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Cruise from Baltimore, Maryland

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THE BUZZ ABOUT BALTIMORE 

What draws so many people to Baltimore? Perhaps it's the top places to visit in Baltimore the world-famous and historic inner harbor which boasts tall ships and reveals the city's maritime legacy. Or maybe it's the star-shaped Fort McHenry, the birthplace of America's "Star-Spangled Banner" anthem. Or maybe it's the world-renowned museums, award-winning restaurants or jazz music scene. Not to mention, the city is a gateway to everywhere from the Northeast and Canada, to the exotic Caribbean islands and Bermuda. Celebrate sports at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, view world's largest collection of art by Henri Matisse at the Baltimore Museum of Art or gaze at the 55 centuries worth of art within the walls of The Walters Art Museum. Whatever you choose to experience during your cruise from Baltimore, you'll surely come to understand why so many return to Charm City.

ANCHORED IN ADVENTURE

Cruise from Baltimore to a one-of-a-kind escape that has something for every kind of adventurer. Soak up the sun along the turquoise waters of the Bahamas or revel in the southern charm and laid-back coastal culture of Charleston, South Carolina .

VISION OF THE SEAS

If you love memory maxing, you’ll love Vision of the Seas® — where you’ll always find plenty of incredible ways to fill your days at sea. Reach new heights on the rock-climbing wall 40 feet above deck. Indulge in gourmet globe-trotting with mouthwatering dishes from Italy to Japan. And applaud dazzling Broadway-style entertainment.

EXPLORE VISION OF THE SEAS

FROM BALTIMORE TO THE BAHAMAS

Baltimore is your gateway to a thrilling getaway to the tropics. From postcard-perfect beaches at Grand Bahama Island to record-breaking thrills and endless ways to chill at our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay — memory maxing adventures await you onboard Enchantment of the Seas®.

EXPLORE BAHAMAS CRUISES

Baltimore Shore Excursions

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Nautical Ties

Inner Harbor Downtown Dock Ship, Baltimore, Maryland

No visit to Baltimore is complete without exploring the historic Inner Harbor. Step aboard a collection of impressive ships— a Pearl Harbor-era cutter, a 1930s lightship, a sail-powered warship dating back to 1797. Then stroll around brick walkways flanked by chic boutiques, restaurants serving Mid-Atlantic seafood, and photo-worthy views of the water.

Star Of The Show

American Flag Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland

Relive the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry, where in 1814, by dawn’s early light, Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner, the United States’ national anthem. Enter this star-shaped citadel to follow a period costumed guide around the grounds, watch an educational film, and see a replica of the 15-starred American flag.

Water Logged

Cruises from Baltimore facilitate encounters with almost 20,000 sea creatures spanning seven stories of interactive exhibits at the National Aquarium. Widely considered one of the best in America, this mind-boggling aquatic space includes a rooftop rainforest, multistory shark tank and reef recreations that are home to sea turtles, stingrays, bottlenose dolphins, sharks and more.

Local Cuisine

You can’t leave Baltimore without feasting on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, which are steamed in Old Bay seasoning or served as golden brown cakes. Little Italy’s trattorias serve up pasta, tiramisu and cannoli— and National Bohemian Beer, lovingly nicknamed Natty Boh, is a local staple. Lexington Market is a foodie’s paradise where nearly 100 vendors shuck raw bar fare, plus enjoy deli sandwiches and the famous Berger cookie.

Satisfy all your souvenir needs and more at Harborplace, a festival marketplace during your Baltimore cruise. Mount Vernon’s Antique Row houses a string of retailers dating to the 1840s. The Hampden neighborhood is known for indie stores and vintage clothing outfitters— or browse Thames Street in Fells Point for vinyl records, books and trendy clothing.

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Cruises From Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Departing Cruises Calendar

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Complete Guide to Cruising From the Port of Baltimore

With Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and (obviously) the city of Baltimore all nearby, it’s easy to see why the cruise lines enjoy having ships sail from the Port of Baltimore. While no one would confuse Maryland with a cruise mecca like Florida, there are millions of potential passengers within a short drive.

Meanwhile, those living in the area don’t have to deal with the hassle and expense of flying to get to a cruise ship. A vacation to The Bahamas or Bermuda can start with just a short drive to the port.

Indeed, the port is now a solid cruise hub on the East Coast, the perfect midpoint between the busy ports of Florida and the New England ports of New York and Boston.

You can sail year-round to points in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and New England. You also have your choice of two cruise lines — Carnival and Royal Caribbean — which each have ships at the port.

