Norwegian Cruise Line picks Philadelphia for new homeport

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WHTM) – For the first time, Philadelphia will serve as a major cruise port.

The Port of Philadelphia will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s new homeport starting in the 2026 spring/summer season. On April 16, 2026, Norwegian Jewel will commence seven-to-nine-day cruises to Bermuda out of Philadelphia from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex.

Philadelphia will also serve as a port for 10- and 11-day Canada and New England itineraries, with alternating embarkation ports between the City of Brotherly Love and Québec City.

Norwegian Cruise Line says their new Philadelphia homeport “will provide residents in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region more access to cruising, as it will be the only cruise line sailing from Philadelphia through Oct. 17, 2026.”

Currently, area residents would have to drive to cities such as New York or Baltimore, or fly to states like Washington, Florida, or Texas, to catch a cruise.

“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.”

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

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