Baltimore cruise port: A guide to cruising from Maryland

For cruisers in the mid-Atlantic states who don’t want to take a plane before embarking on their itinerary, the cruise terminal in the Port of Baltimore is an incredibly convenient place to begin your journey. But if you are flying, it’s also only a 15-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). According to data from the Maryland government, in 2023 more than 440,000 passengers departed from the Port of Baltimore.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are the big names in Baltimore, each homeporting a ship there year-round. Vision of the Seas and Carnival Pride sail to destinations including Canada and New England, the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda and occasionally the Panama Canal.

Small-ship line American Cruise Lines sails round-trip Chesapeake Bay cruises from Baltimore, and one-way East Coast Inland Passage to and from Amelia Island, Florida. Norwegian Cruise Line offers the occasional sailing from the port, as well.

On March 26, 2024, the crash of the container ship Dali and subsequent total collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge completely closed the port to all vessels. However, on June 12, 2024, it fully reopened for operations, including cruise ships, meaning cruisers can now get back to planning itineraries from the Port of Baltimore.

Port of Baltimore cruise port overview

Port of Baltimore cruise terminal information

Address: 2001 East McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Number of terminals: One

Red-capped porters are available at the drop-off area to accept your tagged luggage. Wheelchairs are only available inside the terminal building, so if you need assistance getting from your taxi or car, you should plan on making your own arrangements to bring or rent a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

Cruise lines sailing from Baltimore

Airports near Baltimore cruise port

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is just a short 15-minute drive from the cruise port. The terminal is also about an hour from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and an hour and a half from both Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), depending on traffic.

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Airlines including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country and United Airlines fly to BWI from many U.S. gateways.

DCA is served by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United.

If you’re looking to save on airfare to the port, some credit cards, like the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card, offer a Companion Fare certificate on the card’s anniversary, allowing you to fly with a companion for $99 (plus taxes and fees, which start from $23) each account anniversary after spending $6,000 or more on purchases during the prior anniversary year. It’s valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.

The Southwest Companion Pass allows you to bring along a friend or family member — you just have to pay the cost of the ticket’s taxes. Delta also has companion certificates as a perk with some of its American Express-branded credit cards.

Carry a credit card with lounge benefits, and you’ll be able to start your vacation even before you board the ship. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives you access to Priority Pass lounges at BWI, DCA and IAD, while The Platinum Card® from American Express lets you use the Amex Centurion Lounge at PHL (one is slated to open at DCA later this year). Cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also have unlimited access to the Capital One lounge at IAD, which opened last fall.

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

How to get to the Baltimore cruise port

The Baltimore cruise port is located a few miles from downtown, but it’s accessible via several different transportation methods.

Cruise line transfers

Carnival does not run a shuttle between the Baltimore airport and cruise port, but Royal Caribbean does. The price varies by sail date, and Royal Caribbean would not give TPG a price range. Larger groups can often get a better price with private transfers than cruise line ones, but check the shuttle price for your departure to be certain. If you wish to go with Royal Caribbean’s transportation, you’ll want to book your transfer at least two weeks in advance.

Hotel shuttles

Hotels in downtown Baltimore don’t generally offer a shuttle transfer to the cruise port.

The Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center, 3 miles from the port, offers a Park and Cruise Package that includes free parking during your cruise and a complimentary shuttle to and from the terminal.

The Aloft BWI Baltimore Washington International Airport offers a free on-demand shuttle to the cruise port, but hotel parking is $15 per night.

Independent airport shuttles

Various shuttle operators, including Supershuttle and Blacklane, offer service from BWI to the cruise terminal. KD Elite Transportation, for example, costs $25 per person one-way. Prices for other companies vary depending on your group size and the type of vehicle needed.

Independent van/car services

You can book a private car or van via outfitters like DC Liver, BWI Shuttle Service or 95 Star Airport Sedan, Limo & Shuttle Service for your group to get from BWI to the cruise terminal. The fee is about $100 for a luxury sedan that can accommodate three passengers and $180 for an SUV that can hold five passengers.

Taxis and ride-hailing services

At BWI, taxi stands are located near doors 5 and 13 on the arrivals/lower level, just outside the baggage claim area. A cab ride to the port costs a flat rate of $30 regardless of the number of passengers, and drivers aren’t allowed to add on extra charges.

