Royal Caribbean has announced that Vision of the Seas will be leaving Baltimore and relocating to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in late 2026.
As one of only two cruise ships currently homeporting in Baltimore, its departure marks a significant shift for the local cruise industry.
The vessel, which has been a key part of Baltimore’s cruise offerings, will host 45 itineraries from the city in 2025.
Its relocation means Baltimore will lose over 40 annual sailings, impacting cruise passengers and local businesses that rely on the industry’s economic contributions.
Impact on the Port of Baltimore
The Cruise Maryland Terminal, established in 2006, welcomed 444,122 cruise passengers in 2023, highlighting its importance as a regional cruise hub.
According to the Port of Baltimore’s website, its cargo and cruise operations support over 15,000 jobs and more than 139,000 port-related roles while generating over $395 million in taxes and $2.6 billion in revenues.
Richard Scher, Director of Communications for the Maryland Port Administration, acknowledged the significance of Royal Caribbean’s presence in Baltimore, telling CBS News, “Royal Caribbean has been an outstanding cruise partner for many years at the Port of Baltimore. We are continuing to hold discussions with them.”
Meanwhile, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson says the door is open for a possible return, “We cannot comment on future deployment, but we look forward to reviewing opportunities to sail from Baltimore in the future.”
Recovery from Infrastructure Challenges
Baltimore’s cruise industry faced a major setback in March 2024, when the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge froze operations for two months.
Vision of the Seas was directly impacted, as it departed Baltimore just before the incident and was forced to reroute, ultimately disembarking in Norfolk. At the same time, passengers were transported back to Baltimore by bus.
Cruising from Baltimore resumed on May 25, 2024, with Vision of the Seas being the first ship to sail from the port following the disaster. The rebuilding of the Key Bridge is progressing, with authorization granted for reconstruction nearly a year after the collapse.
Baltimore’s Future Cruise Offerings
Despite the loss of Vision of the Seas, cruising from Baltimore is far from over.
Carnival Cruise Line will continue to operate from the city, and Carnival Pride is scheduled to sail from Baltimore at least through 2027. The ship will offer similar itineraries, plus new stops in Panama and Greenland. The Port of Baltimore has also secured a five-year contract with Carnival until 2029.
Additionally, AIDA (a Carnival subsidiary) and Crystal Cruises are set to visit Baltimore in 2025, ensuring continued cruise activity in the region. American Cruise Line also cruises from Baltimore’s inner harbor.
