The town of Baltimore may not appear to be a typical location for a cruise port, however the Baltimore Cruise Port handles over half one million cruise passengers per 12 months.
It’s an necessary departure level for cruises headed for the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, New England, and the Atlantic coast of Canada. Study all about downtown Baltimore’s cruise port with this information.
Baltimore Cruise Port Location and Tackle
Baltimore Cruise Port is located alongside the Patapsco River in Winans Cove. Not solely does this permit cruise ships to simply make their method to and from the North Atlantic Ocean, nevertheless it additionally implies that visiting cruise passengers are simply 3 miles from Baltimore, Maryland’s downtown core.
The situation is good for these hoping to go to the town’s fundamental sights earlier than boarding. Its proximity to a global airport and main highways additionally makes the cruise port accessible for these touring from out of state.
In case you are planning on driving to the port, you’ll be able to merely put the next handle into your most well-liked navigation app:
Baltimore Cruise Port Tackle:
Cruise Maryland Terminal, 2001 East McComas Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21230, United States
Historical past of the Cruise Port
Whereas the Port of Baltimore dates again to 1706, the historical past of the Baltimore Cruise Port is far youthful. Within the early 2000s, the town of Baltimore and the state of Maryland recognized the potential financial advantages that cruise tourism would carry to the cash-strapped metropolis.
Beginning within the late Nineteen Fifties and intensifying by means of the Eighties and ‘90s, Baltimore suffered severe financial penalties from deindustrialization.
Within the early 2000s, the town started searching for methods to revitalize the world and inject cash and jobs into the town. With the Port of Baltimore being a nationally necessary transport hub and one of many metropolis’s employment mainstays, it solely made sense that the waterways might additionally cater to the wants of cruise ships.
Not solely would internet hosting cruise ships assist create jobs and inject cash into the world, however it might additionally create a serious tourism increase in a metropolis that had develop into seen as a reasonably undesirable vacation spot.
Building of a devoted cruise port started shortly after, with the port starting cruise operations in early 2004. Because of the town’s strategic location alongside the Atlantic Coast and the deep waters of the Patapsco River.
It’s doable for cruise ships to make their method to the town, and it has since grown to develop into a well-liked departure level for cruises sure for the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and even Canada and New England.
Baltimore Cruise Port Piers and Terminal
As talked about, Baltimore Cruise Port incorporates a single terminal referred to as the Cruise Maryland Terminal. It was designed to offer all visiting cruise passengers with a cushty and hassle-free expertise.
The cruise terminal is definitely a transformed 65,000 sq. ft. former paper warehouse, additional demonstrating how the port revitalized an space that jobs had left.
Whereas the Baltimore Cruise Port started operations in 2004, the terminal constructing was opened in 2006, with main modernization efforts happening in 2014.
Presently, there are not any plans to increase the port or the terminal constructing, however it’s nonetheless able to dealing with almost 500,000 cruise passengers per 12 months, serving to to inject greater than $65 million into Baltimore’s economic system. The port additionally employs over 400 folks, offering full-time jobs in a metropolis the place financial stability is far wanted.
Relatively than being constructed round a pier, the cruise port has a single cruise ship berth, which permits a full-sized cruise ship to drag alongside the terminal constructing.
Whereas a pier sits instantly in entrance of the cruise ship berth, this pier shouldn’t be used for docking cruise ships. As a substitute, it’s used to deal with provides for visiting cruise ships and docking the port’s tugboats and different smaller vessels.
Listed below are simply among the options and amenities the terminal is outfitted with:
Test-in and Safety Counters
The Cruise Maryland Terminal Constructing options a number of check-in counters, making certain a fast and environment friendly boarding course of. There’s a tented space simply outdoors the terminal marked “Cruise Baggage Tags” the place passengers can weigh and tag their baggage, additional serving to to make sure the check-in line strikes shortly.
Ready Areas and Restrooms
Though the terminal constructing is pretty primary, there’s a spacious and air-conditioned ready space outfitted with comfy seating, so passengers can move the time till their embarkation time. Absolutely accessible restroom amenities are additionally out there all through the terminal constructing.
Data Desk
A primary data desk staffed by representatives of the cruise ship that’s at present docked sits contained in the terminal constructing, and the useful employees can help you when you have questions in regards to the boarding course of or the rest associated to your cruise.
