YORKTOWN, Va. — Princess Cruise Lines has canceled a controversial cruise stop in Yorktown after facing backlash from the community.
In a news release sent Thursday morning, York County officials confirmed a Princess Cruises representative said the stop in Yorktown was canceled and the cruise line instead plans to stop in Norfolk.
Princess Cruise Lines announced last year that Yorktown was featured in its 2024 schedule. The "Island Princess" was set to dock this June. The company said the stops would "result in a significant economic impact to the region, which has played an important role in American history."
But not everyone who lives in the historic community was on board.
Preserve Yorktown has been vocal in its opposition to the cruise line, collecting more than 7,000 signatures in an online petition in mid-January.
"We're not against tourism," said Bob Hudson with Preserve Yorktown. "There [are] viable tourism models that make a lot of sense for our community. This just isn't one of them."
Instead, Princess Cruises plans to visit the region with a stop in Norfolk.
“York County works year round to welcome visitors who wish to experience our part in the nation’s history as well as our fine dining, shops, events, and hospitality,” said Mark Bellamy, Interim County Administrator. “
We hope the collaboration between Norfolk and Princess Cruises is a mutually successful one and also that the ship passengers have wonderful vacations where they make lifelong memories of their travels to Virginia.”
They ended the release by saying "There are no scheduled visits to Yorktown by Princess cruise ships in 2024 or beyond."