Carnival Cruise Lines and the Port of Baltimore on April 27 launched the city's first year-round cruise schedule when the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride sails on its inaugural departure from Baltimore. The Carnival Pride arrived at the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal, accompanied by The Pride of Baltimore, an authentic reproduction of a 19th-century clipper topsail schooner. Following the Carnival Pride's arrival, a reception onboard the vessel was attended by port and community officials, dignitaries and VIPs. The 88,500-ton Carnival Pride will operate 50 voyages annually that are expected to carry 115,000 passengers a year from Baltimore. The Port of Baltimore estimates that with the addition of the Carnival Pride, the cruise industry will provide an annual economic impact of $152 million and generate 1,550 jobs within the state.
With the Baltimore homeport, Carnival now sails from 19 North American departure points. "The State of Maryland welcomes the Carnival Pride and the beginning of year-round cruising to the Port of Baltimore," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. "Now, tens of millions of people that live within a short drive of Baltimore can cruise anytime of the year they wish. The Cruise Maryland terminal's unique location off Interstate 95 makes it easy for passengers to arrive and park on site."
Carnival Pride will operate six-, seven- and eight-day cruises from Baltimore through Aug. 29. These cruises will visit a wide variety of ports, including Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay, Port Canaveral and Grand Turk. The ship then will feature a year-round seven-day schedule starting Sept. 6, with cruises departing every Sunday. Two itineraries will be offered including an "Exotic Eastern Caribbean" itinerary calling at Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport, and a weeklong Bahamas/Florida route featuring Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport. For more information, call 800-327-9501 or visit www.bookccl.com.
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