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.
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, 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
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Celebrity Cruises From Baltimore
Celebrity Cruises announced in summer 2010 that after February 2011 it will no longer offer seasonal cruises from Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Celebrity Mercury sails a series of 12-night Caribbean cruises that are rich in ports and relaxing days at sea . Ports of call include the shopping mecca of St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. Kitts, sailing paradise Antigua and the Dutch/French island of St. Maarten.
The 1,870-guest Celebrity Mercury is an upscale ship with Celebritys signature AquaSpa, fitness center, casino, champagne bar and in-room interactive TV. Celebrity offers both assigned-table dining and open dining.
Celebrity Cruises
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Carnival Magic Cruise Itineraries From Norfolk
When Carnival Magic relocates for cruises from Norfolk, seasonal itineraries will range from four- to eight-days.
Itineraries include:
- May 16 and June 5: six-day cruises to Freeport, Nassau and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay
- May 22 and 31, June 11, and Oct. 4 and 30: five-day voyages featuring Freeport and Nassau
- May 27: four-day long weekend sailing to Bermuda returning on Memorial Day
Following a spring 2021 refurbishment in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Magic will sport Carnivals signature features found on almost the entire fleet.
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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.
Set Sail With Our Friendly And Experienced Crew In Norfolk Va
I imagine a lot depends on how the weather is, but we lucked out. It was calm , and the skies were clear. Not too hot either. We got to experience a perfect sunset, and even got a bonus moonrise out of the deal! The ships Captain was great and explained everything as we were sailing. As it got to sunset time, a musician entertained the ship by walking around and taking requests. It was fun all around and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
I have been on this cruise four times now. It is great! The crew is friendly and knowledgeable. The boat is extremely clean and very comfortable. There are two very clean bathrooms onboard. They sell adult drinks, sodas, and snacks. Also, there is a musician that walks around singing and playing the guitar. He plays fun sing-along songs by a variety of artists. This cruise is my favorite thing to do in Norfolk!!! I will be back for a fifth time later this summer!!
This was probably a highlight for me, I absolutely loved it and told my husband I couldnt wait to go again. The captain gave a wonderful tour and for couples wanting to experience a romantic evening, this is very romantic, watching the sunset was just beautiful. I highly recommend it, you wont be sorry!
This was a great way to entertain the family. We enjoyed drinks, musician and the narrative from the captain. The night was warm with a slight breeze and the sunset even cooperated. It was a peaceful and relaxing time.
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Cruise From Home And Relax
Everyone knows that a cruise vacation is one of the most relaxing, hassle free vacations you can take. Imagine if you also didn’t have to worry about traveling to start your vacation but could just drive up to a port near your home and get onboard your luxury cruise ship. Here at CruiseExperts.com we’ve made it easy to see which cruises start close to home. Get started with our Home Port widget by clicking on your home port below.
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.
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Can I Bring A Hair Straightener On A Cruise
(Items that generate heat or produce an open flame. This includes heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. NOTE: The only exception to this policy are curling irons and hair straighteners. Matches and normal lighteners are allowed onboard.
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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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.
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Cruise From Norfolk Virginia
Various seasonal cruise ships depart from Norfolk, Virginia. As a cruise port, Norfolk is the departure point for Carnival cruise ships sailing to the the Bahamas, Bermuda or the Caribbean islands. However, please be aware that only a few select dates are available for cruises from Norfolk. With that said, it’s advised to check availability and reserve your cruise from Norfolk as soon as possible considering the limited amount of sailings available from this cruise port.
Although Norfolk is a popular drive to port, if you need to fly into the area the cruise ship dock isnt far from Norfolk International Airport . It takes about 20 minutes for a taxi to drive the 10 miles to Nauticus in Norfolk, where the cruise terminal is located. The ride is metered and costs about $20.
Cruise passengers that drive to the pier can park at the Cedar Grove parking lot located in downtown Norfolk. It is suggested that you first drop off your luggage with a porter at the terminal before proceeding to parking. The parking fee is $15 per night, , and no reservation is necessary. Complimentary shuttles are available to get you back to the pier.
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Carnival Cruise Announces 2023 Sailings From Norfolk
NORFOLK, Va. Carnival Cruise Line announced on Thursday afternoon that the Carnival Magic will sail 11 voyages from Norfolks Half Moone Cruise Center in summer and fall 2023.
These sailings, ranging from four- to eight days, will visit destinations including Bermuda, The Bahamas, Canada and New England. Their itineraries include:
- Six-day Bermuda cruise with two full days and an overnight call on the island departing May 14
- Five-day Bahamas cruises calling at Nassau and Freeport departing May 20, 25 and 30, June 4 and 9, Sept. 30, and Oct. 9 and 22
- Four-day Bermuda long weekend voyage with a full-day visit to the island departing Oct. 5
- Eight-day Canada/New England sailing with stops at Portland, Maine Saint John, New Brunswick and Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, departing Oct. 14.
Currently, the Carnival Magic is in Marseilles, Frances in a dry dock for a series of enhancements and upgrades. The ship will also receive the companys new red, white and blue hull design.
Reservations for these sailings are now open.
Carnival Cruise Line Signs 5 Year Deal To Bring Carnival Magic To Norfolk
Carnival Cruise Line has signed a five year deal to operate seasonal cruises from the Half Moone Cruise Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Carnival Magic will sail a series of 12 cruises from Norfolk starting in 2021 and will become the largest cruise ship to ever homeport in the city.
Today signed a 5 year agreement with #NorfolkVA to operate seasonal cruises from the Half Moone Cruise Center through 2025. Mayor “This commitment strengthens that partnership & solidifies Norfolks position as a true Mid-Atlantic cruise port.
City of Norfolk, VA
As part of the agreement, the City of Norfolk has agreed to make investments at the Half Moone Cruise Center to accommodate larger cruise ships and provide an enhanced guest experience including a new boarding bridge that will streamline the embarkation and debarkation process and a host of other improvements.
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said This is an exciting announcement. Carnival Cruise Line ships have become a welcome addition to our skyline. This commitment strengthens that partnership and solidifies Norfolks position as a true Mid-Atlantic cruise port.
Carnival cruise itineraries from Norfolk on Carnival Magic have not yet been announced.
Carnival Magic is a Dream class cruise ship from Carnival Cruise Line. The 130,000 gross ton vessel debuted in 2011 and has a capacity of 3,675 passengers.
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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.
Whats Onboard Carnival Magic
When Carnival Magic was launched in 2011, the ship featured many of whats become signature venues throughout the fleet. This includes the Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub, the Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant. SkyCourse, in the above photo, is family-friendly and a challenging ropes course, suspended 150-feet above the ocean.
Theres the complimentary childrens programs offered for three age groups, the luxurious Cloud 9 Spa, the Ocean Plaza indoor/outdoor dining and entertainment promenade plus Serenity, the adults-only retreat. Of course theres the WaterWorks aqua park with two massive slides, a tipping bucket and a kiddie splash zone.
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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
The Journey Begins Today
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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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