If it’s your first time sailing from Baltimore, you likely have a few questions about your cruise… how to get there, where to park, where to stay, and even more. So to help you get started, we’ve covered the basics of the port to give you a better idea of its location and layout. The links below should also help you answer some of the common questions about sailing from the port.

Port of Baltimore Location & Cruise Maryland Terminal

The Cruise Maryland terminal is located south of Baltimore’s historic downtown on a spit of land called Locust Point, just off of Interstate 95. The port is about three miles (10 minutes) from downtown and 11 miles from Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, then it’s about a 40-mile trip to Baltimore.

The cruise port address is:

2001 East McComas Street Baltimore, MD 21230

There is only one terminal at the port, which helps to keep things more sane on cruise day compared to busier ports like New York or Miami. For convenience, parking is on site, just steps away from the ship.

Cruise Lines Served: Carnival, Royal Caribbean

Distance to Airports: Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) – 10.5 miles | 15-25 minutes Washington Dulles – 61 miles | 1-2 hours Reagan National Airport – 43 miles | 50-90 minutes

Transportation to the Port of Baltimore

For many people, getting to the port is as simple as hopping in the car and driving to the terminal. With millions living in the area, it’s a short drive for many that set sail from Baltimore. The port is about an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. and roughly two hours from Philadelphia.

Flying in for your cruise? Or maybe you simply don’t want to drive? In that case there are a few options to get to the port. Uber and Lyft are perhaps the most convenient option and the cheapest price. As well, taxis are available.

Expect an Uber or Lyft from the airport (BWI) to cost about $25 each way . Taxi rides run about the same rate. 

While we suggest using a taxi or rideshare as they are the best combination of price and convenience, you can see all your transportation options to the cruise port, at our port transportation page here .

Dropping off passengers? Not sure where to go once you get to the port? We have turn-by-turn directions to find your cruise terminal. See our page on dropping off passengers here .

Baltimore Cruise Parking

If you’re driving in for your cruise, then you have to find a place to park your car. Parking is very convenient at the cruise terminal. It’s literally steps away from the ship and there are plenty of spots available.

You’ll have to pay $15 per night for parking. There is also space for oversized vehicles. Payment is due at arrival. Cash and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are accepted.

You can get all the details on parking at our Port of Baltimore Cruise Parking page .

Want to save some money? A few hotels in the area offer parking packages. The premise is simple — stay for a night before your cruise and the hotel will let you park there at a discount. You’ll still need transportation to the port, but that’s a small price to pay for saving a ton on parking. For our list of Baltimore park & cruise hotels, click here .

Note that if you don’t plan to stay in the area anyway before you cruise, it’s not worth it to book a hotel just for the parking package.

Where to Stay for Your Cruise

Plan to stay in the Baltimore area the night before your cruise? We mentioned that there are a number of hotels with park and cruise specials. You’ll have more options, however, if you aren’t worry about the parking deals.

If you’re simply looking for close, high quality hotels, then your options are going to be around the downtown and Inner Harbor section. This is the more “touristy” spot in the city and about 10 minutes from the cruise terminal. There you’ll find a number of name-brand hotels all within a short ride to the cruise port on embarkation day.

Highly-rated hotels near the port include:

• Courtyard by Marriott McHenry Row (closest hotel)
• Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore
• Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor

See our list of hotels convenient to the Baltimore cruise port .

Things to Do Near the Port

Have some time before your cruise? There are a number of things nearby that might be of interest.

Inner Harbor: A touristy part of town just south of downtown, the harbor features wide-open areas to walk next to the waterside, along with the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, shops, and restaurants.

Camden Yards/M&T Bank Stadium: Sports fan? Near Inner Harbor, the two stadiums of the Oriels and Ravens are just about 10-15 minutes from the cruise port. Check schedules to see if there is a ball game while you’re in the area.

Baltimore Museum of Industry: Just across the point from the cruise terminal, this museum “tells the story of Baltimore” through the city’s industrial history. It receives extremely high reviews and costs about $12 for adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Best Way to Get to the Port of Baltimore for a Cruise? There’s nothing that is as convenient as driving to the port. If you live in the area, it’s by far you best choice to get to the cruise ship. If you are flying in or don’t want to pay for parking, then the next best option is a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi. 

Unfortunately, the location of the port doesn’t lend itself to public transportation. Given the relatively modest size of the port’s operations, there are also few third-party options like cruise shuttles available as you find in larger ports.   

