Cruised out of Baltimore? What Say You?

The big news from Baltimore is that Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas will be cruising year-round out of the Charm City starting summer 2010. Maryland's governor has been quoted saying some 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore.

For anyone who's cruised out of B-More, how was the experience (parking, terminal, etc.)? And how much excitement is there over the increased drive-to options?

We went out of Baltimore on the Grandeur last year. Unfortunately there was a problem with the Grandeur getting back in time. Soooo, they were shuttling people to the inner harbor and other places ... they were VERY disorganized. The Port people were each telling their own stories about when, what, how, why. One lady told us not to bother with one of the lines, the next said you have to stand in it. The cruise was great, the people at the port were all confused!! I'll try it again next year ... maybe.

We have sailed out of Baltimore several times and one time did a repositioning from New Orleans to Baltimore on the Grandeur. We also experienced a delay getting off the ship in Baltimore on the Grandeur. We had to sit on the ship an extra 3 hrs. They need to be more organized, but the port, parking, etc. were fine.

It will take about 8-9 hrs. to sail down the Chesapeake Bay until you get to the ocean. The Bay is fairly smooth, the first day out on the ocean can be a little rough, but not terrible. We are looking forward to sailing from Balt. again.

I live 20 south of Baltimore and have never cruised from there, although I would like too. It's just that my wife does not like the idea of the time at sea before the first port of call. I will eventually swing her in my direction though as it will save us a ton on airline tickets.

I'm usually one to do the bigger RCI ships, but I'd gladly sailing on Enchantment out of Bmore. Anything to avoid Miami International . :)

I live in 30 minutes from Baltimore love the idea of cruising from "home." However, it's cheaper to either fly to Florida (for the Caribbean) or take a bus to New York (for Canada/New England) and cruise from those ports. While I haven't priced it yet, I'm guessing it's cheaper to cruise to Bermuda from New York also. It's especially pricey for me because I cruise solo and there are absolutely no price breaks on a solo cabin from Baltimore.

We've cruised into and out of Baltimore several times. The only problem we had was when Grandeur had a mechanical problem and was late getting back into port. All other times the process was very smooth. There have been some terrific last minute deals on Grandeur. I hope to see that trend continue with Enchantment.

Seems like most problems were with the Grandeur getting in late and not being able to handle it. That surprises me since we went out of Balt. on a cruise that was supposed to go out of NYC. It was right after 9/11 when they had to scramble to rearrange ships and ports. Everything was well organized, there were no problems and it just felt like "another day at the beach."

Back to the original question.;) Good news for us since there's nothing on the radar screen for Phila. after this year and that's where we have been going out of, so Balt. will work for us.:)

My question is what is it going to be like sailing down the bay in the middle of January or February? :eek: Doesn't sound appealing to me.

My question is what is it going to be like sailing down the bay in the middle of January or February? :eek: Doesn't sound appealing to me.

But that is okay...you just won't do the deck party!!! :D

I am planning on doing a cruise in 2010 on either Carnival Pride or Enchantment.

The 9 day itinerary looks cool! I will be doing that in the near future.

I live in 30 minutes from Baltimore love the idea of cruising from "home." However, it's cheaper to either fly to Florida (for the Caribbean) or take a bus to New York (for Canada/New England) and cruise from those ports. While I haven't priced it yet, I'm guessing it's cheaper to cruise to Bermuda from New York also. It's especially pricey for me because I cruise solo and there are absolutely no price breaks on a solo cabin from Baltimore.

just priced it. Its cheaper from Baltimore.

baltimore

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New Jersey

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Happy Maryland Day! Thanks to Royal Caribbean for their "gift" to the Port of Baltimore announced today. While the sailaway might be cold, on occasion there will be warm days for January and February [not that rare for a few 65-70 degree days in February, and some biting cold March days as well]. Regardless, the cruise down the bay will be at night: a time for indoor activities like dinner, shows, lounges, casino, etc.

John, I almost forgot! Ever since it got demoted to a non-state employee holiday, Maryland Day just doesn't get the respect it deserves. I'll try to remember Defender's Day in September.

I work on research vessels on the Bay year round. It's always cold in February and sometimes icy. It will be cold on the cruise ship in Feburary but this is nothing that an Irish Coffee won't cure.

The big news from Baltimore is that Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas will be cruising year-round out of the Charm City starting summer 2010. Maryland's governor has been quoted saying some 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore.

 

For anyone who's cruised out of B-More, how was the experience (parking, terminal, etc.)? And how much excitement is there over the increased drive-to options?

Hi,

We sailed on NCL Majesty last July out of Balt, and will be on Carnival Pride this July. We really like the port and parking is great...when you clear customs, walk out the door , you're almost in your car .

Nothing like avoiding plane fares and associated hassles!

Mike

My sister just priced out the 5 night out of Baltimore next July vs. out of FLL this year. And next year is $300/pp more expensive.

For that money she can fly to florida and get better ports than just Bermuda. Maybe it's the novelty of the new year round market.

I live 20 south of Baltimore and have never cruised from there, although I would like too. It's just that my wife does not like the idea of the time at sea before the first port of call. I will eventually swing her in my direction though as it will save us a ton on airline tickets.

