carnival cruises out of baltimore reviews

Carnival Cruise Lines

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Review Highlights

“ We went to Nassau, Half Moon Cay (best beach), Grand Turks , and Dominican Republic. ” in 3 reviews

“ Me and my family stayed on the Carnival conquest . ” in 2 reviews

“ We were aboard an older vessel (The Pride ) but it was fresh clean and entertaining to the last minute of our cruise. ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Baltimore, MD 21230

Other Boat Tours Nearby

American Sailing Tours

1.5 miles away from Carnival Cruise Lines

Cali W. said "BEST 1st time SAILING EXPERIENCE! We did the evening MoonLight tour of the city night lights. We brought our own bottle of wine and the boat provided the cups. The captain and staff were very nice and polite about us arriving late…" read more

in Boat Charters, Boat Tours

Tour Boat Annapolis

Come join us on the Tour Boat of Annapolis. We offer private and public cruises of the Annapolis Harbor. Come see the city from the water in a fun and exciting way. Everyone from families, tourists, locals etc. Whether it's to learn… read more

in Boat Tours, Boat Charters

Amenities and More

Ask the community.

Ask a question

Got a question about Carnival Cruise Lines ? Ask the Yelp community!

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

We went on the Carnival Legend. I was told we would get an email about a survey. I have yet to receive it. No worries. The only thing I had a concern is, at the deli station on the ship. The attendant open mouth coughed. I get it, sometimes one sneaks up on you, but if more come, you stop what your doing, cough into your shirt, arms, hell, even hands. Then you take off your gloves and wash your hands, dry with a paper towel and then glove up and get back to it. I don't want anyone to get in trouble, but safety is key.

As far as cruise ports go, this is a smaller port. We decided to park at the cruise port. It was a crazy mess coming in. I would say if you can get dropped off would be a better, less stressful way. It took us about 45 min in line to go park. The rate is reasonable $105 for the 8 days. It's a gated locked parking area. When you are parking, there is a drop off for off loading your luggage so you don't have to take it across the lot. That's a very good thing! Once you walk to the terminal, you get another line to go through scanner security. Then proceed to get your cruise card etc. if you get a fast pass with Carnival or have a suite cabin it's a much quicker line. Leaving was easier, just get you luggage, go through customs, find your vehicle and out you go. We went to the Bahamas incl Half Moon Cay. We had good weather and love the food options. If you get a chance to do the chef's dinner, it's the best foodie experience!!

See all photos from Judy R. for Carnival Cruise Lines

Called about canceling or delaying a cruise because of illness. Was told all I could do was cancel and I would forfeit $1100 of prepaid fair. Since I hadn't canceled and was not sure that I would have too, I was told if I had the Vacation Protection Package it would cover the $1100 charge. The cost was $189. 3 weeks later I was informed by my doctors that travel was not recommended. I called and canceled my cruise and was sent a $1421 refund. I was told to file a claim with the carrier, AON Travel Claims for the remaining fees minus the $189. I filed, supplied all required documentation and was declined coverage since I was under treatment at the time I purchased the plan. I feel that I was cheated by Carnival because the Agent knew about my illness and all the details prior to being offered the protection package. It was outright theft in order to make a few dollars in commission. I am considering legal action against both companies. Beware of lying and deceitful sales tactics.

Love that someone can drop you off if you want to save on parking but they also charge daily to park and it's a secured lot so no worries if having your vehicle broken into. Carnival is the most relaxed and laid back cruse experience we have taken. We love the atmosphere and always have a great time! I suggest Guys burgers they will even make it without the bun and lettuce only for keto! Food is always yummy you must go to the restaurant for dinner though and breakfast on some days! Always a higher quality of food.

Quickie Vacation

I had taken a very expensive cruise with a friend in 2023 and was very disappointed. The cruise had 0 pools and no fun what so ever. I was very disappointed by the people as well.

Me and my family stayed on the Carnival conquest. Not gonna lie. I liked it. While there was some rocking, that was the oceans fault. Thankfully, I did not spend my time being any forms of sea sick! Now you may be wondering Natt/ Natts daughter Logan. WHY A FOUR OUT OF FIVE? Well, I'll tell you why.during dinners slash lunches, I saw people with Mac and cheese, or maybe I imagined it, but I still wanted my Mac and cheese . I searched far and wide and then.......BOOM (scared you) I'm off the boat still no Mac and cheese.