How Much is Parking at the Baltimore Port? Parking at the Port of Baltimore costs $15 per night, so expect to pay about $105 for a 7-night cruise. Driving an RV? Recreational vehicles are charged $30 per night if under 30 feet long and $40 per night if over 30 feet long. 

What Cruises Are Offered From Baltimore? If you plan to cruise from the Port of Baltimore, then your options include trips aboard both Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Both cruise lines offer trips to classic places like The Bahamas and Caribbean on 7-day (or longer) cruises. If you’re expecting to find short 3/4-day getaways, the port’s location doesn’t lend itself to being able to reach foreign ports in that sort of time frame.

One bonus of sailing from Baltimore is that trips to New England and Canada are also an option, providing a unique itinerary not available from most spots.

Feature Photo: Joe Loong

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One of the World’s Largest Cruise Ships That Nobody Is Talking About (Yet)

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Best Cruises from Baltimore

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Vision of the Seas

Most recently updated in late 2018 (with the exception of routine maintenance in 2022), the 2,514-passenger, 742-crew-member Vision of the Seas offers Royal Caribbean staples like diverse dining venues and nonstop entertainment. Past cruisers especially praise the ship's appealing decor and the Solarium, an adults-only pool and lounge area. 

In terms of food, travelers can choose from the main dining room, the buffet and several casual eateries. Cruisers recommend springing for a meal at the ship's specialty restaurants, which range from the Chops Grille steakhouse to the Izumi Asian venue. Food in the main dining room received mixed reviews, but travelers praised the service around the ship.

When it comes to daytime activities, guests can try rock climbing, swim in the pools (which can become crowded) or play games in the casino. There are also sushi- and cupcake-making classes available.

In terms of lodging, Vision of the Seas touts four staterooms categories: Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite. Interior cabins range from 136 to 252 square feet, while Suites on the opposite end of the spectrum range from 243 to 1,140 square feet. Opt for a balcony-equipped Suite and you'll enjoy cushier extras like whirlpool bathtubs. All cabins include amenities like flat-screen TVs and vanity areas. 

Vision of the Seas departs from Baltimore for itineraries in the Caribbean, New England and Canada.

Norwegian Sky

Completely refurbished in 2022, Norwegian Sky carries 2,004 passengers and 899 crew members. Updates include fully renovated staterooms, new dining options, refreshed bars and lounges and more. There is now a full-service Starbucks on board as well. 

The ship now offers 10 restaurants, about half of which are specialty venues. There are plenty of family-friendly facilities, including youth-appropriate kids clubs, a video arcade and a dedicated kids pool. The ship also offers sports courts, a fitness center and a full-service spa.

When it comes to lodging, there are four cabin categories to choose from: Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Suite. While Inside, Oceanview and Balcony cabins provide between 121 and 226 square feet of space, Suites span 402 to 835 square feet.

Norwegian Sky departs from Miami , Baltimore , New York City , Dominican Republic and Quebec City  for sailings in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, New England and Canada.

Carnival Pride

Eighty percent of the staterooms aboard the 2,124-passenger, 930-crew member Carnival Pride provide ocean views, which is more than what the majority of the fleet's other ships offer. While those on a budget can opt for Interior staterooms, Balcony, Ocean View and Suite category cabins offer more space and scenery.

Either way, much of your time will likely be spent outside of your cabin, thanks to Carnival Pride's myriad of onboard activities. Cool off in one of the pools, splash around in the water park or tackle the 214-foot-long waterslide. Kids can head to age-appropriate youth clubs while adults grab a cocktail at one of multiple bars. At night, passengers can attend comedy shows and musicals or enjoy the nightclub and piano bar.

What's more, a renovation in 2014 equipped Pride with "Fun Ship 2.0" dining, including the popular Guy's Burger Joint and the specialty Bonsai Sushi eatery, plus amenities like the Seaside Theater and the Alchemy Bar. An even more recent refurbishment in February 2019 freshened the ship's public areas, renovated the arcade and more. 

Carnival Pride departs from Rome , London , Baltimore and Tampa, Florida , for sailings in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe and the Panama Canal. 

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Baltimore (Maryland)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-04-15 23:34

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

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Baltimore Cruises

Two large cruise lines and a small-ship cruise line offer cruises from Baltimore, MD. Baltimore cruises are a good option for the millions of Americans within driving distance of the port. See our complete calendar of cruises from Baltimore .

Large-ship cruises from Baltimore go to Bermuda , the Bahamas , the Caribbean and Canada .

