Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are preparing to set sail from the Port of Baltimore for the first time since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on March 26. This marks a significant milestone in the port’s recovery and resumption of cruise operations.
First Cruises from Baltimore Since March
The Port of Baltimore has announced that Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will embark on a five-night cruise to Bermuda on May 25. Following closely, the Carnival Legend will set sail from Baltimore on May 26.
“Baltimore is back,” the Port of Baltimore proudly declared on social media, signaling the return of cruise activities at the port.
A Collaborative Effort
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, expressed gratitude for the efforts of Baltimore officials and first responders, as well as the support from partners in Norfolk, Virginia. “We are extremely grateful to the officials and incredible first responders in Baltimore, who’ve shown great leadership and resolve in this difficult time, as well as our supportive partners in Norfolk, whose rapid response allowed us to continue to deliver our scheduled sailings for our guests,” she said. “It’s been our goal to resume operations in Baltimore as soon as possible, and after working closely with local, state, and federal agencies, we look forward to a successful return.”
Impact of the Key Bridge Collapse
The collapse of the Key Bridge was caused by the cargo ship Dali crashing into it, resulting in the tragic deaths of six construction workers and halting access to the Port of Baltimore. This incident forced cruise ships originally slated to depart from Baltimore to instead operate out of Norfolk, Virginia.
A spokesperson for Carnival noted that the financial impact of the bridge collapse on the company is expected to be less than $10 million for the full year 2024, affecting both adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as well as adjusted net income.
A Shift in Operations
In April, a Carnival cruise ship intended to return to Baltimore was redirected to Norfolk due to the bridge collapse. Regina Ali, a spokesperson for AAA, was on that Carnival ship during the incident. “I’m looking and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, this is in Maryland and it was so surreal,'” Ali recalled.
Since the collapse, cruise ships that were scheduled to operate from Baltimore have been temporarily shifted to Norfolk. With the upcoming sailings of Vision of the Seas and Carnival Legend, the Port of Baltimore is ready to welcome back its cruise operations.
The Road to Recovery
The Port of Baltimore services cruise ships from major lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian. The return of these cruises is a testament to the collaborative efforts of various local, state, and federal agencies working together to restore normal operations at the port.
The successful resumption of cruises from Baltimore highlights the port’s resilience and the dedication of all those involved in overcoming the challenges posed by the Key Bridge collapse. As the port reopens for cruise departures, passengers and crew alike can look forward to smooth sailing from Baltimore once again.
