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When Philadelphia was added as a new homeport for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in 2024, the company expected the city’s new cruise terminal to be open and ready to welcome its guests for its first sailings in 2026.

Instead, weather-related delays have pushed back competition of the facility at PhilaPort, forcing the cruise line to introduce a temporary new embarkation plan for Norwegian Jewel, which is setting sail from Philadelphia on April 16.

Guests booked on the first sailings have now been informed that check-in will take place at the Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport, rather than at a cruise terminal.

“We’re excited to return to Philadelphia and restart cruising from the destination for the first time in many years,” NCL told guests in a message explaining the changes.

“As we partner closely with PhilaPort to prepare the new facility, progress on the permanent terminal has taken longer than anticipated due to adverse weather conditions that impacted the area this winter.”

The cruise line went on to detail the temporary plan for the 93,502-gross-ton ship, which has passengers arriving at the Clarion Hotel to begin the embarkation process.

Guests who purchased cruise line airport transfers will be brought directly from Philadelphia International Airport to the hotel for check-in. Passengers arriving on their own will need to drive to the hotel.

Parking will be available at the hotel in a designated area for cruise guests and currently costs about $16 per day, paid directly to the hotel.

Luggage drop-off will take place outside the hotel entrance before guests proceed inside the ballroom to complete the check-in process.

Passengers are encouraged to arrive during the check-in window they selected during online check-in to help manage the flow of travelers.

Once check-in is completed, guests will board complimentary shuttle buses that will transport them to the ship at the pier.

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Wheelchair assistance will not be available at the hotel check-in location, although the cruise line said assistance will be provided once guests arrive at the pier.

“For everyone’s safety and to ensure smooth access at PhilaPort, guests cannot make their own way to the port, and there is no option to check-in at the ship,” NCL said in its instructions.

Upon arrival at the port, passengers will pass through security screening inside a covered tent before continuing to the vessel.

The final walk to the ship will take place outdoors, and guests may see nearby construction as work continues on the permanent terminal, which broke ground in December 2025.

Disembarkation Will Also Change

The temporary system will also be used when passengers return from the 7-night cruise to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina.

Guests who purchased NCL transfers will be transported directly from the pier to the airport after disembarkation. All other passengers will board shuttle buses back to the Clarion Hotel, where they can retrieve their vehicles or arrange onward transportation.

Because the port area is still an active construction site, taxis and ride-share services will not be allowed to pick up passengers directly from the pier.

It is unclear when NCL will be able to operate from PhilaPort, which is being built along the Delaware River near Philadelphia International Airport.

The project is reintroducing large-scale cruise departures from Philadelphia and, once complete, is expected to serve as a homeport capable of handling modern cruise ships with a dedicated passenger terminal for embarkation and disembarkation.

The 2,368-passenger Norwegian Jewel will homeport at PhilaPort through October 2026, beginning with a series of 7- to 9-night cruises to Bermuda and transitioning to longer itineraries to Canada and New England. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Details Temporary Plan for Philadelphia Departures

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