Grumpy
03-31-2009, 06:53 PM
http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-travel-rcl,0,82649.story
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman | Baltimore Sun reporter
For cruise fans, it's a year-round showdown here in Baltimore: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean.
Last week, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines announced it would offer cruises year-round from Baltimore beginning in June 2010. The cruise line had previously scheduled next year's sailing season to end in November 2010, but now itineraries will be available through April 2011.
And to top that off, Royal Caribbean is replacing the Grandeur of the Seas ship, which has sailed from Baltimore since 2004, with the Enchantment of the Seas, a bigger ship that underwent an "extreme makeover" back in 2005, a process that added 73 feet to the ship's length. So technically, it's not a newer ship (it began sailing in 1997), but it is more recently updated and has more features and more staterooms than the Grandeur.
The Enchantment will host 2,252 passengers spread out over 11 decks and 1,126 cabins. Amenities onboard include the solarium, three pools, six whirlpools, a splash deck (interactive play fountain), rock-climbing wall and bungee trampolines. Royal Caribbean will still offer sailings to Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean and New England/Canada, but in fall 2010 will add 9-night cruises to Florida and the Bahamas (similar to what Carnival is offering this year).
So, a royal treat is in store for cruise lovers as Baltimore hosts four cruise lines this year - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity - offering twice as many cruises as in 2008. Carnival announced last year that it would sail year-round from Baltimore beginning in 2009.
The cruise season gets started in late April with the arrival of the Carnival Pride, which will offer sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Norwegian gets sailing May 24 with trips to Bermuda. Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas gets going on its usual Bermuda route June 27. Celebrity arrives in the fall.
Cruises remain a great value for all-inclusive travel, especially from our home port, which allows us Marylanders to simply park and ride. Now, the only thing left to decide is which cruise line will get your business?.
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman | Baltimore Sun reporter
For cruise fans, it's a year-round showdown here in Baltimore: Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean.
Last week, Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines announced it would offer cruises year-round from Baltimore beginning in June 2010. The cruise line had previously scheduled next year's sailing season to end in November 2010, but now itineraries will be available through April 2011.
And to top that off, Royal Caribbean is replacing the Grandeur of the Seas ship, which has sailed from Baltimore since 2004, with the Enchantment of the Seas, a bigger ship that underwent an "extreme makeover" back in 2005, a process that added 73 feet to the ship's length. So technically, it's not a newer ship (it began sailing in 1997), but it is more recently updated and has more features and more staterooms than the Grandeur.
The Enchantment will host 2,252 passengers spread out over 11 decks and 1,126 cabins. Amenities onboard include the solarium, three pools, six whirlpools, a splash deck (interactive play fountain), rock-climbing wall and bungee trampolines. Royal Caribbean will still offer sailings to Bermuda, the Eastern Caribbean and New England/Canada, but in fall 2010 will add 9-night cruises to Florida and the Bahamas (similar to what Carnival is offering this year).
So, a royal treat is in store for cruise lovers as Baltimore hosts four cruise lines this year - Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity - offering twice as many cruises as in 2008. Carnival announced last year that it would sail year-round from Baltimore beginning in 2009.
The cruise season gets started in late April with the arrival of the Carnival Pride, which will offer sailings to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Norwegian gets sailing May 24 with trips to Bermuda. Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas gets going on its usual Bermuda route June 27. Celebrity arrives in the fall.
Cruises remain a great value for all-inclusive travel, especially from our home port, which allows us Marylanders to simply park and ride. Now, the only thing left to decide is which cruise line will get your business?.