App-based rideshare services at BWI pick up passengers on the outer curb of the departures/upper level, between doors 5 and 12. Use the crosswalks at doors 5, 8 and 12 to access the outer curb. An Uber will run around $30, while an Uber XL is closer to $40; premier cars and SUVs will be around $60-$75. Prices can vary depending on traffic and time of day.

At DCA, taxi stands are located just outside and to the right of baggage claim at Terminal 1, and just outside doors 5 and 6 at the baggage claim lower level. A taxi to the cruise port will cost around $150-$175.

Ride-hailing at DCA is available on the third (outer) curb of Terminal 1 and on the outer curb outside baggage claim on the first level of Terminal 2. (Select Zone 1 through 4 when you book your Uber or Lyft.) An Uber costs around $75-$100, an Uber XL can be upward of $125, and premier cars and SUVS can be $150-$200. Again, prices can vary depending on the time of day and traffic.

Related: Best credit cards for Uber and Lyft

Baltimore cruise port parking

On-site parking

Secure, long-term parking lots are located within walking distance of the cruise terminal, with no advance reservations needed. Parking is cashless and payable on arrival via Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. The nightly rate is $15 for passenger vehicles and SUVs, $30 for recreational vehicles under 30 feet and $40 for recreational vehicles over 40 feet. Special needs accessible parking is also available.

If your bags already have your cruise line-issued tags completed and attached, you can drop off your luggage in the appropriate luggage boxes for screening and handling before you park. If your bags don’t have tags, look for the tent marked “Cruise Luggage Tags,” which is located on the left-hand side as you enter the lot. After you drop off your luggage, you’ll be directed to where to park.

There are not discounted off-site lots with shuttles to the Baltimore cruise port.

Park-and-cruise

Some area hotels offer packages that include accommodations and parking during the length of your cruise.

The Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport offers a Park, Stay & Go package that includes parking for up to seven nights, along with shuttle service to the cruise port. The Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center also allows free parking and has a complimentary shuttle to the port. The Courtyard Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row allows you to park during the duration of your cruise.

Related: Best credit cards for booking a cruise

Hotels near Baltimore cruise port

The Baltimore area has many hotels convenient to the cruise port. You’ll need to decide if you’d rather stay near the airport, downtown or outside the city. The most relevant options might depend on your transportation to and from the terminal.

Hilton hotels near Baltimore cruise port

Located between Harbor East and Fells Point, the stylishly modern Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point (from 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night) is close to all the attractions in the Inner Harbor. It also offers a ninth-floor terrace, bike rentals and complimentary local beer and wine tastings. The on-site restaurant Cindy Lou’s Fish House serves Mid-Atlantic ingredients and seafood with a waterfront view.

Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor (from 36,000 Hilton Honors points per night) is also centrally located to all the major sights, with the Charles Center Metro station just a few minutes away. It offers a free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center.

If you want to be near the airport, the Embassy Suites by Hilton Baltimore at BWI Airport (from 36,000 Hilton Honors points) has perks including free parking and a made-to-order breakfast as well as a complimentary evening reception and free airport shuttle.

Related: Best Hilton credit cards

Marriott hotels near Baltimore cruise port

The Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row (from 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) is the closest hotel to the cruise terminal and offers complimentary parking. While it’s a 10-minute walk, it’s not the most scenic route and you might not want to drag your luggage all that way.

In Harbor East, the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront (starting at 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) has redesigned rooms that overlook the harbor or the city. On-site restaurant apropoe’s is named for hometown author and poet Edgar Allen Poe and serves modern American cuisine.

The Residence Inn Baltimore Downtown / Inner Harbor (from 28,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) is perfect for families or groups because all accommodations are suites, with kitchens, living rooms with sofa beds and work areas. Stays also include free breakfast.

Hyatt hotels

Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor (from 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night) has a rooftop pool and bar, while the Hyatt House BWI Airport (from 8,000 World of Hyatt points per night) is a wallet-friendly option with a free airport shuttle and a complimentary breakfast.

Nonpoints hotels

The Roost is a modern extended-stay hotel with apartment-style accommodations, a fitness center and outdoor seasonal pool. It’s less than a 5-minute drive from the cruise terminal. Since it offers one-, two- and three-bedroom options, the hotel is good for larger groups who want to stay in spacious accommodations.