This was my first trip/ cruise ever and I had a blast, on the Carnival ship, the food was delicious and there definitely more than enough options to choose from. My favorites were Guy Ferrari burger bar omg, they had every topping you can name that can be added to a burger, I was able to get an unlimited amount of extra pickles to go along side my burger. The other place was the pizza place, I can't remember the name but the pizza was excellent, so flavorful and I love the thin crust.. The service on the cruise ship was nothing less than excellent. Shout out to Putu my stateroom attendant, his service was excellent. I was amazed after him introducing himself the day before, while walking down the hall he spoke to me by name, I smiled it made me feel comfortable, not just another customer on board enjoying their vacation, but I felt welcomed..... he even brought me a heavy blanket because I froze the first night on board. There was plenty to do while at sea from karaoke, to the casino non stop entertainment, games party's and activities, there will be another one in the future.

See all photos from Gita G. for Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines out of Baltimore is a very quick and easy way to go on a fantastic vacation for any Maryland (or surrounding) locals. The staff inside the cruise terminal were very polite and helpful and the boarding process was relatively simple (compared to other cruise terminals we've been through). Highly recommend Carnival out of Baltimore. They do have smaller / slightly dated ships that sail from this port, however it is still a blast and guaranteed to enjoy. We've been on both the Pride and Legend (identical ships) and both vacations were very memorable!

My wife and I have cruises with Carnival before out of Baltimore on the Pride, and this was by far one of our best cruises. The ship is little older, but don't let that deter you from an amazing vacation. Lots to do, plenty of food to eat and a ton of fantastic drinks. The staff is very friendly and the adult section was a nice bonus on the ship. The spa was a little on the pricey side, but most cruise line spas are. Would definitely sail on this ship again!

Carnival Cruise Lines does not value its customers. I was a loyal customer for many years, with 73 days of cruising with Carnival. I have spent thousands of dollars with this cruise line...then we were scheduled to go on a cruise this past Sunday. I asked the Carnival staff back when I booked the cruise what was the documentation requirement for the cruise. She unfortunately gave us the wrong information and when we went to board the ship on Sunday we were told we could not. I contacted the CORPORATE Headquarters and they would not speak to us, even after repeated requests to be called and refused to refund our money or offer us a replacement cruise even though their staff had given us bad information. I will never cruise with Carnival again.

All aboard! It took me over thirty years, but I finally got to go on my first cruise. My brother has been on several already so my family let him take care of the booking. Carnival Pride is the ship we were sailing on. We left out of Baltimore and were headed to Grand Turk and The Bahamas. The three islands we visited included Grand Turk, Halfmoon Cay, and Freeport. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect on the cruise, or everything Carnival had to offer, but there was one thing I was sure of. For an entire week, I was going to be eating like a King! The food on the ship was just amazing! It was a little overwhelming at first. Whether you prefer the buffet or the dining room, I promise you will be full and satisfied every single meal. When you're not eating, Carnival has stage shows, musical performances, deck parties, and comedy shows for your entertainment. There is also a pool(s), water slide, gym, spa, casino, and a few gift shops onboard. A cruise really is the ultimate vacation. I'm so glad my brother booked with Carnival. I can't wait for my next one!

4 other reviews that are not currently recommended

You Might Also Consider

Alaska Saltwater Tours

Our full day Small Group Whale Watching, Wildlife, Natural History, and Glacier Tour ventures deep into Kenai Fjords National Park. With over 25 years experience, we will show you the Fjords' best kept secrets. This is a… read more

in Whale Watching Tours, Fishing, Boat Tours

Hampton Inn Baltimore-Downtown-Convention Center

Patrick H. said "My wife and I stayed here one night with our 3 year old daughter. This was a very good experience. The hotel is very clean and the staff is very friendly and very good at what they do. The indoor pool is a little small, but the…" read more

