First Cruise Sets Sail Out Of Port Of Baltimore Following Pandemic Shutdowns
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BALTIMORE
One industry devastated by the pandemic is starting to see signs of life again. A new wave of business is back for cruises in the mid-Atlantic. The first ship set sail Sunday from the Port of Baltimore.
A sound greeting from the Port of Baltimore. Masked guests and staff of Sunday’s Carnival Pride cruise cut to a long-awaited renaissance.
“Oh, we’re ready to roll. We’re excited it’s a vacation. But apprehensive too,” said cruisers Willie and Jan Horn, of Westerville, Ohio.
This time, the seven-day cruise to the Bahamas has another idea of paradise in mind. Vaccines and negative tests needed before boarding. Masks for guests required indoors while onboard. The cruise line says all necessary and rigorous steps before guests can relax.
“Hundreds of millions of government officials. We worked closely with the CDC and it really worked out well bringing you to this day,” said William Doyle, executive director of the Port of Baltimore.
The cruise officials say there are other protocols onboard, including quarantine and contact tracing in case guests test positive. All 100% of the vaccinated staff will serve 1,500 guests — 70% of the ship’s normal limit.
“We have constrained capacity so over the next few ceilings that will continue to increase,” said Carnival Cruises President Stephanie Duffy.
Guests taking the step and a risk.
“With a lot more fun involved,” said Jan Horn.
Large Cruise Ship Cruises From Baltimore And Norfolk
Baltimore, Maryland and Norfolk, Virginia both have commercial cruise terminals that serve as starting points for cruises south to Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean, and north to Canada.
The two cruise lines that sail out of Baltimore are Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The cruises from Baltimore range from 7 to 14 nights in length and sail to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada. See cruises scheduled to depart from Baltimore.
Carnival Cruises sails from Norfolk to the Bahamas. The cruises from Norfolk are shorter than the cruises from Baltimore and theres less variety. The Carnival cruises from Norfolk are all five-night cruises to the Bahamas. See a schedule of cruises from Norfolk, Virginia.
Baltimore Tours Shore Excursions Hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
Port Baltimore cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port’s schedule lists all ships with cruises going to or leaving from Baltimore, Maryland. To see the full itineraries and their lowest rates just follow the corresponding ship-link.
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Is It Worth Getting A Balcony On A Cruise Ship
The extra price for a balcony is worth it if youll put it to good use. Your ship design places balcony rooms on higher decks. This means rooms with balconies have better views, especially on river cruises where lower rooms are close to the water line. If you want the extra space offered by a balcony room.
Grand History Of The Port
The Port of Baltimore has been around for more than two centuries. The port was established in 1706. At the time, it was the Lord Baltimore port, named after Lord Baltimore himself. The port was very busy with tobacco and grain in its initial establishment.
This port housed the Continental Congress for about two years, beginning in 1776. This was during the American Revolution and the company was attempting to avoid British attacks that were happening on Philadelphia.
The first U.S. Naval vessel, the Constellation, launched out of the Port of Baltimore in 1797. The last warship that was designed to be all-sail was also named the Constellation and that ship rests at the port, where it landed for the final time in 1955.
The War of 1812 put the Port of Baltimore at risk but the troops were able to defend the port from Fort McHenry when the British attempted to capture the port. It was at this time that The Star Spangled Banner was inspired and later written, leading us to some of the grandest national history taking place right here at the Port of Baltimore.
Unfortunately, much of the Port district was ransacked by a fire in 1904 in a fire that couldnt be controlled for more than 2 days. The fire destroyed more than 1500 buildings. On a positive note, very few lives were lost and the city was able to rebuild and recover quickly.
Helpful: 9 Things to Know About the Baltimore Cruise Terminal
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What Are The Vaccine Requirements
All passengers will be required to present proof of vaccination and a negative test result within three days of boarding the 88,500-ton, 965-foot cruise ship Sunday.
Passengers are required to have received their second dose of vaccine at least two weeks before the day of departure and bring a physical vaccination card with them.
Reasons To Cruise From The Port Of Baltimore Maryland
Take a look at these reasons why you should take a cruise from the Port of Baltimore, Maryland. Covering travel tips, cruise lines and more.
When it comes to taking a cruise, you want the most memorable experience of your life. Lets face it, many of us will never get to take a cruise while others still may only take 1-2 cruises in their lifetime.
Experienced cruisers that make a habit out of the practice understand that the choice of port can make a substantial difference to your overall experience. There are many things to consider when you are deciding what port to cruise from.
The Port of Baltimore is one of the best port options available. It has quickly become a prominent port for cruise choices. A number of desirable cruises set sail from this port and it truly has a lot to offer the cruise community.
