Most people might think of Baltimore, Maryland as a destination unto itself, but have you ever considered cruising out of an alternate city instead of the typical Florida port? Consider the possibilities! You could spend a few days in this magical city pre- or post-cruise and extend your vacation by a few days. There are over 70 cruises sailing this next year out of Baltimore to destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada/New England.
We paid a visit to Baltimore in November 2009 and wondered why we had never visited this great city before. It was an amazing trip and an avid photographer’s gold mine. The first morning there we awoke early to an amazing view from our room at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in the Inner Harbor. Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is one of the most photographed and visited areas of the city. It has been one of the major seaports in the United States since the 1700s and started blossoming into the cultural center of Baltimore in the 1970s. Distinct in function and form, locals and visitors alike enjoy Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the surrounding neighborhoods that offer a variety of fine dining, cultural experiences and exciting nightlife.
This active, bustling city is easily accessible for tourists visiting for a few hours or a few days. From breath-taking panoramic views of the skyline from the Observation Level of the World Trade Center to the up-close and personal experiences of street performances happening spontaneously at the waterfront, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers more to see and do than you might imagine. Staying at Inner Harbor Hotel allows you to walk everywhere and to see as many things as possible.
Culture abounds in Baltimore with such variety as the Baltimore Museum of Art to the Baltimore Tattoo Museum to the National Aquarium to Orioles Park at Camden Yards and more. One of my favorites was the unusual Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse.
What trip to Baltimore would be complete without a meal including the famous Chesapeake Blue Crab? Maryland is known as the crab capital after all. Check out the large list of possible eateries here along with great reviews.
If you are considering mixing up your cruise plans and trying a different port city, consider Baltimore and all it has to offer. You won’t be disappointed!