Get ready for more Cruisetacular Charm!

Carnival Pride sailing into Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo Credit: http://blog.classiccruises.info/ 

The Port of Baltimore has become a cruise port of great demand on the East Coast [of the United States of America]. Because of the multitudes invading Charm City for a cruise vacation, a new cruise terminal is on the horizon for the U.S.' blue crab epicenter.

Since the cruise port opened its berth for sailings, it has become a favorite place to begin the perfect getaway. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have both secured ships sailing from the Mid-Atlantic cruise port all-year-round.

Carnival Pride and Enchantment of the Seas are the main two attractions leaving from Baltimore, and will carry a total of nearly 220,000 passengers in 2011 combined. Currently, the Port of Baltimore has only one berth, meaning it can only hold one ship at a time. With the new cruise terminal, it will allow more flexibility to have at least two ships in the port a day.

The Port of Baltimore will soon be receiving a canopy gangway-- it will replicate those at major cruise ports (i.e., Port of Miami). I hope this brings other cruise lines to my backyard-- perhaps Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises will return!

Let's see what cruise lines will join in on the high seas charm (I'd love to see Princess Cruises or Holland America Line sail in for a visit)! In the mean time, book your next vacation from Baltimore-- it's a great excuse to sample an authentic crab cake! Your ship awaits and Bon Voyage!

The Ocean Escape 2010 Award Winners

Norwegian Epic was voted as Cruise Ship of the Year for 2010.
Photo Credit: Cruise Man 3000



Since The Ocean Escape Blog was created, in June 2010, there have been two monthly cruise award winners. Every month there is a new cruise line and cruise ship of the month. What's the purpose of these awards? Check out my previous blog post, Why Have a Cruise Line and Cruise Ship of the Month? We have 7 new cruise ships coming out in 2011, check back throughout the year to see if any of them win awards with The Ocean Escape!

Here's a recap of 2010's Cruisetacular award winners...
Month                Cruise Ship                         Cruise Line
July 2010:       Caribbean Princess          Norwegian Cruise Line
Aug. 2010:     Norwegian Epic                Disney Cruise Line
Sept. 2010:    Navigator of the Seas       Princess Cruises
Oct. 2010:     MSC Poesia                      Celebrity Cruises
Nov. 2010:    m/s Oosterdam                  Cunard Line
Dec. 2010:    Celebrity Solstice               Holland America Line

Cruise Ships Now Going Green?

Viking Line depiction of the green cruise ship as of October 2010
Photo Credit:  Mercator Media 2010

Yes! The day has finally come, cruise ships are now going green! The ship is not expected to begin being built until the fall of 2011, and not debut until sometime in 2013.

This may spark a new generation of cruise ships to begin being built throughout the cruise line industry. Viking Line will be the owner of this vessel  that is anticipated to be built by STX in Finland.

The STX yard in France built the Norwegian Epic (Norwegian Cruise Line), and the STX yard in Finland built Oasis and Allure of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International).  Click This Link Below for the entire story!

Green Cruise Ship To Be Issued In 2013

'Home-Port' Cruising Highlight: Baltimore, Maryland



                                              

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line's Grandeur of the Seas docked in Baltimore, Maryland.
She used to frequent 'Charm City' before she was rerouted.
Photo Credit: http://www.baltimorecruiseguide.com/

   How do you cruise? Don't like to fly? Why not try cruising from a home port? Baltimore, Maryland anyone? The Port of Baltimore will host Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line now through 2011! 

Carnival Cruise Line sails Carnival Pride to the Bahamas, Florida, and Eastern Caribbean all year round.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line sails Enchantment of the Seas all year round as well to the Caribbean. RCI also sails her to Canada, New England, and Bermuda, seasonally.

Celebrity Cruise Line sails the Celebrity Mercury to the Bahamas and Caribbean seasonally (Only October 2010-February 2011).

The Baltimore Maryland Cruising Calender Until December 2011 (Click this Link)

Is Bigger Really Better?

Oasis of the Seas sailing into Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Photo Credit: http://www.relevantsearchscotland.co.uk/ships/255oasisofthedseas.html

Would You sail on the World's Largest Cruise Ship with nearly 8,000 people (Passenger and Crew)? I would love to hear your thoughts. I personally would pass and stick with the mid-sized cruise ships. Tell me what your preference is.