Here’s the tea. The past year’s been a wave of drama, comebacks, and cruise line plot twists. But guess what? The Port of Baltimore is back in business — and it’s not going quietly.

💥First, That Bridge Thing…

Let’s rewind to March 2024. Boom 💥 — the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, and just like that, cruise ships hit the brakes. Royal Caribbean and Carnival paused sailings, scrambled to redirect ships, and left thousands of cruisers stranded with Norfolk as Plan B (ugh).

Carnival even said, “Yep, this might cost us $10 million.” Yikes.

 Fast Forward: The Comeback Cruise

Then came May 2024. Cue the triumphant horn blast 🎺 —  3 day cruises from Baltimore were back!

• May 25: Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas kicks things off.

• May 26: Carnival’s Pride returns to cheers and champagne.

Baltimore? Back in the cruise game. Hard.

🤝 Carnival: “We’re Here to Stay.”

In a power move, Carnival signed a 5-year deal with the Port of Baltimore. That’s right — they’re sticking around until at least 2029. Expect sunny Caribbean sailings, Bermuda trips, and a LOT of Maryland crab cakes eaten before boarding.

And the local economy? LOVES it. Each cruise pumps $1 million+ into hotels, restaurants, parking garages — even airport shuttles.

👋 Royal Caribbean: “It’s Not You, It’s Your Bridge.”

Now for the break-up: Royal Caribbean’s packing up in late 2026. They’re sending Vision of the Seas to Florida, where ships can be taller, wider, and more extra.

Why the split? The Bay Bridge is just too short. Literally. Bigger ships = no go.

But hey — word is they might return with a smaller ship down the line… maybe. Possibly. If the stars align (or the bridge gets rebuilt).

🔮 So, What’s the Cruise Vibe in Baltimore?

Here’s the vibe check:

Baltimore still has serious cruise cred — easy access, low stress, and loyal fans. The Carnival Pride will keep making waves, and who knows? With a few upgrades, the port could lure even more ships in the future.