Cruising Through Comebacks: Baltimore Sets Sail Again

Baltimore is back on the map — not just for history buffs or crab cake lovers, but for cruise fans itching to sail the high seas without flying to Florida first.

After a rocky spring, the Port of Baltimore has bounced back in a big way, proving resilience runs deep in Charm City’s harbor.

From Disaster to Departure: A Port Reawakens

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragically collapsed in March 2024 — after a container ship lost power and struck a support column — it wasn’t just a traffic nightmare. The port itself was paralyzed, and cruise operations were frozen in time.

But fast-forward just 11 weeks, and the port was back in action. Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas led the charge with a Memorial Day weekend departure to Bermuda, followed closely by Carnival Pride setting course for Greenland and Canada.

As Port Executive Director Jonathan Daniels put it simply:

“Cruising is back.”

Why It Matters: Big Bucks, Big Impact

Baltimore isn’t just a gateway to fun—it’s a serious economic engine. In 2023 alone, over 444,000 passengers passed through its cruise terminal. That helped generate $70 billion in revenue and supported more than 51,000 jobs across Maryland.

Cruising here isn’t just about vacations—it’s about livelihoods.

Royal Caribbean Says Goodbye (For Now)

In a move that stung a little, Royal Caribbean announced it’ll pull out of Baltimore in late 2026. The issue? The Vision of the Seas is currently the only ship in their fleet small enough to fit under the bridges leading to the port. And without a replacement plan, they're heading to Fort Lauderdale instead.

Locals and cruisers alike were bummed:

“Hope the port can backfill…”
“Maybe they'll return once we get a new bridge.”

Carnival Doubles Down on Baltimore

Not all the cruise news is bittersweet. Carnival Cruise Line is all in, committing to year-round 3 day cruises from baltimore through at least 2027.

The beloved Carnival Pride will continue offering dreamy getaways to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and more—making sure Baltimore still has plenty of options for sun-soaked escapes.