My Cruises has confirmed the return of Explorations by Norwegian, described by the company as the world’s longest cruise, following an inaugural season that revealed strong demand for ultra-long, immersive travel experiences.
The 360-plus-day voyage combines ocean, river and expedition cruising into one journey and has resonated strongly with Australian and New Zealand travellers, according to My Cruises. Premium stateroom categories and many individual segments sold quickly during the first season, prompting the company to charter the Regatta cruise ship for a second consecutive year.
Scheduled for 2027/2028, the next season will span more than 360 days and visit over 230 ports worldwide. Guests will be able to join the voyage for as little as 10 nights or commit to the full year-long itinerary, all under a single booking. For the first time, the extended journey will also offer a full circumnavigation sailing to and from Australia, embarking from Sydney in autumn.
Global Head of Cruise at My Cruises, Michael Middleton, said the response to the inaugural program confirmed strong appetite for extended travel paired with flexibility and premium inclusions.
“Explorations by Norwegian has proven the demand for longer, more immersive journeys with premium inclusions,” Middleton said. “Many early guests opted for Balcony, Penthouse or higher categories, highlighting the appetite for elevated experiences.”
Building on guest feedback, the 2027/2028 season introduces a range of new destinations and itinerary enhancements. New ports of call include Kenya, the Philippines, Borneo and Taiwan, while Dubai, Istanbul and Bali have been added as turnaround ports. A standout feature is an exclusive 28-day Ultimate Panama Canal voyage sailing from Vancouver to New York, alongside an increased number of overnight stays to allow deeper exploration ashore.
“For the first time, we curated a world cruise experience with the Australian and New Zealand cruisers front of mind, and the response has been incredible,” Middleton said. “People are travelling for longer, going further than they ever have before and doing it at price points and on itineraries that simply didn’t exist previously.”
Additional highlights include a 33-day Mediterranean round-trip itinerary, a refined Sydney-to-Bali sector and an expanded European summer program in 2028 featuring destinations such as Egypt, the Greek Isles and Croatia. The popular 54-night Ultimate Europe Exploration will also return with refreshed routing.
“Travellers are telling us they want that ‘home at sea’ feel, with strong inclusions, great value and the opportunity to genuinely see the world,” Middleton said.
Bookings for Explorations by Norwegian are now open exclusively through My Cruises, with strong demand expected for the 2027/2028 season.
