MyPortofBaltimore

I'm not sure why they kept the American Diner during the Joy's refurbishment. To a Chinese person, it would be a unique dining experience. Now that Joy's home is the U.S., and most passengers are Americans and Canadians, having an "American Diner" is no longer a unique experience (especially at those prices). 

What do you recommend in terms of clothing for an Alaskan cruise?

Thank you for the review!

How was the food in the main dining rooms? Also, how was the weather? I've heard that this is an unusually warm summer for Alaska. I sail in two weeks and would like to plan accordingly. 

I think I remember seeing you an your mom at crafts one day (I was on the same cruise).

I was in the party with two teenage girls and attended craft class every day.

I have sailed out of Baltimore on Carnival Pride and enjoyed both the port facilities (but, watch out for the police when one comes off of I-95 North), the sailaway, and the sailing through the Bay. It's worth being awake when one is nearing/at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel!

 

I have never understood why Norfolk seems so underused as a cruise homeport. Closer to the Atlantic than Baltimore. Personal thought: not having used this port as a departure port, is it not as well designed and with parking potential issues as compared to Baltimore?

 

I do agree with the OP's original premise: mixing up the ship and itinerary offerings from Baltimore would make sailings for experienced cruisers from there more attractive.

I have always wondered why Norfolk was never used as a cruise port either. I'm sure there's a perfectly legitimate reason, so Baltimore is about the only choice between Bayonne and Charleston.

I've sailed out of Baltimore three times and one of my favorite things is to see how close the top of the ship comes to the Key Bridge deck.

Yep, that's always fun. I always miss the one at the end of the Bay. It's usually night by the time the ship hits that point.

The MPA is always looking and talking to other cruise lines. The obsticle we have are our bridges at The Key and Bay Bridges. With an air draft of 185 ft the port can handle only a certain class of cruise ship.

I've heard that same thing, and it's a bit disappointing. However, all cruise lines seem to have older, smaller ships in their fleets that would suffice. NCL, like RCI and Carnival, has a large fleet with many smaller ships.

Thank you to all the answers. I will be making a note of all the info I collect so if there are any other comments, tips, etc. keep them coming. ;)

I just got off the Grandeur, so I can answer a few questions:

Are there Freestyle soda machines, and the location. Yes, and they're located around the ship in places like the Windjammer and the pool deck.

Where can I find fresh squeezed orange juice? The Windjammer has a small station where you can squeze your own.

Where can I get specialty coffees? Cafe Latte-Tudes offers some Starbucks staples and other assorted pastries. It is located off of the Centrum near the small art gallery. It's either floor 5 or 6.

As of March 12th, I have officially sailed on both of the ships that call Baltimore their home port; the Carnival Pride and the RC Grandeur of the Seas. Both ships have their strengths and weaknesses, but overall, I am glad that people living in the D.C./Baltimore/Pennsylvania/NoVA area have a port close enough to drive to. However, I would like to try even more cruises from Baltimore. At one time, I think Princess Cruises also operated out of Baltimore, but that doesn't happen anymore. When, and if, do you guys think that Baltimore will receive another home port ship?

Personally, I think NCL may do well there. That would give Baltimore one of each of the "Big 3".

Was on this sailing. It was interesting to say the least. Got "caught" in the storm at Cococay. It was fun. Was sad when they closed the beaches AFTER the first storm because a second storm was coming in (it never did), but there wasn't any urgency to get passengers off the island. Was kind of hoping we would get stranded on the island.

I was on the boat during that storm. The wind blew the ship 180 degrees, so that was interesting.

I wonder why, at least before the gangway was destroyed, Grandeur of the Seas allows wheelchairs to embark and disembark on level 1 (or A) in Baltimore, but not Pride.

I just disembarked from the RC Grandeur today. The missing gangplank didn't seem to impede entry or exit from the boat.

I just got off Grandeur. Some of the shows included acts such as:

-Ty Shipps (comedian): Not very good

-Tony Tillman (singer and dancer): Good if you're into older music

-Brad Cummings (an excellent ventriloquist): EXTREMELY entertaining!

-Craig Meyers (Elton John impersonator): Just OK

-Doug the Piano Bar Guy: Terrible singer

-Fresh Beat (Centrum Band): Just OK

-Grandeur of the Seas Dancers and Orchestra

I can't remember the names of the Grandeur of the Seas in-house singers and dancers (the names Ariana, Stephanie, Jason, Luke, and Jonas come to mind), but some were definitely better than others. If anyone has their full names, I could give further impressions.

Getting ready to go next week---- wondering what "brands" of slots are on board.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just got off of the Grandeur. Most of the slots are "penny slots" (with a mandatory 25, 40, 50 cent minimum bet). They also have the usual card tables, cash claw games, coin dozers, etc.

We will be doing our second Grandeur cruise in November .I love the ship.

We'll be on the same cruise!

Thank you for the reviewing! I will be sailing on the Grandeur this May.

Are there any "must-have" dishes that I should try out from the MDR?