Carnival Cruise Line expected to dock in Baltimore by end of May

Nick Broadway
·2 min read

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Since the deadly March 26 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the Norfolk Cruise Ship Terminal took in cruise lines that were previously scheduled to use the Port of Baltimore.

Over 46 thousand passengers across 11 cruise ships from Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which were supposed to use the Port of Baltimore, docked at the Norfolk Cruise Ship Termina.

Carnival to temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk

Now that explosives are being set to demolish and remove the bridge, one cruise line is expecting to end an upcoming voyage in Baltimore.

Matt Lupoli, Senior Manager of Public Relations with Carnival Cruise Line, said they expect Carnival Pride’s May 19 cruise, set to depart from Norfolk, to finish its voyage in Baltimore. He said they are staying in close contact with local, state and federal officials.

“We are encouraging our guests to register for our complimentary bus service between Baltimore and Norfolk for the sailing’s embarkation,” Lupoli said in a statement.

Executive director of Nauticus Stephen Kirkland told 10 On Your Side taking in the extra traffic did not get in the way of renovations at the terminal. Kirkland also noted the process of bussing the passengers from Baltimore and getting ships rerouted went smoothly.

“We’re winding down, which was always the plan. We want to get Baltimore open just like everyone else does,” Kirkland said. “So we’re thinking about our friends in Baltimore and we told our partners with Carnival, we’d be here as long as they need us.”

10 On Your Side reached out to Royal Caribbean to ask if they also expect to start using the Port of Baltimore soon, but have yet to hear back. Kirkland, however, confirms there are no more Royal Caribbean ships scheduled to dock in Norfolk.

Demolition is supposed to start at 5 p.m. on Monday, May 13, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore. It was previously set to start on Sunday, but weather issues caused delays.

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