Norwegian Jade Sails From Peru on 17-Night Cruise to San Diego
Repositioning cruises are becoming sought-after itineraries, as lines turn seasonal moves into destination-rich runs that can bring fresh tourism to smaller Pacific ports.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade has departed Callao, Peru, on a 17-night sailing that is scheduled to arrive in San Diego in late March, linking South and Central America with the U.S. West Coast as part of the ship’s 2025-26 schedule.
The 2006-built vessel’s itinerary mixes major gateways with less frequently visited cruise ports along the Pacific coast, before the ship is slated to briefly return to Mexican Riviera cruising and then reposition to Vancouver ahead of the Alaska season beginning in late April.
A 17-night Pacific itinerary with less-common port calls
After embarking in Callao, Norwegian Jade is scheduled to make additional calls in Peru before continuing north with stops in Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Several ports on the route are not regular fixtures on many mainstream cruise schedules in the region, including Acajutla in El Salvador and Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala, along with Mexican ports such as Huatulco and Acapulco.
Scheduled ports between Callao and San Diego
Across the 17 nights, Norwegian Jade is set to call at the following destinations (in addition to embarkation in Callao and the scheduled arrival in San Diego):
- Peru: Salaverry
- Ecuador: Manta
- Panama: Panama City
- Costa Rica: Puntarenas
- El Salvador: Acajutla
- Guatemala: Puerto Quetzal
- Mexico: Huatulco, Acapulco, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Cabo San Lucas
What’s next: Mexican Riviera, then a shift to Alaska
After arriving in Southern California in late March, Norwegian Jade is scheduled to briefly resume Mexican Riviera itineraries before repositioning to Vancouver. From late April onward, the ship is scheduled to operate seven-night, one-way (open-jaw) cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska.
The open-jaw sailings are set to include calls in Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, and Juneau, along with Alaska scenic cruising typical of Gulf of Alaska routes. Additional itinerary highlights referenced in reports include scenic cruising focused on Alaska’s wilderness, with ports and passages such as Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage also cited as part of the ship’s Alaska experience.
How Norwegian is staffing Alaska: five ships with different roles
Norwegian Cruise Line currently deploys five ships to Alaska: Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Spirit. Reported ship-by-ship positioning for the season emphasizes a mix of large-ship amenities, upgraded premium areas, and more niche routing options.
Norwegian Bliss, redesigned in early 2025 to add outdoor venues and new dining concepts, is sailing Alaska itineraries ranging from seven to 11 nights out of Seattle, with onboard attractions that include a go-kart track and double-loop waterslides. Norwegian Encore, described as a close sibling of Bliss, has also seen recent upgrades, including its Spice H2O adults-only area and expanded suite options in The Haven; its Alaska itineraries run from seven to 12 nights and are reported to emphasize Glacier Bay and Victoria.
Norwegian Jade is positioned as a smaller option within the Alaska mix, with reports noting its capacity is roughly half that of Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian Encore and framing it as a quieter, mid-size ship choice that can simplify scenic cruising and port access. Fares for its one-way Alaska itineraries were cited as starting at under $80 per night.
Norwegian Spirit, the oldest ship in the Alaska deployment, is described as offering more niche routing that combines Alaska with tropical stops in Hawaii for travelers looking for cross-region itineraries.
Refurbishment plans for Norwegian Jade ahead of a later Alaska season
Norwegian Jade has been described as recently refurbished, and it is also slated for a three-week dry dock refurbishment in spring 2026 ahead of an Alaska season. Planned updates cited in reports include adding the Vibe Beach Club adults-only area and a Starbucks venue on Deck 7, along with a broader refresh of public spaces.
Related long itineraries and a longer-term return to South America
The Callao-to-San Diego sailing follows another long itinerary already offered as part of Norwegian Jade’s 2025-26 schedule: in early March, the ship operated a separate 17-night cruise between San Diego and Peru that included calls at 11 destinations across Central and South America.
Looking further ahead, Norwegian Cruise Line is scheduled to return to South America for a full winter season in 2027-28, ending a three-year gap in full-season operations in the region. The deployment is reported as running from December 2027 through March 2028, with itineraries centered on Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and including scenic cruising in Antarctica.
Available reports differed on which ship is slated to operate the 2027-28 season. One account identified Norwegian Sun as leading the return, while another said the 2001-built Norwegian Star is scheduled to operate cruises departing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and San Antonio, Chile. That same account said Norwegian Cruise Line last operated a full South America season in 2024-25 using Norwegian Star, and that additional winter deployments were later canceled in favor of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
No official statement from Norwegian Cruise Line or port authorities was included in the available reports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is Norwegian Jade scheduled to arrive in San Diego from Peru?
The ship is scheduled to arrive in Southern California in late March after completing the 17-night cruise that began in Callao, Peru.
Which ports are included on Norwegian Jade’s 17-night Callao-to-San Diego itinerary?
In addition to embarking in Callao and arriving in San Diego, the sailing is scheduled to include Salaverry (Peru); Manta (Ecuador); Panama City (Panama); Puntarenas (Costa Rica); Acajutla (El Salvador); Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala); and Mexican calls in Huatulco, Acapulco, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas.
What is an “open-jaw” Alaska cruise on Norwegian Jade?
It refers to a one-way itinerary that begins in one port and ends in another. Norwegian Jade’s seven-night Alaska sailings are scheduled to run between Vancouver and Whittier starting in late April.
What updates are planned for Norwegian Jade during its spring 2026 dry dock?
Reports say the ship is slated for a three-week refurbishment that includes adding the Vibe Beach Club adults-only area and a Starbucks venue on Deck 7, along with a broader refresh of public spaces.
When is Norwegian Cruise Line scheduled to return to a full South America season, and which ship will operate it?
The next full South America season is scheduled for the 2027-28 winter, running from December 2027 through March 2028, with itineraries centered on Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and including scenic cruising in Antarctica. Available reports differed on the ship assignment, with one naming Norwegian Sun and another identifying Norwegian Star, with departures cited from Buenos Aires and San Antonio.
