Carnival Cruise Lines to sail out of Virginia in 2015

Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that Carnival Cruise Lines will be returning to Virginia in 2015.

After ceasing operations in the state 18 months ago, Carnival, the world’s largest cruise ship line, will resume sailing seasonally from Norfolk in the spring and fall of 2015. The activity will not only generate important tourism dollars for the Commonwealth, but will also be a catalyst for job growth in the region.

McAuliffe’s announcement came Jan. 13, in his address to the Joint Assembly

According to the governor in a press release, Carnival’s return will “bolster our strong tourism industry and usher in a new wave of economic growth in Hampton Roads.” He also thinks Carnival’s return “could result more ship calls and regular homeport service to the Commonwealth.”

Terry Thornton, Carnival’s senior vice president of itinerary planning and revenue development, was quoted in the governor’s news release as saying, “We are very pleased to be returning to Norfolk in 2015 and would like to thank our partners at the port, along with the terrific leadership at both the local and state level, for their continued support,” said

According to a 2013 study by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, about 8.1 million adults within a five-hour drive of Norfolk are likely to take a cruise over the next three years, making Norfolk a prime location for more cruise line activity, the news release stated.