Seeing the world’s largest naval base is once in a lifetime experience and you should never miss out on an opportunity to Visit Naval Station Norfolk in VA. Taking a tour around the naval base is a full-day engagement as you go around the vast area occupying a strategic position along the US Atlantic coast and is home to 78 ships. You can avail of the guided bus tours that take you around the base while naval personnel narrate the history and significance of the places you pass by. You can see from a close distance the Atlantic Fleet training centers, sleek submarines, and the awesome aircraft carriers of the size of small cities. Moving over from land to water, you can even view the naval base from an air-conditioned ship that takes you around. You have to spare a full day to explore the naval base.
Your brush with history
A tour of the Norfolk naval station is much different from any other conducted tour because not only you will witness the might of the US Navy but also get an opportunity to understand the strategic role of the Norfolk Naval base in shaping the world’s history. The naval base gained immediate importance from the time the US entered World War I. The new naval base became the Atlantic Fleet’s critical assembly point as hostilities intensified. To accommodate more personnel and vessels it became necessary for the base expansion. Soon, the base effectively started serving as the primary staging area for Atlantic-oriented naval operations.
The importance of the base became even more during World War II. The base became the epicenter of naval operations across the vast expanse from the North Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. The legacy of the two great global wars helped the Norfolk naval base cement its position as one of the most strategic assets of America.
Naval base cruises
Whether you prefer a land tour by bus or a cruise to explore the naval base is a matter of personal preference. However, naval base cruises are more exciting as you get a better feel of the ambiance and gain better access to many more ships viewed from the other side.
Plenty of vessels arrange for cruises to take tourists around the naval base. You can choose any vessel to embark on a two-hour cruise of the nation’s biggest naval base while listening to the commentary that shares fascinating facts never heard of. The passengers on board the ship can gather extensive information about the history of the naval base. The ships deployed for the cruises are small and can accommodate a limited number of passengers. For example, the Victory Rover accommodates 149 passengers seated in climate-controlled cabins for maximum comfort and enjoyment. The ships have large windows to allow unobstructed views of the entire naval base. Arrangements for relaxation and refreshment in the main cabin include restrooms, snack bars, a gift shop, and a bar.
During the cruise, you can see all kinds of vessels used in warfare from aircraft carriers to destroyers, submarines, amphibious assault ships, cruisers, and guided missiles.