Aside from the port alone, the city of Baltimore has a lot to offer and you can enjoy the area before or after your cruise for some additional entertainment. Check out these top 8 reasons why you may want to cruise from the Port of Baltimore, Maryland.
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The Evening Sun Newsletter
Were thrilled to be back in Baltimore, providing our guests with the relaxing vacation theyve been so patiently waiting for but also supporting the local economy and offering our crew members an opportunity to support their families back home, Duffy said in a statement.
Doyle said the Prides return will be a great day for the Port of Baltimore, which boasts a location directly off Interstate 95, only 15 minutes from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and near plenty of the citys tourism and dining attractions.
We have waited a long time to welcome back the Carnival Pride to Charm City, Doyle said. Cruise from Baltimore, enjoy our great city, and sail to some of the most incredible tropical paradises in the world.
Carnival is Baltimores most popular cruise line, and the Pride has carried more than 1 million passengers since 2009, according to the company.
Small Cruise Ship Cruises
American Cruise Lines offers a full season of Chesapeake Bay cruises on their line of small cruise ships. These ships are designed to cruise the inland waterways of the East Coast, and their ships can pull right up to the dock in many of the smaller ports.
The Chesapeake Bay cruise itinerary includes Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, Oxford, Cambridge, Crisfield, Tangier Island, and Yorktown/Williamsburg.
American Cruise Lines ships feature spacious staterooms and opening picture windows. Many staterooms even have private verandas.
Small ship cruising is well-suited to the Chesapeake Bay region, where smaller vessels can get closer access. These cruises are a great way to explore the region by water.
Meals are included, along with a complimentary cocktail party each evening where guests can recap the days excitement.
Contact American Cruise Lines at 1-800-814-6800 for details, or visit the American Cruise Lines website.
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Chesapeake Bay Harbor Cruises
Spend a few hours exploring protected harbors at Baltimore and Norfolk. These short cruises, which often include food and entertainment, are a great way to see the city.
Youll also find harbor cruises in Annapolis and St. Michaels, Maryland.
In Hampton, Virginia, the Miss Hampton II offers 2.5 and 3 hour cruises of the Hampton Roads area, including the Hampton waterfront, historic Fort Monroe and Fort Wool, and the Norfolk Naval Base.
First Cruise From Us Port In More Than 15 Months Sets Sail
When asked how Carnival intends to handle Floridas new law, a spokesperson did not comment on the decision to break from the law and instead referred NBC News to its frequently-asked-questions page, which states that guests will be asked to confirm their status as fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and provide proof of vaccination in advance of boarding, unless a vaccination exemption is given in advance.
Norwegian, which requires guests to bring proof of vaccination, responded to inquiries with a link to its latest press release from early June about its upcoming U.S. voyages.
Democrats have denounced the new law and accused DeSantis of undermining both public health and the cruise industry.
âThe governor is dictatorially imposing his will on Florida businesses trying to protect their customers, including cruise lines on whom our agriculture industry depends for millions in food sales,â Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said in a statement to NBC News.
Fried, a Democrat, is running to unseat DeSantis in next years election.
Pushaw said the governors executive order is not likely to scare away seagoing travelers.
Its almost unheard of for a vaccinated person to get seriously ill with Covid-19, she said in an email. Therefore, people who are vaccinated should not be worried about getting infected from those who arent.
Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida.
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Cruise From Baltimore Maryland
Historical character and convenience for boarding a cruise make the port of Baltimore truly stand out. Presently, Baltimore is the departure point for two of the largest cruise lines, with multi-night vacations headed north toward Canada or south to Bermuda and the Caribbean islands. Nearby hotels, parking, and package deals make Baltimore a great location to start your cruise vacation!
Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both offer cruises departing from Baltimore, MD. Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur 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.
Direct Line Cruises offers highly competitive discount cruises leaving from Baltimore. Save hundreds of dollars plus receive extra perks with your cruise such as free onboard spending credits and travel insurance.
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.
Which Ships Are Sailing From Where
Already, the line has had great success with the returns of Carnival Horizon out of Miami, as well as both Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze sailing from Galveston. In the immediate future, Carnival Miracle will sail to Alaska from Seattle beginning on July 27, and the lines newest ship, , will have her much-delayed, highly-anticipated maiden voyage out of Port Canaveral on July 31.
Now comes word that several other ships will begin sailing in September and October from various ports. This is in keeping with Carnival Corporations plans to have their entire fleet up and running by spring of 2022.
As of now, the next ships to sail will do so in September and October.
