Carnival Magic Moves to Norfolk in 2021

Carnival Cruise Line announced that Carnival Magic will cruise from Norfolk, Virginia beginning in May, 2021.  

The cruise line signed a five-year agreement with the City of Norfolk to allow seasonal cruises from this mid-Atlantic cruise port.

Details about Carnival Magic Moving to Norfolk

At a press conference in Norfolk, the city’s mayor and Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Nautical and Port Operations, made the official announcement that Carnival Magic would offer seasonal cruises from the Half Moone Cruise Center through 2025.  

Carnival Magic can accommodate 3,690 passengers and will be the largest cruise ship to sail from Norfolk.  In total, there will be 12 cruise departures with close to 50,000 passengers passing through the port, beginning in 2021.  

The City of Norfolk agreed to invest in improvements to their Half Moone Cruise Center in order to accommodate Carnival Magic and other large ships.  The city will also add a new boarding bridge to speed up embarkation and debarkation, plus other upgrades to the terminal. 

“Norfolk has been a valued partner for nearly 20 years, and we’re delighted to expand upon this relationship with this five-year contract that will bring exciting new choices from the Half Moone Cruise Center,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our cruises from Norfolk have been very well received by our guests, and this new agreement speaks volumes about our confidence in growing this market.”

What’s onboard Carnival Magic

When Carnival Magic was launched in 2011, the ship featured many of what’s become signature venues throughout the fleet.   This includes the Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub, the Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant.  SkyCourse, in the above photo, is family-friendly and a challenging ropes course, suspended 150-feet above the ocean. 

There’s the complimentary children’s programs offered for three age groups, the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, the Ocean Plaza indoor/outdoor dining and entertainment promenade plus Serenity, the adults-only retreat.  Of course there’s the WaterWorks aqua park with two massive slides, a tipping bucket and a kiddie splash zone.

Carnival Magic Cruise Itineraries from Norfolk

When Carnival Magic relocates for cruises from Norfolk, seasonal itineraries will range from four- to eight-days.  

Itineraries include:

•       May 16 and June 5:  six-day cruises to Freeport, Nassau and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay
•       May 22 and 31, June 11, and Oct. 4 and 30: five-day voyages featuring Freeport and Nassau
•       May 27: four-day long weekend sailing to Bermuda returning on Memorial Day
•       Sept. 29: five-day voyage to Bermuda
•       Oct. 9: eight-day cruise to Grand Turk, San Juan and St. Thomas
•       Oct. 17: six-day voyage to Bermuda
•       Oct. 23: seven-day sailing visiting Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

Following a spring 2021 refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Magic will sport Carnival’s signature features found on almost the entire fleet.   

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