PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new terminal for cruise ships opened at the Port of Philadelphia along the Delaware River on Thursday. It will serve Norwegian Cruise Line’s weekly voyages out of Philadelphia.
Seconds after officials cut the ribbon, a clap of thunder and drenching rain underscored why it was needed. Since Norwegian brought cruises back to Philadelphia in April, passengers have been boarding directly from buses. Now, they can board from the new hangar-sized terminal.
The $60 million project took four years to complete.
“The weather was a huge obstacle,” said PhilaPort President Rich Lazer. “The river froze for the first time, so we couldn’t do the work in the river. And then, we’re building a cruise terminal next to an airport, so you gotta make sure the flight plan is not affected. You got a lot of federal agencies involved, but everyone was helpful and got it done.”
Cruises stopped leaving from Philadelphia in 2015, when the old facility at the Navy Yard closed. Lazer said the revival has created 2,200 jobs and brought an estimated $300 million in economic activity to the region.
The new terminal will serve some 2,500 passengers a week, departing Philadelphia for New England, Canada, and soon, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
In April, cruise service returned to the port for the first time in 15 years
In April, cruise service returned to the port for the first time in 15 years
