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Norwegian Spirit heads back to Australia with more Sydney departures than ever before

Katie Dundas Katie Dundas
Norwegian Cruise Line offers adult cruisers the ideal way to travel with unrivalled choice for a ship of her size, plus the dining, excitement and spa amenities typically found on a much larger ship.

Cruising close to home with Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL) has never been better. Norwegian Spirit® is returning for its biggest Australian season yet, and it’s ideal for adults seeking an elevated local cruising experience that packs a big punch with entertainment, personalised service and premium amenities.

With convenient Sydney departures, these refined itineraries will equally appeal to cruise newcomers or veteran sailors. From enriching days in port leading into world-class dining at sea, here’s how Norwegian Spirit has been curated just for discerning travellers.

About the ship

NCL norweigian spirit in phillip island
Explore Australia with Norwegian Spirit.

Norwegian Spirit offers something not often seen: a smaller ship reimagined to appeal to adults. With numerous convenient Sydney departures, enjoy a boutique feel from the moment your holiday begins – from faster embarkation to plenty of open space onboard and plenty of special touches designed to make your holiday even more meaningful.

In port, discover the delights of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. But sea days will be just as memorable. Norwegian Spirit has been tailored to suit the interests of adult cruisers, with splash pools and kids’ clubs replaced by elevated relaxation spaces.

Get lost in a good book on a plush daybed within the adults-only Spice H2O, soak away the tension at the award-winning Mandara Spa® with Thermal Suite, or meet up with new friends for the evening’s world-class entertainment.

Everything onboard has been crafted for calm and relaxation; an oasis at sea where entertainment, exceptional service and an array of upscale dining experiences.

A culinary adventure at sea

Onda by Scarpetta inside the Norwegian Spirit.
Indulge in culinary excellence at Onda by Scarpetta.

Onboard, enjoy unrivalled dining options with 14 dining options and nine bars and lounges. Freestyle Dining has tossed aside structured dining room meal times, so guests can walk in when it suits them, or use the NCL app to easily make a booking.

Classic pub fare at The Local is perfect for a casual bite after returning to the ship, or plan a romantic dinner for later that evening, taking in the ocean views and golden sunset.

International flavours delight when you try out Norwegian Spirit ’s specialty dining, including Onda by Scarpetta, Le Bistro and Cagney’s Steakhouse, each with a curated wine menu to enhance each restaurant’s signature dishes.

All of the onboard specialty dining options have been enhanced to suit adult palettes who seek premium cuisine that incorporates the freshest local ingredients and modern design.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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New offerings

The pool on Norwegian Spirit with stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Swim in a cruise pool with ever-changing Australian coastal views.

NCL has reimagined Norwegian Spirit to offer something innovative in the crowded cruising industry: premium cruising catered to adults, but on a smaller ship that doesn’t sacrifice on entertainment.

Both the amenities and the ship’s itineraries were carefully planned to suit adult travellers drawn to the ease of departing from Sydney. During the 2026/2027 summer season, Norwegian Spirit will return with 10 Sydney sailings – more than ever before – including five round-trip itineraries.

Get the most from a long weekend at sea or take an immersive East Coast adventure, with a selection of four- to 14-day itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Each taking curious travellers to a new destination almost every day.

The long weekend of a lifetime

The Mandara spa inside the Norwegian Spirit.
Fall into relaxation at the award-winning Mandara Spa.

Sometimes, a few days at sea can be just what you need to reset and recharge, which is why NCL has released its first-ever four-day Tassie taster cruise departing from Sydney. It’s designed as the ideal long weekend escape for adults seeking a reset, where guests can do as much or as little as they please.

Sea days can be spent relaxing. Perhaps an Aroma Stone Therapy massage at the award-winning Mandara Spa, or an afternoon taking in the vibrant deckside energy at Waves Pool Bar.

In Hobart, an array of shore excursions will showcase the rugged beauty and history of the island. From oyster and wine tasting, strolls through the eclectic Salamanca Market, or spotting the iconic Tasmanian devil, make the time in port your own.

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11 days around the country

The Norwegian Spirit with stunning views of the Sydney Opera House.
Wake up to Australia’s iconic sights.

Explore some of the country’s most iconic locations, enjoying the comfort of your stateroom between stops on this unique 11-day itinerary. You’ll discover the beauty of South Eastern Australia, including Kangaroo Island, each delivered right to your doorstep.

This sailing is designed to be completely relaxing yet immersive, with overnights† in both Adelaide and Melbourne. For tennis fans, the January departure is timed to pair with a day at the popular Australian Open.

As a longer itinerary, find a great balance of sea and port days. It’s ideal for adults seeking serious unhurried exploration and foodies looking forward to the opportunity to try out more of Norwegian Spirit ’s many dining options.

To book, contact your travel agent, call 1300 255 200 or visit ncl.com

†Applies to select sailings. 

Katie Dundas
Katie Dundas is a freelance travel journalist based in Sydney but originally from the US. She’s passionate about the outdoors, adventure travel, and sustainability and can often be found hiking or swimming. Happiest near water, she loves getting off the beaten track and discovering somewhere new, often with Apple, her tiny pup.
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7 wellness experiences on Hamilton Island for complete rejuvenation

(Credit: Riley Williams)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    Conjuring calm and active adventure in equal measure, Hamilton Island is a tropical tonic for body and mind.

    Hamilton Island knows a thing or two about indulgence. There are long lunches to linger over, seafood towers to savour and poolside loungers designed for guilt-free idling. But for health-minded travellers wanting to feel energised inside and out, this sliver of the Whitsundays takes wellbeing just as seriously. Think yoga mats rolling out at dawn, kayaks skimming turquoise water, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and spa therapists working tropical magic. These Hamilton Island wellness experiences promise to restore, rebalance and leave you feeling brand new.

