Norwegian Cruise Line Issues New Parking Procedure...

As pleasure continues over Philadelphia’s reopening as a cruise port for the first time in 15 years, passengers crusing in coming weeks have obtained new directions on the place to reach and park earlier than their cruise begins.

In a discover despatched to company and journey companions, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) outlined revised parking procedures tied to the non permanent embarkation setup close to Philadelphia Worldwide Airport.

As a substitute of heading on to the cruise pier, company arriving by automotive should first go to the Clarion Lodge Philadelphia Worldwide Airport, which is serving as a central arrival spot for the cruise line because it awaits the completion of PhilaPort’s new passenger terminal.

The resort is the place all passengers should park, in addition to drop off baggage and verify into voyages on the 93,502-gross-ton Norwegian Jewel. As soon as checked-in, company might be transported to the port by shuttle bus.

The system is designed to maintain visitors organized throughout embarkation whereas cruise operations start within the metropolis, following the practically 3-hour delay that occurred on Norwegian Jewel’s first Philadelphia departure on April 16, 2026.

“To assist set the tone for a easy and well-orchestrated arrival, we kindly ask company to observe posted signage and the steerage supplied by arrival employees on embarkation day,” stated the discover from NCL.

Friends driving to the cruise have two parking selections. The cruise line recommends prepaying for parking earlier than arrival by contacting the resort immediately. Those that prepay might be guided into a delegated visitors move reserved for NCL passengers and directed to a devoted parking space.

After arriving, company notify the arrival staff that they pay as you go. Workers will verify names on the prepayment checklist and supply a parking decal for the car. Passengers can then unload baggage and proceed to the designated drop-off space outdoors the resort entrance earlier than heading inside to finish check-in.

Passengers who select to pay for parking upon arrival will observe the same course of however should full cost contained in the resort earlier than receiving their parking decal, which may gradual the arrival course of.

For these arriving by taxi, personal drop-off, or experience share, the drop-off level would be the Clarion Lodge entrance. From there, company will check-in contained in the ballroom earlier than boarding a shuttle to the cruise port.

Drop-offs should not permitted on the cruise terminal itself.

Sadly, wheelchair help won’t be accessible on the resort location, although the cruise line says help might be supplied on the port for company who requested it previous to crusing.

Short-term Setup Till Cruise Terminal Is Completed

The bizarre embarkation course of is tied to development delays affecting Philadelphia’s new cruise terminal at PhilaPort alongside the Delaware River.

The new terminal is being developed on a 16-acre website subsequent to the Philadelphia Worldwide Airport.

Port authorities had anticipated the terminal to be prepared in time for the return of cruise departures this spring. Nevertheless, winter climate slowed development, leaving the ability unfinished when Norwegian Jewel arrived for its first crusing.

The non permanent system debuted April 16, when the ship launched its inaugural Philadelphia voyage, however the rollout didn’t go easily.

Friends reported lengthy traces, heavy visitors, and crowded circumstances contained in the resort ballroom in the course of the embarkation course of.

One passenger described the expertise as 2.5 hours of standing in a small ballroom with virtually no air motion.

“It was bodily laborious,” the guest shared, including that after onboard, the ship and crew had been superb. “It’s simply the method of getting right here is exhausting.”

Norwegian Jewel was scheduled to depart at 4 p.m. however didn’t set sail till after 7 p.m. because of the embarkation delays, prompting NCL to ship new arrival directions forward of the vessel’s subsequent departure to Bermuda on April 23.

The primary Philadelphia voyage arrived in Kings Wharf, Bermuda, for an in a single day name on April 18. It’ll cease in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 21 earlier than returning on April 23.