Smaller-ship cruises departing from Baltimore sail the Chesapeake Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Cruises from Baltimore MD

Carnival Cruises offers cruises from Baltimore. The Carnival Legend makes cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean. The "fun ship" sails from Baltimore!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line sails from Baltimore to a variety of destinations. Their big beautiful ship has all the amenities you could ask for. Get on a cruise to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda or Canada.

American Cruise Line offers cruises around the Chesapeake Bay and down the Intracoastal Waterway from Baltimore. These small ships can visit ports and explore shallow waters where the big cruise ships cannot go.

After you select your Baltimore cruise, don't miss our guide to the Baltimore Cruise Terminal .

Have fun. Explore the world. Take a cruise from Baltimore.

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Cruise from Baltimore, Maryland

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both offer cruises departing from Baltimore, MD. Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas travels to Bermuda, Canada, New England, and the Caribbean while the Carnival Pride sails to the Bahamas and also the Caribbean islands. Both of these cruise ships sail year-round from Baltimore, so no matter what time of year, there will always be a cruise deal just for you! Best of all, a wide variety of cruise length options exist. Guests can choose to embark on short 5-day cruises from Baltimore or extend their vacation with a week-long Caribbean cruise adventure.

TIP: While last minute cruises from Baltimore md do exist, the team at Direct Line Cruises recommends that you secure your reservation at least 4 to 6-months before your desired sail date to lock-in early booking savings.

About the Port of Baltimore

For those that don’t know, the Port of Baltimore has a 300-plus year history. Then known as Whetstone Point, the location was designated as an official Port of Entry in 1706. Combined with five smaller nearby ports, it eventually became the Port of Baltimore and now covers 45 square miles of shoreline.

A mid-Atlantic seaboard location within driving distance of a major airport makes Baltimore an excellent departure point for a cruise. But, what if you are coming from out of the area? In this case, the Baltimore area has several hotels scattered about, in the city and greater metropolitan area and as far away as Annapolis. Bed-and-breakfasts, independent hotels, and chains all offer a comfortable place to sleep for the night, often with breakfast accommodations in the morning, before you set sail on your cruise. Larger chains, additionally, may offer parking accommodations for your trip or possibly provide shuttle service to the cruise terminal. Inquire, first, as you plan your trip.

With all of these cruise options from Baltimore, Maryland, there is no reason to ever consider flying again. Now the only tough part is deciding which cruise line to choose when sailing from the great city of Baltimore, Maryland. Whether your're looking to book a cheap cruise from Baltimore, MD or an all inclusive cruise from Baltimore, the team at Direct Line Cruises has your vacation needs covered. For more information, call Direct Line Cruises at 1-800-352-8088 .

Baltimore Cruise Destinations

Cruise lines sailing from baltimore, md, driving directions to the baltimore, md cruise pier.

South Locust Point Cruise Terminal 2001 East McComas Street Baltimore, MD 21230 1-866-ICRUZMD or 1-866-427-8963

Directions Traveling from the south:

- Follow I-95 North to Exit 55, Key Highway. - From the ramp, stay straight on East McComas Street. - The South Locust Point Cruise Terminal’s entrance is on the right.

Traveling from the north: - Follow I-95 South through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, be sure to be in the right lane when going through the tunnel. - Take Exit 55, Key Highway. - Turn left at the traffic light onto East McComas Street. - Follow the signs to the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal’s entrance on the right.

Due to strict rules surrounding the close of check-in, please note that the arrival process can take as much as 25 minutes from the main entrance gate of the port to the doors of the terminal – please keep this in mind when planning your arrival.

Parking Parking is approximately $15.00 per day (subject to change) and is payable upon entering the facility in the form of cash, Travelers Checks, Visa, Master Card, or American Express.

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When you’re ready to take a cruise out of the Port of Baltimore, Cruise Maryland Terminal is the way to go. You can go from baggage to margarita in about 15 minutes.

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Nicknamed the Charmed City, Baltimore is as vibrant as it is historic with 72 designated historic districts. Stroll through the picturesque neighborhoods of Fells Point and Little Italy and savour fresh seafood at a local restaurant. Discover some of the city's many museums and historic sites, soak in fantastic vistas along the waterfront and browse boutique shops. Or journey outside the city for a memorable day in Washington, D.C. or to explore the scenic Chesapeake Bay.

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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.”

Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Temporary channel opens for boats working on bridge response

The cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday.

A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.

Six construction workers are believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below. The bodies of two of the victims have been recovered so far, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

Latest headlines:

Channel needs to be cleared more in order to recover 4 remaining victims, biden to visit bridge on friday, temporary channel opens, what to know about the collapse.

