Thursday, June 5th, 2008...12:10 pm
Breaking News
Many congratulations to the wonderful state of Maryland who have been rewarded with this fantastic news.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES TO INTRODUCE BALTIMORE’S FIRST YEAR-ROUND CRUISE PROGRAM IN SEPTEMBER 2009
MIAMI (June 5, 2008 ) — Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, will launch the first year-round cruise program from the Port of Baltimore with seven-day cruises aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2009.
The new program kicks off September 13, 2009, and encompasses two different weeklong itineraries departing Sundays from the historic Maryland port.
Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program will feature a variety of interesting ports on two distinctly different seven-day itineraries. Exotic Eastern Caribbean departures will call at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay; and Freeport, The Bahamas; while Bahamas/Florida departures visit Port Canaveral, Fla.; and Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas.
It is expected that the Carnival Pride will carry more than 115,000 guests annually from the Port of Baltimore. Including its new Baltimore-based program, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 17 North American departure points, including 11 year-round homeports – the most of any cruise operator.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore aboard the Carnival Pride, a truly magnificent ‘Fun Ship’ that will visit a wide range of tropical destinations from one of America’s most historic cities,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO.
“Today’s consumers are more value-conscious than ever and considering that Baltimore is within a day’s drive for millions of Northeastern U.S. residents, these new seven-day voyages provide a convenient and affordable vacation option,” he added.
“This is tremendous news for the Port of Baltimore and our State,” said Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. “Year-round cruising will allow the 40 million people that live within a six-hour drive of Baltimore to look beyond the traditional cruising seasons and sail throughout the year. Carnival Cruise Lines is internationally recognized as one of the finest cruise ship operators in the industry and we are happy to welcome their ‘Fun Ship’ to Maryland.”
Year-Round Cruising From Baltimore
Carnival Pride’s year-round seven-day cruises from Baltimore will visit popular destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.
Carnival Pride’s Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruises from Baltimore feature Grand Turk, a 10.5-square-mile island paradise which, in addition to a rich history, offers crystal-clear waters that attract snorkelers and divers the world over. Ships dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Center, a modern facility offering an 800-foot-long private beach, a Margaritaville-themed restaurant and a variety of retail shops. Also featured is Half Moon Cay, a crescent-shaped private island offering beautiful beaches and a diversity of watersports opportunities, along with a children’s aqua park and beachside cabanas. The third destination on this itinerary, Freeport, The Bahamas, is the island chain’s second largest city with excellent shopping at the International Bazaar and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, along with stunning beaches and exciting golf opportunities.
Seven-day Bahamas/Florida cruises call at Port Canaveral, located on Florida’s Space Coast and in close proximity to Orlando-area theme parks and attractions, as well as the world famous Kennedy Space Center. Visitors also enjoy the area’s gorgeous white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other ports include Nassau, the historic Bahamian capital known for its outstanding duty-free bargains, beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere. During their visit in Nassau, guests can tour a variety of historical sites, including centuries-old forts. A daylong visit to Freeport rounds out this itinerary.
Special Six-Day Voyage from Baltimore
Prior to the start-up of year-round seven-day cruises, Carnival Pride will operate a special one-time six-day departure round-trip from Baltimore September 7-13, 2009. Featured ports on this voyage include Freeport and Port Canaveral.
‘Fun Ship’ Carnival Pride
The 88,500-ton Carnival Pride offers a host of facilities and features, including indoor and outdoor promenades, a wedding chapel, and an elegant reservations-only supper club located at the top of a soaring nine-deck-high atrium and accessible by a glass staircase, just one of several different dining venues on board.
Other features include a ship-long promenade with a variety of lounges, bars and nightspots, including a multi-level theater showcasing lavish production revues. Family friendly amenities include organized programs for three different age groups – “Camp Carnival” for younger kids, “Circle C” for 12- to 14-year-olds, and “Club O2” for older teens – with supervised activities and expansive facilities for each.
Carnival Pride also offers a variety of accommodations including a wide selection of balcony staterooms and suites – perfect for scenic cruising. All Carnival Pride accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Carnival Pride also houses an Internet Café, along with ship-wide Wi-Fi access and cell phone service.
Reservations
Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Pride’s new departures from Baltimore. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways and pre- and post-cruise Baltimore land stays, are also available.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
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23 Comments
June 5th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
That’s good news for Baltimore, but can you explain to me why they get year-round cruises, and New York doesn’t? At least not from Carnival?
C.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Good on Baltimore!!
June 5th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
This is great news….Yet another B2B cruise opportunity. With airfare going up dramatically, B2Bs are going to be my focus beyond 2009….Congrats to Baltimore
June 5th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I would love it if Carnival based one ship in Port Hueneme, California! Mexican Riviera cruises leaving 25 miles from home? Oh, yeahhhhhhh!!
Terri
June 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Hooray Carnival for this great move.
