Sailing out of Baltimore

[twangster]

16 hours ago, gottagoacruzn said:

Ok Voyager, how far is Baltimore from the Chesapeake Bay, an does Rcl meet you at the airport? So many questions.

 

BWI airport is relatively close to the port of Baltimore.  I usually stay at an airport hotel (cheaper) and take a ride share to the port in the morning.  Roughly 9 miles, 15 minutes and Lyft was $16 in 2017 when I last sailed Lady G.  

Edited May 30, 2019 by twangster

[Cruiser_1977]

@gottagoacruzn here are two maps. 1) Illustrates the 20-30 minute drive from BWI (Baltimore Washington Airport) to the Port of Baltimore. 2) Shows the route from the port to the Atlantic(follow the ships) 🙂

 

 

Edited May 30, 2019 by JennyB1977

[island lady]

3 hours ago, boscobeans said:

Baltimore is a great port. There are plenty of things to do and see near it as well as lots of hotels. Nothing right at the port but lots nearby.

 

The Grandeur is one of our favorite ships which like a well broken in pair of shoes is just so comfortable with a great crew.

 

Sound like my love for sister ship Enchantment...just not "stretched".  😉   I do miss the EN here in PC.  😞 

Looking forward to Grandeur...thanks for the info!  🙂 

[SRF]

5 hours ago, birdylady said:

We just got off Grandeur earlier this month. The ship was amazing as was the crew.  We made a point of watching as we sailed over the tunnel (both ways).  There were no headlights going into the tunnel as there were police cars on each side stopping traffic as we went over the tunnel. Thought that was very interesting.  We wondered if they do this for ALL ships or certain ones. We assumed it was for safety sake.

Erika

 

I noticed that they did this on our return into the Bay in April.

 

I am not awake for the crossing out bound. 🙂

 

[gottagoacruzn]

Hi guys, thanks for all the info!!! Now how about places to stay around the port? Inquiring minds still want to know.

 

Virginia

[SRF]

13 hours ago, gottagoacruzn said:

Hi guys, thanks for all the info!!! Now how about places to stay around the port? Inquiring minds still want to know.

 

Virginia

 

Just overnight?  Or are you going to stay a few days?   Driving or flying in?

 

For some time, look into the Inner Harbor to Fell's Point area.  Lots of hotels, lots of things to do.

 

If you fly in and just want overnight, probably the airport hotels will be best.  Check to see if they will give you a shuttle ride to the port (not very far).  There is also a large mall (Arundal Mills) with a casino nearby for evening activities.

 

If driving, there are some local hotels with park and cruise packages.  You leave your car there and they shuttle you back and forth if you stay in the hotel.

[Robinhill]

On 5/29/2019 at 7:23 PM, gottagoacruzn said:

Hi guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but is there an ocean near Baltimore Maryland? I've seen a cruise for Nov 9th, of next yr on the Grandeur Ots, its a 11 day cruise round trip out of Baltimore. Been scratchin my head after I saw that sailing. Anybody got any answers? Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

Virginia

LOL Yes Virginia- once out of the Chesapeake Bay, you are in the Atlantic Ocean.  I cruise out of Baltimore about two times a year and I love it!  I live 15 minutes from the port.  Have a great time.  It is super easy to embark in Baltimore- in line for 10 minutes then you are on the ship.  Super organized.

[JTBCruiser]

On 5/29/2019 at 8:37 PM, Wildcatfish said:

The port in Baltimore, "Cruise Maryland" is friendly and very efficient.  Easy embarkation/debarkation.  Sailing through the Chesapeake is very nice.  Grandeur sails under several bridges... and over the Chesapeake Bay Tunnel.  It's quite a sight, especially at night, seeing cars on a bridge that suddenly go down into the tunnel under the bay.

 

100% agree.

[Homosassa]

I guess someone didn't pay attention in history class. Either the information about Baltimore Clipper ships or the circumstances of the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner" passed right over their head.

[watson61]

2 hours ago, Robinhill said:

LOL Yes Virginia- once out of the Chesapeake Bay, you are in the Atlantic Ocean.  I cruise out of Baltimore about two times a year and I love it!  I live 15 minutes from the port.  Have a great time.  It is super easy to embark in Baltimore- in line for 10 minutes then you are on the ship.  Super organized.

