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Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center, operated by Nauticus, announced an expanded slate of cruise ship port calls from the world’s fourth-largest cruise company, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). In 2027, the 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl is scheduled to call on Norfolk each week from April to August. These newly-added visits — 20 in total — represent one of the largest port-of-call commitments in Norfolk’s history and will introduce approximately 49,000 additional cruise ship passengers to the Hampton Roads region. Unlike Carnival Cruise Line’s year-round calls in which passengers set sail for the Bahamas or Bermuda, NCL’s 2027 port-of-call activity positions Norfolk as an itinerary stop. While in town passengers can opt to take guided excursions or explore the region on their own.
“We’ll have the opportunity to welcome nearly 2,500 additional passengers and a thousand crew members every single Tuesday for five months,” said Nauticus executive director, Stephen E. Kirkland. “That activity, coupled with our Carnival sailings each weekend, represents a broadening economic impact for this entire region.”
In February, the Carnival Sunshine began sailing weekly from Norfolk’s cruise terminal; Nauticus has welcomed more than 180,000 unique passenger visits so far this year. Other cruise lines scheduled to visit in 2025 and 2026 include Holland America, Princess, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Azamara, Seabourn, and Viking.
About Cruise Norfolk: The Half Moone Center is located at Nauticus along the downtown Norfolk waterfront. The 80,000 sq. ft. facility is home to Virginia’s only cruise ship program. Cruise Norfolk offers passengers a unique setting from which to begin and end their cruise as it shares its space with Nauticus’ Maritime Discovery Center, sailing center and the historic Battleship Wisconsin.
About Nauticus: Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, VA, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to Stern programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.
If you’ve been considering going solar, now is the time.
Solar installers in Hampton Roads say they’re seeing a surge in demand for rooftop panels as homeowners seek to get a federal tax credit that expires at the end of this year.
“Business is exploding right now,” said Nolie Diakoulas, director of business development for Virginia Beach-based Convert Solar, which operates statewide.
The federal tax credit “has been a very, very large driver over the past 13 years or so that we've been in business,” he said. “Specifically, right now, people are understanding, ‘Oh, wait a second, it’s going away.’”
The Investment Tax Credit first started rewarding homeowners who installed solar in 2006, but the amount fluctuated over the years. President Joe Biden’s signature climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, expanded and stabilized the credit by setting it at 30% through 2032.
President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, recently passed by Congress, gets rid of the residential credit, along with several others meant to help stimulate growth in clean energy.
People who want to take advantage before it expires will have to have panels installed and in service by Dec. 31.
Diakoulas said the cost of home solar systems varies depending on the size, but the average is about $30,000, which can be paid with cash or through loan financing.
That means the tax credit saves homeowners an average of $9,000 in upfront costs, which he said is often a deciding factor for customers. People without a tax liability that large can split the credit across several years.
Donny Damon, who lives in the Thoroughgood area of Virginia Beach, installed panels through Convert Solar a few years ago, and said it was a “no-brainer.”
“We want to comply with what's going on in the world and try not to use as much energy – and, of course, get the tax credit,” he said.
Damon said his monthly electric bill is now less than $8 per month, with the solar panels covering a majority of electricity needs even in the peak summer heat.
He pointed to his thermostat set at 64 degrees. “I keep it frosty in here, because I can.”
Deborah Arenstein is program manager with Solarize Virginia, an outreach initiative of the nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program based in Charlottesville. Rising energy costs are another big reason she encourages the switch.
The regional power grid operator recently held an auction that set record-high prices for electricity, amid surging demand from data centers and delays in new energy projects.
“Energy prices are going up,” Arenstein said. “By going solar, it is guaranteed that your electric bills will not be going up (significantly) over time.”
Dominion Energy is also proposing changes to a different type of credit that benefits homeowners, called net metering.
“If you produce more energy than you are using, you're banking it, which means that you can then access that energy when you are not producing as much, without a charge,” Arenstein said.
The current ratio is 1:1, meaning if you produce one extra kilowatt-hour, that’s the same amount you earn back. Dominion plans to reduce the ratio of return starting next year.
Each year, Solarize requests proposals from solar installers and selects vetted companies to offer discounted pricing to its participants.
The group recently extended its deadline for interested homeowners to sign up for the 2025 program through Aug.15, allowing people an additional window to secure tax credits.
Diakoulas said the cutoff for Convert Solar to accept new orders that can be completed in time will likely be around mid-October.
Installers will then shift their focus toward the leasing model of rooftop solar, in which a third party owns and maintains the system, while the homeowner pays a set monthly fee.
Virginia’s General Assembly only started allowing solar leasing last year. That change is now key to keeping solar companies alive, Diakoulas said.
But he worries the elimination of tax credits will likely put smaller installers out of business.
