READING PA – A new ocean cruising port is scheduled to open during April (2026) in Philadelphia. Passenger cruising to ports nationally and worldwide is expected to increase by 4.5% over last year. Eighteen new cruise ships, one of them with a suite reportedly costing $27,000 a night, are due to be publicly introduced within coming months.
Those recent bulletins signal busier – and cruise lines hope, more profitable – times ahead for the vacation cruise industry.
With that backdrop, it seemed no surprise that dozens of people arrived Sunday (Jan. 11) at a downtown Reading PA hotel for a “Cruise Your Way” Expo. The event, hosted by regional travel offices of Boscov’s department stores, featured representatives of several cruise companies and attracted visitors from greater Pottstown and beyond.
The expo allotted three hours for exhibits, presentations, food sampling, and prize drawings. During that time, many in attendance were overheard asking the available professionals a variety of questions:
- Can cruising trips be paid for over time?;
- What kinds of accommodations are offered?;
- How much more do shore excursions cost?; and
- Others, who apparently had traveled on one or more cruises, were interested in specific destinations and dates.
The answers to all depend primarily on the travel agent used, the cruise lines and their representatives, and any specials they offer or deals they promote.
Top photo by Peter Hansen on Unsplash
It Wasn’t Always This Way
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be the archenemy of cruising. Statistics provided by AAA show that cruise passengers dropped from 13.1 million in 2018 and 14.2 million in 2019, to just 2.7 million in 2020 and 2.2 million in 2021.
Vaccines against the virus helped bring COVID under control. The now-common inoculations are updated periodically, and readily available for those who request them.
Cruise voyages are more popular than ever, AAA reports. They’ve enjoyed significant growth during the past four years, and are poised to do even better in 2026. The organization, with an office in Royersford, projects 21.7 million Americans will go on ocean cruises this year.
“The Caribbean is by far the most popular cruise destination for Americans,” AAA adds. “That’s why Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale, all in Florida, are the busiest cruise ports in the world.”
Photo by Travels With The Post
Adding A Cruise Port in Philadelphia
It is unlikely to be as bustling as ports farther south, but the future PhilaPort Cruise Terminal – on 16 acres next to the Philadelphia International Airport – is already under construction. It “will serve as the region’s newest gateway for cruise travel beginning in April 2026,” the Port of Philadelphia announced last December.
Formerly known as the Hog Island Dock Terminal Facility, the land terminal is being redeveloped and built by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. PhilaPort says it will manage all marine-side improvements “under a seven-year berthing agreement.”
In return, Norwegian has committed “to operate as Philadelphia’s exclusive homeport” with an initial 41 sailings per year.
In addition to creating 2,185 direct and indirect jobs, the terminal is expected to generate about $300 million in annual economic output, PhilaPort adds. It also expands the port’s use from a former focus solely on cargo, to one also of tourism and leisure.
Both parties are watching as Americans’ cruising interest keeps rising. Together, Norwegian says, they hope to expand “access to exceptional cruise experiences,” and connect “guests to world-class destinations with the convenience of sailing from a city rich in American history.”
Photo provided by the Port of Philadelphia
On the Horizon, 18 New Ships
A $27,000-a-night suite certainly lends itself to eye-popping headlines. So does a sailing yacht with a 1,500-book library, Broadway productions debuting on stages at sea, or “a solar-sailed polar expedition.” All are features among a group of 18 new ships Forbes Magazine reports will launch during 2026.
Forbes says several of the newest ships are geared toward reduced passenger lists involving tens or hundreds, not thousands, of travelers. That could mean fewer but more generously-sized cabins, a potentially smaller staff-member-to-passenger ratio, and offers of personalized or exclusive services.
Also among the 18, it notes, are far larger ships imbued with “experience opportunities.” Depending on the brand, they are expected to include water parks at sea, or thrilling rides that drop over a dozen decks. On some, anticipate an abundance of themed or specialty restaurants and bars.
Additionally, cruise lines increasingly can boast of installing and using environmentally conscious and sustainable mechanical systems.
Photo by DMedina on MorgueFile, used under license
Ways to Get Started
Interested in pursuing a cruise? One often-recommended source for first-timers and repeat cruisers alike is CruiseCritic, a company owned by TripAdvisor.
CruiseCritic features advice columns and community forums that offer traveler reviews and answers to regularly asked questions. It alerts users to deals and special offers made by cruise lines. It also annually publishes a “Best In Cruise” article that reports on top choices in ocean, luxury, and river cruises.
Other suggested websites include “All Things Cruise,” and for those contemplating a European cruise, “Rick Steves’ Europe.”
Our local business reporting includes articles on travel planning and tourism industry activities within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more travel and tourism articles here. Also, see and follow the Travels With The Post page on Facebook.
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