Collections Including Carnival Cruise Lines

People Also Viewed

City Cruises Baltimore

Spirit of Baltimore

Urban Pirates

Turf Valley Resort

Watermark Cruises

Merriweather Lakehouse Hotel

Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point

Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport

Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel

Homewood Suites by Hilton Baltimore-BWI Airport

Best of Baltimore

Things to do in Baltimore

People found Carnival Cruise Lines by searching for…

Beachcomber Resort Baltimore

Dinner Cruise Baltimore

Party Boat Baltimore

Best Party Cruise in Baltimore

Cruise Ships in Baltimore

Pool Party in Baltimore

Carnival Pride in Baltimore

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Things to Do

Bed & Breakfast

Taxi Service

Other Places Nearby

Find more Boat Tours near Carnival Cruise Lines

Find more Hotels near Carnival Cruise Lines

Related Articles

Top 100 places to stay in Texas

Yelp’s Top 100 US Hotels

Related Cost Guides

Audio/Visual Equipment Rental

Face Painting

Karaoke Rental

Party Equipment Rentals

Wedding Chapels

Town Car Service

• 7 More Cost Guides

Cruise Spotlight

Helping you find cruise ships you'll love

What to Know About Taking A Winter Cruise from Baltimore or New York

Last Updated on December 26, 2023

Have you ever looked into a cruise from the North East US during the winter? It’s an enticing idea; escape the frigid cold and snow and go to a warm tropical location. On top of that, cruise prices are usually at their lowest this time of year since most people just took vacations for Christmas and Winter Break. Leaving from Baltimore or New York City gives you the added bonus of not having to worry about airports or flight delays if you’re in the North East. You just drive to the ship and start your vacation right away. But there can be some downsides too. When I was preparing for a January cruise out on Baltimore on the Carnival Pride 2 years ago ( see the blog for this cruise ), it was hard to find people’s comments on what it’s like to cruise in the winter. So to help you, here’s what to expect when cruising from the North East in the winter.

It’s going to be a cold trip down

You’re in vacation mode and can’t wait to be poolside with a nice cocktail, right? Well, if you’re cruising in January, February, or March, you’re going to be waiting a while. Most cruises that leave from the North East take two days to get down to their ports of call (usually the Caribbean or Bahamas). These two sea days are going to be pretty cold. Even the bravest of children wouldn’t try going in the pools on the first few days. The first day, you might even have snow on the deck! You’ll be wearing long pants and inside most of the time. It’s a good idea to wear layers like sweatshirts or light jackets as the weather will warm up as you go down. Even on the 2nd sea day, it was just barely warm enough to go out on deck and enjoy. 

At least it’s warm in the Caribbean, right?

So you arrive in the tropical location and are ready for your nice, hot weather. Not so fast. The average temperature in the Bahamas in January is 67 – 77 degrees, so it’s warm but not hot. Luckily the ocean is still quite warm, an average of 75 degrees, so water activities are still doable. It’s nice not sweating and suffering in sweltering weather, but if you plan to go to a water park or beach adventure and the sun isn’t out, you might be a little chilly.

Where are the kids?

Since many children just had off for winter break, you’ll find much fewer kids on cruises that leave in the winter months from New York or Baltimore. They just had off of school, so parents are reluctant to take them out again. It does change the environment and vibe quite a bit. Ships that might usually be packed with loud children crowding the pools and running around the buffets are much more subdued. The kids who are there get more attention in the youth clubs and have smaller lines. On my cruise, the kid’s splash park never had more than 2 or 3 kids in it.

You might get stir crazy

I’ve been on many 7+ day cruises with multiple sea days and have never really felt trapped on a ship before, but I was going a little stir crazy on this cruise. With it being so cold the first few days, you’re really stuck inside and only able to access half the ship. By the second day, you want something a little different. The cruise staff tries to keep you entertained with trivia, demos, games, and activities, but since it’s so cold outside, you’re missing out on pool fun, mini golf, sunning, etc. 

Rougher waters in winter

If you’re someone who gets seasick easily or is sensitive to rough seas, a winter cruise from the North East might not be for you. During the haul from port to the Caribbean, the ship is moving at a fast pace, and the seas can be a lot rougher than usual. On my winter cruise on the Pride, many people were complaining about the seas, and even though I had been on 5 cruises at that point, this was clearly my roughest. I was okay with it, but some in my group remained in their room for the sea days. 

Would I recommend a winter cruise from New York or Baltimore?

Prices are usually really low if you cruise this time of year, and if you want the convenience of not having to fly, it can be nice to leave from New York or Baltimore. It’s a convenient and easy escape. That being said, the cold days at the beginning and end of my cruise made the cruise a little different than a regular cruise. Last year, I took a cruise at the beginning of March out of Miami, and it was a totally different experience. You’re in vacation mode right off the bat, and the weather is nice from the get-go. Personally, I don’t think I’d ever take a winter cruise from the North East again. If you hate airplane travel or just want a more effortless getaway, though, it’s hard to say no to a tropical getaway in the middle of winter.  

Tips for winter cruising

So you still want to take a winter cruise out of the North East? Here are a few tips to improve your cruise. 

Bring a book or some games

While you won’t be reading on deck, most ships have tons of places to get away and quickly immerse yourself in a book. The Pride has a really unique area on Deck 3, called the Sunset Garden Promenade, that’s a hidden quiet area that’s perfect for reading.

