Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, one of the biggest ships on the seven seas, docked in port at Nauticus, Norfolk for a short time and fueled big business across Hampton Roads.
Nearly 3,000 people on-board flooded on the streets of Norfolk. More than 500 tourists took advantage of shore excursions and day trips to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown.
The cruise ship, which has 860 crew members, is scheduled to dock at the downtown Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center at 11 a.m. with a departure scheduled for 6:30 p.m., according to a news release.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Royal Caribbean back to Norfolk,” said Nauticus executive director Stephen E. Kirkland. “No doubt, a ship with 2,000 passengers and 860 crew will have a major impact on our community.”
“In terms of a walk-able downtown, in terms of a world-class art museum and a World War II battleship, and proximity to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown, you can’t beat Norfolk with a stick,” said Stephen.
Kirkland said the estimated impact of having the ship waterside for seven hours was $500,000.
The ship comes from Tampa on its way to Ireland. Downtown Norfolk expects to have had 20,000 cruise ship passengers come through in May total.