Ports & destinations

PhilaPort and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings officially open new cruise terminal

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 28 August 2026 28 August 2026

PhilaPort and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, yesterday celebrated the official opening of the new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The milestone establishes a permanent home for cruise operations in Philadelphia and reflects the long-term partnership between PhilaPort, NCLH and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The completion of the new terminal follows the launch of Norwegian Cruise Line sailings from Philadelphia earlier this year – the first cruises to depart from the city in more than 15 years. The dedicated facility strengthens Philadelphia’s position as a growing cruise destination while creating new opportunities for tourism and economic development throughout the region.

The ceremony brought together state and local leaders, community partners and business stakeholders to celebrate the completion of the facility, which was designed to provide guests with a seamless embarkation and disembarkation experience.

“PhilaPort’s new cruise terminal is a critical component of our broader economic development strategy – creating good jobs, generating new economic activity and strengthening the economies of Philadelphia and the entire region,” said Rich Lazer, Executive Director and CEO of PhilaPort. “Our partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line will establish Philadelphia as a welcoming and accommodating destination for the cruise industry, attracting more visitors to our region and creating new opportunities for residents and businesses across Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.”

As part of the celebration, NCLH announced $50,000 in contributions to support communities across Greater Philadelphia. The contributions are part of the company’s global Sail & Sustain® program and it’s Strengthening Our Communities pillar, reflecting NCLH’s commitment to supporting and investing in the communities where it lives, works, visits and operates. Of the $50,000 contribution, $20,000 will support Tinicum Township’s local fire department, and the remaining $30,000 will benefit three local Boys & Girls Clubs, helping to support programs and resources for children and families across the region.

“Today, we celebrate becoming part of this community,” said Daniel Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer at NCLH. “Through our global Sail & Sustain program, we believe in investing in and strengthening the communities we serve. As we establish a long-term presence in Greater Philadelphia, we’re proud to support the first responders, young people and families who call this region home while creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth.”

The new cruise terminal supports PhilaPort’s seven-year agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. through March 31, 2033, reinforcing the company’s long-term presence in the market. Cruise operations at the terminal are projected to generate approximately 2,185 direct and indirect jobs and nearly $300 million in annual economic output throughout Pennsylvania, supporting tourism, hospitality, transportation and other businesses across the region.

Norwegian Jewel is currently sailing from Philadelphia through Sept. 26, 2026. Norwegian Pearl will arrive in the city in November 2026, offering voyages ranging from five to 14 days to Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Canada and New England through April 2028.

Norwegian Cruise Line also recently unveiled new seven-day Bermuda and Atlantic Coast voyages from Philadelphia aboard Norwegian Gem beginning in summer 2028.

Photo: Norwegian Jewel photographed in Philadelphia yesterday. Credit: Teijo Niemela

 

Stunning images: Virgin Voyages makes its debut in Hamburg

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 26 August 2026 26 August 2026

Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) is welcoming a new cruise brand to the Port of Hamburg: Valiant Lady is making the first-ever call by a Virgin Voyages vessel in Hamburg on 24 and 25 August 2026. The inaugural visit marks the cruise line’s debut in the Hanseatic city and further strengthens Hamburg’s position as an internationally attractive cruise destination.

Virgin Voyages has reimagined the traditional cruise experience with an adults-only offering centered around elevated dining, immersive entertainment and contemporary design. The arrival of Valiant Lady adds another international cruise brand to Hamburg’s diverse portfolio and highlights the city’s appeal to a broad range of cruise lines and passenger groups.

“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Voyages and Valiant Lady to Hamburg for the first time,” says Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg. “Maiden calls are always a special moment for us. They demonstrate the continued interest of international cruise lines in Hamburg and provide an opportunity to introduce new cruise brands and their guests to our city. We are pleased to further diversify Hamburg’s cruise portfolio with Virgin Voyages and are proud to welcome the ship and her guests to Hamburg.”

Natasha Salzedo, Senior Director of Itineraries & Destinations at Virgin Voyages, said: "Hamburg has a creative energy and maritime spirit that make it a perfect fit for Virgin Voyages. From exploring the city's iconic Speicherstadt district and waterfront to discovering its incredible food, music and cultural scene, there's so much for our Sailors to experience. We're excited to make our first call here and continue expanding the destinations we can bring to life through unforgettable journeys."

As the operator of Hamburg’s cruise terminals, Cruise Gate Hamburg sees the inaugural call as another positive development for the city’s cruise sector. Hamburg combines a strong maritime heritage with a vibrant cultural scene, international connectivity and a central location in Northern Europe, making it an attractive destination for cruise lines and their guests.

A maritime welcome programme accompanies Valiant Lady’s inaugural visit. Upon her arrival at Cruise Center Altona on Monday, 24 August, the vessel was welcomed by a fireboat escorting the ship into the Port of Hamburg with a traditional water salute. On Tuesday morning, 25 August, Sailors (guests) disembarking for excursions in Hamburg and the surrounding region were welcomed at the terminal by a traditional shanty choir. The musical performance offered visitors an authentic first impression of Hamburg’s maritime heritage.

Also on Tuesday, representatives of the city and the Port of Hamburg were welcomed by the ship’s captain, Damir Rikanovic, and his Crew during the traditional Plaques and Keys Ceremony on board Valiant Lady. The exchange of commemorative plaques is a long-standing maritime tradition marking a ship’s first visit to a port and symbolising the beginning of a new relationship between the cruise line and the destination. Valiant Lady will conclude her inaugural visit to Hamburg on Tuesday evening, departing Cruise Center Altona at approximately 5 p.m. The vessel will be accompanied by a harbour launch boat as she leaves the Port of Hamburg. Both departure and arrival are documented by drone, capturing images of Virgin Voyages' Hamburg debut.