I’d also recommend bringing a deck of cards or some portable board games ( like Bananagrams ) that are easy for fun afternoon entertainment with a group. It’s a great way to kill some time in the afternoon.

Pick a ship with an indoor pool

A ship with an indoor or covered pool would make sure you have access to the pool every day of your cruise, even the cold sea days. The Carnival Pride has a pool that has a glass ceiling, but often it’s not working and left open. On my cruise, it was never closed. The ship did have a large hot tub in the fitness center that passengers could use on cold days at least. 

Pack your clothes accordingly

Layers are essential for dressing for a winter cruise. For at least half of the cruise, you’ll want a light jacket or sweatshirt to wear while you’re up on deck or outside. You’ll probably want some long and short sleeve shirts as well. For the most part, even in the Caribbean, it gets chilly at night in winter, so for most evenings, you’ll want long pants. If you’re planning on going in the ocean or to a water park, a swim or water shirt can help. Not only will it keep warm if it’s a cool, cloudy day with a breeze, but it’ll protect you from the sun.

Don’t forget sunscreen

Half of my group on my winter cruise got bad sunburns on the first port day we had. You can get a burn even if it’s cloudy or cool out. Also, with it being winter, people are less likely to have base tans and more likely to burn. Bring a good sunscreen with you (much cheaper than on the ship), lather up, and remember to re-apply. I always travel with one lotion and one spray ( this is my favorite ).

CruiseSpotlight is an Amazon Associate. We may earn a commission when you click links to retailers and purchase goods.

Related posts:

• Make the Alchemy Bar’s Spicy Chipotle Pineapple Martini at Home
• 5 Tips for Booking Your First Cruise

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 19 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

You May Also Like

What is Carnival’s “Behind the Fun” Like?

Carnival Pride 7-Day Winter Cruise: Day 4 (Half Moon Cay)

Carnival Pride 7-Day Winter Cruise: Day 2 (Sea Day)

Leave a reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Baltimore Cruise Guide > Ships > Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruises from Baltimore

Carnival Cruise Line offers trips to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and Spain from Baltimore. Take a voyage on the "fun ships". See the full list of departures below.

The Carnival Legend cruise ship has a host of amenities and entertainment. Family cruise features are the Seuss at Sea program, Camp Carnival, Circle "C", and Club O2.

Don't miss our picks for the 5 best reviews of Carnival Cruises from Baltimore . They are fun and educational.

Carnival cruises to the Bahamas often include a stop at one of the cruise line's private island resorts -- Princess Cays or Half Moon Cay. Grand Turk is a small island just to the southeast of the Bahamas.

7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Nassau (Bahamas), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: January 7, February 4, February 18.

7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Nassau (Bahamas), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: June 9, July 7, July 21, September 29, October 13. • 2025 departures: January 5, February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23, March 9, March 23, April 13, April 20.

7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Nassau (Bahamas), Princess Cays (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: January 28, February 11, February 25, March 3, March 10.

7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Nassau (Bahamas), Princess Cays (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: May 5, May 19, June 16, June 30, July 28, October 20, November 17, November 24, December 1, December 8, December 15, December 22, December 29. • 2025 departures: January 26, March 2, March 30.

7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Bimini (Bahamas), Nassau (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departure: March 24.

7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), Princess Cays (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: April 21, July 14.

7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: March 17, March 31.

7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) and Freeport (Bahamas). • 2024 departures: April 28, May 12, June 23, August 4. • 2025 departures: March 16, April 6, April 27.

7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), Princess Cays (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas). • 2024 departure: April 7.

Carnival cruises to Bermuda include two overnight stays at the islands so you can enjoy the local nightlife. Bermuda is famous for pink sand beaches, colorful architecture, golf and those shorts.

7-day Bermuda cruise on the Carnival Pride. Round-trip cruise from Baltimore to King's Wharf (Bermuda). Three overnights at Bermuda. • 2024 departures: August 11, September 1, September 22, October 6, October 27.

Canada & Greenland

Carnival has New England & Canada cruises that hit the popular scenic spots.

14-day Greenland & Canada cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Nanortalik (Greenland), Qaqortoq (Greenland), St Anthony (Newfoundland), Corner Brook (Newfoundland) and Sydney (Nova Scotia). • 2024 departures: May 26, August 18, September 8.

Carnival has Caribbean cruises that are two week journeys far south into the islands. It's a great way to get away from the cold of winter.

