The Port of Baltimore’s recovery and its impact on shipping and the economy have been largely focused on cargo operations, but the small cruise port is also making waves in the cruise industry. Hosting ships year-round for the past 15 years, Baltimore has seen strong growth in near-port cruising, reaching nearly 450,000 passengers in 2023 before the pandemic hit.
Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International are the main cruise lines operating year-round from Baltimore, with Norwegian Cruise Line also joining last year for homeport sailings. Carnival Cruise Line recently forecasted a potential impact of up to $10 million on its earnings due to disruptions in Baltimore, but has secured a temporary homeport in Norfolk to minimize operational changes.
American Cruise Lines is scheduled to operate five cruises from Baltimore starting in May 2024, while Norwegian Cruise Line is monitoring the situation for its cruises in September and October. Despite the challenges, the cruise industry remains hopeful for a return to normalcy in Baltimore, with plans in place for ships like the Carnival Pride to take over homeport operations and continued exploration of alternatives by other cruise lines.
