Cruise operator NCL says its six new shore excursion categories are designed to showcase the local people, culture and cuisine of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

American luxury cruise Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced six new shore excursion categories to Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.  

In a press statement, NCL says among the new categories in the cruise include, ‘Beyond Blueprints’, a selection of 15 tours that uncover the design secrets and stories of some of Europe’s most iconic architectural landmarks such as those in Barcelona, Lisbon, Belfast, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki. Included in the tour are La Villa Mediterranée and Mucem in Marseille in France, Victoria Square and Titanic Belfast in Belfast, in Northern Ireland and Riverside Museum and Glasgow Science Museum in Glasgow (Greenock) in Scotland.

“We are committed to delivering unparalleled experiences across our fleet and the over 400 destinations we visit. Travellers are looking for more immersive vacations, from longer itineraries to more authentic experiences, which is why together with our destination partners we’ve created a collection of new on-shore offerings designed to create unforgettable moments for our guests,” says David Herrera, NCL President. 

Another addition, NCL says ‘Gourmet Tours’ is designed for the foodies to uncover the secrets behind local cuisine of some of Europe’s most iconic culinary destinations. Guests can taste from port-to-port with cooking classes led by a local artisan, authentic dining experiences at a family-owned homestead and more. Shore excursions include Castello Di Siza and Sicilian Luncheon in Palermo in Italian island of Sicily, Folkloric-Gastronomical Experience in Olympia at Katakolon in  Greece and Seasonal Gastro-cultural Experience at Barcelona in Spain.

The statement adds that in ‘Go Local’, guests can uncover the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations as diverse as Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa. These tours are designed to offer authentic cultural experiences that connect guests to locals in a meaningful and memorable way, with ‘A Day at the Farm’ in Kusadasi in Turkiye, ‘Lisbon Soul’ in Lisbon in Portugal and ‘Explore Florence Like a Local’ in Florence or Pisa in Livorno in Italy.

For ‘Let’s Take a Selfie’ which, NCL says is already proving very popular, these excursions deliver the ultimate destination photos in worldwide locations. A knowledgeable guide will share the perfect angles and most picturesque spots to capture unforgettable moments in Santorini, Greek Isles, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands and Cartagena De Indias, Colombia.

The statement adds that another inclusion is the ‘Small Group Tours’. With no more than 16 guests per group, these tours provide a more intimate experience of some of the most popular NCL excursions available in idyllic destinations like Italy, Greece and Spain. Small Group Tours are available to book by calling NCL. Examples include Captivating Malaga in Spain, Highlights of Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy and Best of Corfu, Greek Isles.

NCL adds that ‘Design Your Day’ experiences are curated for the individual traveller, fromNCL private wine tastings to a five-course dining experience at a Michelin starred restaurant.