NORFOLK, Va. — Preparations are underway ahead of another diverted cruise ship docking in Norfolk. Royal Caribbean passengers aboard Vision of the Seas disembarked as early as 6 a.m. on Thursday, according to a company spokesperson.
Guests will also start the process of embarking starting at noon and into the afternoon rush, a traffic advisory from the City of Norfolk said in part.
City leaders advised about likely traffic congestion through the Downtown area during peak commute hours on Thursday.
"We appreciate your patience once again as we work with these cruise lines impacted by the incident in Baltimore," the advisory read.
Like Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean executives temporarily moved ports for certain ships' operations from Baltimore to Norfolk because of a cargo ship's catastrophic into Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Its collapse last Tuesday closed off a shipping channel and the local cruise terminal. As of now, two temporary channels have been formed, allowing only a limited amount of vessels through sections of the Patapsco River.
Vision's arrival to Norfolk comes just days after Carnival's Legend rerouted to Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center near Nauticus.
RELATED: Nauticus preps for thousands of cruise passengers in Norfolk after Baltimore bridge collapse
"One thing that I think that's been beautiful is to watch so many people come together," said Sarah Hughes, vice president of marketing & communications for VisitNorfolk.
The shift has prompted Hampton Roads leaders and business owners to step in and help neighbors how they can.
"I know that Sunday was a busy day, but it was also [...] running very smoothly with the amount of buses coming in and out of Downtown," said Hughes.
On Easter Sunday, more than 2,000 Carnival guests hopped off Legend in Norfolk. Another 2,000-plus people hopped on the ship on the same day.
Some of them who drove into the 757 used Asphalt Lots, a parking and shuttle services company in Chesapeake.
"This is one of those times that they let you know; 'Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Thank you for accommodating us,'" said Asphalt Lots COO & CFO Brad Metcalf.
"We had to do a lot, a big turnaround to prepare for the incoming influx of clients," said Asphalt Lots CEO Martin Parker.
Metcalf and Parker originally anticipated helping cruise passengers again in February 2025, when year-round cruises in Norfolk are supposed to start.
"It's more so [about] helping families," Parker added.
They welcomed dozens of people who boarded Legend on Sunday. Now, they're gearing up for more traction with Royal Caribbean cruisers coming in.
"There are other businesses in the community here in Chesapeake and in Norfolk that are going to see a large influx of just traffic," Metcalf added.
Metcalf and Parker also assist other local business owners, artisans and entrepreneurs by hosting a vendor market on the ground level of their garage every third Saturday of the month.
When it comes to the cruisers' economic impact, Hughes advised the numbers haven't been crunched just yet. However, she acknowledged multiple Downtown Norfolk businesses saw more customers on Sunday.
"It's kind of hard to tell if it's all because of cruise passengers, if it's because of this beautiful spring weather we're finally receiving. I think what'll be more telling is the rest of this month," said Hughes.
Additionally, a representative for Nauticus told 13News Now that 4,400 Royal Caribbean cruise passengers will disembark and embark on Vision of the Seas on Thursday.
Vision's cruise starting April 12 is already scheduled to leave from Norfolk and return to Norfolk.
Furthermore, city leaders said passengers can also park at MacArthur Center South garage.
In neighboring Virginia Beach, president of the local hotel association John Zirkle told 13News Now some hotels are seeing bookings pick up because of the rerouted cruise passengers.