 7-day Mexican Riviera voyages. Beginning on Oct 13, 2013, Norwegian Star is scheduled for eight Panama Canal cruises between Los Angeles and Miami. The nine 7-day Mexican Riviera sailings are interspersed in Dec 2013 and March and April 2014.

Canada and New England
For fall foliage viewing at its peak, Norwegian Dawn will embark on four Canada and New England itineraries between Boston and Quebec from Sept 13 through Oct 4, 2013. These sailings can also be combined for an ultimate 14-day Canada and New England experience. Norwegian Gem offers a series of five 7-day Canada and New England cruises from New York from Sept 9 through Oct 12, 2013.

Transatlantics/Repositionings
Norwegian Epic will make two transatlantic voyages: an 11-day sailing on April 20, 2013 from Miami to Barcelona and a 13-day cruise Oct 20, 2013 from Barcelona to Miami. Norwegian Star will also make two transatlantic crossings: a 16-day from New Orleans to Copenhagen on April 21, 2013 and a 12-day voyage from Copenhagen to Miami on Oct 1, 2013.

There are also a number of repositioning cruises available between various departure ports that visit destinations in the Southern Caribbean and Panama Canal. Norwegian Dawn will set sail on a 12-day Caribbean Escape from Tampa to Boston on April 21, 2013. The ship will return to Tampa from Boston on Nov 1, 2013 on a 14-day Caribbean Escape. Norwegian Jewel, Pearl, and Sun will also offer a number of Panama Canal repositioning cruises between Miami and Los Angeles varying in length from 14 to 17 days.

More itinerary details can be found in Cruise Diva's Cruise News.

Norwegian Star Photo Courtesy Norwegian Cruise Line