rjac

Thanks again everyone! Appreciate all of your comments. It's a go for us next year.😎

Since I live in the Baltimore area (if you couldn't guess that from my handle), I've only driven down there (and it's super easy to get in and out).  Like some other posters mentioned, the port handles just one ship at a time and they are on the small size.  That means embarkation and disembarkation should be easy.  I've never cruised out of there but have given people plenty of rides.  Also, like another poster said, it's just off the highway (I-95).  I have seen the parking lot and it looks reasonably close (but have never used it). If you're flying in, it's also about a 15-20 minute drive from BWI.  Because of the (mid-Atlantic) location and ship size, the ships are usually full.  I once heard someone say that it has the nickname of the "Royal Caribbean ATM". 

Technically it isn't the oldest ship in the fleet.  Vision was the most recently built in this class.  That's counter to other classes where the first ship in the fleet names the class.  Back then there was no "class" of ships, it's a concept that came about later and for whatever reason Royal started calling these groupings of ships "Vision class", the last ship built in the group.
More importantly these are the smallest ships in the fleet.  Lacking the onboard real estate for lots of things like zip lines, ice skating rinks and Central Park it's more of a classic cruise experience.  All the core requirements are met, it just doesn't have the latest bells and whistles.  
That's all I need in a cruise so when I sail Vision I still have a great cruise.  

I’m on Visions next year in February.  Was a little hesitant because it’s the oldest ship in the fleet but I’m looking forward to it after hearing from you all and watching the videos.   I was able to get round trip train ticket from Philly to Baltimore for $30.  Not sure how far the train station is from the cruise port.  I’m hoping to take an Uber or Lyft.

Sorry, I need a little clarification on this (mobility challenged, currently walk with a cane due to bad knees, used a scooter on Anthem & will be using one on Oasis, otherwise I'd never get anywhere, but hoping not to have to on Vision next year) - when you say "gain access to the handicap lane" - is that for driving for drop off for checked luggage, or something else? DH and I are traveling from NJ, will come down the day before, stay at a hotel & drive to the port to park there. Is there a way for him to drop me off at a spot I won't have to use the ramps? He can park & walk from there no problem, but it will be easier for me not to have to do that.

We love Baltimore!  It is the quickest and easiest embarkation process we've experienced.  If you're close to the port it is definitely worth considering.

It will be deck 4, and embarking directly into the centrum, not the promenade deck like other home ports.
And due to being in US waters for the length of the Chesapeake, casino (and shops) likely won’t open the first night - and close early the last (between 6-8pm depending on when the ship reaches the Chesapeake again). 

Baltimore port warning.  This has been my experience and of course others may have experienced something different:
embarkation, you will walk ramps from the terminal up to deck 4 or 5 (don’t recall which) unless you can gain access to the handicap lane which goes from the pier level directly onto the ship. it is the same when you disembark,
you Que based on your check in time.  If it is freezing out, know they will keep you in your pen for your embarkation time.  
 
if you gamble the casino I’d not open the first night (or was it super late? I don’t recall exactly)

 
 

Good to know about Tampa, as my other 2024 cruise that’s booked will be from Tampa 

I love sailing out of Baltimore. The port is very easy to get to. It is just off the highway. The check in process is also very smooth.
We returned from a cruise in December to find our car battery dead. Security was there in moments to give us a jump and send us on our way.The staff at the port are very friendly. I also enjoy sailing down the Chesapeake under the bridges. 
We will be sailing out of Baltimore later this week and can update you if there are any changes. 

Thinking about embarking next year on the Vision OTS out of Baltimore. Haven't been out of that port yet and would appreciate comments, both positive & negative, about this port. Specifically, ease to get there, parking, security, condition of the port. Thanks in advance. Here's a health tip for everyone: If you feel like you are hungry, you may just be thirsty. Try drinking a pitcher of margaritas and see how you feel! 😎

When we lived near Baltimore and parked at the port, it was fine, although not covered.  You dropped off luggage, tipped the porter, then paid for parking and parked.  I don't know if it has been updated inside the terminal in the last several years.  We are sailing Sept 24 out of Baltimore to go to Boston, Maine, Nova Scotia, and Halifax.  Looking forward to that trip.  I can tell you that the Junior Suite we had on Vision last year wasn't as fancy as they are on Oasis class ships.  (We typically get an ocean view or balcony stateroom.) We love the Centrum on the Vision class ships, but there isn't as much specialty dining, if that is something you want.  We enjoyed our Chops lunch, and service throughout the ship was great.  I don't think we ever had issues disembarking at Baltimore (six or seven cruises).

Our one trip via Baltimore was easy in/easy out. There are advantages to having just one ship at a time debarking/embarking.

I can only partially speak to Baltimore since my only experience has been debarking from Vision on her repositioning a few weeks ago (but I just booked a trip in January on Vision so I'll have more experience after that). But going through the terminal after debarkation was very smooth, with movement through Customs quite quick, luggage readily available after exiting Customs, and was easy to get picked up by rideshare (though the layout of the parking lot sent my driver to a section of the lot that didn't connect, but not really a fault of the driver/port and more the rideshare mapping). Lots of people on board were from the Baltimore and greater DC/DMV area and praised its convenience and ease to sail from.

Thinking about embarking next year on the Vision OTS out of Baltimore. Haven't been out of that port yet and would appreciate comments, both positive & negative, about this port. Specifically, ease to get there, parking, security, condition of the port. Thanks in advance. Here's a health tip for everyone: If you feel like you are hungry, you may just be thirsty. Try drinking a pitcher of margaritas and see how you feel! 😎

It's really all a matter of respect for the ship, the wait staff and other cruisers. How difficult is it for the men and boys to wear a pair of slacks, golf type shirt and closed toed (dockers, sneakers, deck shoes, etc). For the ladies, something comparable with nice sandals. NO FLIPP FLOPS please! Looking at someone's toes is not appetizing. Oh yes, and if the men/boys want to wear a sport jacket, that's great. Sorry, I'm old school. I remember when tuxedos and suits were required, or you were not allowed in the MDR. Things have changed, for the worse in my opinion. 😎

It's really all a matter of respect for the ship, the wait staff and other cruisers. How difficult is it for the men and boys to wear a pair of slacks, golf type shirt and closed toed (dockers, sneakers, deck shoes, etc). For the ladies, something comparable with nice sandals. NO FLIPP FLOPS please! Looking at someone's toes is not appetizing. Oh yes, and if the men/boys want to wear a sport jacket, that's great. Sorry, I'm old school. I remember when tuxedos and suits were required, or you were not allowed in the MDR. Things have changed, for the worse in my opinion. 😎