Baltimore Port

[rjac]

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! 

[Jack805]

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.

[HeWhoWaits]

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

[ChessE4]

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).

[bobroo]

You'll find the port of Baltimore so friendly and easy going you'll scratch your head and ask yourself Why aren't they all like this?

Parking? Baltimore is the only port that you'll be able to check if you left your headlights on by standing on your balcony. It's just like a strip shopping mall.

Security? Thankfully there is only one Ft Lauderdale. Baltimore is the anti-Ft Lauderdale. The few cops at the Port of Baltimore are polite, kind, and happy to be what they are doing. The private security inside has a lot of patience for folks who are not mobile or are taken by surprise that they have to go through a metal detector or put their possessions through an x-ray machine. 

Condition of the port? The terminal is an old pole barn. It serves it purpose well. I have never understood the reason to spend $125M on Galveston or $225M on Miami thinking that passengers value a sparkly terminal. I don't think they do. Little known fact about the Baltimore terminal: they have had solar panels supplementing there energy needs for many years now. 

Once onboard you see that your fellow passengers have the Baltimore Chill attitude too. You'll be scarce to find a chair hog. You won't see the line cutting, Me First people. I've seen Balto passengers bus their own tables in the Windjammer--several times. In general Baltimore passengers are genuinely just happy to be aboard.

Baltimore is very similar to Tampa if you have ever had the good fortune to sail from there.

 

 

[Delorelei]

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. 

[Jack805]

32 minutes ago, bobroo said:

Baltimore is very similar to Tampa if you have ever had the good fortune to sail from there.

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

[Pattycruise]

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)

 

 

[Jack805]

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). 

[Jjohnb]

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.

[MaryCS62]

6 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

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)

 

 

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.

[bobroo]

14 hours ago, Delorelei said:

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. 

Excellent point @Delorelei !  All those other ports of Vancouver, Bayonne, and Tampa and their complaints about only getting smaller ships because they must go under a bridge....Pfft!

Baltimore you go under TWO bridges and passengers couldn't be any happier

 

[Gilley]

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.

[twangster]

26 minutes ago, Gilley said:

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.

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.  

[Pattycruise]

4 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

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.

Couldn’t think what to call it  those who seem able bodied are sent up the ramps , to walk from pier level to deck 4.  Those who use scooters/wheelchairs and maybe canes…use the “exit” to the pier and walk/roll on, I believe deck 1.  My MIL IS close to 80, heavyweight and has breathing issues.  She doesn’t appear feeble and asked to use that handicap exit and was sent up the ramp.  Lots of people with health issues were stopping to catch their breath. 
 

I am not familiar enough with Baltimore to know about handicap off loading. The parking lot was right by the building, I imagine handicap parking is closest to the building 

[baltodave]

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". 

[Ubiquitous Cruiser]

We flew into Baltimore and had a different experience than seems that most of the commenters have reported. Upon arrival we took the train to downtown and were able to walk to our hotel - Lord Baltimore. From there we were able to walk to many dining/entertainment venues. The next morning we took a Lyft to the port, and it was super easy. On disembarkation morning we got super lucky in that a Lyft driver had literally just dropped off a friend to work at the port and was sitting in the parking lot when we requested a ride. The app told us our driver was a 1-minute walk - LOL. We had her drop us off downtown where I camped at coffee shop doing some work before our flight later that afternoon. Took the train back to the airport and off we went.

We felt safe walking around the entertainment center in downtown. Since then we have read of crime in that area but honestly that happens everywhere all the time in most major cities.

[rjac]

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

[smokeybandit]

19 hours ago, bobroo said:

Once onboard you see that your fellow passengers have the Baltimore Chill attitude too.

I lived in that area for 15 years.  Can't say I saw too many people with a chill attitude.  Maybe in Annapolis.

[Jack805]

4 hours ago, Gilley said:

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.

I took the train to DC for a flight after returning to Baltimore a few weeks back, and Penn Station was about 15 min away, $15-20 fare for an Uber. I heard the BWI station was possibly a little closer to the port, but both are decent options.

[Jack805]

7 hours ago, twangster said:

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.  

It definitely is a classic cruise experience, and what I truly enjoyed on my last sailing. In fact I enjoyed it so much I booked another on Vision and one on Grandeur for next year! Just let me be out on the water and enjoy the cruise for what it is.

What the ship lacks in bells and whistles, I feel the crew and activities can make up for. Granted the crew atmosphere and morale can always change, but the recent crew had a great energy that you could feel and showed they enjoyed being there too. I also felt I got to know fellow passengers a lot more as there (obviously) were fewer on board and I always seemed to run into people again and again. 

[SemperMom]

My son just turned 16 and for his birthday he asked for a cruise. He doesn't really care for flying unless he has no choice so I told him about a 9 night on Vision out of Baltimore the first week of August. He was game so we looked at videos of the ship and when he saw it he said "oh, look...she's a little old lady"! He cracks me up.

