Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its return to Philadelphia with a season of voyages to Bermuda and Canada and New England aboard the Norwegian Jewel.
According to a press release, this makes it the first cruise line in 15 years to sail from the city, which is said to be an ideal gateway for Mid‑Atlantic travelers.
“Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia marks an exciting and meaningful milestone for us and the region,” said Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.
“For the first time in over 15 years, travelers in the Mid-Atlantic area will once again be able to sail from their own backyard with us to experience everything NCL is known for. With Norwegian Jewel leading our reintroduction and Norwegian Pearl following her later this year, we’re proud to bring our signature freedom and flexibility back to this incredible city and deliver the exceptional experiences our guests know and love.”
NCL hosted a ceremony aboard the Norwegian Jewel on April 16 to celebrate the occasion.
The event was attended by local and state government authorities including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Tinicum Township Board President Patrick McCarthy and PhilaPort Board Chairman Michael Pearson.
“This is a defining moment for The Port of Philadelphia. The arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line and Norwegian Jewel signals the beginning of a new chapter for our port, our city, and the entire region,” said PhilaPort executive director & CEO Jeff Theobald.
“As we continue to grow beyond cargo operations, this new cruise service strengthens our position as a gateway to global travel and commerce while delivering meaningful economic impact for Pennsylvania.”
The Norwegian Jewel will sail a program of seven-to-nine-day cruises to Bermuda in summer, followed by 10‑ and 11‑day Canada and New England itineraries from Sept. 5 through Oct. 7, 2026, with embarkation options from Philadelphia or Quebec City.
After that, the Norwegian Pearl will take over for the winter season in late 2026 and continue to sail from Philadelphia to Bermuda, Canada and New England, while expanding offerings to the Caribbean and Bahamas, through April 2028.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), NCL’s parent company, is currently building a new terminal in collaboration with PhilaPort and Tinicum Township.
The terminal was scheduled to open for the inaugural sailing, but the date has been pushed back, with NCL stating that it would open this cruise season.
