You can take a cruise from Baltimore, offering a convenient option from the Mid-Atlantic region.
Many cruisers limit their searches to massive ports like Miami, Cape Liberty, and Port Canaveral. Recently, however, I discovered the appeal of cruising from a smaller port like Baltimore, Maryland.
The Maryland Cruise Terminal is located just 40 miles from the heart of Washington D.C., making it convenient for cruisers from the DMV area to access.
Not only that, but it’s 10 miles from the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The proximity means guests can skip the commutes associated with larger ports, such as Los Angeles.
This wasn’t my first time cruising from a smaller port. Earlier this year, I embarked on a 5-night cruise aboard Carnival Elation from Jacksonville, Florida. Despite the port being far smaller than Miami, I wasn’t impressed with the experience.
The embarkation process took around 40 minutes, whereas when boarding ships as large as Symphony of the Seas, I was on board within 15 minutes of arriving at the terminal.
The Maryland Cruise Terminal offers a more intimate cruise experience compared to the bustling hubs home to the world’s largest ships. While the facilities were a bit outdated, check-in was smooth, with short lines and friendly staff eager to help expedite the process.
With just one Royal Caribbean ship calling Baltimore home year-round, there are some cons to choosing this port. For instance, the itineraries are more limited.
Ports like Miami and Port Canaveral have multiple ships departing weekly, and Baltimore has just one: Vision of the Seas. If you have a specific week off, you may not be happy with Vision’s scheduled itinerary to The Bahamas when you were hoping to visit Bermuda.
Moreover, if you’re desperate to try one of the cruise line’s newer, larger vessels, you’ll be disappointed with the experience on Vision, one of the smallest and older ships in the fleet.
Still, I had a great experience sailing from Baltimore, Maryland, and would happily jump on another opportunity to cruise from this charming port on Vision of the Seas.
Flying into Baltimore was a breeze
Residing in the Charlotte area means I brave the Charlotte Douglas airport whenever I travel—it’s not for the weak! Not only is the ongoing construction a hassle, but flights to Florida tend to be on the expensive side. It’s not unusual for a roundtrip flight to Fort Lauderdale or Miami to cost upwards of $400 or $500.
While I technically could drive to Baltimore, I’m not a fan of long car rides. If it’s over 4 or 5 hours, I’ll start scouring Google Flights in advance to look for deals on airfare. I was relieved when I discovered flights to Baltimore were much more affordable. My friend booked her flight about two months before me, spending around $155 on roundtrip airfare from CLT to BWI. Still, I wasn’t upset at my $248 flight!
The airport was well-organized, too. It was easy to locate the rideshare pick-up zone, and we had no trouble being assigned a Lyft driver to our pre-cruise hotel.
Plenty of affordable hotel options near the airport
In the end, I decided on the Springhill Suites BWI Baltimore Airport for just $122.09. Arriving around 6:30pm, we didn't need a hotel with a ton of amenities, and the Springhill Suites served its purpose as a clean, safe pre-cruise stay.
Plus, the rate included complimentary breakfast, so we could fuel up before heading to the terminal. However, if you’re not a fan of typical continental breakfast options, there are several places within walking distance, including Dunkin', Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and Adamm's Airport Deli.
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We relied on Lyft for transportation in Baltimore
Having lived in New York City for two years, rideshare prices don't usually shock me. Ordering a Lyft or Uber from the Upper West Side to my downtown studio used to cost anywhere from $40 to $80, depending on the time of day. While I've found rideshares to be more affordable in Charlotte, I'm always weary when traveling to a bigger city.
Overall, I found the prices for our Lyft rides in Baltimore quite reasonable. The most expensive of our five trips was from the terminal to the airport on disembarkation day. The 26-minute ride was just $34.10, including a tip.
The night before, we decided to venture into Baltimore proper to explore the area and try some famous Maryland crab. Even our 25-minute ride back to the hotel at 10:00pm was only $23.74.
On embarkation day, I noticed there was a long line to enter the parking lot
With Baltimore being less than 45 miles from Washington D.C., it's an accessible embarkation port for those residing in the DMV area.
Traveling via plane can be hectic—and expensive. As such, cruising from Baltimore is a great way to keep transportation costs to a minimum if you live nearby.
Parking at the terminal costs just $20 per night for passenger cars and SUVs. Advanced reservations aren't required, and parking rates are payable upon arrival by credit card. The terminal accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
The check-in process was quick and efficient
Having sailed from Jacksonville, I wasn't expecting Baltimore's terminal facilities to be as updated as the newer buildings in Florida and Galveston. However, despite being an older terminal, I was surprised by its efficiency and cleanliness. The staff were also friendly and helpful, making the check-in process smooth and hassle-free.
After going through security and having the port agents check our travel documentation, we were onboard Vision of the Seas in what felt like no time at all. My friend and I headed straight to the Windjammer for lunch before locating our inside cabin to drop off our carry-on bags and explore the ship.
Because we had to sail through the Chesapeake Bay to reach the Atlantic, the casino and onboard shops were closed the first evening
I was disappointed to learn we couldn't test our luck at the slot machines on embarkation day. Similarly, we couldn't browse the onboard stores until Day 2. However, we made the most of our first day on the ship.
My friend wanted to attend the spa raffle and decided to book a last-minute treatment after hearing about the 75-minute full-body massage with hot stones for $150. While she was pampered in the spa, I took in the sights of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.
We were advised to finish our gambling and shopping by 6:00pm on the last night of the cruise, too. When heading back to my cabin to shower and pack, I ran into a woman in the elevator who said she was in a hurry to buy last-minute souvenirs!
Disembarkation was just as easy as embarkation
Since our flight wasn't until 3:40pm, we weren't in a hurry to head to the airport, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room, hanging out until our group was called. The process went faster than expected, and our group was called by 8:45am, along with all the other remaining groups onboard.
Locating our bags was easy, and we were quickly assigned a Lyft driver. I also appreciated the terminal's pick-up area, as all cars were instructed to pull into a parking spot to pick up their passengers. This helped keep the area organized and reduced congestion.
I loved my cruise onboard Vision of the Seas and would consider sailing from Baltimore again
Between the cheap flights, easy port access, and seamless embarkation/disembarkation process, my experience cruising from Baltimore was pleasant, even with the limitations of a smaller port.
I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed my time on Vision! With fewer onboard amenities, I relaxed more than on mega-ships. Instead of trying to cross off the zip line, water slides, ice skating rink, and FlowRider from my must-do list, I settled into the Solarium, basking in the quiet atmosphere that allowed me to unwind and enjoy the views.
Not only that, but the dining experience was far superior compared to the larger ships I've sailed on recently. Izumi was mindblowing, and even the quality of the Main Dining Room food was impressive.