Our very first cruise was on Grandeur from Baltimore in 2014. The port was so pleasant and uneventful I barely remember getting on and off the ship and in my opinion, thats the way to go. My husband and I had such a fabulous time thats when we decided that cruising would be our go to vacation forever. Lived most of my life 30 minutes from the port and August will be only the second time using it. I kick myself all the time for not having tried cruising sooner. We have cruised mostly out of Bayonne or Orlando since,  the kids prefer the "more fun" ships but my 16 year old doesn't really need all the bells and whistles and is more the quiet type. Vision is just right for him. I will try to share the experience once we return. Only 62 days to go! Squeeeee!!!!!

[Ditchdoc]

Did New England and Nova Scotia out of Baltimore. The port is well marked off I95 and just a couple blocks off the exit. 

Sailing from here means traveling down the Chesapeake Bay to get to the Atlantic but going past the Norfolk navel yard, Newport News shipyard and  the Bay bridge tunnel was just part of the adventure and kinda neat. 

[MaryCS62]

43 minutes ago, Ditchdoc said:

Did New England and Nova Scotia out of Baltimore. The port is well marked off I95 and just a couple blocks off the exit. 

Sailing from here means traveling down the Chesapeake Bay to get to the Atlantic but going past the Norfolk navel yard, Newport News shipyard and  the Bay bridge tunnel was just part of the adventure and kinda neat. 

DD went to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, made the drive from NJ many times, and always got a kick out of driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - should be fun seeing it from the water - assuming it's not too cold next March

[HeWhoWaits]

7 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

DD went to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, made the drive from NJ many times, and always got a kick out of driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - should be fun seeing it from the water - assuming it's not too cold next March

Forget the too cold. In March it will almost certainly be dark before you get there. Not much to see at that point unless you're into bridge lights.

[Ditchdoc]

28 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Forget the too cold. In March it will almost certainly be dark before you get there. Not much to see at that point unless you're into bridge lights.

Did not find this to be the case. With about a 4-5 pm departure, it takes all night to traverse the Chesapeake and passing through the junction of the James and York Rivers, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean takes place the morning of the second day.

[HeWhoWaits]

1 hour ago, Ditchdoc said:

Did not find this to be the case. With about a 4-5 pm departure, it takes all night to traverse the Chesapeake and passing through the junction of the James and York Rivers, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean takes place the morning of the second day.

Definitely not the case leaving Baltimore headed for Bermuda (my only Baltimore cruise). By the next morning, we were well into the Atlantic.

[Ditchdoc]

Well ... I guess it just depends. There are several variables. Time of year, sunrise, sunset etc.

It is 160 miles down the Chesapeake from Baltimore to the Bay Bridge. The Chesapeake is busy all the time with cargo ships and pleasure/fishing boats as well as military. Ship speed is limited near the mouth of the Chesapeake to 10knots due to Wright Whales. There are as many as a dozen course changes to stay in the shipping lanes and most all of this is done in darkness. Point being, 15 knots is probably the best a cruise ship can do in the Chesapeake and then only for some legs. This means the trip from Baltimore to the Bay Bridge takes about 12 hours, maybe a bit less, possibly a bit more.

So, again, depending on sun rise, sun set, departure time etc.....maybe you exit the bay in daylight, maybe in the dark. Maybe you have the views on departure, maybe on return.

[twangster]

Vision just left Baltimore.  marinetraffic.com recorded her track.

Looks like she started moving around 19:25 UTC or 15:25 EDT, 3:25pm EDT.

She made the Chesapeake Bay bridge at around 4:10 UTC or roughly midnight EDT.

She was just about to leave, or had left territorial water somewhere around 05:30 UTC, 1:30am EDT. (rough estimate based on scale of map)

[twangster]

Repeating the same exercise, Carnival Legend entered territorial water around 10pm last night for an 8am arrival at the Baltimore terminal.   

A 10 hour transit but they may have adjusted speed to make the 8am arrival rather than being bound by maximum attainable speed.

[Ditchdoc]

Well ... there you have it ..... nice work

[Jersey Judie]

We sailed atleast 7 years ago from Baltimore as we live only 3 1/2 hours from there. I remember embarkation was super smooth...and parking was a breeze. 1 thing that I will NEVER forget...was traveling down the Chesapeake! I remember eating dinner in the MDR hours after depating the port...and still seeing land! It was soooo different and lovely!

[MaryCS62]

13 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Definitely not the case leaving Baltimore headed for Bermuda (my only Baltimore cruise). By the next morning, we were well into the Atlantic.

ours is not going to Bermuda (sadly, as I would love to see Bermuda again) but to Charleston, Port Canaveral, Grand Bahama Island & Nassau - so I imagine we'll be hugging the coast instead of heading out into the Atlantic - so I guess we will see.  

[barjpoe]

We were lucky on one cruise the ship had to get back to Baltimore quicker then usual (it was the Lady G and i don't remember why) so we were able sail up the Chesapeake in the day time. It was amazing to see the Bay Bridge Tunnel. Vehicles disappearing from sight them reappearing, 

[Cedardale]

On 6/2/2023 at 6:59 AM, Jack805 said:

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). 

Here, here!!