Chesterpeake
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Posts posted by Chesterpeake
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YES to both questions
You will have more than sufficient time. There will be long lines of taxis waiting the ship's arrival.
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The Maryland Cruise Terminal is located on McComas St. in Locust Point. Less than a ten minute drive away there is a Walmart at 2607 Port Covington Drive, Try a Google map.
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As a native of Baltimore I have never had the need to stay there.
Based on the threads on this and other forums quite a few cruisers have stayed there with mixed experiences.
I can tell you for certain that it is relatively close to BWI. Leave the airport via 295 (Baltimore/Washington Parkway) and it becomes Russell St. in Baltimore. It is very near the intersection of I-95 and 295 just over a viaduct leading downtown.
I can also tell you for certain that it is very near the Greyhound Bus Station, if not adjacent to it. It is in the shadows of both Oriole Park at Camden Yards (Orioles) and M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens) in what I would characterize as an industrial area [little or no shopping or restaurants nearby].
I personally would not stay there.
Unfortunately, I have no alternative to recommend in its price range. I'd prefer the hotels near the airport [one also close to the Light Rail Line to get to the Inner Harbor area], Harbor East or Fells Point.
Have you checked the Cruise Maryland website for suggestions? It has an extensive list: http://www.cruise.maryland.gov/content/hotels
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Does anyone know what is going on with the Pride?? No dry dock for January 2014? I wonder why??
Pride's 2.0 dry docking has been postponed until after November, 2014 when she shall cease sailing from Baltimore. It will be completed, however, before she moves to her new home port of Tampa.
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We did it in 2011 and enjoyed it. It is especially good if you have children.
There are plenty of beach chairs. You can even walk over and watch those swimming with the dolphins.
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Pride's 2.0 upgrade has been postponed until later in 2014, just before she moves to Tampa.
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Madelinerose,
You are closing in on 10,000 posts! I am certain there thousands of Cruise Critics who have benefited from, and appreciate, your good advice. I do.
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Pennsylvania Station Baltimore is north of the Inner Harbor and Downtown Baltimore. The BWI terminal is adjacent to the airport parking. You will go about 12 miles south of downtown and have to go back via cab.
There will be cabs at both locations.
The trip from BWI will be all on Interstate highways [i-195 and I95]. It is about twelve miles and 15 minutes from the Maryland Cruise Terminal. The cost will be about $35.
Penn Station is closer to the port. Travel is all on city streets. No congestion problems if it is a Sunday. Travel time is probably about the same. Can't cost more than the $35 from the BWI station.
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8288's advice: Garmin suggesting taking NY State Thruway out of Buffalo eastbound toward Rochester, then taking Rt 390 South toward Rt 86 South toward Corning, NY, then continuing onto Rt 15 South (thru Harrisburg, PA to York, PA) - staying on/to I-83 South in Maryland toward Towson that lead into Baltimore, MD as the final destination
I am a Baltimorean who lived in Toronto for four years and frequently drove between those two cities and it usually took about 9 and a half hours including stops.
I crossed into the USA via St. Catherine's, ON then down to Buffalo on 290 and 190. After that the route I followed is exactly the one stated above. I used to drive all the way across the thruway until I connected with I 81 South near Syracuse (6+ hours north of Baltimore). When I learned about using Interstate 390 down to Corning, I never used I 81 again.
On US 15 you will go through some towns like Williamsport and Lewisburg, but it is a far nicer route without all the trucks and mountains of I 81. You have to be careful to follow the signs to I 83 when you get down near Harrisburg; you'll be on some city streets across the river after the town of Enola, but it is marked.
One further piece of advice. I 83 will come to a split at the Baltimore Beltway I695. I suggest going right. Not long afterwards I 83 South (Jones Falls Expressway) exit will be on you right. This ends downtown at the Inner Harbor at Lombard St.
Hope this is helpful.
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This hotel is near the football stadium. I do not know about the hotels quality but it is on the edge of downtown on Russell St. The area is kind of sketchy, nothing really near it and I would not want to walk the area especially after dark. You would be better off staying closer to the Inner Harbor or out at BWI.
