baltimore cruises
Baltimore, Maryland
If closing your holiday in Maryland, Baltimore offers a perfect mix of city life and holiday vibes. Explore its rich history and enjoy a top food scene. Walk around Baltimore's Inner Harbor to see luxurious ships and learn about the city's sea heritage.
Visit the National Aquarium, home to over 750 species, an open shark tank, and a coral reef exhibit. Don't miss Fort McHenry, the star-shaped fort tied to America's national anthem. Enjoy acclaimed restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and craft breweries around the city.
Add a day or two to your trip for the best experience. This way, you can soak in more local attractions and food, making your holiday memorable and full of discovery. You'll be glad you took the time to explore before or after your cruise.
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Currency AcceptedU.S. Dollar (USD)
Cruises Out Of Baltimore
SOUTH EAST COAST
From $742/person
Pharaohs Unas
SOUTH EAST COAST & CARIBBEAN
From $768/person
Pharaohs Unas
EAST COAST & BAHAMAS
From $789/person
Pharaohs Unas
BERMUDA CRUISES
From $728/person
Pharaohs Unas
SOUTH EAST COAST & ALASKA
From $789/person
Pharaohs Unas
THE BUZZ ABOUT BALTIMORE
Baltimore attracts many visitors because of its historical and cultural richness. The Inner Harbor offers iconic long ships and highlights the city's maritime heritage, making it a major draw. Fort McHenry, the birthplace of the US "Star-Spangled Banner," is a historical landmark that fascinates many tourists.
The city is also home to renowned museums like the Baltimore Museum of Art with Henry Mattis's collection and the Walters Art Museum showcasing 55 centuries of art. Sports fans enjoy the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, while food lovers and music enthusiasts appreciate prize-winning restaurants and vibrant jazz scenes. Baltimore serves as a gateway from the Northeast and Canada to the Caribbean and Bermuda, enhancing its appeal for cruise travelers.
Overall, Baltimore combines maritime history, cultural attractions, excellent dining, and music, which explains why so many return to experience its unique charm.
THE CHARM IN CHARM CITY
Baltimore, known as Charm City, offers a rich blend of Middle Atlantic cuisine, unique architecture, and vibrant art performances. The city is famous for its Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, often steamed with Old Bay seasoning, a local spice mix. This tradition is a key part of Baltimore’s culinary identity.
Lexington Market is a must-visit food destination, featuring around 100 vendors selling fresh seafood, raw bar fare, and local specialties. The market is a historic hub for Baltimore’s diverse food culture.
Baltimore's cuisine reflects its history and cultural diversity, influenced by immigrants from Italy, Germany, Ireland, and Eastern Europe. This mix has created iconic dishes like crab cakes, crab imperial, and Maryland fried chicken, making the city a true culinary melting pot.
GET JAZZED
Baltimore is proud of its rich jazz heritage, producing legendary artists like Billie Holiday and Cab Calloway. The city keeps this tradition alive through a vibrant jazz scene, with ongoing live performances and jazz education, notably at the Peabody Institute.
Although the Baltimore Jazz Festival was canceled in 2025, local venues still host numerous jazz events showcasing both world-class musicians and homegrown talent. The jazz community here is dedicated to preserving the legacy and culture of jazz music.
Cruising from Baltimore gives you a chance to experience this lively music scene, connecting you to the soulful rhythms and history that define Baltimore's jazz culture.
EXPLORE MORE
Baltimore’s food scene is a vibrant mix of history and creativity. The city is famous for its Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, especially steamed with the iconic Old Bay seasoning. Lexington Market is a hub where you can enjoy fresh seafood, raw bar fare, and traditional dishes from about 100 vendors.
Baltimore also excels in farm-to-table dining, with many restaurants focusing on locally sourced ingredients. The city’s art district features unique galleries, craft bars, and artisan shops, offering a bohemian vibe. Craft cocktails and gourmet pizzas add to the experience, making Baltimore a food lover’s paradise before setting off on a cruise.
This blend of rich culinary tradition and modern culinary innovation creates a unique atmosphere that reflects Baltimore’s cultural diversity and artistic spirit.
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Star Of The Show
The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry in 1814 is famous for inspiring the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," written by Francis Scott Key. The fort’s unique star-shaped design played a key role in defending Baltimore during a 25-hour British naval bombardment from September 13 to 14. Despite intense shelling, the fort held strong, signaling the city's resilience at dawn with the large American flag still flying.
Visitors to Fort McHenry can explore the grounds dressed in period costumes, watch educational films about the battle, and see a replica of the original 15-star American flag that flew during the defense. The fort’s history spans beyond the War of 1812, making it a significant cultural and historical landmark for Baltimore and the nation.
Water Logged
Baltimore’s National Aquarium is one of the best in the US, featuring over 20,000 aquatic creatures within seven stories of interactive exhibits. It includes a rooftop rainforest and the Atlantic Coral Reef, a multi-story tank with more than 750 species.
Key highlights include the Shark Alley open-ocean tank, home to various shark species and rays, and the Marine Mammal Pavilion, where bottlenose dolphins are housed. The aquarium offers immersive experiences showcasing marine turtles, stingrays, dolphins, sharks, and many other species, making it a premier attraction near Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Visitors can explore recreated natural habitats such as tropical rainforests and coral reefs, blending education and entertainment in a spectacular aquatic setting.
Local Cuisine
Baltimore's Lexington Market is a food lover's paradise with over 100 vendors offering a wide variety of cuisine. You can enjoy the famous Chesapeake Bay blue crabs, steamed with Old Bay seasoning or served as crispy crab cakes. The market also features iconic local treats like Berger Cookies, which are shortbread cookies topped with fudge.
Besides seafood, Lexington Market offers a diverse range of foods, including Italian dishes like tiramisu and cannoli. National Bohemian beer, affectionately called "Natty Boh," is a local favorite. This historic market combines traditional Baltimore flavors with diverse culinary options, making it a must-visit spot for food enthusiasts.
Shopping
During your cruise from Baltimore, find all your souvenir needs and more at Harborplace, a vibrant festival market located at the Inner Harbor. This shopping area offers a wide range of local crafts, gifts, and unique items.
The historic Mount Vernon neighborhood features retailers dating back to the 1840s with charming architecture. Hampden is famous for its indie stores and vintage clothing shops. In Fells Point, Thames Street is the place to browse for vinyl records, books, and trendy apparel.
These neighborhoods offer diverse shopping experiences, perfect for picking up thoughtful souvenirs that capture the spirit of Baltimore