Norfolk may not be able to provide many options with cruise lines and large cruise ships with its port, but if you live in the Washington DC area or in any of the Mid-Atlantic states, you will be able to appreciate a more local port that does not require a $300 plane ticket or 15 hour drive.
The name of the main building at the port is “Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center” and is considered to be a state of the art facility. Even though it is a small port, cruisers have raved that it is the easiest and more hassle free port they have ever sailed out of.
This Norfolk cruise ship port review will cover some of the basics of the port and what ship at what time of year you can expect to sail out.
The port is only about a 20 minute drive from Norfolk international Airport and a taxi cab can take you there for about $18. It sounds steep, but it will save you from having to park a car in the parking lot at the Norfolk port which will cost you $15 a night.
Thank goodness they accept credit cards though.
What cruises are offered out of Norfolk?
There aren’t a whole lot of options here, but if you want to cruise to the Caribbean you are in luck. There is currently only one cruise line and one ship that sails from Norfolk and it’s only at certain times of the year.
The Carnival Glory offers cruises in mid to late May and again in mid to late October. During the other times of the year the boat is sailing out of Miami, New York, and Boston.
In late October there is a 2 day cruise to no-where, which offers passengers a brief respite at sea, away from the busyness of life.
In May and October the port offers sailings in the Glory to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas, and there is also a cruise to Bermuda from Norfolk in October which is a 6 night cruise.
Sidenote: Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur used to sail out of Norfolk, but not anymore. But in the time they did use Norfolk’s port passengers gave the port the highest rating in the country.
There are several hotels within walking distance from the port so if you get there early or you are wanting to spend a few days in Norfolk before you go home after the cruise you don’t need to worry about a ride to a local lodging place.
