Carnival Cruise Lines is returning to the port of Norfolk, Virginia for the 2015 season it has been announced.
New State Governor Terry McAuliffe said the cruise line has agreed to return to Norfolk just months after pulling out when it transferred the Carnival Glory to Miami.
The Miami-based cruise line have yet to disclose specifics but officials in Norfolk said they expect Carnival to run up to 12 Caribbean cruise departures in the spring and fall of 2015.
Carnival’s return will help to secure the immediate future of Norfolk’s Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center and generate much needed revenue.
Since its opening in 2007, the port has earned over $8.5 million in direct cruise ship revenue and almost $50 million through indirect spending on hotel stays, shopping and other travel services, according to port officials.
"This renewed activity will not only generate important tourism dollars for the commonwealth, but will also be a catalyst for job growth," said Governor McAuliffe.
While this is positive news for Norfolk, Carnival has made no similar commitment to return next year to other East Coast ports.
It ended cruises from Boston in 2013 and the final departure from Baltimore is scheduled for late 2014.
