Baltimore’s cruise scene faces a possible shake-up, with Royal Caribbean’s future in query.
There are rumblings that Royal Caribbean might not be crusing from Baltimore after subsequent yr. The rumors stem from a easy technique of elimination. After seeing what ships are left to sail from the Maryland port after one ship is thought to be leaving is elevating questions.
A fast take a look at the deployment schedule for Imaginative and prescient of the Seas exhibits that the Royal Caribbean vessel is scheduled to reposition from Baltimore to Port Everglades in October 2026.
The difficulty is that it takes a selected measurement ship to have the ability to sail out of the port. The vertical clearance of the Bay Bridge (Chesapeake Bay Bridge) limits the mega ships of right this moment from even getting close to the dock.
This departure raises questions, particularly contemplating the port’s current historical past with Royal Caribbean.
Earlier than Imaginative and prescient of the Seas got here to Baltimore in 2023, Enchantment of the Seas had been homeporting there since 2021.
Imaginative and prescient-class vessels with Royal Caribbean embody Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Imaginative and prescient of the Seas.
Enchantment of the Seas is at present deployed in Tampa and set to stay there by way of 2027, and Grandeur of the Seas is scheduled to sail from each Port Everglades and Tampa over the subsequent two years.
Rhapsody of the Seas is at present providing 7-day sailings from San Juan and is scheduled to maneuver to Tampa in November 2025.
The recognition of cruising continues to be very sturdy in Baltimore, with nearly half one million cruisers selecting the port yearly
A spokesperson for the Port of Baltimore not too long ago made this assertion:
“We’re conscious of potential adjustments in deployment for Royal Caribbean on the Port of Baltimore. Royal Caribbean has been an impressive cruise companion for a few years on the Port of Baltimore. We’re persevering with to carry discussions with them. Cruise traces make choices on the place to put a ship on an annual foundation.”
It ought to be famous that whereas different Royal Caribbean ships that might fill the void in Baltimore have already got their assignments, it’s nonetheless potential that the cruise line may make a change. These adjustments occur on a regular basis, typically even after a ship had been open for bookings at one other port.
On Friday, Royal Caribbean launched an announcement about Baltimore and mentioned:
“We’re excited to proceed to supply holidays out of Baltimore all through 2026 for company to go to idyllic locations together with Bermuda, The Bahamas, Canada and New England. In late 2026, Imaginative and prescient of the Seas will shift to supply Caribbean sailings from Ft. Lauderdale by way of April 2027. We can not touch upon future deployment, however we look ahead to reviewing alternatives to sail from Baltimore sooner or later.”
Whereas the long run stays unsure, Baltimore’s cruise vacationers await Royal Caribbean’s remaining resolution.
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