Baggage Dealing with
Tagged baggage could be delivered to the bags dealing with service desk. Whereas tipping is very really useful, they may present complimentary baggage dealing with for cruise friends who arrive in time.
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is supplied all through the constructing, however friends have a 30-minute time restrict earlier than they should sign up once more. Sadly, it may be fairly gradual, particularly if the terminal is crowded if you attempt to join.
2014 Terminal Upgrades
Regardless that the terminal constructing was solely accomplished in 2006, it was topic to a serious renovation challenge in October and November 2014. The development challenge centered on enhancing passenger move administration with higher safety screening and baggage dealing with providers and increasing the seating space.
Whereas the challenge was a little bit of a disturbance, it was a testomony to the truth that demand for cruises departing from Baltimore was excessive and the choice to introduce a cruise port to the town was a serious success.
Cruise Traces that Go to Baltimore Cruise Port and The place They Dock
A number of main cruise traces frequent Baltimore Cruise Port and provide a variety of itineraries alongside the Atlantic Seaboard and past.
For the reason that port solely has a single berth, all cruise ships, whatever the cruise line they belong to, dock on the similar spot.
Simply be sure you fastidiously test your embarkation time and commonly test for updates along with your cruise line earlier than departure, because the port solely permits touring cruise passengers to enter two hours earlier than their embarkation time.
Listed below are the cruise traces that function out of Baltimore Cruise Port and among the itineraries they provide:
- Royal Caribbean Worldwide: Often sails from Baltimore Cruise Port to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, and New England
- Norwegian Cruise Line: They provide New England and Canada itineraries from Baltimore
- Carnival Cruise Line: Presents cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, and a number of other Caribbean itineraries
- American Cruise Line: Smaller cruise ship excursions alongside the East Coast to Chesapeake Bay
Parking at Baltimore Cruise Port
When the cruise port was within the design part, parking was a precedence. Understanding that the overwhelming majority of cruise passengers can be touring to the port from outdoors of Baltimore, the design crew wished to make sure that guests might simply discover in a single day parking. For that reason, the comparatively small cruise port options two on-site parking tons.
Right here’s a breakdown of parking amenities and what you’ll be able to count on should you use one of many two official tons that sit to both aspect of the Cruise Maryland Terminal Constructing:
- Reservations: Not required, merely arrive on the terminal and you’ll be allowed to park
- Safety: 24/7 on-site safety and patrols for each parking tons
- Parking Charges: $20 per evening for normal passenger automobiles. $40 per evening for RVs below 30’ and $50 per evening for RVs over 30’
- Cost Choices: Main bank cards (Visa, MasterCard, Uncover and American Categorical)
- Disabled Parking Choices: There are quite a few disabled parking spots for these with legitimate permits or disabled parking tags
Off-Website Parking Tons
Till August 1st, 2024, parking was solely $15 per evening for normal passenger automobiles, however the worth was elevated to assist handle demand. As a result of rising prices, some close by off-site parking amenities have begun providing extra aggressive charges and complimentary shuttles to the port.
In case you are wanting to save cash, otherwise you require parking for an extended length, we suggest the next close by personal parking tons and garages:
On Air Parking
With charges beginning at simply $3.50 per day and free cancellations as much as the day earlier than your cruise, On Air Parking provides a much more budget-friendly various to the port’s official parking tons.
Regardless of these low costs, they even present a free shuttle service to the port. They’ll even refund you should you discover cheaper parking after reserving a spot.
Since that is essentially the most reasonably priced possibility within the space, you’ll want to reserve your spot early, because the lot fills up quick, particularly throughout peak journey season.
Premium Parking P2345
Positioned 0.6 miles from port, Premium Parking is an efficient possibility if the cruise port tons are full. Whereas this not often happens outdoors peak journey season, it’s all the time good to have a backup possibility.
In a single day 24-hour charges are $20, so the identical as you’d pay on the port, however it’s a lined parking storage. You too can reserve your spot forward of time, which could be useful to keep away from any confusion on the day of your cruise.
Touring from Close by Airports
Baltimore Cruise Port is accessible from two main airports. In case you are planning on flying in from elsewhere, you should use the next instructions to get to the port:
Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Since Baltimore’s fundamental airport is simply 10.6 miles southwest of the port, that is the place the overwhelming majority of cruise passengers will fly into. Fortunately, it’s very easy and reasonably priced to journey between the 2.
