Norfolk VA USA Cruise Port Guide

Location:

Cruise ships dock at The Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, Norfolk's newest and most unique waterfront attraction.

This gorgeous, new, 80,000 square-foot facility is adjacent to Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin on the Elizabeth River. Located in the heart of downtown Norfolk and with sweeping views of an historic waterway, the Half Moone.

The cruise ship dock isn't far from Norfolk International Airport. It takes about 20 minutes for a taxi to drive from the airport to the Norfolk cruise terminal. (about $25)

Parking is $15 a day and shuttles will transport you to the cruise terminal.

Hotels near the Cruise Terminal

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Norfolk VA USA

Sightseeing:

Norfolk has always been a Navy town. The world's largest naval base is located here. But it is also known as a major cultural center, with world-class museums, opera, symphony, ballet and a vibrant arts community. In the last ten years or so, downtown area has experienced a major resurgence, with gourmet restaurants, shopping and attractions.

Town Point Park is a waterfront park area right downtown that hosts several festivals and events throughout the year. A new cruise terminal was just built in 2007 making Norfolk one of the top cruise ports in the country. Granby Street is the main downtown thoroughfare, lined with restaurants and bars.

Ghent is a historic district adjacent to downtown. Filled with historic homes, tree-lined streets and beautiful old churches, it is a good mix of residential and business. The Naro theater on Colley Avenue is the region's sole movie theater with indie flicks.

Ocean View is Norfolk's beach community, and features relatively uncrowded beaches on the Chesapeake Bay. During the '50s and '60s, Ocean View was in its prime and was a major beach destination for families and sailors. During the following decades, the beach community fell into a bit of a slump, succumbing to crime. The last five years, the city has been turning things around and now Ocean View is on its way to becoming one of the region's most sought after neighborhoods.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Many of Norfolk's best-known attractions are within walking distance of the pier. Taxis are available at the pier if you want to venture further, say to the artsy area known as Ghent.

There are also free NET (Norfolk Electric Transfer) city buses that operate around the downtown area. For excursions beyond the downtown area, a car is necessary.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens are only 45 minutes away.

Shopping and Food

Colley Avenue and 21st Street are the main shopping and dining areas, with dozens of locally-owned boutiques, shops, antique stores, restaurants and bars.

Shopping fanatics should head to Norfolk's premier mall -- MacArthur Center right downtown and featuring some 140 stores (including some 65 that are not part of chains), anchored by Nordstrom's and Dillard's, movie theaters and restaurants.

Ghent is Norfolk's arty, fashionable historic neighborhood, with plenty of boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and cafes. Cab there from the ship pier.

Currency:

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
Shuttle bus drivers: $2-5 (optional)
Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

Currency Converter

Communication:

The Norfolk Waterside Marriott has a self-serve computer room to the left of the front desk; access is $0.69, and you just slide in your credit card.

Emergency 911

Opening Hours and Holidays:

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)

Holidays in the USA

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