Cruisers can once again set sail from Philadelphia beginning in 2026, returning the industry to the city for the first time in about 15 years.
The reintroduction of ships full of tourists could bring millions of dollars to the local economy.
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Norwegian Cruise Line will make trips from PhilaPort to Bermuda in the spring and summer and voyages to Canada and New England in the fall, according to a PhilaPort press release.
The return of cruises could create a splash for hotels, restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues. The announcement comes ahead of a slate of major events expected to attract millions of tourists, with Norwegian's maiden voyage coming just before the 250th anniversary of the city, FIFA World Cup matches, the MLB All-Star Game and the PGA Championship.
“It is tremendous economic news for Philadelphia that Norwegian Cruise Line will begin sailing out of Philadelphia in 2026,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said in the release. “This means tourism travel to our city, jobs for our workers at PhilaPort, and simply put, broader economic opportunity for Philadelphia.”
The port company estimates that by 2028, the spillover effects of cruises could create more than 2,000 local jobs and add $40M to city and state coffers. It noted that 30 million people live within 100 miles of the port, adding that hotels, restaurants, museums, historical sites, zoos and parks stand to benefit along with provisioning companies and transportation services.
Norwegian’s Jewel will make its first trips from Philadelphia to Bermuda starting April 16, 2026, with an overnight stop in the island's port. Those trips run until Aug. 27, with seven-to-11-day vacation options.
Between Sept. 5 and Oct. 17, Norwegian will offer 10- and 11-day trips where customers can begin at one port and end at another on voyages to Canada and New England. Those trips will alternate between leaving from Philadelphia and Québec City, stopping at the ports of Bar Harbor, Maine, Boston and Halifax, in Canada.
“We remain committed to delivering more experiences for our guests to create unforgettable memories, so they can vacation better with us,” David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said in the release. “We are particularly proud to partner with PhilaPort to launch cruising in the area, making it even more accessible to the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.”
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