Taxis are available on the airport and don’t have to be booked forward of time. Journey by taxi takes roughly 20 minutes, however go away additional time should you arrive round rush hour.
Taxis additionally provide a $30 flat charge from BWI to the Cruise Terminal and vice versa. The flat charge applies whatever the variety of passengers, so it is rather reasonably priced.
Uber and Lyft function in Baltimore, so you too can test charges if you arrive. Simply watch out about surge charges should you arrive round rush hour, or throughout peak journey season.
Should you want to take public transit and save a bit of cash, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) supplies a light-weight rail service from BWI to downtown Baltimore.
With a number of stations within the downtown core, you’ll be able to then stroll or cab to the port. Amtrak BWI additionally operates a prepare between the airport and Baltimore’s Penn Station, lower than 5 miles from the port.
When you’ve got rented a automobile and like to drive your self, you’ll be able to comply with these instructions:
- Get on the I-195 West from Stoney Run Street. Proceed for two.2 miles
- Take exit 2A for MD-295 North and proceed for 8.7 miles
- Take exit 55 in direction of Key Freeway. Search for indicators for the Ft McHenry Nationwide Monument and Baltimore Cruise Port
- Merge onto East McComas Road and arrive at your vacation spot
Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA)
DCA is positioned roughly 42.7 miles southwest of the port. Whereas it appears a bit distant, touring between the 2 is definitely pretty easy, with loads of choices for cruise passengers arriving at DCA.
Whereas taxis are available on the airport, journey time will take roughly an hour, relying on site visitors. Sadly, there isn’t a flat charge for taxis, so you’ll have to negotiate along with your driver or pay the meter charge.
With that stated, most taxi drivers will present one-way journey to the port for about $75, so it isn’t overly costly should you can cut up prices.
Should you use Uber or Lyft, you too can test prices forward of time, as DCA has a delegated pickup zone for rideshare automobiles close to the arrivals space.
You too can take the Metrorail from DCA to Union Station in downtown Washington, D.C., then switch to the Amtrak prepare to Baltimore’s Penn Station.
Whereas it seems like a trouble getting there, it offers you the choice to take a low-cost taxi to the port from the station. Fares are solely $2 for a one-way single journey on the Metrorail, so it’s an reasonably priced method to get to Baltimore from Washington.
In case you are planning on driving from DCA to Baltimore Cruise Port, use the next instructions:
- From the DCA, get on the I-395 North and proceed for two miles
- Take exit 2B for State Freeway 295 North in direction of US-50 and proceed for 28 miles
- Take the exit for I-95 North in direction of New York and proceed for 1.2 miles
- Take exit 55 in direction of Key Freeway. Search for indicators for the Ft McHenry Nationwide Monument and Baltimore Cruise Port
- Merge onto East McComas Road and arrive at Baltimore Cruise Port
The best way to Get to Baltimore Cruise Port
Even if you’re not arriving at one of many airports that service Baltimore Cruise Port, touring to the port from different elements of the town and past is extremely simple. The next are simply among the choices you may have at your disposal:
By Taxi
As talked about, taxis are extensively out there all through Baltimore, together with on the airport, in entrance of motels, and close to all the favored vacationer spots.
Charges are reasonably priced, and so they present cruise passengers with a extra direct method to attain the port. For the reason that port has a delegated taxi drop-off space proper close to the entrance entrance, it couldn’t be simpler.
Utilizing Rideshare Companies
Each Lyft and Uber are highly regarded in Baltimore. They are often an reasonably priced various to taking a taxi. They’re additionally helpful when you discover the town, as you’ll be able to set your pickup and drop-off factors earlier than you get within the automobile.
Utilizing Public Transit
The Maryland Transit Administration operates a number of bus routes that join the port to among the main hubs all through Baltimore.
You too can use the Gentle Rail and MARC Prepare providers to get to close by downtown Baltimore, permitting you to take a less expensive taxi experience to the cruise port than should you took one from the town outskirts.
Driving
Driving to Baltimore Cruise Port is de facto easy thanks to obviously marked directional indicators, loads of on-site parking, and close by main highways, just like the I-95 and I-395, offering easy accessibility to the port from outdoors the town.