Bold murals, naval vessels, and calming waters greet you in Norfolk, where the relaxing qualities of a coastal destination meet the energizing elements of an artsy urban city. From glassblowing demonstrations to Filipino eateries, here’s where to go in this southeastern Virginia treasure. This story is part of our July Explore Virginia by Train issue. Check back as we share additional weekend trips in Virginia that are just a train ride away.
Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world and the North American headquarters for NATO. Begin your trip by visiting Nauticus, a maritime discovery center appropriate for all ages, with interactive exhibitions illuminating Norfolk’s naval legacy. Located within the museum, the Nautical Neighborhood Aquarium explores animals found in the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay. Included in Nauticus admission is the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships built by the U.S. Navy. Take a self-guided or guided tour of the behemoth WWII vessel. Adventurous families can even opt to stay overnight on the ship for as little as $120 a person, sleeping in the original berthing that military members did.
Ten years ago, the city designated its first arts district, the NEON District (“New Energy of Norfolk”) to revitalize a historically commercial corridor. It’s bloomed into a vibrant hub for arts and culture, with more than 60 large murals, along with galleries and public art installations. The district is anchored by the Chrysler Museum of Art, a renowned regional art museum with more than 30,000 works of art, most notably a glass collection that features more than 10,000 objects, from ancient Roman vessels to modern glass art. Adjacent to the museum, the Perry Glass Studio hosts live glassblowing demonstrations and workshops.
Take a break from urban charms to explore the natural attractions of the area, such as the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in Virginia. At Hermitage Museum & Gardens, rotating indoor and outdoor exhibitions often include large-scale sculptures thoughtfully placed in the 12 acres of gardens. Through October 12, you can see the work of New Orleans artist Walker Babington in the exhibition Burden of the Beast, including a 30-foot sculpture constructed from salvaged materials like hurricane debris and Mardi Gras floats.
Start the day with a fried chicken and sweet potato biscuit at Handsome Biscuit, a casual comfort-food spot that was a finalist in _Garden & Gun’_s Best Biscuit in the South contest. The Norfolk area has one of the largest Filipino American populations in the country, and its dining scene reflects that. Head to Maymar Norfolk for authentic adobo or Lumpia House for the veggie-packed spring rolls. For a taste of history, stop for ice cream at Doumar’s, where waffle cones are still rolled on the original machines from 1905. Owner Abe invented the world’s first waffle cone. Freemason Abbey boasts upscale dining and Southern staples in a converted church circa 1873. Or dine on Moroccan specialties in a cozy bistro atmosphere at Omar’s Carriage House.
Stay on the downtown waterfront at the sleek, upscale Hilton Norfolk The Main to be close to cultural attractions. It’s also where you’ll find some of the best food and nightlife in town. Take in views of the city and the Elizabeth River at its rooftop beer garden, Grain, where live music plays most nights, and feast on some of the best seafood in town (including a raw bar) and sip Virginia wine on the menu at Saltine. Also downtown, the Glass Light Hotel & Gallery showcases works from artists like Dale Chihuly and has a stylish French-inspired restaurant.
NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk waterfront is bustling — and not just with locals.
With year-round cruise service now in full swing at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, thousands of visitors are arriving each month by sea, bringing a wave of tourism and economic activity with them.
City leaders and tourism officials say this surge in cruise traffic is transforming Norfolk into more than just a seasonal stop — it’s becoming a major East Coast cruise hub.
“We all want to succeed and show people the gem that the city is,” said Sarah Hughes, vice president of marketing and communications for VisitNorfolk.
Thanks to Carnival’s expanded service, Norfolk is now welcoming ships on a near-weekly basis. According to Hughes, interest has skyrocketed.
“That is the top-performing section on our website ever since we launched it in February,” she said.
So far, more than 173,000 passengers have come through the Half Moone center this year, making it the busiest cruise season the city has ever seen.
“It is by far our biggest year yet,” said Stephen Kirkland, director of Nauticus. “That will continue for weeks and weeks and years and years to come. It’s a huge activity.”
The impact is already being felt downtown, where restaurants, boutiques and museums are benefiting from the influx of foot traffic.
“They’re definitely seeing people come in a day or two early,” Hughes said. “We’ve been trying to be a connector — creating synergy between the businesses and the larger events.”
With Norfolk’s walkable downtown, waterfront attractions and growing food scene, officials say their goal is to turn a quick cruise stop into a full-blown destination experience.
“Our job is to roll out the red carpet,” said Kirkland. “We’ve got the greatest party list in town. Let’s enjoy everything there is.”
With more than half the year left in this inaugural full-service season, Nauticus is looking ahead.
“You will see us growing our port-of-call business mid-week,” Kirkland added. “Those are typically during the week, and our home port activity is on the weekend.”
Norfolk remains the only cruise terminal between Baltimore, Maryland, and Jacksonville, Florida, giving the city a unique opportunity to expand its role in East Coast cruise tourism.
To check cruise schedules or find out what’s happening downtown, head to the VisitNorfolk website.
