Nauticus’ Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center in Norfolk, Virginia will receive regular calls from a second large cruise ship in 2027. Nauticus announced Norwegian Pearl will begin calling on the port as part of her itineraries between April and August–20 calls in total.
Norwegian Pearl is a 2,400 passenger ship that will bring approximately 49,000 additional cruise ship passengers to Norfolk. She will join Carnival Sunshine which began offering weekly departures from the port in February.
Nauticus Executive Director Stephen E. Kirkland said, “We’ll have the opportunity to welcome nearly 2,500 additional passengers and 1,000 crew members every single Tuesday for five months. That activity, coupled with our Carnival sailings each weekend, represents a broadening economic impact for this entire region.”
Norwegian Pearl will embark from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on her 7-day Bermuda: Royal Naval Dockyard sailing. After spending a day at sea, guests will enjoy an overnight call at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda. After a second sea day, the vessel will call on Virginia Beach in Norfolk, Virginia. Guests will spend one more day at sea before disembarking again in Philadelphia.
Norfolk, Virginia is the home to the world’s largest naval base, the U.S.S. Wisconsin and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Guests will enjoy exploring its historic districts and waterfront area either on their own or through guided excursions. Norwegian Cruise Line choosing to call on Norfolk will not only benefit Norfolk, but the surrounding areas.
Kirkland said, “This Norwegian Cruise Line activity will benefit Yorktown and Jamestown, and Williamsburg and Virginia Beach and local museums. And that’s what it’s all about. And so, this really is the start of something big for this city, in this region as a cruise port, as a cruise hub.”
Other cruise lines scheduled to call in 2025 and 2026 include Holland America, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Azamara, Seabourn, and Viking.