Port of Baltimore - awesome news!! - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

1luckylady · 09-13-2006, 02:55 PM

We have the western Caribbean 9 day cruise booked on the Grandeur for Oct. 27th. I'm in Md. so its close for us. Actually we are taking a limo to the port and home again. It's about the same cost as driving. I just can't wait.

JLT · 03-24-2008, 11:28 AM

any one have any recent news on Baltimore? Seems like RCCL is backing out big time and Ncl I heard is here this year (08) only.

It is really great to be able to port locally, not have either a long drive to Fl or NY or fly.

Cruise Planner · 03-24-2008, 01:00 PM

Wouldn't say that RCCL is backing out 'big time' because they will be announcing the itineraries for the Grandeur out of Baltimore tomorrow for 2009. And if is between the Grandeur or the NCL Majesty, I'd rather do the Grandeur anytime.

I just wish more ships would come to Baltimore. The new pier is very easy to get to, parking is right next to the ship, and they are alot more organized.

Problem is with so few ships and so much demand, the prices are outrageous! In fact, last year I got a client a 7-night cruise out of Florida with airfare for the same price as a 5-night cruise out of Baltimore to Bermuda without airfare.

When the Carnival Miracle (definitely not one of my favorite ships) was going out of Baltimore, it was sold out months in advance for every sailing. At the same time, I couldn't give away cabins on the HAL Rotterdam when it did two sailings and this was one of the best cruises we've ever taken. The Celebrity Galaxy was popular, but not really a family ship, more for older folks.

So, at least for the timebeing, it's on the NCL Majesty and the RCCL Grandeur of the Seas.

Pete

Char · 04-16-2008, 10:30 AM

We sailed into and out of Baltimore on 2 cruises on Galaxy in September of '04. Bob's family lives there and they like to cruise, too, so more ships sailing from there would suite them just fine!

JLT · 04-16-2008, 05:29 PM

Kudos to Cruise Planner for calling Rccl's cruises in Balt for '09. It now appears to me that Rccl is managing their demand (ie turning supply on and off) by having a big year in Balt ('07), a big year in Norfolk ('08), then back to Balt for '09. I think Cruise Planner would have to agree however that it is the same old same old. Alternating Caribbean/Bermuda/New England itins with the same ship (Grandeur) over and over. Why not something different for repeaters? I see Rccl has a trip from NJ that does Bermuda and Caribbean, why can't they try some different ships and different itins? And the real question is, if they can sell out for higher rates, why are they (and Carnival, and Ncl, etc) not taking advantage of it? Perhaps the cruise market has not been impacted by the recession yet, but bring the ships closer to the customers (who wants to pay a large part of their vacation budget to the airlines, who mistreat you, lose your baggage, etc.)? I've taken two cruises out of Balt already and love the port, but I need some variety.

Cruise Planner · 04-17-2008, 08:54 PM

I hear what you're saying about cruises out of Baltimore!

In fact, we just had lunch with our RCCL rep today and we talked about the Grandeur. In 2009, they're not beginning their cruises out of Balt until June, so they'll be offering less trips in 2009.

They whole things sucks! Yes, they are limited to the size of the ships because of the Bay Bridge and yes, they are limited to where they can go and for how long, but it doesn't explain why they limited trips when most sell out! We've gone out of Baltimore 7 times; twice on the Galaxy, once on the Rotterdam, three times on the Grandeur, and once on the Miracle. And, if memory serves me right, all of them were sell-outs.

None of the cruise lines can really offer me an explanation as to why they don't bring more ships here or offer more trips.

As for itineraries, I can understand the limitations - particularly because it takes 8 hours each way to navigate the Chesapeake Bay. All other departure ports are right on the ocean. Plus, it takes 1-1/2 days to get down to the Caribbean and another 1-1/2 days to get back. But when you look at cruises out of New York, they are equally as limited and yet there are many more ships available, including two that are there year-round.

Maybe as more new ships come out they'll have to find other ports for some of the older ships and perhaps we'll get one then.

Pete