14-day Panama Canal & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Legend. Round-trip from Baltimore to Half Moon Cay (Bahamas), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Limon (Costa Rica), the Panama Canal (partial transit) and Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos). • 2024 departure: January 14.

14-day Southern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to St Thomas, St Maarten, St Kitts, Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk. • 2024 departure: November 3.

14-day Panama Canal & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Pride. Round-trip from Baltimore to Half Moon Cay (Bahamas), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama), the Panama Canal (partial transit) and Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos). • 2025 departure: January 12.

Transatlantic

12-day Transatlantic cruise on Carnival Legend. One-way from Baltimore to Barcelona (Spain). Visit Ponta Delgada (Azores), Malaga (Spain) and Valencia (Spain). • 2024 departure: April 15.

• CruiseMapper
• Cruise Ports
• Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda Cruise Ports

Baltimore (Maryland)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-05-04 05:27

Port Baltimore cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Baltimore, Maryland. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Baltimore cruise port is a part of Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. It is located on Patapsco River banks in central Maryland (USA) and is operated by MPA (Maryland Port Administration). As homeport, Baltimore MD's cruise schedule includes roundtrip itineraries the whole year-round. Most popular destinations are Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas, as well as Bermuda (during summer) and New England (during fall). Most of the embarking passengers (up to 90%) arrive at Maryland Cruise Terminal by car. Of those, the largest numbers are residents of Pennsylvania, Washington DC , and NOVA (Northern Virginia).

In October 2016, the cruise port had a record number of ship calls and handled passengers due to homeported here large-sized liners of Carnival and RCI-Royal Caribbean International. The port was also visited by several luxury companies, among which Azamara , Silversea , Hapag-Lloyd . In 2016, the seaport signed a 5-year extension agreement with Carnival Corporation and a 3-year contract with RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd).

The largest companies homeporting ships in Baltimore on a year-round basis are Carnival (with Carnival Pride ), RCI Royal Caribbean (with Grandeur OTS /2013-2020, replaced by Enchantment OTS in 2021), and also ACL-American Cruise Lines (small-capacity boats). Most port calls here are on transition itineraries. In 2018, RCI added more summer voyages to Canada New England, while Carnival added 14-day "Carnival Journeys" itineraries (in January and December).

In 2023 (September) turnaround operation from Baltimore started also NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line with two ships -  Norwegian Sky (to New England USA and Canada) and Norwegian Sun (to Bermuda and the Caribbean).

Port Baltimore

Port Baltimore annually contributes nearly USD 3,3 billion (wages and salaries), USD 2,6 billion (business revenues) and USD 395 million (state and local taxes). Port’s average annual direct job salary is 9,5% higher than Maryland's average. In 2018, the port reported a cargo shipping record of 43 million tons handled its state-owned and privately-owned terminals. The previous record (40,9 million tons) was in 1974. FY2018, port's cargo throughput was valued USD 59,7 billion (USD 53,9B in FY2017). Port’s state-owned cargo terminals handled 10,9 million tons. Also in 2018, the port handled 1,023152 million TEU-containers and the record 850,147 mobile units (cars and light trucks).

Port Baltimore is currently ranked USA's largest for Ro-Ro shipping (autos and light trucks, heavy farm, and construction machinery) and for imported sugar. The port is ranked USA's second in exported coal (after Norfolk VA ). The port is also ranked USA's 9th (total cargo value) and 12th (foreign cargo tonnage). Port'ss businesses generate around 13,650 direct jobs, plus around 127,600 Maryland jobs (linked to its activities). The economic impact is nearly USD 3 billion (in wages and salaries) and USD 310 million (tax revenues).

In early-December 2018, Port Baltimore received USD 6,6 million in federal funding for building a second cargo berth with docking capacity two supersized boxships simultaneously. By the project will be deepened (to max draft 15 m / 50 ft) a second berth at Seagirt Marine Terminal. Additionally, the project (total cost USD 32,7 million) will be contributed to USD 7,8 million (by Maryland State) and USD 18,4 million (by Ports America Chesapeake, terminal's operator). Construction works were scheduled to start in 2019-H2 and completed in 2020-H2.

The second container berth project is via a public-private partnership signed in 2010 with Ports America Chesapeake. Dredging works (by US Army Corps of Engineers) started on December 12, 2018, and included 6 harbor channels. This project was budgeted USD 17,5 million and is part of the seaport's regular maintenance of shipping channels that go from Chesapeake Bay (Virginia) all the way to Baltimore. These waterways require periodic dredging (deepening) to ensure their max draft and safe navigation. Baltimore Harbor dredging involves removing material from Curtis Bay, Craighill (Entrance, Channel, Angle, Upper Range) and Cutoff Angle. Port's channels are dredged to max depth 15,5 m (51 ft).

