Carnival extends Port of Baltimore agreement five years

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore applauded a new contract with Carnival Cruise Line that keeps it serving the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore for another five years.

The agreement takes effect Jan. 1 and includes a five-year renewal option.   

'The international cruise industry recognizes Baltimore as one of the top cruise markets in our nation. We are delighted to have Carnival Cruise Line continue serving Maryland for another five years,' Moore said. 'Carnival is a longtime partner and supporter of the Port of Baltimore and we are very happy to continue that relationship.'

Economic impact

In 2023, more than 444,000 passengers cruised from Baltimore, the third-highest total in the port’s history and the most since 2012. More than 400 jobs are generated by cruise activity in Maryland, including 220 direct jobs at the Port of Baltimore. Each cruise generates approximately $1m in economic impacts for Maryland, including local spending, hotels, dining and entertainment. 

'We’re truly proud of our long history of sailing from Baltimore, and grateful for the strong partnership with the port and its great city and state,' Carnival President Christine Duffy said. 'We’re looking forward to building on our partnership over the next five years and couldn’t be happier to continue providing cruise vacations from Baltimore.'

Related:Carnival salutes Baltimore's Key Bridge first responders

Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada/New England cruises

This is the 20th year of Carnival cruises from Baltimore. The line's current Baltimore-based ship, Carnival Pride, was the port’s first year-round cruise vessel in 2009. Carnival today offers five- to 14-day cruises from Baltimore to destinations like The Bahamas, Bermuda, eastern and southern Caribbean locations like Turks and Caicos, the Virgin Islands and St. Maarten, and also Canada/New England.  

Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels also welcomed the continuation of Carnival's business.

Easy access

He said the cruise terminal's location right off Interstate 95 and within minutes of Interstate 70 allows for easy access from several eastern and midwestern states, adding: 'Many people also choose to come a day before or stay a day after their cruise to enjoy all there is to offer in our city and region.'

The cruise terminal lies 2.5 miles from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The port regularly draws cruisers from other states, including Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and New Jersey. The Baltimore-Washington and DC-Northern Virginia market is also one of the largest and most affluent in the nation.