The container ship Dali struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge , officials in Maryland said.

A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.

The crash appeared to be accidental , not intentional, officials said.

Two construction workers were rescued and six went missing in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, officials said. The bodies of two of the victims were recovered from the water on Wednesday amid ongoing search and recovery efforts, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

Legal team for ship argues for 'limited liability' in Bridge crash

Lawyers for the Singaporean company that operates the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore say the company should have "limited liability" in the aftermath of the crash, according to court documents filed in federal court on Monday.

"The casualty was not due to any fault, neglect, or want of care on the part of Petitioners, the Vessel, or persons or entities for whose petitioners may be responsible," court documents filed in Maryland federal court say. "Alternatively, if any such faults caused or contributed to the Casualty, or to any loss or damage arising out of the casualty, which is denied, such faults were occasioned and occurred without petitioners’ privity or knowledge."

The filing seeks to minimize the financial exposure Grace Ocean Private Limited has over the crash.

It also goes into detail about how much damage the vessel sustained.

Court documents say that the vessel sustained $28 million worth of damage and had $1.7 million worth of cargo on the ship.

-ABC News' Luke Barr

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Monday gave an update on his four directives in the wake of the bridge collapse.

In order to achieve his first goal -- recovering the four victims who remain missing -- Moore said there needs to be more work done to clear the channel in order to move forward.

A portion of the bridge under the water was described as "chaotic wreckage," Moore said, and the water is "so murky and so filled with debris that divers cannot see any more than a foot or two in front of them."

Every time a diver goes in the water to search for a victim, "they are taking a risk," Moore said.

The governor said he wants the recovery mission to be completed with no casualties. Six people have been killed in the bridge collapse, Moore said, adding, "I refuse to lose any more."

As for another goal -- reopening channel traffic -- the governor described the scale of the project as "enormous."

"Unified Command has scheduled another lift for later today, pending conditions -- specifically pending lightning. And they will be lifting an estimated 350-ton piece from the bridge," Moore said.

A temporary channel opened Monday to help get more vessels in the water around the site of the collapse, he said.

"The temporary channel will be marked with government lights to aid navigation and will have a controlling depth of 11 feet," Moore said.

Crews are also working on creating a second temporary channel that will measure about 15 feet deep, he said. That's expected to open "in the coming days," he said.

After more debris is cleared, crews will also work to open a third alternate channel with a depth expected around 20 to 25 feet, said Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District. No timeline for this channel is known.

President Joe Biden will visit the Baltimore bridge site on Friday, April 5, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Biden will be joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.

Jean-Pierre did not have any updates on the cost of rebuilding the bridge, repeatedly pointing back to the $60 million in emergency relief funds approved by the Biden administration to begin the recovery efforts.

"We're going to have continued conversation with the state of Maryland to get a sense of how much this is going to cost, and we have said, we are going to certainly continue to talk to Congress to get some assistance here," she said.

-ABC News' Karen Travers

A temporary channel has opened in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but the channel is limited only to vessels working on the bridge response, the Unified Command said.

The temporary channel is a very small opening, only accessible for small boats, the Unified Command said.

The Unified Command is made up of agencies including the Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland State Police.

Temporary channel opens for limited access in Baltimore bridge collapse

-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney

2,600 Carnival cruise passengers rerouted from Baltimore arrive in Virginia

The first of multiple Carnival cruise ships rerouted from Baltimore due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge arrived at a port in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday

About 2,600 guests aboard the Carnival Legend returned from a cruise to the Bahamas, getting off the ship in Norfolk. The passengers boarded 70 buses and were driven four hours back to Baltimore, where many left their cars parked.

"When we left Baltimore, we had to go under that bridge," passenger Viktoriia Aldred told ABC affiliate station WVEC in Norfolk. "The bridge looked amazing and you go under the bridge and you're like 'wow.'"

Baltimore native Michael Lukoski told WVEC he heard the news of the bridge collapse while on the cruise to the Bahamas.

"When I got the news Tuesday morning … you couldn’t believe it," said Lukoski. adding that when he first heard of the bridge collapse "it was like, 'no way.'"

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Baltimore-based Royal Caribbean 'Vision of the Seas' cruise ship arrives in Norfolk

E arly Thursday morning, Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas traveled down the Elizabeth River in Norfolk docking at the Half Moon Cruise Terminal around 4:45 am. The ship was set to return to Baltimore but was rerouted to Norfolk due to the devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

This is the second cruise ship to be re-routed to Norfolk due to the bridge collapse.