In 2018, the port's largest container ship was Gunde Maersk (IMO 9359014, 11K-TEUs), surpassed in 2019 by Evergreen Triton (IMO 9728916, 15K-TEUs). In 2017, the port handled 596,972 TEUs (containers) Port's state-owned terminals have records for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (10,976 million cargo tons) and 1-month TEUs (90152 - in May 2018).

Baltimore cruise terminal

Baltimore cruise terminal was moved in 2006 from Dundakl Port to South Locus Point. BWI Airport is only at 10 min drive distance from the cruise port. Less than 1 hour takes to reach Washington DC and Annapolis MD . Interstate 95 (I-95 highway) is only 0,7 mi (1,2 km) from the seaport.

Maryland Cruise Terminal was redesigned to serve the increasing number of roundtrip itineraries out of Baltimore. The terminal building offers restrooms, payphones, vending machines, ATMs, check-in counters, VIP room, huge parking space (advanced reservations not required).

Terminal building's size is approx 75,700 m2 (815,000 ft2). The length of each of the 2 docking berths is 1139 ft (347 m) with water depth 35 ft (9) m.

In 2016-2017, Port Baltimore made several improvements. Among those were separate VIP check-in room, new public address system (electronic sound amplification-distribution system), new check-in counters, enclosed waiting area (for disembarking passengers), additional parking lot (capacity up to 500 cars).

The cruise ship terminal's convenient location (on I-95) and its large and cheap parking are beneficial for the port's business growth. Also convenient is that the terminal has separate docking areas for Carnival and RCCL ships, plus a third area ready for another major cruise company to homeport a vessel here.

Smaller-sized cruise vessels use for berthing Baltimore's Constellation Pier. Among the companies that dock ships there are American Cruise Lines .

• Fort McHenry: the historic highlight is half-a-mile away from the Baltimore cruise port. The place is famous for the 1982 battle between the American soldiers and the British forces. This inspired the Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. He was a witness of the battle from an anchored boat.
• Baltimore Museum of Industry: discover the 19th-century history of the commerce and industry in the region of Baltimore.
• Federal Hill: take an amazing look over Inner Harbor from a beautiful green area with a narrow path and high trees.
• American Visionary Art Museum: an interesting place to visit. The American Visionary Art Museum is dedicated to the untrained artist. Discover the surprisingly enjoyable exhibition of paintings and sculptures. Maryland Science Center: discover galleries like Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab, outer space, geology, dinosaurs, the human body, and Newtonian physics.
• Harborplace shopping center: 100 shops and 15 dining places, the paradise for any shopaholic.
• Historic Ships in Baltimore Museum: discover the USS Torsk, the Lightship Chesapeake, the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, USS Constellation, and USCGC Taney.
• National Aquarium: the great underwater world with exhibits like a large shark tank, acrobatic dolphin, a stingray pool and animal planet Australia.
• Fell’s Point: located a mile away from the Inner Harbor, direction East. It was a huge area for building privateer ships in the early years of the 19th century. Currently, you will find cobblestone streets, tall period houses, and narrow market places. You can have a coffee if you are tired of touring the city highlights.

Baltimore tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line introduces Celebration Key preview event series for travel agents

To celebrate Global Travel Advisor Day, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line is launching a new summer event series called Your Peek at Paradise. This series...

Carnival Legend ship changes homeport to Norfolk VA amid Baltimore Bridge's collapse

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has announced a temporary relocation of its operations for the Carnival Legend due to ongoing rescue and recovery operations...

Baltimore Bridge collapse declared mass casualty event following container ship collision

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore MD, a vital structure facilitating cargo and cruise ship access, suffered a collapse in the early hours of...

Carnival Legend encounters engine issues, delays Baltimore return and embarkation

CCL's ship Carnival Legend encountered engine troubles on Saturday afternoon while navigating off Florida's coast, leading to a delayed return to...

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 East Coast USA cruise homeports/ships

RCI-Royal Caribbean International has revealed its lineup of cruises departing from East Coast USA ports for the summer and winter seasons of 2025...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's new Transpacific Journey on Carnival Luminosa ship (2025)

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled its latest addition to the Carnival Journeys program, announcing the launch of a new transpacific cruise aboard...