For cruisers who are also spirits fans, the Sagamore Pendry Hotel in Fells Point occupies a restored 1914 building on a historic pier. It touts a cozy speakeasy-style American whiskey bar, chop house, waterfront pool and sumptuous rooms facing the harbor with mahogany, brass and leather design elements.

Couples looking for a romantic getaway pre- or post-sailing can splurge at The Ivy, a boutique luxury hotel in the Mount Vernon neighborhood with 17 suites and bedrooms, a bistro and exceptional service. Rates include breakfast, activities, cocktails, snacks and private car service to the Inner Harbor.

Restaurants near Baltimore cruise port

The Baltimore cruise terminal is set in an industrial setting, rather than in the city center. You won’t find many restaurants by the cruise port, but downtown Baltimore and surrounding neighborhoods offer plenty of dining options for all tastes and budgets. No matter where you dine, be sure to tuck into a local specialty: steamed Maryland blue crabs or jumbo lump crab cakes.

For dinner the night before you sail, take a taxi or Uber to historic Fells Point. This charming neighborhood on the water has 18th-century federal-style row homes, cobblestoned streets and cozy restaurants and pubs.

Bustling and more touristy is the Inner Harbor, where you can grab a table by the water at a chain or independent restaurant.

Related: The best credit cards for dining

Things to do in Baltimore before or after your cruise

Baltimore has lots of sights and attractions to take in before or after your cruise. Here are some things to do, depending on what interests you and your family or group.

Check out marine life in the aquarium

The focal point of the Inner Harbor, 10 minutes away from the terminal, the National Aquarium (501 East Pratt Street) welcomes 1.5 million visitors per year, making it Maryland’s most popular attraction. Award-winning exhibits include a colony of six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, the Jellies Invasion with nine species of the invertebrate creatures and graceful rays and black-tipped reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific Reef. The Inner Harbor is about a 10-minute ride from the cruise port.

Take the family to a science center

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is also home to two science centers for curious kids of all ages. The Maryland Science Center (601 Light Street) has sections devoted to dinosaurs, electricity, space and anatomy, as well as an IMAX theater.

Geared for the younger set, Port Discovery (35 Market Place) has three floors of hands-on activities including themed open play areas reminiscent of ancient Egypt, a diner, gas station, the wonders of water and an art studio.

Get a slice of U.S. history

A 1.5-mile or five-minute drive from the terminal, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (2400 East Fort Avenue) is famous for its role in the War of 1812. Soldiers at the fort defended Baltimore harbor from an attack by the British Navy arriving from the Chesapeake Bay. The large American flag that was raised to signal victory inspired Francis Scott Key to write what eventually became the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Tour and taste at a famous brewery

Love Guinness but can’t make it to Dublin? Baltimore happens to be the sole U.S. location of the beloved Irish brewery. When it opened in 2015, the site was chosen because of Baltimore’s geographical proximity to other big cities and Maryland’s rich brewing history.

After a guided tour and tasting at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery (5001 Washington Boulevard, Halethorpe, about a 15-minute drive from the cruise port), stay for lunch or dinner in the taproom, where you can order beer cheese fries, Guinness beef stew and milk stout Smith Island cake. You’ll also find brews only made here, like Baltimore Blonde and El Dorado Amber Ale.

Shopping near Baltimore cruise port

If you need to pick up last-minute toiletries, snacks, drinks or personal items, stop by the CVS in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor (400 East Pratt Street). Closer to the cruise terminal, there’s a Target in Canton (3559 Boston Street), about 15 minutes away by taxi or Uber. Arundel Mills Mall is about a 10-minute drive (7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover) from BWI.

If you’re looking for apparel or accessories closer to downtown, Harborplace (201 East Pratt Street) is a mixed-use center in the Inner Harbor with stores and restaurants. Among the shops is Made in Baltimore (301 Light Street), which supports local artisans and manufacturers and is the perfect place to purchase local souvenirs. Southside Marketplace (857 East Fort Avenue) in Federal Hill has a surface parking lot with a grocery store, fast and fast-casual restaurants, shops and services.

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