I love sailing out of Baltimore - as others have said, it's very easy and organized.  I was on the same cruise as birdylady (Hi, Erika!) and had a great time.  It was my first time on Grandeur and my second sailing out of Baltimore (the first was on Enchantment).  I wish Royal had more sailings from that port but I realize the new ships are way too big.  Can you imagine Allure et al. trying to make it under that bridge?  

 

Carol

[Tatka]

We've done Christmas/New year 12 nights Southern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore last two years.

It was great! I wish Royal Caribbean kept them rather than splitting them into two Bahamas cruises.

But we will be on Lady G next year for Easter.

Only 6.5 hours from our hometown.

 

Great port.. great ship. I wish Radiance class ships could sail from Baltimore too, but it is not possible yet.

[TravelerThom]

1 hour ago, Tatka said:

...I wish Radiance class ships could sail from Baltimore too, but it is not possible yet.

Radiance class ships CAN sail from Baltimore (they just don’t).

 

[Tatka]

Well... it is good. At least it gives us hope that when Vision class is sold there will be a RCCL ship sailing out of Baltimore.

[5xGrandma]

On 5/30/2019 at 10:36 AM, 5xGrandma said:

On that day there was a tractor trailer that spilled his load in the tunnel and they had to close it for about 12 hours.  Sailing over the tunnel has no effect on the cars going thru the tunnel.

I don;t know why it was down a second time. but they regularly monitor the traffic and I do know that they do not regularly stop traffic because a ship is going over. 

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We have sailed the Grandeur 7 times, Enchantment twice, 1 time on the Pride, and twice on the Celebrity Mercury from Baltimore.  I have never seen the police stop traffic over the Bay Bridge tunnel.  They do have issues from time to time.  I have not always been out on the deck looking--but never heard anyone discussing it in the lounge.  Passengers often discuss the bridges.  FWIW

[tunisbridal]

Baltimore is so easy to park as well. Parking right next to pier. Pull in and drop off luggage.  Grab your car in the way out and they have luggage spots to load your car

[Artemus]

Ive also sailed out of Baltimore a bunch of times. When you enter the parking lot you get in line with your car and drop off your luggage and then drive through and pay and then you park. I always roll my luggage out to the car after the cruise.

[Pumbaamd]

Here is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Annapolis,  from the deck of Grandeur headed south.

Deirdra and Rick

[MalteseMama2]

On 5/30/2019 at 9:42 AM, island lady said:

Wow...did not know that about the port in Baltimore...so cool!!  I love those long transfers before you hit the open ocean.  Tampa is another example, and love to see the Sunshine Skyway bridge all lit up when we pass underneath.  So much to see versus just open ocean.  

 

Looking forward to our first visit to Baltimore, and our first time aboard the Grandeur on our B2B next September!  🙂 

You will love Grandeur. We have sailed on her 3 times. The port is so easy for driving to and leaving. The crew is wonderful! And sailing through the Bay is fun.

[island lady]

5 hours ago, MalteseMama2 said:

You will love Grandeur. We have sailed on her 3 times. The port is so easy for driving to and leaving. The crew is wonderful! And sailing through the Bay is fun.

 

Sooo much looking forward to it.  Thanks!!  🙂 

 

And icing on the cake...not only first time to Baltimore, first time on Grandeur, but we also turn Pinnie on last day.  🤗

[SRF]

7 hours ago, MalteseMama2 said:

You will love Grandeur. We have sailed on her 3 times. The port is so easy for driving to and leaving. The crew is wonderful! And sailing through the Bay is fun.

 

No, no, NO.

 

Grandeur is HORRIBLE.  No one should book any cruise on the old, tired ship with nothing to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come on, we don't want everyone learning the secret.  She sails full almost every cruise already. 😄😄 😄

 

4 cruises on Grandeur, 2 more booked. 😄

 

[biomedbob]

Thanks.  Worst ship in the fleet.  Our 104th cruise in November.  Hope to get an empty ship due to the bad reviews!