Carnival Sunshine to Sail Year-Round from Norfolk

NORFOLK, VA - Carnival Cruise Line today announced it will launch year-round sailings from Norfolk beginning Feb. 18, 2025. Each week thereafter, passengers from across the country will have a chance to enjoy six-day sailings to the Bahamas and eight-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries aboard the 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunshine. This marks the first year-round cruise service for Virginia's only cruise ship program. Today's announcement from the world's largest cruise line opens sales through May 2025; additional 2025 dates and itineraries will be announced next year. Itineraries from Norfolk include stops in Nassau, Freeport, Bimini and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas; Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands; and the Dominican Republic.

"This positions Norfolk as a major destination for visitors from across the country," said Norfolk Mayor, Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander. "It will have a tremendous economic impact on this region."

With Carnival's expanded cruise service, Norfolk anticipates welcoming more than 280,000 unique passenger visits in 2025, as guests begin and end their cruise vacations from the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. Norfolk is preparing for an increase in pre/post hotel overnight stays, additional transportation needs, and passenger spending at restaurants and retail businesses. On average, each cruise passenger spends $125 while in port.

"This is a game changer for our program," said Nauticus Executive Director Stephen Kirkland. "Regular, year-round cruising from Norfolk expands our passenger market far beyond the Mid-Atlantic. We will see visitors flying in and out of town for these sailings, further expanding the economic benefits these cruises provide to Norfolk and the greater Hampton Roads region."

City of Norfolk and Carnival officials announced last month the cruise line will extend its service in 2023 for a full six-month period from May through October - more than doubling its sailings in 2022. To prepare for year-round service, Carnival will pause its sailings from Norfolk in 2024 to allow for needed terminal and infrastructure enhancements at Half Moone.