Philadelphia's Cruise Experience Starts with Norwegian

NCL has the honor of being the only cruise line currently sailing from Philadelphia. A fairly new offering, cruises from Philadelphia offer a world of opportunities. You can reach tropical retreats, historic New England highlights, and even European destinations from this port.

Learn more about all that the PhilaPort has to offer, and decide whether this departure point is the right pick for your next cruise adventure with Norwegian Cruise Line.

PhilaPort, the port of Philadelphia, places the "City of Brotherly Love" on the global map, supporting thousands of local jobs while offering convenient access to the city by sea. PhilaPort has long served as a trade port handling forest products, refrigerated cargo, and more. It's one of just 14 ports in the United States with permission to handle military cargo for the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2025, PhilaPort took its offerings further, announcing an exciting new endeavor with the construction of the PhilaPort Cruise Terminal. 

The PhilaPort Cruise Terminal opens in April 2026, presenting a world of new travel opportunities. The cruise port's opening coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States, putting added emphasis on travel to and from this historic city. Norwegian signed a seven-year berthing agreement with PhilaPort, committing to operate as Philadelphia's exclusive homeport through March 31, 2033.

Daniel S. Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, describes Norwegian's 2026 launch in Philadelphia as "the next wave in our commitment to innovation, regional growth, and delivering an unmatched guest experience from ship to shore."

Norwegian Jewel kicks off the spring and summer of 2026 with seven- to nine-day cruises to the sunny paradise of Bermuda from Philadelphia. In September and October, the Jewel's itinerary shifts to carry guests northward toward New England and Quebec City. 

In 2027, Norwegian Pearl will take over Philadelphia's cruises, offering a wide range of cruise experiences. In April, you can book an unforgettable two-week cruise experience across the Transatlantic from Philadelphia to Barcelona. From April through August, the majority of Norwegian's itineraries from Philadelphia offer 5- to 7-day round-trip Bermuda cruises. September and October are the prime times to resume cool cruises northward to New England and Quebec. 

You can close out 2027 and ring in 2028 on an 11-day round-trip Caribbean cruise from Philadelphia. Going into 2028, Norwegian Pearl will continue to offer sunny eight- to 11-day Caribbean cruises from Philly for a welcome escape from the otherwise chilly weather in the Delaware Valley. 

Make the most of your cruise from Philadelphia with a pre-cruise cruisetour from Norwegian. These experiences highlight some of the city's best features and finds, making your vacation planning even easier. These cruisetours are currently available on select round-trip cruises to Bermuda and on one-way cruises to Quebec City.

Philadelphia cruisetours begin with an airport transfer to your hotel. Day one is spent at your leisure, settling into your accommodations and enjoying dinner on your own. Day two is packed with curated experiences in Philadelphia. Breakfast is included at the hotel before you depart at 8:00 a.m. Your city tour includes:

• Elfreth's Alley
• The Betsy Ross House
• Christ Church
• The Ben Franklin Post Office
• Carpenter's Hall
• The Liberty Bell
• Independence Hall
• Philadelphia Museum of Art

On the third day, you can again enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After dining, you'll depart for a tour of the stunning Longwood Gardens. The gardens and conservatory offer a lush display of blooms and greenery that's sure to delight. In the afternoon, you're transported to PhilaPort to embark on your cruise vacation.

Consider these ports and destinations for your next adventure:

Some of Norwegian's first cruises out of Philadelphia will head to Bermuda. After just one day at sea, you'll dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where you'll typically stay for at least a night. Here, you can tour the island looking for the secrets of the Bermuda Triangle, explore the National Museum, or take a trolley around historic St. George, which was originally founded in 1612. In the surrounding waters, you can snorkel famous shipwrecks hidden beneath the water's surface.

Bermuda cruises typically overnight in Charleston, South Carolina, on the way back. The wealthiest city in Colonial America, Charleston has a rich and engaging history that you can explore while you're in port. Book a Taste of Charleston tour and sample mouthwatering Carolina barbecue and decadent Deep South desserts. History buffs can visit Fort Sumter and cruise through Charleston's Historic District. 

Caribbean cruises offer a warm escape to the tropics where you can enjoy lazy days on the beach, exhilarating adventures into the jungle, and everything in between. Cruising from Philadelphia, these itineraries typically include two or three days at sea on either end of your time in The Caribbean. 

Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, is one of the prime highlights of these trips. This luxury retreat features a 28,000-square-foot heated pool, thrilling zip lines, breathtaking cliff jumps, and more. New for 2026, the Great Tides Waterpark offers everything from peaceful grottos to high-speed waterslides.

