Page 28 - Port of Baltimore Magazine January/February 2016

[26] The Port of Baltimore ■ January/February 2017
REPORT 2016
Cruise
In 2016, the Port of Baltimore continued to be a very popular cruise port for people from up and down the East Coast and into the Midwest. In Carnival and Royal Caribbean, Baltimore offers two of the world’s best- known and most successful cruise lines sailing year-round to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean and New England/ Canada. Last year, Baltimore offered 94 homeport and 10 port calls.
In October 2016, the Port of Baltimore handled 16 cruise ship arrivals, including seven port calls. That was more cruise ship arrivals in one month than any other month ever. In addition to Carnival and Royal Caribbean, the Cruise Maryland Terminal also welcomed the Crystal Serenity, Azamara Quest, Europa 2, Silver Explorer, Balmoral, AIDA Mar and AIDA Luna.
With the Cruise Maryland Terminal optimally positioned immediately off Interstate 95, Baltimore regularly attracts cruisers who can drive from neighboring states to reach their ships. It is very common to see vehicles arriving from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC, and even Ohio. In addition to being an excellent drive-to port, Baltimore also benefits from having three Class A airports bringing people in from all over the world.
Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have recently
made significant upgrades to their Baltimore-based ships. The upgrades include renovated staterooms and new restaurants and entertainment options. The renovations give the ships an entirely different look and feel.
The Maryland Port Administration is making several improvements to the Cruise Maryland Terminal. Expanded bathroom facilities, new carpeting, a new VIP lounge, a new PA system
with monitors and new ticket kiosks are all among the changes. Also, the breezeway leading from the terminal to the ship is now enclosed to better protect passengers from inclement weather. In 2017, a new waiting area for passengers will be completed.
With an ideal geographic placement within the third-largest U.S. consumer market and located in
a state with the highest median household income, cruising from the Port of Baltimore continues to be a very viable option. 􏰀
211,124+ Passengers
KATHY BERGREN SMITH