THE JOYS OF CRUISING FROM BALTIMORE    by Mary F. Cogley (published in the September 2007 issue of Prime Times)
 
 
The joys of cruising are many: traveling safely in comfortable, perfectly maintained style, experiencing world class cuisine, being treated like royalty by an excellent staff, pampering one’s self, meeting new people from around the world and seeing new, beautiful, interesting and fabulous sights. What more could one want? You can island hop but only pack and unpack one time, and never change hotels. You can see many destinations for one price – try and talk an airline into that! You can meet people from many countries and learn about their way of life. What a great way to become part of the global community.
 
When planning your next vacation, consider this: cruising from Baltimore is now easier than ever! With the opening of the new Cruise Line Terminal at the south side of the Fort McHenry Tunnel, we now have easy access to a beautiful new cruise terminal and secure parking while cruising (just $10/day). There’s no need to fly to a port when we have one just 30 minutes away. And, the streamlined boarding process makes beginning your cruise a pleasure.
 
This year, Royal Caribbean’s beautiful Grandeur of the Seas makes Baltimore her home port from May13th through November 1st.   In 2008, Grandeur will be sailing from Baltimore from April through early June and again from September through the end of October. During the interim summer months, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Majesty will call Baltimore home.
 
The Grandeur is sailing three different itineraries this year on a rotational basis. The Bermuda itinerary is a five night cruise departing from Baltimore on Sunday at 4:00 PM, sailing to Bermuda and docking at King’s Wharf for two nights, spending a day and evening at sea and then returning to Baltimore on Friday morning. While on the beautiful island of Bermuda, cruisers can explore historic forts and beautiful gardens, sample island fare, visit the beautiful beaches, swim, snorkel, and shop. Royal Caribbean offers numerous island excursions at affordable prices for people of all ages and physical abilities. Buses, taxis and ferries in Bermuda are inexpensive and easily accessible for transportation around the island for independent explorers. During your days at sea, spend time in the spa, the gym, the library, shopping on board, in the casino, playing bingo, attending the art auctions or simply relaxing on a deck chair while sipping your favorite cool beverage. Oh, and the food – who can forget the wonderful cuisine served onboard the Grandeur? And it’s available whenever you want to eat, at several restaurants, cafes and through 24 hour room service.  This five day cruise is an excellent introduction to the magic of cruising for first time adventurers.
 
The nine night Eastern Caribbean itinerary features stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Samana, Dominican Republic and Labadee, Haiti before returning to Baltimore. This wonderful cruise will allow you to visit four beautiful yet very different islands. There are numerous excursions made available by Royal Caribbean on each of the islands, during which you can swim, shop, snorkel, sail on a catamaran, tour the islands, eat local fare, take photos and enjoy the island ambiance.  Four days at sea during this sailing give cruisers maximum time to relax, rejuvenate and take advantage of all of the Grandeur’s wonderful amenities, including pools, hot tubs, and saunas to mention a few more.
 
The nine night New England and Canada itinerary leaves Baltimore to call at Portland, Maine, Bar Harbor, Maine, Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Boston, Mass. before docking again in Baltimore. This wonderful cruise gives residents of the Mid-Atlantic the opportunity to see American cities in New England and visit the lovely northern Canadian island of Nova Scotia. Excursions available on this cruise allow visitors to see the cities, enjoy fresh New England seafood, see historic sites related to the American Revolutionary War, visit historic forts and other locations in Nova Scotia, and during autumn, enjoy the splendidly colored New England and Canadian foliage along the shoreline.  
 
During all three cruise itineraries, on board entertainment with Broadway style shows featuring top-notch performers is sure to capture everyone’s attention in the evenings. And after the show you can retire to the lounge for a nightcap before returning to your stateroom to find a delicious chocolate resting on the pillow of your expertly turned down bed. The staff and crew of the Grandeur are among the best in the cruising world and they prove it through their continuous expert service to each passenger. From helping you find your way to a restaurant to freshening your room to serving you sumptuous meals three times (or more) a day, the staff and crew are at your service.   Your cruise on the Grandeur of the Seas is sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
 
When Norwegian Majesty comes to Baltimore in July 2008, she will be sailing a seven day itinerary to Bermuda. Norwegian Cruise Line offers Freestyle Cruising – you choose when and where to eat, relax, or play. Eat: your choice of six restaurants and room service. Relaxing: your choice of wherever.  Play: Monte Carlo Casino, Bodywaves Fitness Center, Hot Tubs, Mandara Spa, The Palace Theater. Internet Cafe, Jogging/Walking Track, Children's Splash Pool, The Main Pool, The Galleria Gift Shop, Colombian Emeralds, International Queen of Hearts Card Room, Kid's Korner, Video Arcade, Library and Game Room Boardroom, Royal Observatory, Royal Fireworks. Frame 52 Disco, Rendezvous Lounge, House of Lords Lounge, Coffee Bar/Lounge Polo Club, Piano Bar, Topsiders Bar, Pool Bar. And, NCL offers the Bermuda Freestyle Dining Ashore Program - for a small extra charge, you can choose to sample island fare at many of the best restaurants and pubs in Bermuda. The seven day itinerary allows more time in Bermuda to see and do more. You have three full days to explore the excitement and beauty of this wonderful island.
 
Additional cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada/New England are available from other nearby ports within driving distance – Philadelphia, Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New York and Norfolk.
 

For additional information on these or other cruises, please contact Mary Cogley, owner of Cruise Planners, at 410-679-8091, or via email at mcogley@cruiseplanners.com. Visit Mary’s website at www.vacationsextraordinaire.com.