Norwegian's Caribbean cruises also include stops at prime destinations such as St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Sail, snorkel, or descend in a submarine into the sparkling waters of The Caribbean. If you prefer to stay on land, you can enjoy experiences like the volcanic mud baths of Castries, St. Lucia, or the boutiques of Tortola.

An eight-day round-trip cruise from Philadelphia can take you down to Florida, on to the Bahamas, and back. Expect to spend a day or two at sea each way, enjoying the amenities of your ship. Stop in Jacksonville to enjoy the warm Floridian sun, soft sandy beaches, and the city's massive urban park system. With over 80,000 acres of parkland, Jacksonville, Florida, has the largest park system in the United States. 

Port Canaveral is a prime access point to Orlando, Florida, where you'll find a different type of park entirely. Known as the Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando is home to SeaWorld, Universal Orlando, and Walt Disney World. You can enjoy roller coasters, costumed characters, and endless eats as you take in some of the best theme park experiences on the planet.

Once in the Bahamas, you'll enjoy a stop at Norwegian's own Great Stirrup Cay as well as Nassau. Sample Bahamian rum cakes, swim with dolphins, tour Nassau Harbor, or swim with the Pearl Island pigs.

You can book a one-way cruise between Philadelphia and Quebec City or take a round-trip tour of Canada and New England from Philadelphia. These cruises include ports like:

• Boston, Massachusetts
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
• Bar Harbor, Maine
• Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
• Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick

These cruises are ideal for nature lovers. You can hike around the Bay of Fundy, tour Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, and drive along the rugged shorelines in Halifax. Whale watching opportunities abound in these areas. Foodies will adore the delights on a Canada and New England cruise as well. Enjoy a lobster bake in Portland or sample maple syrup in Halifax. If you prefer excursions focused on history and culture, don't miss the grand mansions in Newport or the Victorian villages on Mount Desert Island near Bar Harbor.

If you're looking for an experience like no other, depart from Philadelphia for a transatlantic tour that includes stops in Spain, Portugal, and France. Visit the stunning cathedral of Andalusia's capital, Seville, stroll through the Sugar Cane Museum in Motril, Spain, and visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille, France. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more culture-packed cruise.

In 2026 and 2027, Norwegian will establish its place at PhilaPort with Norwegian Jewel and Pearl. These Jewel-class ships are positioned around the middle of the fleet. They offer all the comforts of a premium resort with plenty of options for drinks, dining, and entertainment to make your days at sea as fun as those in port.

In 2026, Norwegian Jewel will homeport from Philadelphia for six months from April 16 to October 17. Over this period, the ship will make 24 calls to the city.

Refurbished in 2025, Norwegian Jewel can hold up to 2,368 passengers at double occupancy. This resort on the water offers everything you could want from your cruise experience, including six complimentary dining locations and seven specialty dining options, including Cagney's Steakhouse, La Cucina, Teppanyaki, Le Bistro, and Chin Chin. 

When you're not in port, you can relax in the Sapphire Pool or retreat to one of six hot tubs. The Mandara Spa and Salon offers facials, massages, nail care, and hair styling so you'll look and feel your best throughout your cruise. Between the onboard arcade, casino, and Stardust Theater, there's entertainment suited to nearly every taste. The ship also offers kids' clubs with activities for each age group, including Entourage for teens ages 13 to 17, Splash Academy for ages 3 to 12, and Guppies for the youngest guests ages 6 months to 3 years.

Norwegian Pearl is part of Norwegian's Jewel Class of ships. It is similarly sized, with a guest capacity of 2,344 at double occupancy. It was refurbished in 2021 to provide a thoroughly modern experience.

Norwegian Pearl offers seven complimentary dining locations and another seven specialty options. You can enjoy specialty dining at staples like Cagney's Steakhouse and Le Bistro, or enjoy distinctive picks like Asian Fusion at Lotus Gardens. The ship offers all the features of Norwegian Jewel, including an arcade, casino, pool, hot tubs, and spa. While aboard, take advantage of the climbing wall soaring over 20 feet over the deck and a bowling alley at sea.

Are you ready to be among the first to take a cruise from PhilaPort? Norwegian is the only cruise line to offer this experience. Book your next cruise today and enjoy all the comforts and conveniences of Norwegian in these delightful destinations from the new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal.

Explore cruises from Philadelphia with NCL and start your planning your next vacation today!