USCG launches search for passenger overboard from Royal Caribbean's Vision OTS

The US Coast Guard has initiated search and rescue efforts for a 41-year-old man who fell overboard from the ship Vision of the Seas, which departs...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line unveils 2025-2026 schedule, featuring Venezia ship's Bermuda & Eastern...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has finalized its 2025-2026 deployment schedule, announcing the commencement of bookings for a diverse array of summer and...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line unveils ships and itineraries visiting Grand Bahama's new port Celebration...

CCL-Carnival Cruise Line has commenced the sale of ~400 voyages that visit Celebration Key, its newly developed private cruise port destination in...

RCI-Royal Caribbean cancels a Vision OTS cruise due to Hurricane Ophelia

RCI-Royal Caribbean recently had to make the difficult decision to cancel a scheduled cruise aboard the Vision of the Seas due to the presence of...

•   show more news

Baltimore - user reviews and comments

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Cruise Lines Are Rerouting Voyages From Baltimore Following Bridge Collapse — What to Know

Prior to the collapse, the port was home to three major cruise lines: Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

Cruise lines sailing out of Baltimore are working to make alternative arrangements following Tuesday’s fatal bridge collapse.

All ship operations at the Port of Baltimore have been suspended after a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning, causing it to collapse, according to the White House . Six workers who were on the bridge at the time remain missing and are presumed dead, according to The New York Times .

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line told Travel + Leisure it temporarily moved its sailings on the Carnival Legend to Norfolk, Virginia. The company will provide a complimentary bus service from Norfolk back to Baltimore when the ship returns from its current voyage on Sunday for passengers who boarded in Baltimore prior to the collapse.

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden… to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

A spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line, which first launched cruises from the Maryland port last year , told T+L the company isn’t scheduled to return to the port until September. 

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that recently took place in Baltimore. Our sincerest thoughts are with the community and all those affected,” the Norwegian spokesperson told T+L. “At this time there is no impact to our itineraries, as we do not have any voyages scheduled to depart from the city until later this year in September and October. We will remain in contact with the Port of Baltimore and provide updates to our guests and travel partners if anything changes. In the meantime, we wish the city of Baltimore strength during this very unfortunate event.”

A representative for Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its plans from T+L. But the company told The Washington Post it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

Related Articles

News | Baltimore-bound cruise passengers arrive in…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

e-Pilot Evening Edition

• Latest Headlines
• Environment

News | Baltimore-bound cruise passengers arrive in Norfolk

The sun had not yet risen as the cruise ship — which departed Baltimore’s port several days ago — docked at 4 a.m. Sunday at the Half Moon Cruise and Celebration Center. Downtown was quiet, many still asleep or attending a sunrise Easter service, as an impressive fleet of charter buses circled the cruise center. By 6:45 a.m., the ship’s passengers were working on their next phase of travel. For many, that meant a four-hour bus ride back to Baltimore.

Ships typically return to the port from which they leave, but when disaster struck midway through the cruise, staff had to work fast to find a port available to receive vacationers. The solution: Norfolk.

During the trip, officials closed the Port of Baltimore to all incoming and outgoing ship traffic after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when it was struck by a container ship. The bridge carrying Interstate 695 collapsed in moments, sending several vehicles into the Patapsco River.

Last week, Carnival Cruise Line announced the ship will operate out of Norfolk, and Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will do the same. Each ship can carry more than 2,000 people.

Lines of sun-kissed cruise-goers towing suitcases began to form as the sun crested over the horizon, many donning Carnival-themed attire and fresh sunburns.

The weather Sunday morning in the Mermaid City was likely much different than conditions they were enjoying in the Bahamas just days ago. Cab drivers parked alongside buses, waiting on customers, and some spoke to each other about how Sunday was likely to be a money-maker as cruise passengers opted to rent cars or fly back to Baltimore instead of braving the bus ride.

Sandy Crow, of Manassas, and her sister Kathy Grant, stood outside Nauticus, waiting for Crow’s husband to pick them up. Crow said she heard about the bridge collapse from another passenger.

“What a tragedy,” she said.

Crow said she has been to Norfolk before, highlighting the Norfolk Mac and Cheese Festival, and the two had been celebrating a sisters’ trip together over the past week. After finding out about their future arrival in Norfolk, Crow said driving home was the preferred option.

“The captain and the whole crew was so good communicating with us. Within a day, we knew we where were going to be. It was all handled beautifully,” Crow said. “It’s about three hours (to Manassas). It’s better than taking a bus for four or five hours, and then it would be another two hours. My husband just said, ‘I’ll just drive down there.'”

