URGENT UPDATE: A new cruise terminal is set to open next to Philadelphia International Airport in April 2024, marking the return of cruise operations to the region for the first time in over a decade. This development promises to revive Philadelphia’s cruise industry, which has been dormant since 2011.
The PhilaPort Cruise Terminal is being constructed on a 16-acre site in Tinicum Township, Delaware County, recently acquired from Dallas-based Energy Transfer Marketing and Terminals. This strategic location, once a bustling shipyard during World War I, is now poised to become a hub for cruise activity, thanks to a critical partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line.
Officials confirmed that Norwegian Cruise Line has committed to an initial 41 sailings per year from Philadelphia through March 2033. This includes exclusive use of the terminal for the first four years, with the potential for other cruise lines to join in afterward. According to PhilaPort spokesperson Sean Mahoney, “They see the future in Philadelphia and they see the market.”
The upcoming cruises will feature voyages on the Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel, each capable of carrying over 2,300 passengers. Destinations include popular spots such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and even trips to New England and Canada in the fall.
This move comes as Philadelphia gears up for a significant year, celebrating its 250th anniversary with events like the World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game. Norwegian Cruise Line’s investment in the terminal is expected to generate approximately 2,185 direct and indirect jobs and contribute around $300 million to Pennsylvania’s economy annually.
PhilaPort’s executive director and CEO, Jeff Theobald, expressed excitement about the project, stating, “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we are ready and excited to welcome cruise passengers this spring.”
The previous cruise terminal located at the Navy Yard was closed in 2011, with the Delaware River Port Authority citing competition from other ports and the lengthy journey to the Atlantic Ocean as key challenges. However, Mahoney dismissed these concerns, highlighting that competing ports also face similar navigation times.
As construction progresses, PhilaPort will oversee all marine improvements while Norwegian Cruise Line manages land-side modifications, including expanding parking facilities. The terminal’s capacity is designed to accommodate ships carrying up to 3,000 passengers, ensuring that no vessel will have issues clearing the bridges along the Delaware River.
With the return of cruises, Philadelphia is poised to attract not just Norwegian Cruise Line but potentially other cruise lines in the coming years. “There’s a whole market segment that we can handle here in Philadelphia,” Mahoney noted, hinting at a bright future for the city’s cruise industry.
Stay tuned for more updates as the opening date approaches and the excitement builds for both tourism and local job creation in Philadelphia!
