Cruises return to Philadelphia after 15-year hiatus
Despite a cruise terminal construction delay, Norwegian Cruise Line kicked off the cruise industry's first season of sailings from Philadelphia in more than 15 years on April 16.
While construction on the new PhilaPort cruise terminal continues, passengers on the first sailings from Philadelphia are required to check in for their cruise at a nearby hotel and take a shuttle bus to the port for boarding. Although not ideal, the current embarkation process is temporary. Later this year, passengers will set sail from Philadelphia from a brand-new cruise terminal designed to facilitate easy embarkation and disembarkation.
Norwegian's new cruises from Philadelphia bring a convenient new vacation option for travelers in the Mid-Atlantic region with sailings scheduled to a variety of popular destinations in 2026 and beyond.
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Norwegian Jewel begins sailing from PhilaPort
Norwegian Jewel is beginning the highly anticipated 2026 cruise season from Philadelphia with a series of seven-day sailings to Bermuda from now through August. Itineraries include an overnight at the Royal Naval Dockyard, along with a visit to either Charleston, South Carolina, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
In the fall, Norwegian Jewel will sail 10‑ and 11‑day Canada and New England itineraries to scenic destinations in Maine, Massachusetts, and Eastern Canada perfect for fall foliage viewing. Embarkation options from Philadelphia or Quebec City offer travelers the opportunity to extend their exploration pre‑ or post‑cruise.
Related: 3 mistakes to avoid when booking a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line
In late 2026, Norwegian Pearl will replace Norwegian Jewel in Philadelphia to sail from the port until April 2028, expanding vacation options from the city with Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, and continuing cruises to Bermuda as well as Canada and New England.
"Norwegian Cruise Line's return to Philadelphia marks an exciting and meaningful milestone for us and the region," Norwegian Cruise Line President Marc Kazlauskas said in a press release. "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."
Travelers can pair a cruise with America's 250th celebrations in Philadelphia
Cruising's return to Philadelphia arrives just in time for America's 250th anniversary celebrations this summer in the birthplace of the U.S. Philadelphia is one of the top places to travel in 2026 for its celebrations happening all year long with special events, festivals, and exhibitions.
Passengers on select sailings can also opt to explore Philadelphia's historic, scenic, and culinary highlights with a Norwegian Cruisetour, an immersive, land-based experience led by local experts. Norwegian's Philadelphia Cruisetour features guided visits to iconic sites including Elfreth's Alley, the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Carpenter's Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall, along with time at the Philadelphia Museum of Art for an enriching introduction to the city before cruise embarkation.
As they set sail on cruises from Philadelphia, passengers can enjoy vacations on a recently refurbished 2,300-passenger Norwegian cruise ship that features popular venues and a range of accommodations from inside staterooms to elevated suites within The Haven by Norwegian, the cruise line's ship-within-a-ship concept.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line's beverage packages explained
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 10:40 AM.