The future of RCCL in Baltimore

[BND]

This has been kicked around before, no bridges to worry about

 

 

 

http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0514/plan-to-bring-cruise-ships-to-solomons-seeks-support.html

 

It may have been kicked around, but getting back and forth to Solomon's Island has a lot of issues. No nearby large airport, hotels, transportation, etc. Since the Bay Bridge is higher, it could easily just be built close to Annapolis, which has easier access to all the amenities required for a cruise port.

 

The article reads more like wishful thinking on the part of the county. I don't see it ever happening in Solomon's.

[setsail]

It may have been kicked around, but getting back and forth to Solomon's Island has a lot of issues. No nearby large airport, hotels, transportation, etc. Since the Bay Bridge is higher, it could easily just be built close to Annapolis, which has easier access to all the amenities required for a cruise port.

 

The article reads more like wishful thinking on the part of the county. I don't see it ever happening in Solomon's.

 

 

Some valid points also already kicked around. The main point is that "they" are looking and the the fact that renderings have been done for soloman bear out that somebody is serious. Coco cay comes to mind and the fact that the locals are willing to spend millions to redo roads for the new Miami pier. $'s talk. Airports an hour away, nothing new at all.

I would never say it would not happen

[coolcruiser777]

I don't think they would want to take a ship out of here, as that would leave yet another port to be used only by Carnival.

 

I wish Celebrity would come back too.

[shipgeeks]

 

I wish Celebrity would come back too.

We do, too!

[juju2454]

We do, too!

 

 

 

us too

[coolcruiser777]

Or they could bring a bigger ship to Norfolk.

[Keasel]

This has been kicked around before, no bridges to worry about

 

 

 

http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0514/plan-to-bring-cruise-ships-to-solomons-seeks-support.html

 

 

That location is upstream of the current 140' Thomas Johnson bridge. Have they decided how tall the replacement bridge will be? This (old) article suggests that the new bridge would be at most 140' and could be 70' to save costs. Have they even definitely decided to replace the bridge?

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/st-marys-commissioners-want-new-route-4-bridge-at-same-height/2011/07/11/gIQALxZHEI_story.html?utm_term=.f5fdc78c8de8

 

 

 

 

If we're going to dream of new ports, let's replace the current two spans of the Bay Bridge with two new 4-lane spans with 220' clearance and move Cruise Maryland to Sparrow's Point. :)

[setsail]

That location is upstream of the current 140' Thomas Johnson bridge. Have they decided how tall the replacement bridge will be? This (old) article suggests that the new bridge would be at most 140' and could be 70' to save costs. Have they even definitely decided to replace the bridge?

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/st-marys-commissioners-want-new-route-4-bridge-at-same-height/2011/07/11/gIQALxZHEI_story.html?utm_term=.f5fdc78c8de8

 

 

 

 

If we're going to dream of new ports, let's replace the current two spans of the Bay Bridge with two new 4-lane spans with 220' clearance and move Cruise Maryland to Sparrow's Point. :)

 

No body said this would be the location, it only says options are being looked at

[FLSteve11]

Not my experience. We have watched cars "disappearing" into the tunnel while at the 8:00 dinner seating. Katherine

 

Same here. When we sailed on her last summer we were in the MDR having dinner and watched it from the windows.

[FLSteve11]

Some valid points also already kicked around. The main point is that "they" are looking and the the fact that renderings have been done for soloman bear out that somebody is serious. Coco cay comes to mind and the fact that the locals are willing to spend millions to redo roads for the new Miami pier. $'s talk. Airports an hour away, nothing new at all.

I would never say it would not happen

 

I wouldn't say never, but I would say very highly doubtful.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

Or they could bring a bigger ship to Norfolk.

Amen!!

[tahqa]

No body said this would be the location, it only says options are being looked at

 

I wouldn't say never, but I would say very highly doubtful.

 

Yeah, I agree. I used to live in that area and spent a lot of time on Solomon's (Tiki bar FTW!) and it's not a great area for a cruise port. It's a long drive from major population centers and airports and the only advantage it would have is easy access to the bay.

 

In addition to low clearance on the bridge I suspect that dredging would have to be done to clean out the boat channels and that could be tricky as there are a lot of water sanctuary areas down there. Also, the Naval Air Station is where all of the Navy's planes are tested (among other activities) and they might not be amenable to extra traffic around their shores.

 

The whole Chesapeake coast up to Annapolis is pretty rural and isn't really well suited to the needs of a cruise port.

[coolcruiser777]

Yeah, the drive is nearly two hours from Baltimore and DC.

[Robinhill]

RCCL has stated several times that RD class ships can do in Baltimore. Problem is, they are needed elsewhere.

