Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Philadelphia as Latest Homeport

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to become the first cruise line to embark from Philadelphia in over 15 years. The company has announced a homeporting program for 2026, featuring the Norwegian Jewel.

Starting on April 16, 2026, the Norwegian Jewel will offer seven-to-nine-day cruises to Bermuda.

The cruises will depart from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex. Local government plans are underway to develop a facility to accommodate cruisers by 2026. The Bermuda itineraries will also include overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda.

Norwegian Cruise Line mentioned that it will be the only cruise operator sailing from Philadelphia until at least October 17, 2026.

“We remain committed to delivering more experiences for our guests to create unforgettable memories, so they can vacation better with us,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “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.”

Jeff Theobald, executive director and CEO of PhilaPort, expressed similar enthusiasm: “The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s premier cruise lines. Philadelphia has so much to offer, as the birthplace of freedom and the home to much of our nation’s history. We look forward to connecting cruisers with our world-class city. This new service rounds out the portfolio of services offered at PhilaPort, and we look forward to this next phase of growth.”

Herrera added: “Our new 2026 spring/summer deployment further meets the vacation demands of our guests with more shorter cruise offerings to fun-in-the-sun destinations, such as the Bahamas and the Caribbean, as well as a variety of longer itineraries to bucket-list destinations, such as Alaska.”