Norwegian Cruise Line revealed the debut with the new Panama Canal cruises in 2022, becoming the first cruise line to offer Panama City as a homeport for cruise ships. Norwegian Jewel and other ships are scheduled for a variety of voyages in 2022 and 2023. This opportunity is great for the adventurous tourist to discover Panama and the Canal, with everything they have to offer. 

The maiden voyage with Norwegian Jewel is scheduled for March 20, 2022, and it will depart Fuerte Amador to transit the canal and head to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Oranjestad Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Kralendijk, Bonaire and Cartagena Colombia before ending in Colon. 12 voyages of this kind are planned in 2022 and 2023. The agreement between Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (Norwegian’s parent company) and the Panama Tourism Authority, allows NCLH vessels to homeport at the Colon Cruise Terminal on the Caribbean side of the canal, also at the Fuerte Amador Cruise Terminal on the Pacific Ocean side of the canal. 

"Part of our Company's mission is to create unforgettable experiences in some of the most special places around the world," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "This new agreement enables nearly 24,000 guests to experience the beauty of Panama each year."

Currently, Panama Canal is only visited on “partial transits” or full-transit cruises departing from Florida.