PhilaPort has this week announced that it will commence cruise operations in 2026, welcoming Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Norwegian Jewel®, which has the capacity to accommodate 2,330 guests, will homeport from Philadelphia from April 16 through Oct. 17, 2026, featuring 24 calls to the city.
During the summer 2026 season, Norwegian Jewel will offer seven-to-nine-day voyages to the island paradise of Bermuda. When the weather turns cooler, embarking from September 5 through Oct. 7, 2026, Norwegian Jewel will sail 10 and 11-day open-jaw voyages to Canada and New England. The ship will alternate homeports between Philadelphia and Quebec City featuring calls in quainter ports in the region like Saguenay, Charlottetown and Halifax, Canada in addition to well-known ports, such as Bar Harbor, Maine and Boston.
The economic impact from cruise vessels is significant. In launching cruise operations PhilaPort anticipates that if growth continues among this segment by 2028, this industry could generate over 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs, and over $40 million in annual county and state tax revenue.
“The Port of Philadelphia plays a significant role in making our Commonwealth an economic leader on the global stage supporting thousands of local jobs and connecting millions of people with the best of what Philadelphia and the Commonwealth has to offer. Now, with the addition of Norwegian Cruise Line coming to the Port in 2026, millions of Pennsylvanians and passengers from across the region will have another reason to visit Philadelphia’s waterfront,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.
“With all eyes on Philadelphia as we prepare to host our country’s 250th birthday in 2026, the Port will continue to help support and grow Philadelphia tourism to create economic opportunity for our region, workers, and businesses.”
As the birthplace of America, where the country was founded, Philadelphia has a large number of world-class attractions or sights to be seen. In addition, Philadelphia has a variety of ethnic neighbourhoods and famous cultural institutions.
In terms of economic impact, the industries that will gain the most from the new service include hotels and restaurants. Museums, historical sites, zoos and parks will also benefit, as will provisioning companies and transportation services.
“Twenty Twenty-Six is going to be a big year for the City of Philadelphia,” said Michael Pearson, Chairman of the PhilaPort Board of Directors. “We are celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday, hosting major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Game, the PGA’s 108th Championship, as well as NCAA March Madness games. NCL’s weekly cruises will add to the festivities and offer its guests a lot of fun things to see pre- and post-cruise!”
“Further expanding access to Philadelphia by welcoming cruise ships is a huge win for the city.” Said Gregg Caren, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor Bureau.
“Cruise service can offer many benefits to Philadelphia’s tourism economy, from basics like overnight stays in local hotels for cruise departure days, to adding options for international travellers while visiting Philadelphia. We are hopeful this opportunity will unlock further potential for the city’s tourism industry.”
The Port of Philadelphia is located in the heart of the richest consumer market in the world. Thirty million people live within 100 miles, or a two-hour drive, of the Port. Now people looking to take a cruise will not have to fly or travel long distances to embark on a voyage. Norwegian Jewel features a variety of accommodations options and amenities for guests to enjoy onboard including 16 dining options, 13 bars and lounges, world-class entertainment, and more. Cruisers will now be able to set sail directly from PhilaPort’s SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex.
ENDS
For Further Press Information and high-resolution images, please contact:
Anna Watt – Philadelphia UK Office
Tel: 07815 898995
Email: [email protected]
About the PHLCVB:
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) creates positive economic impact across the Philadelphia region, driving job growth and promoting the health and vibrancy of our hospitality industry by marketing the destination, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and attracting overnight visitors. The PHLCVB’s work engages our partners, the local Philadelphia community as well as culturally and ethnically diverse regional, national and international convention, sporting event and tourism customers. The PHLCVB is also the official tourism promotion agency for the city of Philadelphia globally and is responsible for growing the number of international leisure visitors who come to the region each year. To learn more, visit DiscoverPHL.com.
About PhilaPort
PhilaPort, The Port of Philadelphia, is an independent agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged with the management, maintenance, marketing and promotion of publicly-owned port facilities along the Delaware River in Philadelphia, as well as strategic planning throughout the port district. PhilaPort works with its terminal operators to modernize, expand and improve its facilities, and to market those facilities to prospective port users. Port cargoes and the activities they generate are responsible for thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Philadelphia area and throughout Pennsylvania.
PhilaPort Media Contact: Sean Mahoney, Senior Director of Marketing, PhilaPort
[email protected]
About Norwegian Cruise Line
As the innovator in global cruise travel, Norwegian Cruise Line has been breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising for 57 years. Most notably, the cruise line revolutionized the industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule with no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Today, its fleet of 19 contemporary ships sail to 450 of the world’s most desirable destinations, including Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas and its resort destination Harvest Caye in Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line not only provides superior guest service from land to sea, but also offers a wide variety of award-winning entertainment and dining options as well as a range of accommodations across the fleet, including solo-traveler staterooms, club balcony suites, and The Haven by Norwegian®, the company’s ship-within-a-ship concept. For additional information or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
NCL Media Contact: [email protected]
