Baltimore Cruise Update: Royal Caribbean’s Exit, Carnival’s Expansion Plans, and Port Resilience
The tides are shifting in Baltimore’s cruise scene—but it’s far from bad news. The Port of Baltimore is entering a new era, with fresh infrastructure plans, stronger partnerships, and the potential for even bigger ships on the horizon.
Royal Caribbean Waves Goodbye (For Now)
After years of sailing from Charm City, Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas is setting course for Fort Lauderdale in 2026. That means Royal will no longer homeport in Baltimore, ending a long chapter in the city's cruising legacy. While it's a bittersweet farewell, there’s no shortage of exciting changes ahead.
Important: Royal Caribbean’s last Baltimore cruise season will be 2025, so snag your spot before it sails away for good!
Carnival Isn’t Just Staying—It’s Growing
While one cruise giant exits, another is dropping anchor even deeper. Carnival Cruise Line just inked a five-year deal to stay in Baltimore through at least 2029—with talks of bringing a larger ship by 2027. That’s right: more space, more amenities, and more destinations for Maryland cruisers.
🧭 Expect bigger adventures out of Baltimore—with potential itineraries stretching from the sunny Caribbean to the icy coasts of Greenland.
Top-Tier Port Security and a New Bridge Coming
The Port of Baltimore isn’t just busy—it’s secure. For the 16th year in a row, the U.S. Coast Guard gave it top marks for safety and preparedness. And even after the tragic Key Bridge collapse, Baltimore is rebuilding stronger: a sleek, cable-stayed replacement bridge is in the works, with completion set for 2028.
This new design will offer greater clearance, opening the door (literally) for larger cruise ships to sail into town.
Bottom Line: Baltimore’s Cruise Future Looks Bright
While Royal Caribbean’s departure stings a little, Carnival is charging full steam ahead—and the Port of Baltimore is gearing up for even bigger things. If you love the idea of sailing straight from your own backyard, now’s the time to start dreaming (and booking!). For more details visit here 3 day cruises from baltimore.