NORFOLK, Va. — Military bases across Hampton Roads and Virginia could see more funding for military construction under Congress's proposed defense budget.
The U.S. Navy could also see two more Virginia-class submarines in the Senate version of the $866 billion defense budget.
The legislation includes a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, $3.1 billion for Virginia-class submarine procurement, and more than $18 billion in military construction funding, including $1.5 billion for barracks, housing and childcare.
Here's how much funding could be allocated by the Department of Defense under the proposed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026:
Some funding is being allocated toward military construction projects across the country.
Naval Station Norfolk is set to receive more than $1.5 billion for improvements. This includes:
Marine Corps Base Quantico is set to receive roughly $63.5 million for construction projects. A little more than $63,000 will go toward a water treatment plant.
Joint Base Langley-Eustis would receive $49 million under the proposed budget, including:
The Pentagon would receive $34 million, including $34,000 toward an operations facility.
Virginia's funding could also include more than $12,000 to complete a child development center at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
The Dam Neck installation could also receive $26 million for its SOP Operations Building Addition. This is extended from Fiscal Year 2023.
As the funding is proposed at this time, military officials in Hampton Roads were unable to comment further about any potential projects.
Hunt Military Communities is negotiating with the Navy to build 8,000 new units of barracks at Naval Station Norfolk, according to the company.
Navy officials told WHRO that they are working on a plan to privatize barracks housing throughout Hampton Roads. The Navy notified Congress in November that it intended to solicit bids.
Hunt is looking at property inside Naval Station Norfolk and will seek private financing. The company hopes to have a deal put together within six months.
The Navy wants to have more options for sailors living on ships, said Hunt CEO Brian Stann.
“The Navy really looked at it and did not feel that that was the quality of life they wanted long term for their sailors, and that was in line with them being able to have the best naval fighting force that they could have,” Stann said of the Navy’s current housing options.
Hunt owns Homeport Hampton Roads. Originally developed in 2007, the 3,600-bed project in Norfolk and Newport News is an early public-private partnership with the Navy.
The company rehabilitated existing barracks and built new housing for junior sailors. It is one of two Navy pilot projects to expand private housing for junior sailors. The other is in San Diego.
Anticipating a larger contract, Hunt recently announced it bought out American Campus Communities, which had been managing Homeport Hampton Roads.
“We have owned the project for some time, but we had hired a third party to do the property management,” Stann said. “This was years ago before Hunt was a more sophisticated, more robust property manager in the military housing space.”
Hunt expects the market for privatized housing to grow throughout the services, he said.
Hunt is already one of the largest operators of private military housing throughout the country.
More than a decade ago, each of the services turned over nearly all family housing to several private contractors. Beginning in 2017, the contracts came under intense scrutiny from the military and Congressional investigations after families complained of sub-standard conditions, including mold and rodents.
There have been changes since then, Stann said.
“Congress, the military and the private partners all work together to make some reforms really giving residents a better voice, giving them an opportunity to dispute different things that maybe they're not happy with,” he said.
Barracks operate differently than the family housing. Junior sailors rotate in and out of the barracks, as they deploy, leaving their rooms empty.
The existing Homeport project has a 97% occupancy rate. The new project is expected to resemble college dorms, with two rooms sharing a common kitchen. It will be built with a combination of funding from the Navy and private financing over five years, Stann said.
NORFOLK, Va. – The City of Norfolk will begin a major rehabilitation project on the Shore Dr. Bridge over Little Creek. Construction is scheduled to start on Nov. 25 and is expected to be complete by May 2025.
This project will address key structural updates and ensure long-term durability for one of the City’s vital transportation routes. The scope of work includes repairing concrete spalls and delamination in the bridge superstructure, installing an epoxy deck overlay, applying waterproof sealant to concrete elements, and new lane striping and pavement markings.
Construction and traffic Impacts:
Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays. Electronic message boards will be in place before and throughout the project.
The City of Norfolk is committed to minimizing this project’s impact on daily commutes while ensuring the bridge rehabilitation is completed efficiently and safely.
NORFOLK, Va. – On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the City of Norfolk successfully sold $60 million in Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, refinancing existing Water Revenue Bonds and achieving approximately $16.9 million in total savings over the life of the bonds, underscoring the City’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and stewardship of public funds.
The bonds were sold at a competitive true interest cost of 3.83% and included both a current refunding and a forward delivery refunding, ensuring continued cost savings and providing the capacity for further investment in the City’s water infrastructure. Combined, this transaction reduced the City’s debt service payments by $16.9 million over the life of the bonds.
In October 2024, ahead of the bond sale, Norfolk’s Water Revenue Bonds received an upgraded credit rating of ‘AAA’ from Fitch Ratings. This reflects the City’s strong financial profile and effective fiscal management. The upgrade increased the market appeal of the bonds, benefiting both the City and its investors.
