Near or far? Best sights to see in the Med & Southeast Asia on an NCL cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line sails to some of the world’s most exciting destinations, both near and far, with hundreds of itineraries to choose from and perks including unlimited drinks, speciality dining and Wi-Fi when you upgrade with the line’s More At Sea offer.

To get your cruise planning started, we’ve picked some of the best highlights you can experience in the Med and Southeast Asia. Ready to tick off temples in Thailand or try your luck at the casino in Monte Carlo?

NCL is offering more than 150 itineraries to Europe in 2025 and 2026, with dozens of ports across the Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Northern Europe. Whether it’s Italy, Spain or the French Riviera you’ve got your eye on, you’ll find a sailing to suit.

Want to skip sea days? Choose a port-packed itinerary and see a new iconic destination each day – all while only unpacking once. That’s ideal news for anyone travelling with a surplus of shoes or serums.

4 best sights to see on a Mediterranean cruise

Barri Gotic, Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter is not full of locals dressed in black listening to metal music, but rather it’s a beautiful, historical neighbourhood in the Catalonian capital. Its narrow, cobblestone Medieval streets brim with shops, bars and restaurants as well as historic gems.

During a stop on your NCL cruise, stomp the same grounds as such famous names as Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudí, eat at the oldest restaurant in Barcelona, Can Culleretes, and visit one of the oldest markets in Europe, La Boqueria. We’ll be on the hunt for some padron peppers…

Santa Croce, Florence, Italy

Any fans of E.M.Forster’s A Room With A View will already be acquainted with this gorgeous Florentine basilica (below right). It was rebuilt for the Franciscan order in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio and is the final resting place of many an Italian great, from Michelangelo and Rossini to Machiavelli and Galileo.

The beautiful frescoes by Giotto are a highlight here, as is the Annunciation in gilded limestone by Donatello and the memorial to 19th-century playwright Giovanni Battista Niccolini, said to be been the inspiration for the Statue of Liberty.

St Francis, who allegedly founded the basilica, is the patron saint of animals so this is the perfect spot to offer up any prayers for Fido or Felix (although maybe WhatsApp the pet sitter too for good measure).

Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco, France

Monte Carlo is pretty much synonymous with gambling these days so on a day trip out from your NCL cruise call at Cannes you simply must pay a visit to this legendary gold and marble casino – Europe’s most sumptuous example of belle époque architecture.

Blackjack, English and European roulette, baccarat, Texas hold’em poker and trente et quarante are all played here or you can try your luck at the countless slot machines. Be sure to look around at the stained glass windows, sculptures and allegorical paintings as you soak up the atmosphere (maybe you’ll pick up some inspo for your poker face).

Indeed, gambling isn’t the only source of entertainment here, the building (built in 1893 by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House) has been the setting for ballets, concerts and operas for more than a century.

Castle of Ibiza, Ibiza, Spain

Sure there are lots of nightclubs and raves to frequent on the Spanish island of Ibiza, but it isn’t all dancing, drinking and debauchery here. Ibiza Castle (above left) is perched atop a dramatic hill and marks the top of the Upper Town.

It was built over 1,000 years ago and features a blend of various architectural styles, from the 8th-century Almudaina (a Moorish keep) and 12th-century medieval design to 18th-century barracks.

The hike up there is worth it for great views and you won’t be without sustenance as traditional eateries and bars line the cobbled streets.

Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its Asia programme for 2025 and 2026, offering a range of unique itineraries through Southeast and East Asia. Norwegian Jade will make her Asia debut from October 2026, while Norwegian Spirit will sail year-round in the Asia-Pacific from 2025.

Expect immersive itineraries exploring Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and more – perfect for cruisers looking to combine ancient temples, modern skylines and tropical beaches all in one unforgettable trip.

4 best places to see in Southeast Asia

Temple of Borobudur, Semarang, Indonesia

This temple, located in central Java, dates from the 8th and 9th centuries and is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, with 504 statues of the Buddha present in total.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is an outstanding memorial of the Syailendra Dynasty that ruled Java for around five centuries until the 10th century.

It was abandoned in the 15th century and rediscovered in the 19th century by the British Lieutenant Governor on Java, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who heard reports from islanders of an amazing sanctuary deep within Java’s interior.

Kuala Lumpur Tower, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur Tower, otherwise known as KL Tower (below), is the seventh tallest telecommunications tower in the world at a jaw-dropping height of 421m. It was opened to the public in 1996 after five years of construction.

The Observation Deck is only at 276m but still gives amazing views of the city and surrounding regions. Add-on attractions include an aquarium and simulator ride as well as an annual base-jump event. Visit the restaurants in the tower to add the thrill of altitude to your meal.

National Orchid Garden, Singapore

This garden isn’t messing around with its name; it’s home to more than 1,000 species of orchids and 2,000 hybrids of two or more orchid species. That’s a lot of orchids.

Look out for such rare plants as Cymbidiums (or Boat Orchids), Dendrochilums (or Chain Orchids), Cyrtochilums and Phragmipedium (or Slipper Orchids).

Fun fact, the National Orchid Garden is located within Singapore Botanic Gardens which are so impressive they’ve become Singapore’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Note, if you’re thinking on visiting here on your NCL cruise, it’s advisable to purchase tickets online as discounted ticket options are available.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Bangkok, Thailand

Officially this temple is known as Wat Phra Kaew and it’s found within the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, established in 1782. It is Thailand’s most sacred temple and a key pilgrimage site for Thai Buddhists.

The Emerald Buddha in the chapel is Thailand’s most highly revered Buddha image. Known as “Phra Kaew Morakot,” the 66-cm tall figure, carved from a single piece of dark green jade, is robed in gold and precious jewels.

This attire is changed to great ceremony three times a year for the summer, rainy season and winter. The opposite of our daily pre-commute wardrobe fiasco we imagine.