Overview of Cruise Lines at Norfolk Port
Norfolk Cruise Port hosts a mix of homeported sailings, port-of-call visits, and small-ship coastal cruises out of the Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center. This page covers the cruise lines and ships currently using the Port of Norfolk and the deployments that have been announced for upcoming seasons.
Carnival Cruise Line at Norfolk
Carnival Cruise Line has been the primary homeport operator at Norfolk for most of the modern era of the Half Moone terminal. Carnival Sunshine sailed seasonal cruises from Norfolk to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda, making the port a familiar departure point for guests across the Mid-Atlantic. Carnival announced that after its 2024 Norfolk season the line would no longer homeport a ship at Norfolk year after year, shifting Sunshine to other U.S. ports.
Port-of-Call Visits
Beyond homeported sailings, Norfolk Cruise Port regularly welcomes port-of-call visits from major lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and occasional Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises ships repositioning along the East Coast. These calls typically run in spring and fall as ships move between New York, Florida, Bermuda, and New England itineraries.
Small-Ship and Coastal Cruises
American Cruise Lines uses Norfolk as a turnaround port for several of its small-ship itineraries along the Chesapeake Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Historic South. Vessels such as American Constellation and American Constitution call at Half Moone as part of multi-night U.S.-flagged coastal voyages, giving Norfolk Cruise Port a steady year-round small-ship presence.
What’s Planned
Information below is current as of early 2025 and will be updated as new schedules are announced.
Following Carnival’s departure as a year-round homeport line after 2024, the City of Norfolk and Nauticus have been actively working to attract replacement homeport deployments and additional port-of-call business. Published schedules show continued growth in port-of-call visits across 2025 and 2026, including spring and fall calls from Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and American Cruise Lines. Coastal small-ship sailings from American Cruise Lines remain a year-round fixture.
Longer-term plans for the Port of Norfolk waterfront include continued investment in the Half Moone terminal, deeper integration with the Nauticus museum campus, and expanded shore-power and passenger-handling capabilities aimed at attracting a new seasonal homeport line. Specific announcements will be added here as they are released by the City of Norfolk and its cruise partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cruise lines currently sail from Norfolk?
Carnival operates homeported sailings from Norfolk, and American Cruise Lines uses the port as a turnaround for small-ship coastal itineraries. The port also receives port-of-call visits from lines such as Norwegian, Princess, and Holland America.
Is Carnival still sailing from Norfolk?
Carnival has been the primary homeport operator at the Half Moone terminal for years, running seasonal sailings to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Bermuda. Schedules change season to season, so always confirm current sailings directly with the cruise line.
What is the difference between a homeport sailing and a port-of-call visit?
A homeport sailing begins and ends at Norfolk, so passengers board and disembark here. A port-of-call visit is a single-day stop during a longer itinerary based at another port, where the ship docks for the day before sailing on.
How can I see which ships are in port on a given day?
Cruise schedules are published by the cruise lines and the terminal operator and shift by season. Check the cruise line for homeported sailings and the Nauticus and City of Norfolk announcements for port-of-call dates.
What is there to do in Norfolk when a ship is in port?
Downtown Norfolk has plenty within walking distance of the terminal, from Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin to waterfront dining and museums. For a full list of attractions and tours, see our companion guide at Norfolk Shore Excursions.
When a ship is in port, there is plenty to see nearby. Explore Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin and more attractions within walking distance of the terminal.
Curious what the day itself looks like once your ship is in? Read Norfolk cruise day: what to expect from embarkation to sail-away.
Once you know which ship you are sailing, plan the practical side: getting to the cruise port, where to park, and hotels near the terminal.