The inaugural call of Valiant Lady is one of nine maiden calls scheduled in Hamburg during the 2026 cruise season. A further three maiden calls are expected before the end of the year. In total, almost 330 cruise ship calls are scheduled across Hamburg’s three cruise terminals in 2026, underlining the continued importance of the Hanseatic city as one of Northern Europe’s leading cruise destinations.

 

Tahiti Cruise Club names new President

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 28 August 2026 28 August 2026

Since 2012, cruise activity in French Polynesia has tripled. The sector now generates more than XPF 20 billion of annual economic impact for the territory, with a very strong increase in both numbers of port calls and passengers expected this year – a growth trend that has been anticipated and announced for the past two years.

Last week, the General Meeting of the Tahiti Cruise Club (TCC), held at the Presidency of French Polynesia, provided an opportunity to take stock of the progress made since the creation of this industry association, officially established in January 2010, to clarify the challenges facing the sector today, and to appoint its new captain.

A busy and growing industry

Despite the many difficulties and challenges encountered over the past 15 years, the sector’s growth objectives are met while preserving the destination’s fundamental characteristics:
– 87% of the port calls scheduled for 2026 will be operated by homeporting vessels;
– 89% of port calls will be operated by ships carrying fewer than 600 passengers;
– 73% of port calls will take place outside the Society Islands’ Windward Islands.

The destination is continuing to consolidate its model, based on small ships for 9 out of 10 port calls, while giving preference to vessels operating from Papeete. These vessels embark passengers arriving by air and ensure that 35.7% – more than one visitor in three — spend their stay in French Polynesia primarily in floating accommodation, aboard cruise ships.

A new generation

The new President, Edouard Gaide, elected unanimously, is fully aware of the coordination and collective organisation challenges that this growth entails.

A graduate of the ENSM (École nationale supérieure maritime), he has been a maritime pilot with the Te Ara Tai Pilot Station since 2024. Since 2011, he has served as an officer with several shipping companies, including five years in French Polynesia aboard the Aranui, as well as experience aboard cruise ships operated by Scenic and Swan Hellenic.

Edouard Gaide will initially be supported by Ororiki Rickenbach, Head of the Cruise Department at Tahiti Nui Travel, who was elected Secretary of the association. She brings extensive hands-on experience in organising activities across the various ports of call, as well as several years of professional relationships with senior representatives of international cruise companies.
The team is completed by Torea Colas, Marketing Manager at Air Tahiti Nui, who continues as Treasurer of the Tahiti Cruise Club, a position he has held for more than ten years.

In addition to the Ministry of Tourism and the President of French Polynesia, who personally attended the General Meeting, the main institutional and private-sector stakeholders have been members or partners of the association for the past 15 years: Tahiti Tourisme, the Tourism Department, the French Polynesian Maritime Affairs Department, the Papeete Port Authorities, the Chamber of Commerce, several municipalities (Papeete, Moorea, Huahine and Uturoa), and Air Tahiti Nui.

Record levels of activity and visitor numbers

Overall, cruise ships are expected to make nearly 1,300 port calls this year, with almost 90% operated by ships carrying fewer than 600 passengers. This figure is complemented by the calls of Panorama 2, operated by Variety Cruises.

This includes more than 150 homeporting calls in Tahiti, whereby passengers arrive by air, begin their cruise through the Papeete Cruise Terminal, complete their cruise itinerary, and depart again by air. This represents a truly remarkable record for the destination.

Homeporting vessels will account for 87% of all 2026 port calls, meaning that only 13% of calls will be operated by trans-Pacific vessels. Cruise ships carrying more than 2,000 passengers are expected to account for only 3% of all port calls this year.

Galveston Wharves negotiating terms of proposed 5th cruise terminal with Royal Caribbean Group

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Ports & Destinations Ports & Destinations

Published: 26 August 2026 26 August 2026

The Galveston Wharves, a major U.S. cruise home port, is in discussions with Royal Caribbean Group to develop of a new cruise terminal at Pier 14. A final development agreement will include terms for the development, financing, construction and operation of the new cruise terminal and cruise berth. Once finalized, a draft operating agreement will be brought to the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees for approval.

On Aug. 25, the Wharves Board voted to defer a non-binding memorandum of understanding that outlined preliminary terms and gave staff feedback for further negotiations.

Through a similar public/private partnership agreement in 2022, Royal Caribbean Group and the port built a $125 million cruise terminal complex, including a terminal, pier improvements, parking and roadways, at Pier 10.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “Royal Caribbean Group has been a great port partner since they first sailed from Galveston 25 years ago. As the first cruise line to build a new terminal at the port, Royal Caribbean partnered with the port to build a terminal that is not only beautiful but also receives great passenger reviews and is environmentally sustainable.

“We’re excited to be included in the company’s expansion plans and will be honored to receive Icon of the Seas, one of the boldest and most exciting cruise ships sailing today,” Rees said.

Regional economic impacts

Galveston’s cruise industry is a major economic engine for local and regional businesses. Cruise operations generate more than 4,547 jobs for Galveston area residents, $733 million in business revenues, $291 million in personal income, and $25 million in state and local taxes.

An economic impact study shows that a fifth cruise terminal will significantly boost the regional economy with the following:
– 1,500 jobs
– $91.5 million in personal income
– $278 million in direct business revenue
– $7.9 million in state and local taxes