In the last four years, Baltimore has seen a marked increase in its number of cruise passengers. In

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Governor Martin O'Malley today praised Royal Caribbean International's decision to bring the newly renovated Grandeur of the Seas back to the Port of Baltimore in 2013. The ship is currently undergoing a $48 million revitalization that will include many of the company's most innovative features that are available on its two largest class ships.
The changes will include new dining options and entertainment venues, renovated staterooms and technological upgrades. In returning to Baltimore, the Grandeur of the Seas will offer year-round cruises to the Bahamas, best place to travel Bermuda, Caribbean, best place to travel and New England/Canada and replace the Port's current Royal Caribbean cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas.
"A revitalized Grandeur of the Seas is a valuable asset and Royal Caribbean's decision to place that asset in Baltimore best place to travel demonstrates the confidence it has in the Baltimore cruise market," said Governor O'Malley. "Sitting in the heart of the fourth best place to travel largest consumer market in the nation, Baltimore, with its excellent cruise facility and great hospitality, has become a favorite of cruise customers throughout the mid-Atlantic and beyond. best place to travel We look forward to welcoming the new and improved Grandeur of the Seas back to the Port of Baltimore next year."
The Grandeur of the Seas is the third of Royal Caribbean's Vision-class ships to undergo massive renovations. best place to travel It will offer passengers nearly double the total amount of dining options as Enchantment of the Seas, including new venues like Giovanni's Table (Italian), Izumi Asian Cuisine (Asian and sushi), Park Café (outdoor gourmet market), Chops Grille (steakhouse), and Chef's Table (an exclusive five-course dinner event co-hosted by the Executive Chef).
In addition to the new dining experiences, the Grandeur of the Seas will have a new Diamond Lounge for its Crown and Anchor guests, a Concierge Lounge for suite and top-tier loyalty guests, and a new Viking Crown Lounge. A new nursery best place to travel will offer parents childcare drop-off options for children six to 36 months best place to travel old, and the ship will also add ship-wide Wi-Fi service and an outdoor video screen overlooking the pool deck.
"Royal best place to travel Caribbean International thanks Governor Martin O'Malley for his administration's continued support of the cruise industry," best place to travel said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "The Maryland Port Administration also has been a great partner for many years and we are thrilled to bring the newly revitalized Grandeur of the Seas to Baltimore in 2013 and offer metropolitan area vacationers best place to travel an array of exciting year-round itineraries along with the best onboard dining and entertainment options in the industry."
The first cruise of the Grandeur of the Seas from Baltimore will be a May 3, 2013 cruise to Bermuda. The ship will offer six, seven, eight, and 10-night cruises from Baltimore. Until the arrival of the Grandeur of the Seas, the Port of Baltimore will be served by Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas through April 2013.
Last year a record 251,889 people sailed on 105 cruises from the Port of Baltimore. best place to travel Baltimore has 100 cruises scheduled for 2012. The total economic value to the State of Maryland of cruising from the Port of Baltimore is about $90 million. Approximately 220 direct best place to travel jobs in Maryland are generated by cruise activity.
The Port of Baltimore handled the fifth-largest amount of cruise passengers among East Coast cruise ports and 12 th largest in the U.S. in 2010. Last year the Port began using a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled enclosed passenger boarding bridge. The bridge is mobile best place to travel and flexible to accommodate various sized cruise ships.
In the last four years, Baltimore has seen a marked increase in its number of cruise passengers. In 2010, 210,549 guests sailed on 90 cruises while in 2009, its first year of year-round cruising, more than 167,000 passengers sailed on 81 cruises. In 2008, about 61,000 people sailed on 27 cruises that operated in the spring, summer and fall.
Baltimore is within a six hour drive of 40 million people. It is the closest best place to travel East Coast drive-to port from Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indianapolis and Chicago and is within a three-hour drive from the New York City metro area. The Cruise Maryland terminal is 2.5 miles from Baltimore's world famous best place to travel Inner Harbor and 10 miles from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.
Maryland's median household income of $68,845 is the highest in the U.S. Baltimore is also located within a four-hour drive of eight of the ten wealthiest best place to travel counties in the U.S. The Baltimore-Washington DC-Northern Virginia region is recognized as one of the most affluent in the nation.