Throughout the morning, crews set up and buses parked around Nauticus preparing for passengers to disembark.

“We had a wonderful time," said Kathy Peterson, one of the passengers from the ship. "The ports were good. Entertainment was really good.”

The cruise ship left out of Baltimore. Passengers said they spent the last 12 days away in "St. Croix, St. Lucia, Barbados,” said Mychele Conway.

Though, Lucille Taylor says she’s ready to be home.

“Wonderful!" she said. "12 days was long. My first 12-day trip.”

While at sea, they heard about a cargo ship crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last week.

“I had took a picture when we pulled out just to let my family know I’m on the ship and I realized the bridge is right behind me in my picture,” Taylor said. “I just had to call and make sure my son was okay because he works in Baltimore.”

In the middle of their journey, cruise line executives decided to re-route the ship to Norfolk. According to Nauticus, 2,200 people got off the ship throughout the morning. The cruise line provided buses to take passengers back to Baltimore.

“I just appreciate how well Royal has worked and how exceedingly wonderful Norfolk has been,” Conway said.

Nauticus said 2,200 people will board for the ship's next journey at 5 pm.

This is the second ship to come to Norfolk this week. On Easter Sunday, Baltimore-based Carnival Legend carrying 2,600 passengers docked in Norfolk.

City officials anticipated more traffic congestion as passengers boarded and disembarked the ship. Norfolk Police, Downtown Norfolk Council Ambassadors and cruise terminal staff were there to direct and manage passenger traffic flow.

7 - Day The Bahamas from Baltimore, MD

Cruise itinerary.

Day 1: Baltimore

Day 2 & 3: Fun Day at Sea

Day 4: half moon cay, day 5: nassau, day 6: celebration key.

Day 7: Fun Day at Sea

Day 8: baltimore.

Get to Know Carnival Pride

Carnival Pride charms, alright — it's a treat for your eyes, your taste buds... and of course, your fun buds. Invite them all to come enjoy the vacation that this ship is proud to offer. Carnival Pride invites you to dine refined, from the zen-like simplicity of Bonsai Sushi ™ to the art deco ocean liner inspiration of the Normandie Restaurant, to the American-Traditional style of Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse. And of course there's real, delectable substance under all that style. But for something a little more casual, loosen your tie... or maybe just throw it away and grab a main course (and fries) from our main man Guy Fieri, at Guy's Burger Joint ™ . The Mexican heat's optional at BlueIguana Cantina ™ , but make your next stop Cherry on Top ™ — our candy-and-more store — where everything's sweet. And to raise a glass to important sacrifices of the past, Heroes Tribute Bar makes remembrance its primary objective. You'll find yourself with room to move at the Beauties Dance Club, and a hard time sitting still at Playlist Productions ™ . All around this cruise ship you'll discover even more ways to stay cool, like an adult-only pool at Serenity, a fun-only midship pool featuring a retractable roof, plus Carnival Pride's splashy onboard waterpark, Carnival WaterWorks ™ . And if all the waterslide action leaves you needing a little extra unwinding, we recommend you dry off and head to the Cloud 9 Spa ™ . Alongside the pool is the big-screen, big-fun Carnival Seaside Theater ™ , while Seuss at Sea ™ is a good time for kids who love a good rhyme too. (Like we do!) Camp Ocean ® , Circle "C" ® and Club O2 ® prove that we've got spots for cool kids of all ages.

Onboard Activities

Onboard Dining

change your itinerary

NEWS ALERT: 4th body recovered from Baltimore bridge collapse wreckage

Police divers at Baltimore bridge collapse struggle with ‘zero visibility’ underwater

Nick Iannelli | [email protected]

April 12, 2024, 9:40 PM

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The mission is daunting at the site of the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, as crews have to remove 50,000 tons of debris.

Nonetheless, police divers are there continuing an investigation into the collapse.

Visibility under the water is extremely poor, however.

“Best case scenario is you might be able to see eight inches in front of your face,” said Maryland State Police Cpl. Lyle German, who’s with the department’s underwater recovery team. “Worst case scenario, it’s like wearing one of those sleep masks, and you have zero visibility.”

The divers wear stainless steel helmets for protection as they swim around twisted metal and concrete.

They don’t have scuba tanks. Instead, they breath through a tube that goes right up to the surface, allowing them to stay down for as long as they need.

“We train for this,” said Maryland State Police Detective Sgt. Justin Updegraff, the commander of the underwater recovery team. “More times than not, the divers will actually close their eyes because they can’t see.”

Updegraff said the divers “move their arms left and right like a windshield wiper.”

