Sarah Bretz, ContributorNorwegian Cruise Line has announced that for the first time in many years, it will be offering a season of voyages from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The announcement comes as the line announces its spring and summer 2026 schedule for the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, and Canada/New England.
On April 16, 2026, Norwegian Jewel will commence seven to nine-day voyages to Bermuda, launching Philadelphia as a new cruise destination. Departing from the SouthPort Marine Terminal Complex, where plans are currently underway with the local government to develop a facility for cruisers, Jewel‘s Bermuda cruises will feature overnight calls to the Royal Naval Dockyard.
This new homeport for Norwegian Cruise Line will provide residents in the Mid-Atlantic region more access to cruising, as it will be the only cruise line sailing from Philadelphia through October 17, 2026.
“The Port of Philadelphia is extremely excited to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s premier cruise lines,” said Jeff Theobald, executive director and CEO of PhilaPort. “Philadelphia has so much to offer, as the birthplace of freedom and the home to much of our nation’s history, we look forward to connecting cruisers with our world class city. This new service rounds out the portfolio of services offered at PhilaPort, and we look forward to this next phase of growth.”
NCL’s new 2026 spring/summer season includes nearly 250 itineraries for nine of its ships. Embarking from U.S. and Canadian ports between April and November 2026, these voyages will call to 30 different destinations across the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada and New England, and Alaska.
Itinerary highlights include:
New Bermuda, Canada, and New England Homeports and Itineraries
Following Norwegian Jewel‘s first season of Bermuda sailings from Philadelphia from April 16 to August 27, 2026, it will sail immersive 10 and 11-day Canada and New England itineraries, alternating embarkation ports between Philadelphia and Québec City. Guests will enjoy ports including Saguenay, Charlottetown, Halifax, Bar Harbor, and Boston.
On April 19th, Norwegian Breakaway will become the largest NCL vessel to offer regular turnarounds in Boston with seven-day Bermuda voyages through November. Throughout the summer, sailings will feature an overnight stay at the Royal Naval Dockyard and a day in Halifax. From late August through mid-October, the ship will embark on seven-day Canada and New England itineraries calling to picturesque ports like Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Norwegian Aqua will return to New York City for her second Bermuda season, offering a selection of five and seven-day itineraries with overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Longer Continuous Bahamas Season
Due to popular guest demand, Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding its short-cruise offering with nearly 40 voyages to the Bahamas from Miami in spring/summer 2026 aboard Norwegian Getaway for a continuous season of cruises to the nation. The three and four-night sailings will visit Nassau and Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island Great Stirrup Cay. As of late 2025, the island will have a new multi-ship pier.
Caribbean Cruises on One of NCL’s Newest Ships
Norwegian Prima‘s sprawling outdoor space allows for some of the best island-hopping itineraries in the Caribbean. The ship will extend its season in Port Canaveral, Florida, offering seven-day cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean. Port calls will include Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Puerto Plata. For an extended vacation, guests can combine back-to-back sailings for a 14-day adventure.
The Youngest Fleet in Alaska
Alaska remains a bucket-list destination for travelers with its rugged coastal landscapes, majestic glaciers, and local marine wildlife. The 2026 season will commence in late April and offer voyages through October from Seattle, Whittier, and Vancouver.
Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of experiences on some of the newest ships in the region: Norwegian Encore, Joy, and Bliss. Embarking from Pier 66 in Seattle, Norwegian Encore and Bliss will offer seven-day voyages, while Norwegian Joy will offer longer nine and 10-day itineraries.
Norwegian Jade will cruise a series of seven-day open-jaw sailings between Vancouver and Whittier with no days at sea. Guests aiming to immerse themselves even more in Alaska can add a Cruisetour to their booking and explore the interior of Alaska, take a ride on the Alaska Railroad, or fish halibut and salmon in the cold waters of Kachemak Bay.
It’s the first time a cruise ship will homeport in Philadelphia in nearly 20 years, as the last time a ship homeported in the Pennsylvania city was in 2008.
Comments
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