29-04-2025
American Cruise Lines setting sail from Pensacola in 2026 — what it means for tourism
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — All aboard! Pensacola will soon become a port of call for American Cruise Lines and its ship, the American Symphony.
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It's part of the cruise line's new Gulf Coast Cruise Itinerary.
'It's always exciting to have a new way for people to explore your destination. Your community,' Darien Schaefer, president & CEO of Visit Pensacola said.
Starting March 2026, the eight-day cruise travels from New Orleans to Pensacola, with stops in Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and Mobile.
Currently, four trips are planned for the month of March. Carrying with it about 180 passengers ready to explore all Pensacola has to offer.
'We know it will actually generate some room nights, because they'll come in the day before the cruise and spend an overnight in Pensacola,' Schaefer said. 'And when they come here it's 180 people that will be exploring the destination. So they'll be taking advantage of some of our attractions and restaurants.'
Schaefer said the cruise is just another piece of Pensacola's local tourism economy.
'We've been very fortunate to see tourism grow in Escambia County. And one of the great results of that is visitors, when they come, their spending generates local taxes. And those taxes help offset the cost that all of us as residents of Escambia County have to pay,' Schaefer said.
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According to Visit Pensacola, tourism brought in just over $2 billion to the local economy in 2024.
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