Cruise lines add stops in Norfolk, Yorktown

Major cruise lines are launching expansions expected to propel Hampton Roads forward as a tourism destination, with new stops in Norfolk and Yorktown.

In Norfolk, Carnival more than doubled the number of cruises departing to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and New England this year with a schedule that now runs from May to October. The 4,000-person Carnival Magic cruise ship will generate more than 200,000 visits this year by embarking and debarking passengers who spend an average of $125 while in port, says Stephen E. Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, which operates the Norfolk terminal.

“This is the cruise line’s largest Norfolk commitment to date,” he says, and it’s about to get even bigger. After a pause in Carnival cruises out of Norfolk next year while improvements are made to the terminal, the cruise line plans to operate year-round from the port in 2025.

“This is a game changer for our community and positions Norfolk as a major destination for visitors from across the country,” Kirkland says. “We will see visitors flying in and out of town for these sailings, further expanding the economic benefits these cruises provide to Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region.”

Sarah Hughes, vice president of marketing and communications for VisitNorfolk, says the Carnival expansion will undoubtedly bring in new visitors. “Our goal is to provide them such a positive experience that they come back to explore Norfolk on their own, creating repeat visitation,” she says.

Even while the terminal is being upgraded, Norfolk will continue to be a stop for sightseeing visits by other cruise lines, including Princess, Viking, American and Holland America, Kirkland says.

In June 2024, Princess plans to take a handful of cruises up the York River to stop in Yorktown for the first time so passengers can explore Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which includes Williamsburg and Jamestown. The pilot program entails bringing three of its 2,200-passenger Island Princess cruises and two of its 3,080-passenger Emerald Princess cruises to Yorktown.

Kristi Olsen-Hayes, director of York County Economic & Tourism Development, says the county is working closely with Princess Cruises to prepare for the visits. “We are excited about the opportunity for a proposed port-of-call tender-pier facility in Yorktown,” she says. “Our community is rooted in history, and it is an important part of our visitor mix. We are honored that Princess Cruises sees the value in bringing their customers to Yorktown.”