Maryland's capital city of Baltimore offers a cruise ship port for sailings to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and New England. Baltimore is a four-hour drive or less from New York, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C. The port is 30 minutes from the airport making it a great alternative for departing cruises. In 2010 and 2011, three major cruise lines are offering vacation sailings from Baltimore.
The Carnival cruise ship "Pride" currently offers weekly, round-trip, seven-day sailings available through April 2011. These include three sea days, disbursed among stops at Port Canaveral, Florida, Nassau, Bahamas and Freeport (Port Lucaya), Bahamas. The "Pride," built in 2002, accommodates up to 2,600 passengers. The ship offers amenities such as a full spa and Nobel library, casino, night clubs, shows and a reservations-only supper club.
Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 N.W. 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
888-CARNIVAL
carnival.com
Royal Caribbean's "Enchantment of the Seas" plans to offer round-trip, nine-day voyages from Baltimore beginning in November 2010. These include four sea days, disbursed among stops at Port Canaveral and Key West, Florida, Nassau, Bahamas and Cococay, Bahamas. Royal Caribbean will alternate this route, with a round-trip five-day cruise to King's Wharf, Bermuda, and a handful of eight-day cruises through New England and Canada. The Enchantment was fully refurbished in 2005 and accommodates up to 2,400 passengers. The ship offers has a pool deck featuring a rock-climbing wall, bungee trampolines and suspension bridges. The ship has a kids activity center, jogging track, fitness center, indoor solarium, casino and reservations-only steak house.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
866- 562-7625
royalcaribbean.com
The Celebrity Mercury also plans to offer round-trip cruises from Baltimore in November 2010. These nine-day sailings include a total of four sea days, with stops in Charleston, South Carolina; Key West, Florida; Nassau; the Bahamas; and Cococay, Bahamas. The Mercury will also offer a select few 14-day cruises through the Caribbean. The Mercury was newly refurbished in 2007 and accommodates 1,800 passengers. It is the smallest but highest-rated ship of the three. On board amenities include a casino, nightclub and shopping center, with a full theater, fitness center, art gallery and a European-style cafe.
Celebrity Cruise Lines
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
800-647-2251
celebritycruises.com