    1. E-Mountain biking

    mountain bikers on Hamilton Island wellness
    Follow Hamilton Island’s mountian biking trails. (Credit: Harry Gruttner)

    For travellers with an appetite for adrenaline, Hamilton Island’s new self-guided e-mountain biking experience is worth carving out a morning for. Start at HI Trails HQ, where you’ll be fitted with a full-suspension, pedal-assisted e-mountain bike and given a run-through of a nine-kilometre section of the island’s 25-kilometre trail network. The electric boost makes the ride more accessible (and the climbs more manageable), though an intermediate level of fitness is still recommended.

    As a first-time mountain biker, I start off wobbly – taking my time to get used to switching gears and electric modes – and wonder if I’ve overestimated my coordination. But soon something clicks. Suddenly we’re zooming through pockets of eucalyptus and out onto ridgelines with sweeping views of electric blue waters, catching our breath at hidden bays with barely another soul in sight. More than 70 per cent of the island remains untouched, so witnessing these lesser-explored pockets feels like a blessing. It’s the kind of adventure that leaves you buzzing, accomplished and blissfully tired out.

    2. HI Fitness Club

    HI Fitness Club reformer pilates
    Stretch out with reformer pilates.

    If mountain biking isn’t quite your speed, there are plenty of other ways to stay active on the island. One of the newest Hamilton Island wellness experiences, HI Fitness Club now has 24-hour access, offering a fully equipped modern gym, group classes spanning HIIT to yoga, plus two bubbling spas and a sauna waiting to loosen sore muscles.

    I drop in for a Reformer Pilates class. Each of the four machines has its own mini screen with a wide selection of high-quality virtual classes, meaning I can select one that suits my level and mood that day. Beyond Pilates, the virtual library is like a choose-your-own adventure for fitness enthusiasts: dance, Body Pump, Body Combat and GRIT Cardio are among the options. Or perhaps challenge a family member or friend to a hit of tennis at one of the three courts.

    3. Walking trails

    runners on hamilton island
    Get the blood pumping on a morning run.

    We set out early. By 6:45am, we’re halfway up Passage Peak, the highest point on Hamilton Island and widely considered its most impressive vantage point. From the Scenic Trail Entrance, the viewing platform takes around an hour to reach by foot, with moderate inclines that will get your heart pumping without feeling too punishing. The payoff at the top is immediate. Bush-clad Whitsundays islands scatter across the horizon in every direction, the sunrise brushing the scene with soft melon and gold tones. I take my time soaking up the 360° panorama, remembering how powerful an active start in nature can be for clearing the mind and energising the day ahead.

    While Passage Peak is one of the most popular hikes on Hamilton Island, Flat Top Hill Lookout and the longer Southeast Head Trail are also excellent choices.

    4. Spa wumurdaylin

    Spa Wumurdaylin on hamilton island wellness experiences
    Feel your worries melt away at Spa wumurdaylin.

    In a tranquil treatment room at Spa wumurdaylin, the world disappears. The space is all brown stone tiles, bamboo racks and lush garden views, setting the tone for my Soul Temple treatment. My therapist, Kass, begins with a full-body, exfoliating orange buff sugar scrub that feels divine. Next comes the vertical Vichy shower and underwater massage to knead out muscle knots. The sound of cascading water is reminiscent of a tropical rainstorm, and stress becomes a distant memory.

    It’s a prime example of the transportive power of the island’s spa, where guests can come to reset the mind and loosen tension in the body. The menu spans radiance facials to deep release rituals and mud wraps, all using products from pH-balanced skincare brand LaGaia Unedited. Concluding with herbal tea, I leave in a blissful daze.

    5. Sunrise yoga

    sunrise yoga session at the sundays on hamilton island wellness experiences
    Start your day on the right foot.

    Morning movement doesn’t get more surreal than sunrise yoga on The Sundays’ seaside terrace. As we roll out our mats, morning light spills across Catseye Beach below, turning the water into a sheet of molten gold. But the setting only does half the healing. I match my breath to the rhythm of the waves and feel my body gradually lengthen and wake as instructor Tyla Rae guides us through a slow, mindful flow.

    Available exclusively to guests of The Sundays, this session captures the spirit of wellness on Hamilton Island – immersion in nature, slowing down by the sea, recalibrating both body and mind. To round out the experience, the perfect ocean cool-off awaits just steps away.

    6. Getting out on the water

    people on sup boards at the sundays hamilton island
    Try your hand at a host of watersports.

    Speaking of ocean delights, Catseye Beach’s host of watersports delivers spades of fun and rejuvenation. Glide over the crystalline water in a kayak, test your sailing skills in a mini catamaran, spot schools of fish (and a turtle if you’re lucky) from a stand-up paddleboard, or slip into an underwater wonderland when you snorkel off the beach.

    Out here, the water is so clear it feels like floating in glass, and the green silhouettes of the Whitsunday Islands rise on the horizon. Half an hour on the water here is all you need to reset your entire mood.

    Guests staying at qualia, Beach Club, The Sundays, Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and Hamilton Island Holiday Homes have complimentary access to all these water activities, making it easy to dive right in.

    7. Take a swing

    Dent Island Golf course
    Enjoy incredible views with a swing of golf.

    For others, mindfulness comes from calm concentration – and golf fits the bill to a tee. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, Hamilton Island Golf Club is perched along the scenic ridges of Dent Island. It’s Australia’s only golf course on its own island, making it one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. The experience is suitable for golfers of all skill levels, with spectator bookings also available for those simply wishing to take in the views. Follow the game with a well-earned lunch at the Clubhouse restaurant.

    Find out more ways to unwind in the Whitsundays at hamiltonisland.com.au.