The future of Baltimore's cruise industry (hotel, home, prices)

[barante]

Those who know me are aware of my desire to cruise as often as I can. For that reason, I keep a watchful eye on cruise deals. In the past year, Baltimore has become much more attractive as a cruise port because more lines are sailing out of here. Indeed cruising out of Locust Point provides unbeatable covenience for the local traveler. The possible downsides include pretty lame itineraries, older ships (although I personally like those) and high prices.
Except that during the past month cruise prices have collapsed. I have seen 7-day Caribbean cruises out of Miami advertised for as low as $299 a passenger in an inside. We get email offers every day; Norwegian even called at home to solicit. The lines are desperate.
What's happening is this: The hard economic times have caught up with the cruise industry. Well-to-do seniors still form the largest segment of cruisers but that segment is softening. Lots of people took a serious hit on the stock market. Even more significant is the fact that their discretionary spending has been curtailed because their kids or grandkids are jobless and need financial help. Those who used to cruise twice a year now can afford only a single cruise; those who did it once a year now cannot afford a cruise at all.
The Christmas season poignantly illustrates the fallout. Christmas/New Year cruises ordinarily are among the highest priced cruises, much in demand and sold out early. This year, though you are likely still to be able to get a cabin at a historically low price for the Celebrity Mercury's Dec. 21 sailing out of Baltimore, which includes both Christmas and New Year's. As of today, inside cabins were available for $999 on this 12-day sailing! (OceanView $1389; suite $2849).
2010 is supposed to be a banner year for Baltimore cruising, with a record 92 sailings out of here. Competitively Baltimore is in a good spot because BWI is such a major cut-rate terminal, with Southwest adding more flights. Baltimore is also within a easy driving distance from a motoring catchment area that ranges from Canada to the Midwest.
I see nothing but question marks after 2010. This much I must say: To those who like cruising -- and plenty of folks don't -- a shipboard vacation is the easiest and often cheapest way to go. We last sailed out of Locust Point in August. It was the easiest embarkation ever. We took a cab to the port around 11 a.m. and were eating lunch on board 15 minutes later!

[sobo16]

For locals, the higher price of cruising out of Baltimore is often worth it when factoring in the cost of getting to another port such as Miami.

Does Norwegian Cruise Line no longer sail from Baltimore?

[barante]

As far as I know they no longer sail from Baltimore. We have taken Norwegian twice, both times from N.Y. We had a balcony cabin the first time. Because it was winter, we stayed inside and watched Manhattan glide by. I told my wife it was a hotel room view we could not afford (if available).

[jim prow]

barante, i really enjoyed your write ups on cruising. what else do you have to say re: cruises out of balto.

thanks
jim

[barante]

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