Norwegian Cruise Line has announced new voyages departing from the Port of Galveston for summer 2028 amid Carnival’s cancellation of several sailings on its Galveston-based Jubilee ship for summer and fall 2027. Bookings are now open for more than 450 voyages across Norwegian’s 20-ship fleet, signaling an expanded presence in Texas.
New Itineraries and Lease Agreement at Galveston
The Norwegian Prima will operate seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean, including stops at the private island resort Harvest Caye in Belize. This ship carries nearly 3,200 passengers and initially debuted at Galveston in 2023 with preview sailings in late 2022 and a return season planned for early 2025.
Following a 10-year lease signed between Norwegian Cruise Line and the Port of Galveston in October 2024, with multiple renewal options, the cruise line is further expanding operations.
Norwegian Viva is slated to return to Texas on October 31, offering seven-day sailings that include Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Harvest Caye. Additionally, the Norwegian Escape is scheduled to commence Galveston sailings in November 2027. Norwegian shares Terminal 16 at Galveston with MSC Cruises, which operates year-round departures.
Booking Promotions and Cruise Partnerships
Norwegian’s End of Summer promotion, ongoing until August 18, 2026, offers a 50% discount on bookings for selected cruises. Some voyages also include
up to $750 in onboard credit and qualify for the Free at Sea program, which provides free Wi-Fi, unlimited open bars, excursion credits, and other passenger perks. These incentives apply to the newly announced Caribbean itineraries from Galveston among other destinations.
Industry Context and Market Position
A Bank of Montreal Capital Markets analyst report rated Norwegian Cruise Line as “market perform” with a $21 per share price target as of July 2026. The report described Norwegian as occupying a narrower premium niche compared to peers, placing it between Royal Caribbean and Viking in market positioning. Norwegian’s lagging results, ongoing activist investor involvement, and strong competition
contributed to the cautious stance.
The report noted Norwegian’s investments in private island resorts like Great Stirrup Cay and plans to launch 16 new ships by 2037. Despite challenges, the company’s focus on the premium segment including luxury brands Regent and Oceania could provide longer-term growth opportunities.
Carnival’s removal of several Jubilee cruises from Galveston’s summer and fall 2027 schedule has created space for Norwegian to expand its summer 2028 itineraries out of the port. MSC Cruises continues to operate year-round from the shared Terminal 16.
