Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced it will become the first large ship operator to homeport in Panama.
Norwegian Jewel will be based in Panama from March 2022, offering a dozen Panama Canal sailings.
Beginning on March 20, it sails nine-day journeys through the Panama Canal, calling at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, Aruba; Curacao; Bonaire; Cartagena, Colombia; and Colon, Panama.
NCLH signed an agreement with the Panama Tourism Authority to homeport at Colon and the new Panama City Cruise Terminal.
It reimburses the cost of Canal transits until 2024 when seasonally basing ships in the country.
Harry Sommer, CEO of NCL said: "This new agreement enables nearly 24,000 guests to experience the beauty of Panama each year."
Norwegian Gem will also operate Panama Canal cruises from January 2023, and Norwegian Joy will operate a Canal transit in late-2023.