Here's the bigger problem. Grandeur can not open the casino or shopping in the Bay because of recent changes from the State of Maryland. This goes both ways in the Bay and costs RCCL (and CCL) big $$$. Could not blame either cruise line if they bailed out of Baltimore.

Rick and Deirdra

 

I don't think they will bail- apparently Baltimore is a very busy and very preferred cruise port- i dont think they miss that one night of casino income. they do well enough the rest of the cruise.:*

[Robinhill]

I've lived just outside Baltimore since 2001. I have Ravens season tickets and we frequently go to Oriole's games. I have taken my children to the Inner Harbor and Little Italy. I have never once felt unsafe driving or walking around the city or taking the light rail. Like any other city you need to pay attention to your surroundings and who is around you.

 

I love the Grandeur and just booked our 3rd cruise on her. Hoping Royal Caribbean will continue sailing out of our beautiful city.

 

 

 

 

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I so agree with you- i have lived in a Baltimore suburb all my life, work in the heart of the city at a city hospital, go to the Ravens and Orioles games and the inner harbor and have never had any problems. You do have to be aware of your surroundings and like in all cities, it is best if you are not alone.:o

[kayehall]

I think charleston would be a nice port

[coolcruiser777]

I think charleston would be a nice port

 

The only ship in Charleston is the Carnival Ecstasy. It is also nearly 9 hours away from Baltimore.

[plank]

I happened to stumble upon these two discussions today... https://goo.gl/q0JEek (I had to shorten the url because it stars it our for some reason... and http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2494217

 

If the Rhapsody and Grandeur are, in fact, for sale, that means the rest of the Vision class will be down in the Gulf. Since Royal Caribbean has a multi-year agreement with the port of Baltimore, who could replace her? The clearance of the shortest bridge going into the port (FSK bridge) is 185'. Do any ships have a height less than 185'? Radiance class maybe? I would assume that they wouldn't move Majesty or Empress up to Baltimore...

 

More details (this is definitely the Grandeur):

http://www.qpsships.com/cruise-ship-2400-passengers--s2388

 

a little late answering ---but the Enchantment would fit under nicely and has in the past

do not see RCCL leaving 1 of there most lucrative ports

[The Grumpus]

Or they could bring a bigger ship to Norfolk.

The Port of Norfolk has been available for years now and barely a nibble from any cruise line. I would think if Norfolk were a viable financial improvement to Baltimore then RCI would have made the move to Norfolk years ago. Not to say I would mind both Baltimore and Norfolk as a RCI cruise option.

[laumicmah]

I've lived just outside Baltimore since 2001. I have Ravens season tickets and we frequently go to Oriole's games. I have taken my children to the Inner Harbor and Little Italy. I have never once felt unsafe driving or walking around the city or taking the light rail. Like any other city you need to pay attention to your surroundings and who is around you.

 

I love the Grandeur and just booked our 3rd cruise on her. Hoping Royal Caribbean will continue sailing out of our beautiful city.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Born and raised outside Baltimore and it is an unsafe area. Lots of crime. But the port is convenient for us so I hope they keep it. Though that is the slowest embarkation port we have ever dealt with...cruised 10 times out of 5 ports.

[laumicmah]

I think charleston would be a nice port

It would be nice if Royal would cruise out of Charleston now that we just moved to NC. Would love that.

[NatsFanOnBoard]

The Baltimore cruise terminal is within a hundred miles of millions of people in the Washington DC/Baltimore/Philadelphia corridor. That's a whole lot of people within two hours of a port - no airplanes, no hotels, no problems with weather most of the time, etc. The cruise lines will stay there as long as the numbers work.

[Williamsburgcruiser]

The Baltimore cruise terminal is within a hundred miles of millions of people in the Washington DC/Baltimore/Philadelphia corridor. That's a whole lot of people within two hours of a port - no airplanes, no hotels, no problems with weather most of the time, etc. The cruise lines will stay there as long as the numbers work.

I have sailed from Baltimore more than once, and also Philadelphia many years back, and also Boston last year, and really hope that RCI keeps the East coast locations. I do not enjoy cruising out of Florida "all the time" and have no interest in going to the mid-West to cruise. I wish RCI would bring another similar size ship to Baltimore - to give variety.

[Tina G]

Hmmm...the casinos must stay closed while any ship is in Hawaiian waters, and I don't see fewer ships sailing to Hawaii.

[Ocean Dancer]

On our last cruise, not Balt, I asked the Capt at the Captain's Corner if they were planning on adding another ship to Baltimore as I saw a need for it. He pretty much embarrassed me by saying that there was no need for it and it was not even on the table. Last time I raise my hand. I know the Grandeur and the Pride do sail full.