NCL to Base Ship at Port Canaveral

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced it will homeport the Norwegian Sun at Port Canaveral, offering eastern and western Caribbean cruises in October 2010. It is the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to homeport at Port Canaveral since the Norwegian Crown sailed Bermuda cruises in 1997.

Several other of the company’s ships, including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Majesty and Norwegian Gem, have all made port of call stops at Port Canaveral and in 2010, the Norwegian Jewel will be added to the list.

The Norwegian Sun will offer an eastern Caribbean itinerary that includes Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, while the western cruise will consist of Cozumel in Mexico, Santo Tomas de Castilla in Guatemala, Belize City in Belize and Key West.

Carnival Cruise Lines has two ships based at the port. The 2,052-passenger Sensation alternates between three- and -four-night itineraries and 2,974-passenger Glory alternates between eastern and western Caribbean seven-night itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line has two ships at the port. The 2,400-passenger Magic operates on seven-day itineraries and 2,400-passenger Wonder alternates between three- and four-night itineraries.

Royal Caribbean International operates the 2,744-passenger Monarch of the Seas on three- and four-night itineraries. Freedom of the Seas. a 4,375-passenger ship that is now based in Miami, is slated to begin seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries May 4.