Norwegian Cruise Line to sail between Middle East ports for first time in 2025

Norwegian Cruise Line will sail within the Middle East between two ports in the Arabian Gulf for the first time in 2025, with a 7-night cruise from Doha, Qatar to Dubai, UAE.

The cruise line also announced several Dubai and Middle East cruise departures aboard Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky, as part of a wider 2024/25 itinerary announcement that includes the debuts of the Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Sky in Asia.

From October 2024 through December 2025, Norwegian is expanding its cruises to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand with new port of call in Manama, Bahrain; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Sokhna, Egypt; and Akita, Japan.

“Our guests are craving longer, immersive and more unique itineraries that take them off the beaten path,” said Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “These new sailings represent the most diverse itinerary program to date and feature many brand firsts, including an extended Asia offering and new ports in Argentina, Bahrain, Japan and Egypt.”

“Coupled with NCL’s renowned onboard experiences – from spacious accommodations, exceptional entertainment and diverse dining options that rival land-based offerings, it truly is an unforgettable way to explore the world,” he added.

The 7-day inter-Middle East cruise aboard Norwegian Sun will depart Doha in Qatar on April 12, 2025, visiting Dammam in Saudi Arabia, Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain, and Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The call in Abu Dhabi will be an overnight, while the final night of the cruise will also be spent in port in Dubai, providing plenty of opportunities for exploring ashore.

While Norwegian Cruise Line has cruised from Dubai regularly for several years, this will be the first time the cruise line is sailing within the region. The 7-night Doha to Dubai cruise will be followed by a 16-day cruise from Dubai, UAE to Haifa, Israel.

The voyage aboard Norwegian Sun departs Dubai Oon April 19th, 2025, and features 10 ports of call, including Sokhna, Egypt, a new port for Norwegian.

In November 2024, two of Norwegian’s ships will be departing from Haifa, Israel including a 16-day Middle East Extraordinary Journey on the Norwegian Sky and an 11-day Mediterranean cruise from Haifa, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey aboard the Norwegian Sun.

The cruise line has also expanded its Africa cruise options with Norwegian Sky sailing a 16-day Africa sailingin December, 2024 to Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman followed by a 17-day sailing from Mauritius to Singapore with calls to Seychelles, Maldives and Zanzibar.