According to Carnival, the September returns will include:
- Carnival Pride, sailing both Eastern Caribbean and Bahamas-bound itineraries out of Baltimore, Maryland
- Carnival Glory, sailing Eastern and Western itineraries out of New Orleans, Louisiana
- Carnival Dream, sailing Eastern and Western itineraries out of Galveston, Texas
Four more ships will join the lineup in October, at which point Carnival Miracle will have just been relocated to Long Beach, California. The ships returning to service at that time will be:
Carnival Elation in Jacksonville, Florida
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Carnival Pride Sets Sail On First Cruise From Port Of Baltimore
Seven-Day Cruise to the Bahamas Is First From Baltimore Since Industry-Wide Pause in Operations
BALTIMORE is the first cruise line to set sail from the Port of Baltimore since the industry-wide pause in operations. Carnival Pride is set to depart today on a seven-day cruise to The Bahamas , visiting the popular destinations of Nassau and the private island of Half Moon Cay .
Prior to departure, a “Back to Fun” event was held in the terminal during which Carnival President Christine Duffy cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially welcomed the first guests on board.
“We’re thrilled to be back in Baltimore , providing our guests with the relaxing vacation they’ve been so patiently waiting for but also supporting the local economy and offering our crew members an opportunity to support their families back home,” said Christine Duffy . ” Baltimore has been a wonderful partner for more than a decade and we are delighted to get Back to Fun in this key market which serves hundreds of thousands of guests in the Northeast and along the Atlantic Coast
Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore in 2009 and since then has carried well over one million guests, making Carnival the number one cruise operator from the port.
In November, a newer ship, Carnival Legend, will replace Carnival Pride in Baltimore when Carnival Pride shifts to departures from Tampa
Carnival offers the widest array of cruise options from Baltimore
Visit: www.aida.de
What Do Cruise Ships Do With Unsold Cabins
In most cases, travel agencies have the option to return unsold cruise cabins to the line/operator by a certain date. However, some of the cabins are bought in bulk and are non-refundable. These deals offer the biggest discounts from the cruise lines. Generally, whole-sellers sell cabins to travel agencies/agents.
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Your Cruise Itinerary Wont Be Boring
One thing to know about the cruises from the Port of Baltimore is that youre bound to have an enjoyable itinerary.
No matter what destination you chose to set sail to, some of these cruises have multiple stops along the way and the stops are not anything to sneeze at.
Here are a few examples of cruises scheduled for the next 12 months. Keep in mind that if youre reading this article past that 12-month date, these can be used for reference at the types of options that are offered when you cruise out of the Port of Baltimore.
Virgin Voyages Terminal V
On November 28, 2018, Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin officially announced in Miami City companyâs plans to build a new cruise terminal in PortMiami.
âVirgin Voyages Terminalâ is sized 100,000 ft2 and will be located on seaportâs northwestern side. Approval for the project was given on Sept 20, 2019, with subsequent berthing agreement deal.
Construction works started in October 2019, with scheduled completion in November 2021. The USD 150 million facility was officially renamed from âTerminal Hâ to âTerminal Vâ. Virgin Voyages has brandâss name on a for-profit train connecting Miami with West Palm Beach . Virginâs cruise operations from PortMiami were planned to start in April 2020 with Scarlet Lady.
In late-October 2019 was approved the agreement for Brightline Miami to be rebranded âVirgin Trainsâ and Virgin Group to build a train station at the cruise port. The new station serves high-speed trains and connects PortMiami directly with the USAâs intercity railway system and Orlando International Airport. Construction works on Virgin Trains PortMiami are scheduled for completion in 2022.
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Can I Get On A Cruise In Miami Without Being Vaccinated
Originally, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have had restrictions for those who havent received their vaccines yet. Both would allow unvaccinated guests with proper precautions.
Now, Royal Caribbean will require proof of vaccination from guests 16 and olderexcept in ships leaving from Florida ports.
Since Floridas governor banned the concept of vaccine passports, this requirement doesnt extend to those Royal Caribbean ships leaving from Florida Ports.
Instead, cruises leaving from Florida are running safety simulations to ensure their protocols are effective. Once the CDC approves a simulation, we can feel confident and protected about boarding.
Disney just had a two-night simulation at the end of June, and well keep you updated on what this means.
Norwegian Cruise Line has taken a more stringent approach by not allowing any unvaccinated passengerspromising to sail with fully vaccinated guests and crew through October.
So if you cant get vaccinated but want to take a cruise out of Miami, opt for Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Just make sure to get tested before your tripand while youre onboard when possible!
Keep in mind that, under the CDCs guidance, ships have been approved to sail as long as 95% of their crew and guests are vaccinated.so you can feel safe when a ship has been approved.
Cruises From Baltimore Md
Carnival Cruises offers cruises from Baltimore. The Carnival Pride 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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