Cruises will depart from Philadelphia for first time in nearly 15 years beginning in 2026

Cruise passengers on the East Coast will soon have another U.S. port to choose from.

Norwegian Cruise Line will begin offering cruises from Philadelphia , marking the first cruise line to have a homeport there in close to 15 years. Norwegian Jewel will sail seven to nine-day sailings to Bermuda starting April 16, 2026, the brand said Wednesday.

“We remain committed to delivering more experiences for our guests to create unforgettable memories, so they can vacation better with us,” the line’s president, David J. Herrera, said in a news 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.”

The cruises will leave from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex – where preparations are “currently underway with the local government to develop a facility to welcome cruisers,” according to the release – and feature an overnight stop in Bermuda’s Royal Naval Dockyard.

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“The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s premier cruise lines,” added Jeff Theobald, PhilaPort’s executive director and CEO. “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.”

The ship will operate Bermuda itineraries through Aug. 27, 2026, before offering 10- and 11-day cruises to New England and Canada. Embarkation ports for the latter sailings will alternate between Philadelphia and Quebec City in Canada’s Quebec province.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruises will depart from Philadelphia for first time in nearly 15 years beginning in 2026