Eating Close to Baltimore Cruise Port
Not like some bigger cruise ports, Baltimore Cruise Port lacks eating choices. Except for a number of merchandising machines within the Cruise Maryland Terminal Constructing, there are restricted choices for meals and drinks on the port. With that stated, there are some nice choices inside proximity of the port, together with the next:
Samos Greek Island
Positioned lower than half a mile from the cruise port, Samos Greek Island is without doubt one of the closest choices for these searching for a fast chew earlier than they set sail. Not solely is it near the port, they’ve a full menu of scrumptious house-made Greek meals.
With contemporary elements, this Baltimore staple has been serving up hearty plates of genuine Greek meals in Baltimore since 1977. It’s an off-the-cuff spot, and so they additionally provide takeout, which is nice should you’re pressed for time.
Diamondback Brewing Firm
This rustic taproom and microbrewery is a good possibility should you’re trying to pattern a number of native beers earlier than you set sail. Not solely have they got a tremendous menu of distinctive beers, however additionally they have a dine-in menu that options stone-baked pizzas, burgers, and extra.
Provided that Diamondback Brewing Firm is simply half a mile and roughly an 11-minute stroll from the cruise port, it’s a good way to kill a while and set the tone in your cruise trip!
Don Tigre Mexican Delicacies Bar
Get pleasure from a scrumptious menu of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and different genuine Mexican favorites at this stylish restaurant and bar. The enjoyable inside will make you’re feeling like you’re already in a tropical port of name, however you’ll simply be 0.6 miles from the cruise port.
Whether or not you simply wish to kill a while with a number of chilly drinks, otherwise you desire a full meal, Don Tigre Mexican Delicacies Bar is a good possibility.
Whereas the terminal constructing does have a really small reward store, most individuals will look elsewhere for souvenirs, presents, and even last-minute gadgets they want for his or her cruise.
Sadly, the historic Harborplace Mall is altering possession, so a lot of its shops are closed however there are nonetheless nice choices within the metropolis for individuals who wish to do some buying.
Listed below are the very best choices close to the port:
Lexington Market
Positioned roughly 2.9 miles from the port, Lexington Market runs each day of the week apart from Sunday. This massive indoor market dates again to 1782 and options quite a lot of meals stalls, produce stands, memento distributors, and extra. It’s a terrific place to choose up a memento and take within the historical past of the town.
CityCenterDC
If you wish to do some severe buying and you’ve got a little bit of time earlier than your cruise units sail, taking a visit out to CityCenterDC is nicely value your time.
This monumental buying and eating advanced spans greater than 5 metropolis blocks and is taken into account by many to be the most effective buying neighborhoods within the nation.
With luxurious shops, designer boutiques, outlet shops, high-end eating places, and way more, it’s a must-visit vacation spot for buying lovers. Though it’s a 42-mile drive away in Washington, D.C., many individuals embarking from Baltimore Cruise Port will find time for a go to.
Fell’s Level
One of many metropolis’s oldest neighborhoods, Fell’s Level is filled with cozy boutiques, bookstores, eating places, diners, and cafés. Whether or not you’re searching for clothes, antiques, and even just a few studying materials in your cruise, you’ll discover it by strolling round Fell’s Level, simply over 2 miles from the port.
The Greatest Time to Go to Baltimore
Like close by Washington, D.C., Baltimore experiences very totally different climate all through the 4 seasons. Whereas the summer time climate is heat and pretty nice, it may be a bit humid.
Fall brings cooler temperatures, which makes it a nicer time of 12 months to discover the town. The winter can carry snow and chilly temperatures, however that is additionally when the port is its busiest as a result of it’s peak cruise season for the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Bermuda.
Whereas they won’t be the very best months for strolling across the metropolis of Baltimore, the autumn and winter months between late October and early April are the busiest within the Baltimore Cruise Port. Anticipate cooler temperatures and occasional showers, in addition to snow within the mid-winter months.
Learn Additionally: Charleston Cruise Port – Terminal, Overview and What to Do
Irrespective of if you ebook your cruise, simply be sure you test the climate in Baltimore earlier than and after your cruise, and pack not less than one outfit appropriate for the time of 12 months.
As you’ll shortly uncover, the climate in Baltimore could be very totally different from the tropical areas most of the cruise ships that go to its cruise port sail to.
