11 diverted Baltimore cruise ships didn’t affect Norfolk terminal renovations

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The City of Norfolk said the cruise ships that were diverted to the city after the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse were a good learning experience.

From March 26 through May 19, 11 cruise ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean were sent to Norfolk, amounting to over 45,000 passengers coming through the Half Moone Cruise Ship Terminal.

According to officials, almost 500 busses shuttled people to and from Baltimore and Norfolk during the diversion.

City officials said communications with different agencies involved made the process go smoothly.

“Thanks to every department in the city almost has come together to make this work, we had busses lined up down Boush Street, staged in the parking lot of the Opera Center, it’s been great,” Nauticus Executive Director Stephen Kirkland said. “It’s been a great learning experience for us.”

Norfolk is now pausing all cruises while the center works on a multi-million dollar upgrade, which is expected to be ready within a few months.