With air travel becoming more and more of a mess (and more expensive) … more local ports that folks can drive a short distance to are definately the answer!!!!
MarylandLady is a friend of mine who will be THRILLED. We met on the Victory last year and this is all she has talked about for months.
So glad her dreams came true!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
YAY! It’s a great start for us to move up the coast! Baby steps and all that. Next: New York (and more than one Bermuda cruise per year…), then… THE WORLD! Yarrr, matey!
June 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Great news for Baltimore!! Living just a couple of hours away in New Jersey, this gives us more choices, though as Carol above pointed out, why not New York??
Also, I’m not crazy about the Port Canaveral – Nassau – Freeport itinerary. The Grand Turk – HMC – Freeport itinerary is much, much better!!
June 5th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Hi John.
Interesting shape, that ship. A bit Zuiderdam, Queen Victoria, Arcadia – ish.
So is there going to me a big merger…… all the lines together…….
Call it
Cunard HolAmeriCarnival & O
?
June 5th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Thanks for the Information John. Made us happy, don’t care where it goes just so it goes.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
wonderful news. i am so happy for baltimore, my home town. the harbour there is so much fun!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
June 5th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
I am so happy to hear Baltimore will be getting a Carnival ship. We live in MD and are about an hour from Baltimore. YEA!!!!
Jennifer and Danny
June 6th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I hope this port has a BIG parking lot for all the cars!
June 6th, 2008 at 9:59 am
WOW I am so excited! This is 1 hour from our home and the first cruise we ever took was out of Baltimore port on the Carnival Miracle. I will be booking for 2010 since there won’t be any airfare!
Baltimore has a nice port too, they just redid it about 2 years ago. Maybe they can even add an 8 day and give different ports. The Port Canavaral stop doesn’t thrill me and Freeport was ok. Think I’ll try the exotic one though, haven’t been to any of those except Freeport. Thanks Carnival for coming back to Baltimore!
Cindy & Kevin
June 6th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
This is the best news we’ve heard all week. We’re 30 minutes from the port…cannot wait to cruise out of Baltimore again. First time we did was on the Miracle w/Todd which was a treat since Baltimore is his hometown as well.
Thanks for the info John, we’ll be calling 1800Carnvial momentarily.
I do agree with CindyinPA…Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay sound great, but I hope they come up with better itineraries eventually. Of course, as long as we’re on the ship we can live with any port we go to.
Very Excited in Maryland,
Lisa and George Kilmartin
June 6th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I live near B-more… This is exceptional news! The Grand Turk itinerary sounds fantastic. The other… not so much.
I can’t wait til pricing comes out. I might have to squeeze in 2 cruises next year!
June 6th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Congrats to the folks living in Baltimore.
I’m jealous.
Enjoy.
Hope everything else is going well.
Take care!
David
June 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Hi John and Heidi,
We’re with the Pa Dutchman. We don’t care where it goes, just let’s go. Maryland is not too far from Atlantic City. Way to go Carnival!
June 6th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Great news fo those close to Baltimore and for Carnival. Way to go!!! That will make cruising a lot easier for those in that area not so far to travel.
Keep up the good work!
My best to you and Heidi.
Kathy
June 6th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
John,
I was more that excited when I read this wonderful news. We live less that 1/2 hour (by car) from the Port of Baltimore.
Michael (husband) and I love cruising and love Carnival and I was becoming very worried that with the air fare going so high that we would not be able to cruise like we do. We have 4 cruises already booked.
Well, when I heard this news needless to say I was thrilled! So much so that I called and booked immediately. We will be sailing on the first sail out of Baltimore September 7th, 2009. It will also be Michael’s Platinum cruise so that will make it extra special.
Please pass on out thanks to the wonderful people at Carnival. They have made many here in this area very very happy.
Yay!!! cruzin out of B’more!
Sallie
June 7th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
John,
I have a favorite Baltimore Oriole player, #30, Luke Scott… I may just have to come see him play and take a voyage…
HOORAY for BALTIMORE!!!
June 7th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
HeyCarnival, that’s not fair.We WANT Carnival to sail year round out of NYC too. NY is a great port and I just want to say that I don’t think that it is entirely fair, with the price of flying the airlines these days. Although, Inner Harbor in Baltimore is only about a 5 hour drive away from us here in NY, a lot closer than the 24 hour drive to Miami!
It was kind of explained to me why Carnival doesn’t sail out NY year round (The seas can be rough out of Ny harbor in the winter), but it still sucks! Anyway, Congratulations, Baltimore!!!!!!!!
Sue M.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:24 am
THANK YOU Carnival – now we can drive to the port – I hope the Port of Baltimore is so popular that you add another ship with a longer itinerary – an 8 or 9 day cruise would be great for 2010!!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Wow!! This is really wonderful news for brides in Baltimore. What’s more romantic than a wedding at sea? I’ve been to a wedding on the Pride before and the chapel onboard is very nice.
Score one for Maryland!!!
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