NORFOLK, Va. — Royal Caribbean announced Thursday that the Vision of the Seas cruise ship will relocate operations to Norfolk following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said the ship will finish its current trip in Norfolk on April 4. Guests on board will be compensated and provided complimentary shuttle transportation. They'll also get Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements.
The Vision will sail from Norfolk for its April 4th and 12th trips. According to the spokesperson, guests will be compensated because of the necessary adjustments made to their vacations.
Royal Caribbean is the second cruise ship company to temporarily move its operations to Norfolk following the March 26 bridge collapse, which resulted in the suspension of vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore. Earlier this week, Carnival Cruise Line announced its Legend vessel would disembark and then depart Norfolk on Sunday.
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Stephen Kirkland, the executive director of Norfolk's cruise terminal Nauticus, said he is expecting 2,600 passengers to disembark in Norfolk Sunday morning, followed by 2,600 passengers departing.
It's unknown how long the cruise operations will be in Norfolk. On Friday morning, the Port of Baltimore said there isn't a timeline for when vessel traffic can move in and out again.