“We train like that in a pool, putting them in blacked-out masks,” Updegraff said.

German said it’s similar to someone messing up your room, turning the lights off and then telling you to find a specific item.

And using a flashlight doesn’t help.

“Have you ever driven through a snowstorm and put your brights on?” German asked. “It doesn’t help at all — there are a lot of particulates down there.”

The Maryland State Police dive team is working alongside numerous agencies at a command center that’s been established at the cruise terminal in Baltimore where cruise ships would normally be taking vacationers out to sea.

Agencies operating out of the center include the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Transportation Authority, among others.

“We work best when we’re working with our partners,” said Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Faulkner with the Coast Guard. “This is how we are meant to work — in collaboration.”

Faulkner said one of the first priorities will be to partially open the main shipping channel at the Port of Baltimore.

“That will allow us to get back up to 75% of pre-collapse operations through the waterway,” Faulkner said, adding that the hope is to get that done before the end of the month.

Crews will then need to remove bridge debris from the cargo ship, get the ship off the river and fully reopen the channel to commerce.

Officials have said all of that will likely take another month, at least.

The bridge collapsed on March 26 after being struck by the cargo ship Dali, which lost power shortly after leaving Baltimore, bound for Sri Lanka.

Those operating the ship issued a mayday alert with just enough time for police to stop traffic, but not enough to save a roadwork crew filling potholes on the bridge.

Authorities believe six workers — immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador — plunged to their deaths in the Patapsco River.

The bodies of three have been recovered, but the search for the other victims continues.

More Baltimore Key Bridge collapse coverage

• The latest on the Key Bridge collapse and recovery in Baltimore
• Investigators focus on electrical system of ship in Baltimore bridge collapse
• Third channel to open at Baltimore port as recovery from bridge collapse continues
• PHOTOS: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after being struck by ship

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

Nick Iannelli can be heard covering developing and breaking news stories on WTOP.

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President Biden visits Baltimore to survey bridge collapse site

The visit comes as officials announce the first tentative timeline for reopening the port to regular traffic by the end of may.

DUNDALK, Md. — President Biden flew over the scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore on Friday, surveying the wreckage as the recovery enters a pivotal new phase, 10 days after a massive container ship plowed into the span and brought it down in a jumble of twisted steel and concrete.

Biden pledged federal support “every step of the way” in a speech afterward, promising “your nation has your back” and pressing Congress to fund the cost of rebuilding the 1.6-mile bridge, which could total more than $1 billion. Officials announced plans to fully reopen the crippled Port of Baltimore by the end of May, setting a hard target for the first time.

“We’re going to move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge as rapidly as humanly possible,” Biden said, speaking on the bank of the Patapsco River with the fallen bridge as a backdrop. “We will do so with union labor and American steel.”

Biden, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other officials leading the cleanup did two loops around the disaster site in the Marine One helicopter on Friday, before the president met with first responders and with the families of the six construction workers who perished when the bridge plunged into Patapsco on March 26.

In the days since, recovery efforts have ground forward amid pelting rain and icy winds, but the tentative timeline adds a fresh urgency and political peril for Biden and state officials to clean up what one analysis said could eventually be the most expensive disaster in maritime history. Some Republicans have already signaled they have qualms about Biden’s funding plan, saying money should be recovered from the shipping companies involved before public dollars flow.

This week, two small channels opened to allow tugboat and barge traffic in and out of the port. Officials plan to open a larger one by the end of April that can accommodate some ships carrying cars and farm equipment that are key cargo at the port.

Aid has begun to flow to stem the economic pain caused by the port’s closure to shipping traffic. The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced Friday that a previously awarded $8 million grant can be used to expand cargo capacity at Tradepoint Atlantic, a port facility in Baltimore unaffected by the bridge collapse. Federal officials opened two offices this week to help small businesses get low interest loans. The Biden administration allocated $60 million in emergency relief funds last week.

Moore said in a speech introducing Biden on Friday that the state has launched a new initiative called “Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong Alliance” that has raised $15 million to help Baltimore workers. Some of the private businesses involved — including Amazon, Domino Sugar and Home Depot — are pledging not to lay off workers affected by the port closure and return to the Port of Baltimore if they have to temporarily leave. Two-thirds of that sum came from the city’s sports teams: the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles.

Moore cast the partnership and the progress so far as evidence of the state’s tough character, a slogan he’s put on T-shirts.

“Baltimore has been tested before. We get knocked down,” Moore said. “We stand back up and we dust ourselves off and we move forward. That is what we do.”

