Baltimore is a practical port for the Washington-Baltimore region and anyone within a day's drive. The Cruise Maryland Terminal sits on the harbor in South Baltimore, a few minutes from the Inner Harbor and right off I-95, and has secured parking next door. The state's Cruise Maryland program lists Carnival Pride and Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas as its ships.
Because it takes a day or more to reach warm water, itineraries tend to run seven nights or longer. Cruise Maryland lists Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, and Greenland sailings. Expect cooler sea days on winter departures until you are well south.
The sailaway down the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay is long and scenic, and you leave close to Fort McHenry. Carnival Pride is the year-round anchor; Royal Caribbean's ship spends part of the year elsewhere, so check which line is sailing in the month you want.
Where cruises from Baltimore go
- Bahamas The quick escape: short cruises from Florida to Nassau, Freeport and the cruise lines' private islands.
- Eastern Caribbean Beach-hopping through the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico, with some of the calmest sailing in the region.
- Southern Caribbean The far islands: Aruba, Curacao, Barbados and St. Lucia, with more port days and drier weather in the south.
- Bermuda Pink-sand beaches and British island charm, two days' sail from the Northeast, with ships docked overnight.
- Canada & New England Lobster towns, lighthouses and fall foliage from Boston and New York to Nova Scotia and Quebec.
Cruise lines sailing from Baltimore
- Carnival Cruise Line Casual, affordable Fun Ships sailing from more US ports than almost anyone.
- Royal Caribbean International Giant resort ships where the ship itself is the destination.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from Baltimore on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| Cruise Maryland Terminal 2001 East McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, at I-95 Exit 55. | Carnival, Royal Caribbean |
Getting there
From the south, take I-95 north to Exit 55 (Key Highway) and continue on East McComas Street to the entrance on the right. From the north, take I-95 south through the Fort McHenry Tunnel in the far right lane, then Exit 55 and turn left onto East McComas Street. From BWI, a taxi or rideshare is roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
- BWI Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport: about 10 miles
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: about 40 miles
Parking
Cruise Maryland runs secured long-term lots within walking distance of the terminal, with accessible spaces. No reservation is needed. As of October 2026, Cruise Maryland lists $25 per night for cars and SUVs (the rate in effect since April 1, 2026), with higher rates for RVs. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or Discover on arrival. Drop your luggage at the screening area first (tags are available at a tent at the entrance), then park.
Where to stay the night before
Inner Harbor, Federal Hill and Fells Point hotels are all a short ride from the terminal. BWI airport hotels with shuttles are another option if you fly in.
Season: Year-round for Carnival. Royal Caribbean sails from Baltimore seasonally.
Embarkation-day tips
- Drop luggage before you park; the terminal routes you to the bag drop first.
- Bring Visa, Mastercard or Discover for parking; American Express is not listed as accepted.
- Pack warm layers for winter sailings; the first day or two can be chilly.
- Check whether Royal Caribbean is sailing in your travel month, since its Baltimore season is not year-round.
Cruising from Baltimore: questions
Which cruise lines sail from Baltimore?
Carnival (Carnival Pride) and Royal Caribbean (Vision of the Seas). Carnival sails year-round; Royal Caribbean sails seasonally.
How much does it cost to park at the Baltimore cruise terminal?
As of October 2026, Cruise Maryland lists $25 per night for cars and SUVs, with higher rates for RVs. No reservation is required, and you pay by credit card on arrival.
How far is the Baltimore cruise terminal from BWI airport?
About 10 miles, usually 15 to 20 minutes by car.
Where do cruises from Baltimore go?
Cruise Maryland lists Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, and Greenland itineraries.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
