Norfolk, Virginia is located at the mouth of Elizabeth, Nansemond and James rivers close to the outlet of Chesapeake Bay on the Atlantic. With an area of 5,372 km2 (2,074 ml2) and a population of around 859,400 (2014 est.), it is a largely rural county with a population density of 400 per square mile. With the cities of Portsmouth, Newport News and Hampton, Norfolk forms the Hampton Roads port, which is one of the world's greatest natural harbours.

It is also a major national seaport and military centre, having the largest shipbuilding and repair centre in the world, US Marine, U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, Coast Guard, Armed Forces Staff College, NATO facilities and Langley Air Force Base with astronaut training centre. Norfolk is the site of Chrysler and Mariners Museums, with the latter featuring the most extensive international collection of mariner's artifacts in America - maps, ship models, scrimshaw, unique watercraft and paintings. Nearby tourists can visit Colonial Williamsburg.

The streets of Norfolk were laid out in 1682. The early growth of the town was based on the West Indies trade and shipping of products from the plantations of North Carolina and Virginia. Every building in Norfolk, except St Paul's Church (1739), was destroyed during the American War of Independence. Rebuilt after the war, the city became an important maritime and shipbuilding centre but its enormous military growth started during WW1.

As cruise port of call (on transit itineraries), the port's business expands each year. Among the cruise companies visiting Norfolk are AIDA, TUI and Princess, plus several luxury lines with smaller vessels (like Silversea). Carnival continues to homeport a ship here (Carnival Sunshine in 2017). Among the port's newly added amenities are Wi-Fi (throughout the waterfront area) and new bike lanes (cycle lanes) throughout the city.

Highlights: Mariners Museum, Chrysler Museum, Colonial Williamsburg