NORFOLK, Va. — Early Thursday morning, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas traveled down the Elizabeth River in Norfolk docking at the Half Moon Cruise Terminal around 4:45 am. The ship was set to return to Baltimore but was rerouted to Norfolk due to the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
This is the second cruise ship to be re-routed to Norfolk due to the bridge collapse.
Throughout the morning, crews set up and buses parked around Nauticus preparing for passengers to disembark.
“We had a wonderful time," said Kathy Peterson, one of the passengers from the ship. "The ports were good. Entertainment was really good.”
The cruise ship left out of Baltimore. Passengers said they spent the last 12 days away in "St. Croix, St. Lucia, Barbados,” said Mychele Conway.
Though, Lucille Taylor says she’s ready to be home.
“Wonderful!" she said. "12 days was long. My first 12-day trip.”
While at sea, they heard about a cargo ship crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last week.
“I had took a picture when we pulled out just to let my family know I’m on the ship and I realized the bridge is right behind me in my picture,” Taylor said. “I just had to call and make sure my son was okay because he works in Baltimore.”
In the middle of their journey, cruise line executives decided to re-route the ship to Norfolk. According to Nauticus, 2,200 people got off the ship throughout the morning. The cruise line provided buses to take passengers back to Baltimore.
“I just appreciate how well Royal has worked and how exceedingly wonderful Norfolk has been,” Conway said.
Nauticus said 2,200 people will board for the ship's next journey at 5 pm.
This is the second ship to come to Norfolk this week. On Easter Sunday, Baltimore-based Carnival Legend carrying 2,600 passengers docked in Norfolk.
City officials anticipated more traffic congestion as passengers boarded and disembarked the ship. Norfolk Police, Downtown Norfolk Council Ambassadors and cruise terminal staff were there to direct and manage passenger traffic flow.