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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.
