Baltimore cruise port: A guide to cruising from Maryland

14.09.2024 - 18:53 / thepointsguy.com / Spirit Airlines / Royal Caribbean / United Airlines

For cruisers in the mid-Atlantic states who don't want to take a plane before embarking on their itinerary, the cruise terminal in the Port of Baltimore is an incredibly convenient place to begin your journey. But if you are flying, it's also only a 15-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). According to data from the Maryland government, in 2023 more than 440,000 passengers departed from the Port of Baltimore.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are the big names in Baltimore, each homeporting a ship there year-round. Vision of the Seas and Carnival Pride sail to destinations including Canada and New England, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda and occasionally the Panama Canal.

Small-ship line American Cruise Lines sails round-trip Chesapeake Bay cruises from Baltimore, and one-way East Coast Inland Passage to and from Amelia Island, Florida. Norwegian Cruise Line offers the occasional sailing from the port, as well.

On March 26, 2024, the crash of the container ship Dali and subsequent total collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge completely closed the port to all vessels. However, on June 12, 2024, it fully reopened for operations, including cruise ships, meaning cruisers can now get back to planning itineraries from the Port of Baltimore.

Address: 2001 East McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Number of terminals: One

Red-capped porters are available at the drop-off area to accept your tagged luggage. Wheelchairs are only available inside the terminal building, so if you need assistance getting from your taxi or car, you should plan on making your own arrangements to bring or rent a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is just a short 15-minute drive from the cruise port. The terminal is also about an hour from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and an hour and a half from both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), depending on traffic.

Airlines including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country and United Airlines fly to BWI from many U.S. gateways.

DCA is served by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United.

If you're looking to save on airfare to the port, some credit cards, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card, offer a Companion Fare certificate on the card's anniversary, allowing you to fly with a companion for $99 (plus taxes and fees, which start from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases during the prior anniversary year. It's valid on