You’re going to start spotting a new cruise line coming up and down the Bay—Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky just made its maiden voyage out of the Cruise Maryland Terminal at the Port of Baltimore.
The cruise ship, which holds just over 2,000 passengers, took off for cooler climates on a 10-day trip through New England and Canada. Before Norwegian Sky shoved off, the Maryland Port Administration held a ribbon cutting ceremony and presented Captain Konstantinos Fafalios with an engraved Port of Baltimore ship’s wheel.
The ship will stop in desirable vacation spots like Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Bar Harbor, and Quebec.
Norwegian Sky‘s next trip out of Baltimore sails on Sept. 21, also heading north. Then in November, the cruise line’s Norwegian Sun begins sailing from Baltimore to Bermuda and the Caribbean. It’s the first time Norwegian has had two ships homeported in Maryland.
“Our voyages from the Port of Baltimore offer guests the best that cruising on the East Coast has to offer, with a convenient homeport option that allows them to experience both the breathtaking fall foliage of Canada and New England and warm weather winter escapes in Bermuda and the Caribbean,” says Norwegian Cruise Line President David J. Herrera.
The Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines also continue their Baltimore schedules, making the cruise terminal busier than ever. You can see the full Cruise Maryland schedule here.
“The arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line heightens the impact of cruising as an economic engine for our state. The industry already generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in annual local business revenues,” says Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.
The Port of Baltimore says its cruise industry has strongly rebounded since the pandemic halted all voyages for months. Now, Baltimore says its ships are sailing at full capacity.
Norwegian Cruise Line has already planned additional cruises out of Baltimore beginning in September 2024. Norwegian recently launched a military appreciation program where active and retired service members are “honored with exclusive offers and onboard experiences,” says Herrera. “Given the strong military community in Baltimore and the surrounding areas, we look forward to having these service members participate in our program and join us at sea soon.”
-Meg Walburn Viviano
