Carnival Doubling The Fun From Norfolk
Carnival Cruise Line will more than double the fun and the cruises it offers from Norfolk, Virginia, in 2023, extending sailings to a consecutive six-month period from May through October.
The cruise company’s announcement is a first step toward a proposed year-round cruise program from Norfolk starting in 2025, as Carnival and City of Norfolk leaders discuss necessary terminal and port improvements to support an expansion of operations.
With plans to welcome about 100,000 guests next year, Carnival’s increase in operations will bring the highest volume of cruise guests in the history of Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Center.
The new 2023 offerings went on sale on Nov. 14 and will include four- to 10-day voyages aboard Carnival Magic. Available itineraries include Eastern Caribbean, The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Canada and New England.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said that: “We have been working closely with Norfolk city officials on this expansion since our successful restart earlier this year and it’s great to now share our plans with our guests. We look forward to building on our 20-year commitment to this community and continuing the momentum toward further expansion in the future, while increasing our positive economic impact in Norfolk.”
Carnival has been sailing from Norfolk since 2002 and Carnival Magic, which began sailing seasonally for the first time in May, became the largest ship to embark guests from the port, following enhancements to Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise Center.
Carnival Magic accommodates up to 4,724 guests and offers bow-to-stern fun including a wide variety of stateroom accommodations, a multitude of dining options, Carnival’s signature entertainment, the Cloud 9 spa, water slides and the Serenity, adult-only retreat.
Carnival’s plan to deploy Carnival Magic for a longer stay in Norfolk is part of a larger expansion of the cruise line’s mid-Atlantic guest operations. In June of 2023, Carnival will begin offering year-round service from New York when the 5,260-passenger Costa Venezia joins the fleet as Carnival Venezia. This will allow Carnival Magic which has been splitting its spring/summer season between New York and Norfolk, to remain in Norfolk for half the year.
Sail on over to www.carnival.com for more.
In the photo
Seen here, from l to r, are Councilmember Andria McClellan, Councilmember Courtney Doyle, Vice Mayor Martin Thomas, Mayor Kenneth Alexander, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick, Carnival Cruise Line CCO Chris Chiames, and Nauticus Executive Director Stephen Kirkland.