Melissa,
Eng23 has offered you good advice. I'd avoid that hotel near the stadium on Russell St.
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were there lots of empty cabs waiting at the cruise terminal?
I picked a couple up this past Sunday morning after their Celebrity Mercury cruise. There were plenty of cabs available about 10:30 AM; at least two dozen parked together waiting for fares.
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Hi. This will be for next June. We are flying in the day before departure from the West Coast with our 3 kids (age range 10 to 17). We won't have a car. I've read this thread and a lot of it concerns parking, which we don't need.
However, the idea of a shuttle from the hotel to port would be desirable and we'd like to located such that we can explore some things on foot (or trolley, bus, whatever) the afternoon that we arrive and the morning of sailing.
Budget isn't really an issue, but we'll probably need two rooms; so spending a lot (say $200 or more for each room) since it's just one night wouldn't be our first choice. Anyplace that could possibly accomodate 5 people in one room would be a plus.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Susan,
Take a look at the three hotels in the "Harbor Magic" group. They all have great locations (especially Pier V Hotel). They offer shuttle to the Port for those who park there; am almost certain those without a car could also sign up for the shuttle. Might be in your price range.
Their website: http://www.harbormagic.com/
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I have no intention of starting a "Who Has the Best Crab Cakes" war. I just want to mention that while G&M does have good crabcakes, if it is crowded or you have more than one occasion to eat out in the BWI area, just up the street from G&M is another restaurant, Olive Grove, which also has very very good crabcakes.
I think probably 10 restaurants or even more must receive the "Best Crabcakes" award label each year in the Baltimore area. They all advertise that they have been voted the best. If not the best, you can rest assured that they are among the best.
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Amen. Enjoy quirky Fells Point and have a great cruise, Dave. ;)
Dave made an excellent choice, Madelinerose. Quirky is a good description of Fells Point, which some of us refer to as Baltimore's version of New York's "Greenwich Village". Where else will you find a Natty Boh shop?
Did you see the AIDAluna at the cruise terminal on Wednesday? I was intrigued and did some background digging. Found out that Aida Lines of Germany is owned by Carnival. This particular ship does Caribbean sailings during this cruise season (Fall/Winter), so I suppose she was on a repositioning cruise stopping in Baltimore for local, D.C. and Annapolis excursions. So, I couldn't board and do a reverse family emigration back to Bremerhaven or Hamburg. Drats.
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There are risks in any big [or small for that matter] city in the world. That being said, you need no more than your normal precautions. Harbor East is newly developed and safe. To the west of this development is the Inner Harbor, also tourist safe and friendly, and easily walkable.
My one caveat is the area east of Harbor East, between it and Fells Point. There are a few blocks of warehouses, sort of a "no man's land" which hasn't been developed as yet. That small area may be "on the edge". You should visit Fells Point, akin but not the same as NYC's "Village", and the historical heart of Baltimore. Homicide. Life on the Streets had its police headquarters here. If you are nervous about going between Harbor East and Fells Point, take a short cab ride or even a water taxi. I believe a new free Circulator Bus is in or about to be in service as well.
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For more information on Janet's hotel check this site which also has information on other adjacent hotels and the neighborhood in general. It is all newly redeveloped.
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You got a great deal, Janet. Congratulations!
Readers might wish to know the parameters you entered: for example: number of stars, geographic location, etc.
All things Baltimore
in East Coast Departures
Posted
Happy New Year, Kim!
Yes, the Inner Harbor with the National Aquarium and Maryland Science Center is the best place to begin a tour of Baltimore, but there is no need to restrict yourself to that area. There are good museums such as the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Gallery [Coen Collection], American Visionary Arts Museum, etc. There's the B&O Railroad Museum for train buffs, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museu, the H.L. Mencken Museum, the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, Fort McHenry National Monument [just about walkable from the cruise terminal], etc. etc.
All of these sites have their own websites. Check them out. There is a free bus system called the Charm City Circulator that will get you to most if not all of them.
Why not begin with the Baltimore Visitor's Center:
http://baltimore.org/
PS I've cruised out of Baltimore three times on Celebrity Mercury and Carnival Pride. It is great:
http://www.cruise.maryland.gov/