Carnival Pride returned to Baltimore on April 9 after a 22-day dry dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama, resuming the year-round service Baltimore cruisers have loved for nearly 16 years.
The ship first arrived in the city in April 2009 as Baltimore’s first year-round cruise ship, briefly relocated to Tampa in late 2014, and has called Baltimore home again since March 2015.
How the ship has changed over the years
The largest transformation came in 2015, when Carnival Pride received the Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade. That overhaul added Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, WaterWorks, RedFrog Pub, and several other venues that are now staples across the Carnival fleet.
In 2019, the ship returned to the Grand Bahama shipyard for a refresh that brought new carpeting and tiling throughout public areas, a renovated and relocated arcade, and the addition of The Cove, a dedicated lounge space for teens.
The most recent major overhaul came in 2023, when the Pride spent nearly a month at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.
That dry dock brought the most visible changes yet, including new livery, the Heroes Tribute Bar and Lounge, a venue honoring U.S. military service members that had already appeared on several other ships in the fleet.
David’s Steakhouse was rebranded as Fahrenheit 555, and in the process, the ship said goodbye to its longtime replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David, which had occupied the space since the ship’s debut in 2002.
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The 2023 dry dock also added the Carnival Adventures shop, Dreams Photo Studio, an upgraded Cloud 9 Spa, Starlink internet, and a full repaint in Carnival’s red, white, and blue hull livery.
What’s new from the 2026 dry dock
The latest shipyard visit was more modest by comparison. The casino underwent a full refurbishment, with updated décor throughout the gaming floor, and the Effy Jewelry boutique in the retail area was refreshed.
Routine maintenance and technical work were also completed during the 22-day stay.
Where Carnival Pride goes from here
With dry dock complete, Carnival Pride resumes its year-round Baltimore schedule, offering seven-day cruises to The Bahamas and Bermuda, along with select Carnival Journeys sailings to more far-flung destinations.
Itineraries also include stops at Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest private destination on Grand Bahama, which opened in July 2025.
Baltimore cruisers have more to look forward to beyond the Pride’s return. Starting in November 2027, Carnival Miracle will join Pride in Baltimore, marking the first time two Carnival ships will homeport simultaneously in the city.
