Norfolk will continue to expand its cruise ship offerings in the years to come, according to two recent announcements. In 2027, Carnival Freedom will begin sailing out of Norfolk and Norwegian Cruise Lines will expand the number of Norffolk cruises to 20.
In one of the largest port-of-call commitments in Norfolk’s history, Norwegian will offer a cruise every week from April to August 2027 on Norwegian Pearl. Norfolk won’t just be the launch spot for faraway destinations, it will become an itinerary stop.
Carnival Cruise Line, in contrast, calls on Norfolk year-round to set sail for the Bahamas or Bermuda. The combination of fall/winter island cruises and spring/summer Norwegian itineraries will keep the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, operated by Nauticus, humming year-round.
Carnival announced last week that its popular Conquest-class ship Carnival Freedom will reposition from Port Canaveral to Norfolk in May 2027. It will replace Carnival Sunshine, which has been operating weekly cruises out of Norfolk since February.
Carnival Freedom cruises will include six-day trips to the Bahamas or Bermuda, eight-day trips to the Eastern Carribean, and eight-day trips to Canada. Freedom, which boasts a water park, can accommodate up to 4,000 guests at full capacity. “Hosting a ship of Carnival Freedom’s size and caliber will bring renewed passenger enthusiasm and tremendous economic impact to the region, generating increased tourism spending at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and local businesses,” Nauticus said in the announcement.
Nauticus Executive Director Stephen E. Kirkland called Norfolk a key player in the cruise market, saying, “This homeport expansion is a win for our city, our guests, and our economy.”
While the big changes won’t come until spring 2027, the cruise terminal will see plenty of activity this fall. Stops are planned from cruise lines Viking, TUI Cruises, Azamara Cruises, and Princess. Half Moone currently serves more than 300,000 cruise passengers each year. With the addition of Norwegian’s weekly sails, the cruise line estimates it will add another 49,000 cruise passengers.