I mostly agree with her. We live on the Eastern Shore and I have never been interested in wasting most of the cruise "getting there". By the time you "get to where you want to be" you have to turn around and come back. Except on the cruise to Bermuda, that is a really nice itinerary. The second problem is none of the Cruise Lines have any of their new or even newer ships in Baltimore. I do not know if that is because of the issue of 'fitting' under the Key Bridge or not. BUT because of the ridiculous fees for luggage, water, etc. we have agreed that we are going to take at least one cruise out of Baltimore. Probably the Celebrity ship.

I have heard only good things about the new Port since it opened.

For that money she can fly to florida and get better ports than just Bermuda. Maybe it's the novelty of the new year round market.

Maybe more ports than just Bermuda but not necessarily better than Bermuda.:);):)

just priced it. Its cheaper from Baltimore.

 

baltimore

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New Jersey

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I'm so going to miss the Majesty when she retires this year. And to date, NCL has no plans to replace her sailings out of Baltimore. :(

RCL prices are outrageous. $799 for an inside cabin on a 5 day cruise? For our cruise this June, on the Majesty sailing out of Baltimore, we paid just around $1000 for a 7 day cruise in a suite!

Hope Carnivals prices are more competitive as I agree with others that it will be cheaper to fly to FL and sail from there, even though I love cruising from a port that's 20 minutes from my house.

CG

I will be cruising out of Baltimore. We went to Bermuda on Grandeur in June of 2007 and it was a great experience. Easy getting on and off the ship. We were home in 40 minutes. We try sailing out of New Jersey and taking a bus up there. It was the bus ride from h---. We have an August cruise out of Baltimore to Bermuda on Norweign planned. I too would like to save airfare and hotels costs.

I'm so going to miss the Majesty when she retires this year. And to date, NCL has no plans to replace her sailings out of Baltimore. :(

 

RCL prices are outrageous. $799 for an inside cabin on a 5 day cruise? For our cruise this June, on the Majesty sailing out of Baltimore, we paid just around $1000 for a 7 day cruise in a suite!

 

Hope Carnivals prices are more competitive as I agree with others that it will be cheaper to fly to FL and sail from there, even though I love cruising from a port that's 20 minutes from my house.

 

CG

I agree about the pricing of RCCL out of Baltimore - that is probably the main reason we have never done it. But I think the NCL, Carnival and Celebrity prices are very realistic and will do one of those. We are not doing anything right now as DH is on short term disability which meant using up all of his leave.:(

RCL prices are outrageous. $799 for an inside cabin on a 5 day cruise?

CG

Anything under $1,000pp sounds cheap to me!

Anything under $1,000pp sounds cheap to me!

For a 5 day cruise in an inside room? To each his own for sure, but I think that's exorbitant. Especially considering I'm sailing in a suite for 7 days for that $1000 price. 2 extra days, breakfast and lunch in specialty restaurants, butler, concierge etc. That's a lot of perks for an additional $200.

CG

I mostly agree with her. We live on the Eastern Shore and I have never been interested in wasting most of the cruise "getting there". By the time you "get to where you want to be" you have to turn around and come back.

That depends on whether you consider the ship to be transportation or vacation. The ship is where we want to be. I would never take a cruise that had a port every day. All the cruises we have taken from Florida have had a couple sea days to start as well, so sailing out of Baltimore is no different in that respect.

My sister just priced out the 5 night out of Baltimore next July vs. out of FLL this year. And next year is $300/pp more expensive.

 

For that money she can fly to florida and get better ports than just Bermuda. Maybe it's the novelty of the new year round market.

You'll probably find that if you could look up what this year's fares were advertised at a year ago, they were quite a bit higher then as well.

We booked a cruise departing Baltimore for August 2009, and got a good deal I think..Admittedly we did book 2 Superior interiors- same size as ocean view but no window. The same itinerary form NY or Jersey MUCH more money for our family of 5.

I hope this was a good choice- we will be on the Majesty a small ship on it's last months.

I have to find out about parking, and if I have to I will have Maryland relatives drive and pick us up. they are 30mins away.

If this works out I would book out of Maryland again, we have been driving to Florida up til now. A lot closer to NY!

We booked a cruise departing Baltimore for August 2009, and got a good deal I think..Admittedly we did book 2 Superior interiors- same size as ocean view but no window. The same itinerary form NY or Jersey MUCH more money for our family of 5.

I hope this was a good choice- we will be on the Majesty a small ship on it's last months.

I have to find out about parking, and if I have to I will have Maryland relatives drive and pick us up. they are 30mins away.

If this works out I would book out of Maryland again, we have been driving to Florida up til now. A lot closer to NY!

Beware that on the Majesty they have superiors that are not as advertised...

From a post from Awinkler...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=838627&page=2

"On cruisestateroom.com, there are a few cabins that are considered Superior, but they are still the 108 sq. ft. Don't ask me why.

What was your cabin number if you don't mind me asking. Maybe your cabin was a Superior that's only 108 sq. ft.

Here's what cruisestateroom.com says about Superior Cabins:

On Decks: Promenade, Majesty, Biscayne, Caribbean

Two convertible lower beds to queen-size, TV, hairdryer, shower.

Average size: 145 Sq.Ft.

Note: Cabins 6001, 6002, 6003, 6004, 6005, 6006 and 7001 and 7003 are 108 sq. feet. "

Still a great cruise!!!!

Mike