Port of Baltimore / Cruise Maryland Terminal

If you're considering a cruise from Baltimore, the passenger facility you want is the Cruise Maryland Terminal at South Locust Point, operated by the Maryland Port Administration. It is a relatively easy cruise port to use, particularly for passengers driving from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and it has the major advantage of on-site parking directly at the terminal.

One important distinction: the Port of Baltimore is a large commercial cargo port, while cruise passengers use the Cruise Maryland Terminal. So don't use the general Port of Baltimore address as your cruise-day GPS destination.

Address and Contact Information

The cruise passenger terminal address is:

Cruise Maryland Terminal
2001 East McComas Street
Baltimore, MD 21230

View the Cruise Maryland Terminal on Google Maps

The terminal is in the South Locust Point neighborhood, near Fort McHenry and just south of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The Maryland cruise terminal's published passenger information confirms the 2001 East McComas Street location.

Important Phone Numbers

For cruise-specific questions, use the Cruise Maryland Terminal / Port of Baltimore information contacts rather than a generic Port of Baltimore cargo number.

• Cruise Maryland Terminal / cruise information: 410-385-4737
• Maryland Port Administration: 410-385-4400

Because cruise operations and terminal assignments can change, confirm the number in your cruise-line documents or on the official Cruise Maryland site immediately before sailing.

Cruise Lines Sailing from Baltimore

Baltimore is a somewhat smaller cruise homeport than Miami, Port Canaveral, or Port Everglades, but it has a very useful selection of cruises. The two major cruise companies you are most likely to encounter are:

Other and seasonal cruise operations

Baltimore has also hosted cruises from other operators and special itineraries, including ships visiting destinations such as:

• Bermuda
• The Bahamas
• Caribbean
• Canada/New England
• Fall foliage itineraries
• Transatlantic and special repositioning cruises

The actual cruise-line and ship schedule is seasonal, so check your specific sailing rather than assuming a cruise line operates from Baltimore year-round.

Parking at the Port of Baltimore

This is one of the best features of the Baltimore cruise terminal. The terminal also has designated accessible parking.

Types of parking

The primary cruise parking option is on-site surface parking adjacent to the terminal.

On-site terminal parking

This is the easiest option:

• Drive directly to the cruise terminal.
• Drop off your luggage and passengers.
• Follow parking signs.
• Leave the car in the cruise parking lot.
• Walk to the terminal.

No parking reservation is generally required for the official terminal lot. It is extremely convenient, requires no separate shuttle, leaves your car immediately beside the terminal, and is very easy on embarkation and disembarkation day.

Off-site parking

• Potentially much cheaper.
• May require a shuttle or rideshare.
• More complicated on return day.
• Third-party operator rather than the port.

For most people, official on-site parking is the better choice unless you're particularly price-sensitive.

Hotels Near the Port of Baltimore

Baltimore has a nice advantage over some cruise ports: you can stay in a real city with restaurants, attractions, and the Inner Harbor rather than being stuck near an airport. There are two areas to consider:

1. Locust Point / South Baltimore — closest to the cruise terminal.
2. Inner Harbor / Harbor East — farther away but considerably better for sightseeing and restaurants.

Closest practical option

Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row
1803 Porter St, Baltimore, MD 21230

This is one of the most convenient hotels if your priority is getting to the cruise terminal quickly. It's in the Locust Point/McHenry Row area, near Fort McHenry and the cruise terminal. It's particularly attractive if you're driving into Baltimore the day before your cruise and don't care about staying right in the Inner Harbor.

Best Inner Harbor choices

Harbor East and waterfront hotels

Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)

BWI Airport is the airport you would normally consider for a Baltimore cruise. The cruise terminal is approximately 11.5 miles from BWI according to the Maryland cruise terminal's current FAQ. That's a very manageable transfer.

Taxi

The official cruise terminal information currently lists a $30 flat taxi rate from the Cruise Maryland Terminal to BWI Airport. The rate applies regardless of the number of passengers or parties sharing the ride, subject to the stated Maryland Public Service Commission rules. That's a useful figure to remember.

Baltimore by Train

Baltimore is unusually convenient if you're traveling by train.

• Baltimore Penn Station is approximately 5.5 miles from the cruise terminal. Both Amtrak and MARC serve Baltimore Penn Station. MARC provides commuter service between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
• There is also an Amtrak BWI station, approximately 11.5 miles from the cruise terminal.

For someone coming from the Northeast, this can make Baltimore a surprisingly convenient cruise port.

What Embarkation Is Like

The basic process is to follow your cruise line's arrival instructions, reach the Cruise Maryland Terminal, drop off luggage and passengers, park if driving, check in, complete security and required procedures, and board the ship. The exact process varies by cruise line.

One Major Thing to Know About Baltimore

Things to Do Before or After Your Cruise

Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, Fells Point, and Camden Yards are worthwhile options. Fort McHenry is the historic site associated with the defense of Baltimore during the War of 1812 and the inspiration for Francis Scott Key's writing of the U.S. national anthem.

My Recommendations

• If you live within driving distance of Baltimore, Baltimore is an excellent cruise port. Consider driving rather than flying. The combination of easy I-95 access, on-site parking, current official parking rates, BWI nearby, hotels near the terminal, and Inner Harbor attractions makes it convenient.
• If you're flying, fly into BWI rather than DCA or IAD unless airfare makes the alternatives substantially cheaper. BWI is much more convenient for the cruise terminal.
• If you're staying overnight, consider Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Downtown/McHenry Row for convenience, The Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore for hotel plus sightseeing, Hampton Inn & Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor for value, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront for upscale waterfront lodging, or Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore for luxury.

The Five Things to Remember

1. Cruise terminal address: 2001 E. McComas Street, Baltimore, MD 21230.
2. Check the current official parking rates before sailing, as published rates can change.
3. BWI is only about 11.5 miles from the terminal.
4. Royal Caribbean and Carnival are the principal major cruise operators, with seasonal and specialty itineraries also appearing.
5. Stay the night before if you're traveling any significant distance. Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Fells Point, and Locust Point give you plenty to do, and eliminating the risk of a same-day travel delay is worth the extra hotel night.

Frequently Asked Questions