Baltimore Get Ready!!

[lv2snorkel]

:p Got a call from my PVP this am stating the the Pride will start sailing from Baltimore 9/09. Itn. will be Bahamas as well as a stop at Pt. Canaveral.

[ColoRockiesFan]

Carnival Cruise Lines to Introduce Baltimore's First Year-Round Cruise Program in September 2009
Thursday June 5, 11:44 am ET

MIAMI, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.

The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port.


Baltimore's first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.

It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports - the most of any cruise operator.

"We're thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride, a truly magnificent 'Fun Ship' that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America's most historic cities," said Gerry Cahill, Carnival's president and CEO. "Today's consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day's drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option," he added.

"This is tremendous news for the Port of Baltimore and our State," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. "Year-round cruising will allow the 40 million people that live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore to look beyond the traditional cruising seasons and sail throughout the year. Carnival Cruise Lines is internationally recognized as one of the finest cruise ship operators in the industry and we are happy to welcome their 'Fun Ship' to Maryland."

Year-Round Cruising From Baltimore
Carnival Pride's year-round seven-day cruises from Baltimore will visit popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.
Carnival Pride's Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of watersports opportunities, along with a children's aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chain's second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities.

Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Florida's Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the area's gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary.

Special Six-Day Voyage from Baltimore
Prior to the start-up of year-round seven-day cruises, Carnival Pride will operate a special one-time six-day departure round-trip from Baltimore September 7-13, 2009. Featured ports on this voyage include Freeport and Port Canaveral.

Reservations

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Pride's new departures from Baltimore. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways and pre- and post-cruise Baltimore land stays, are also available.



Source: Carnival Cruise Lines

[SpacemanSpiff]

[quote name='kgerkin']Yes, thank you. I just booked for July 2010. Love planning ahead!

Karen[/quote]

How did you do that? I can't seem to pull up anything on these trips on the Carnival website (no surprise, since they're not the swiftest at updating, but....)

[jpg1747]

While I'm happy that Carnival will cruise from Baltimore on a year-round basis (the port is less than an hour from home for me), I cannot say I'm as thrilled with the ports. I've done Grand Turk twice and while it's a lovely little island, there's not much there that will get me back. I don't care if I ever set foot in the Bahamas again. If I took this cruise, it would be the equivalent of a transatlantic crossing because I don't see any reason to ever get off the ship. However, if it's cheap enough, I might consider doing it. I was hoping for a Bermuda stop to compete with RCCL and NCL.

[KroozFoolz]

I wonder why they didn't mix it up a bit with alternating 6 and 8 day cruises.

[pungo3]

Well, I love the Pride so I will definitely do this cruise. I have to say, I will stay on the ship and forget the ports. That doesn't bother me one bit since the real vacation for me is being on the ship. Thanks for posting this information.

[cruiselover00029]

The itinerary is not that great but hey its a cruise and I have never been on the Pride. 20 minutes from home start to finish to get to the port. Guess what cruise I am now planning for next year?????

[Carnival Game]

Well, I love the Pride so I will definitely do this cruise. I have to say, I will stay on the ship and forget the ports. That doesn't bother me one bit since the real vacation for me is being on the ship. Thanks for posting this information.

 

Unfortunately, there's hardly any activities planned when the ship is in port.

[CatgirlNC]

We are driving to Baltimore in August to see a Red Sox-Orioles game, so it will be a good "test run" to determine if that's a reasonable driving distance for a possible future cruise.

 

I've already been to Nassau and Freeport, but I would definitely do the Turks & Caicos and Half Moon Cay itinerary. And I'm sure I would love the Pride, since I've already been on (and enjoyed) Miracle.

 

Now if only Carnival would sail out of Chaarleston, SC more than twice a year....

[Sirwinston]

Goodbye Pride: I am going to miss seeing sail away every Sunday :(

I really enjoyed the 7 days I spent aboard you. But sadder will be not seeing you sailing out of Long Beach. Sometimes from those 12 large windows in Sir Winston's restaurant when you did leave late. Most of the time I got to see you sailing away either as I drove to work or as I walked across the Queen Mary Parking lot.

 

I will just have to soften the pain with a cruise on the Splendor :D

 

Aint homeland cruising great...

 

Tom in Long Beach

[Sirwinston]

Perhaps John Waters will feature Carnival Pride in one of his movies. Perhaps an updated version of "an affair to remember" ;)

 

Tom in Long Beach

[lives to cruise]

Perhaps John Waters will feature Carnival Pride in one of his movies. Perhaps an updated version of "an affair to remember" ;)

 

Tom in Long Beach

 

 

Ohhhhhhh, I would love to be in that. That is one of my all time favorites although John Waters is a little ...... strange! LOL

 

Tom, please tell me about the Pride. I just booked cabin 5188. I was told that is shows as a partially obstructed veranda but in actuality you have to look down to see the life boats. Is this true??

[madelinerose]

:D :D :D

 

 

Perhaps John Waters will feature Carnival Pride in one of his movies. Perhaps an updated version of "an affair to remember" ;) Tom in Long Beach