Cruise lovers will be elated to hear that popular cruise ship Carnival Freedom will soon be homeported in Norfolk.
Cruise Norfolk, operated by Nauticus, announced Wednesday the cruise ship will reposition from Florida’s Port Canaveral and debut at downtown Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on May 23, 2027.
The 100,000-ton ship will replace Carnival Sunshine, which has been operating weekly, year-round sailings from Norfolk since February. The ship can accommodate 3,000 guests and maintains a crew of roughly 1,000.
Stephen Kirkland, executive director of Nauticus, said in a news release the move is a win for the local economy.
“Carnival’s commitment to Norfolk brings more travel options for our passengers, draws visitors from across the East Coast, and strengthens our position as a key player in the cruise market,” Kirkland said.
Carnival Freedom is complete with a multitude of dining venues, a sports bar and an adults-only area plus a waterpark, making it a cruise experience fit for all ages.
Once in its new homeport, Carnival Freedom’s itinerary includes six-day Bahamas cruises to Celebration Key, Nassau and Bimini; six-day Bermuda cruises with two full days on the island; eight-day Eastern Caribbean cruises to Amber Cove, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk; and eight-day trips to Canada with excursions in Halifax, Sydney, Saint John or Charlottetown.