As cruise ships reroute to Nauticus, the Port of Virginia is ready to receive diverted cargo traffic from the Port of Baltimore. The collapsed bridge blocks the only channel in and out of the port on the Patapsco River.  The port will be unable to receive shipping traffic until the channel is cleared , and stands to lose an estimated $15 million per day in economic activity.

Some passengers who spoke to The Virginian-Pilot said they heard the news of the tragedy from the captain, and the crew handled it the best they could. Despite the tragedy, many said the trip was still a good one although it is ending differently than they had originally planned.

For other passengers, the trip does not even end in Baltimore. Jackie Plum and her family took their Spring Break trip out of Baltimore, but they are actually from Michigan.

“When they announced that the the bridge collapsed, I think the cruise ship handled it really well. They made it as stress free as possible,” she said. “We kind of changed our plans at the last minute because so (the reroute) is adding, like, an extra four hours to our drive. Now, we have to go four hours back to Baltimore and then eight hours to Michigan. We were trying to get off the ship as fast as we can, and at the last minute, we decided to rent a car at the airport.”

For the foreseeable future, Norfolk will be welcoming more passengers, including a Royal Caribbean cruise later this week on April 4.

“You know what? Stuff happens,” Crow said. “The only thing I’m upset about is people lost their lives.”

Eliza Noe, [email protected]

More in News

Transportation | Tunnel boring machine resumes digging at Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel after old ship anchor delayed project

Courts | Judge deciding Google’s landmark case is a UVA law school graduate

City Politics | Mayor touts Portsmouth’s potential as epicenter of ‘blue economy’ in State of the City address

Crime and Public Safety | Man charged with killing 2 teens in Newport News last year

Trending nationally.

• New Key Bridge estimated to be completed by fall 2028, cost up to $1.9B, officials say
• Lost Utah cat found in Amazon box in California
• Readers Take Denver cancels 2025 conference after attendees decry “Fyre Festival of books”
• Harry and Meghan visiting Nigeria despite State Department’s advisory on travel there
• Ousted ABC News meteorologist Rob Marciano fired after ‘screaming match’: report

Frequently Asked Questions

Watch CBS News

"Big Nude Boat" offers a trip to "bare-adise" on a naked cruise from Florida

By Li Cohen

Updated on: May 2, 2024 / 8:20 AM EDT / CBS News

Like to travel light? One cruise ship soon to set sail from Florida is making sure all you need is the bare necessities – no shoes, no clothes but plenty of service. 

" The Big Nude Boat " will take travelers from Miami to the Caribbean on "an 11-day adventure back to Bare-adise," the website says. Setting sail from Feb. 3 through Valentine's Day 2025, the trip offers a "stress-free, clothes-free experience" during which up to 2,300 passengers can roam the ship in the nude while out at sea. 

"It's our pleasure to provide you with the luxury of deciding what NOT to wear," Bare Necessities Tour and Travel says. 

@cbsmornings Would you dare to set sail on a nude cruise? 🚢 Cruisebare's upcoming full-ship nude cruise, departing from Miami in February next year, is making waves. Even #TonyDokoupil is down to go. 🌊 #cruises #vacation #experience #miami #sail ♬ original sound - CBS Mornings

Passengers won't be allowed to be naked when the ship is docked, but can ditch their usual attire once they are anchored or out on the water. And when clothing is optional, standard nudist etiquette must be abided by, the website says. When sitting, nude passengers must either wear a thong or sit on a towel or some kind of fabric. And while the self-serve buffet on the pool deck is a clothes-free area, passengers must be dressed for all dining room meals – and no, bathrobes don't count. 

Photos and videos will also not be permitted unless all individuals being documented give consent. 

"The Big Nude Boat" is just one of the cruises offered by Bare Necessities, which says on its website that the company has been "working to break down the barriers against social nudity and make clothing-optional vacationing a viable and acceptable option for all." 

"Social nudity is not a sexual activity, and we strive to dispel the misconception that it is anything but natural and beautiful," the company says. "We have made strides in the acceptance of nude vacationing and our wide range of cruise charters are a testament to our success."

• Cruise Ship

Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.

More from CBS News

Florida's downpayment assistance program makes dreams of home ownership a reality

2 teens turn themselves in after viral video shows buckets of trash being dumped into Boca Inlet

Fleet Week Miami sets sail for first time. Here's what you need to know

Abortion rights advocates, opponents have been prepping for six week abortion ban