DEPARTURE PORT GUIDE
Baltimore, Maryland
Cruise Maryland Terminal at a glance
SecurityKeep documents and identification within reachBring the government-issued identification and cruise documents required by the cruise line. Port security may inspect the vehicle before entry.
Port parking$25 per nightPassenger vehicles and SUVs are $25 per night. RVs under 30 feet are $40 per night and larger RVs are $50 per night. Parking details →
Before you leaveCheck the cruise app and boarding documentsConfirm the ship, facility, arrival window, luggage tags, and any instructions issued for that sailing. Follow current ship signs at the port.
The night before
Hotels near Cruise Maryland Terminal
Arrival day
Getting from the airport to your hotel
Collect every bag before arranging the ride
BWI is the closest major airport. A taxi or rideshare is the simplest luggage-friendly transfer; rail and local transit usually require extra handling and a final vehicle connection.
With cruise luggage, a rideshare or taxi is normally the simplest transfer. Collect every checked bag first, use the airport’s marked pickup area, and confirm the vehicle before loading anything.
Use the hotel’s full address
Confirm the property name, street address, and city in the app before requesting the ride. Hotels in neighboring cities can use similar cruise language even when they are not close to the same facility.
Keep passports, medication, valuables, and the next day’s cruise documents in a carry-on that stays with you.
Embarkation day
Getting from the airport directly to the port
Use the ship and current facility
Taxi or rideshare is easiest; public transportation requires transfers and is awkward with cruise luggage.
After collecting checked luggage, enter the exact cruise facility and ship name shown in the boarding documents. A city or port name alone may lead to the wrong gate when several terminals share a waterfront.
Have documents ready before security
Keep government-issued identification and boarding documents inside the vehicle, not in checked luggage. Follow the current signs for the ship and use the designated luggage lane before parking or leaving the vehicle.
Same-day flights leave no cushion for delays. Arriving at least one day before sailing remains the safer plan.
Flying home
From the ship to the airport
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
Noon or later is the comfortable domestic target. Tunnel traffic, sporting events, and airport security can make a tighter booking far less comfortable than the mileage suggests.
- Do not treat the ship’s scheduled arrival as the time passengers can leave.
- Request a rideshare only after reaching the marked exterior pickup area.
- Add time for checked bags, international flights, mobility assistance, weather, and heavy traffic.
Choose the disembarkation plan to match the flight
Self-assist luggage can provide an earlier opportunity to leave, but it does not guarantee ship clearance or an empty roadway. Travelers using standard luggage tags should avoid the final departure group when heading directly to the airport.
When an early airfare looks unusually attractive, compare it with the cost and stress of a missed flight before booking.
Driving and parking
Driving to and parking at Cruise Maryland Terminal
Follow the current ship signs
I-95, I-695, and I-895 approach the port. Tunnel traffic and sporting events can delay arrival.
Use the navigation address for the correct facility, then follow electronic and temporary signs once inside the port. Terminal assignments and traffic patterns can change between sailings.
Check the port’s current parking plan
Review the official parking map, daily rate, accepted payment methods, height restrictions, oversized-vehicle rules, and accessibility procedures shortly before travel. Reserve in advance when the port requires or offers reservations.
Keep passports, medication, electronics, valuables, and anything needed before cabins open in a carry-on that does not leave with the checked luggage.