Another key goal for responders has been recovering the bodies of four construction workers, who for 10 days have been missing and presumed buried in the rubble of the bridge 50-feet below the surface of the river. Authorities said late Friday the body of Maynor Suazo Sandoval, 38, was recovered .

Biden said one of the victims, a 24-year-old construction worker he identified only as Carlos, left a message for his girlfriend just seconds before the collapse saying they were waiting for some concrete to dry. He was part of a crew fixing potholes.

Biden pledged crews would locate the bodies and rebuild the bridge, saying “we will not rest, as Carlos said, until the cement is dry.”

He said his father was born and raised in Baltimore, and that his family’s ties to the area go back generations to watermen who worked the Chesapeake Bay in the 1850s. He pronounces the city’s name “Bawlmore,” like locals do.

The visit comes as his administration sent a letter Friday formally requesting that Congress allocate funds to pay for the entire cost of rebuilding a new span.

“The Federal Government should cover any needed costs for reconstructing the bridge,” Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, wrote in a letter to congressional leaders. “While we continue to assess those costs alongside our Federal and State partners, we are asking the Congress to join us in demonstrating our commitment to aid in recovery efforts by authorizing a 100 percent Federal cost share for rebuilding the bridge.”

Baltimore bridge collapse

The disaster has idled shipping at the Port of Baltimore and spread economic pain locally and nationally.

Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. (D) grew up in the community on the north end of the bridge and said “this has been one of our darkest times.”

“To have your president standing in your community, having the chance to stand alongside him, and hearing him say, ‘I’ll have your back’? To have him already committed resources, to have his team constantly be on the ground and reinforcing point? The right word is ‘relief.’ It’s just such a relief,” Olszweski said after the event. “People are reeling in so many ways. People have lost loved ones. There are people who are facing an uncertain future. And we’ve got the leader of the free world, in your neighborhood saying, ‘I got you.’ It means a lot.”

Officials said this week that tests have shown no pollution in the waters surrounding the stranded 985-foot Dali container ship; they are working to move a 350-ton section of bridge and will begin lifting cargo containers from the vessel in the coming days.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Brig. Gen. John P. Lloyd said on a boat tour of the wreckage Thursday that conditions have been challenging, particularly for divers surveying and cutting up the wreckage 50 feet below the surface.

“It’s a very complex environment for the divers,” Lloyd said. “They are underwater, walking along the channel in the debris with almost zero visibility.”

Moore said Friday morning that “the state is still mourning” during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” continuing to press his case that the catastrophe in Baltimore should be a nationwide concern.

The first call from the White House came within 90 minutes of the bridge collapse, Moore said, praising the consistency in help from the Biden administration, which has “continued to walk this path with us.”

Biden’s formal request to have Congress approve to pay for the total bridge replacement accelerates a lobbying effort already underway on Capitol Hill.

Moore plans to be personally involved; he will visit Tuesday to begin that process in person, meeting with Maryland’s 10-member congressional delegation and Young, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

The House Freedom Caucus, in a statement Friday morning, expressed reservations about Biden’s plan for rebuilding the bridge .

In an “ official position ” posted on X, the influential group of conservatives conditioned approval of bridge funding on several factors, including extinguishing all existing federal funds first, securing “maximum liability” from the shipping company up front and tying the negotiation for bridge money to Biden’s policies on liquefied natural gas terminals.

The group has also opposed the last three supplemental spending initiatives for disasters, but all three passed with bipartisan support anyway.

“If it proves necessary to appropriate taxpayer money to get one of America’s busiest ports back online,” the group stated, “Congress should ensure it is fully offset and that burdensome regulations … are waived to avoid all unnecessary delays and costs.”

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who is from Baltimore, addressed concerns Thursday and vowed to “hold all responsible people fully accountable.”

“We know there’s some who people say, ‘Well, isn’t there a third party liabilities, isn’t there insurance?’” he said during a daily news briefing. “We’re not going to delay opening our channel or rebuilding our bridge with the lengthy process that may take.”

Attorneys for the companies that own and manage the Dali have asserted in federal court legal filings they were not to blame for what happened. They asked a judge to excuse them from any liability for the disaster or, alternately, cap damages at $43 million, the cost of the vessel minus damage and salvage.

A Morningstar analysis found insurance companies could ultimately pay out $2 to $4 billion for damage and economic fallout from the bridge collapse, which could top the costs for the wreck of the Costa Concordia cruise ship .

Mike Laris, Ian Duncan and Jacob Bogage contributed to this report.