Cruising has now gotten easier and more affordable for Mid-Atlantic travelers. Why spend money on airfare to Florida when you can leave from the Port of Baltimore, in your own backyard?

In 2009, Cruise Maryland will offer 79 year-round cruises to Bermuda, Canada/New England and the Eastern Caribbean on five cruise lines. Beginning in April, Carnival Cruise Lines will join Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International and American Cruise Lines — and will initiate the Port of Baltimore’s first ever year-round cruising program. Celebrity Cruises arrives in November, with a three-month winter sailing schedule.

Less than 200 yards off Interstate 95, the cruise terminal is located in South Locust Point and is an easy drive, whether you are dropping off passengers or leaving your car while you cruise. With the opening of two new parking lots in May and June, there is onsite parking at the terminal for more than 1,500 vehicles. For $15 per day, you can park your car in a secure lot while you are luxuriating on your cruise.

In fact, the entire process is very “smooth sailing” — from driving to the terminal, parking or dropping off passengers, to getting onto the ship. My mom went on a cruise in July to Bermuda on Norwegian Cruise Line. This was her fourth cruise — the first one out of Baltimore — and she was “very pleased” with the pre-board and disembarking process. A slow walker, she was impressed with the efficiency of the check-in process, which “only took 10–15 minutes” to navigate the lines through the 60,000 sq. ft. terminal and board the ship. Disembarking was just as well organized, and because the bags were grouped by color, passengers found their luggage quickly. Cruising from the Port of Baltimore provides smooth sailing in another way. “When you sail down the Chesapeake Bay, as opposed to the rough waters of the North Atlantic, it is a much smoother trip,” said John Meister, manager, Cruise Marketing for the Maryland Port Administration.

Meister is excited about the 2009 season and growth of Baltimore’s cruise industry. He has seen a “get on board” mentality with the regional visitors bureaus, travel agents and tourism groups. “Our philosophy is that all components must work together in the community or it’s not going to work.”

Cruise Maryland passengers should be sure to visit the Baltimore-Washington region’s rich travel destinations either before or after their cruise. In fact, the terminal is located only a few miles from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and historic landmarks. Of course, Washington, D.C., is only a 45-minute drive away. Annapolis, the state’s capital and sailing capital of the world, is only a 30-minute drive from the terminal and well worth a side trip. When visiting Annapolis, visitors find it fun to view the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from the shore and then cruise underneath the bridge.

Getting there

Driving: From points south, take I-95 North toward Baltimore, and take Exit 55, Key Highway, passing through one traffic light. The cruise terminal entrance is on the right. From the north, take I-95 South toward Baltimore. As you approach the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, stay in the right lane and proceed through the tunnel, taking the first exit past the tunnel, which is Exit 55 Key Highway. Turn left at the first traffic light onto East McComas Street. The cruise terminal entrance is on the right.

The terminal is 11 miles from the Baltimore-Washington International Airport and 5 miles from Amtrak’s Penn Station. Visit www.cruisemaryland.com for special packages and local hotel recommendations. For pre- and post-stay packages, contact your local travel agent. For information, call 1-866-427-8963.