Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) has signed a five-year agreement with the US City of Norfolk (Va).
This deal will allow CCL to operate seasonal cruises from the Half Moone Cruise Centre through 2025.
The announcement was made at a press conference by Norfolk Mayor, Kenneth Alexander (third from the left), who was joined by Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Nautical and Port Operations, Terry Thornton (second from the right).
As part of the agreement, the City of Norfolk has agreed to invest in the cruise centre to accommodate larger vessels and provide an enhanced guest experience, including a new boarding bridge that will streamline the embarkation and debarkation process, plus a host of other improvements.
At the press conference, Alexander and Thornton also announced that 130,000 gt ‘Carnival Magic’ will become the largest cruise ship to sail from Norfolk (Va) when she commences 12 cruises from the port in 2021 that will cater for nearly 50,000 guests.
“Norfolk has been a valued partner for nearly 20 years, and we’re delighted to expand upon this relationship with this five-year contract that will bring exciting new choices from the Half Moone Cruise Centre,” said Christine Duffy, CCL President. “Our cruises from Norfolk have been very well received by our guests, and this new agreement speaks volumes about our confidence in growing this market.”
Mayor Alexander added, “This is an exciting announcement. Carnival Cruise Line ships have become a welcome addition to our skyline. This commitment strengthens that partnership and solidifies Norfolk’s position as a true mid-Atlantic cruise port.”
Prior to the start of its Norfolk schedule next year, ‘Carnival Magic’ will offer a series of sailings in the Mediterranean and undergo a two-week drydocking in Cadiz, Spain, before repositioning to the US.
