The Grandeur of the Seas was welcomed back to the Port of Baltimore last Friday May 3, 2013. Originally deployed in Baltimore 2004 to 2009, the Grandeur was celebrated with a special proclamation from Governor Martin O'Malley who declared the special day 'Royal Caribbean Cruise Day' in Maryland.
"Maryland welcomes the new and improved Grandeur of the Seas to our state," said Governor O'Malley. "Royal Caribbean's decision to place this beautiful ship here is another strong vote of confidence in the Port of Baltimore, the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland as one of the top cruise markets in the nation, providing approximately $90 million in economic activity and generating about 200 direct jobs in Maryland."
"Royal Caribbean International thanks Governor Martin O'Malley and the Maryland Port Administration for their ongoing support of the cruise vacation industry in the great state of Maryland," said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Maryland's rich history and diverse cultural attractions make it an unmatched destination to pair with a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. We are delighted to mark the beginning of Grandeur of the Seas year-round service from Baltimore on Royal Caribbean Cruise Day in Maryland."
The Grandeur of the Seas replaces the Enchantment of the Seas and will offer 6-8 night cruises year-round to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as Canada and New England.
Grandeur of the Seas is fresh from a $48 million bow-to-stern revitalization, which incorporated six new specialty dining options, technological upgrades and new entertainment features, as well as a refresh of all furniture, carpet, upholstery and staterooms. Families with toddlers can take advantage of the newly installed Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, which caters to the cruise lines youngest guests, ages six months to 36 months. Guests can also enjoy a 220-square foot poolside movie screen and take in a new high-flying experience whereby aerialists glide through the ships six-story atrium.
Throughout the year, vacationers can choose among a variety of itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the summer, the itineraries alternate between seven-night Bermuda sailings, featuring a two-night call at Kings Wharf, and seven-night sailings to the Bahamas, calling at Port Canaveral, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island paradise in the Bahamas. In the fall, Grandeur of the Seas will alternate between six-night Bermuda and eight-night Canada and New England sailings. The winter season will consist of rotating 10-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as eight-night sailings to the Bahamas.
The Port of Baltimore's cruise facility, with its unique location immediately off Interstate 95 and close to Interstate 70, has become a convenient drive-to cruise port for many residents throughout the mid-Atlantic and into the Midwest. Last year, more than 240,800 travelers sailed on 100 cruises from the Port of Baltimore. Baltimore has 96 scheduled cruises for 2013.
