I guess we'll know by Sunday as to the alternative. If I remember correctly, there have been times when Alexandria VA has hosted cruise ships. Wherever they go, they'll have to get a bunch of folks back to Baltimore.
We have sailed under the bridge a number of times. Often looks like only a few feet clearance. It looks like the container ship hit one of the concrete support structures. I don't think so, but wonder if there is an alternate port on the other side of the bridge (like near Annapolis and the Naval Academy).
I would talk to the private excursion folks about handling a cruise that gets in at 9am. I know a lot of people rent cars but based on what we saw, would prefer to leave the driving to someone else.
We have done some more research and are likely to spend another day in Trieste and save this part of Slovenia for a future cruise. There seems to be enough in Trieste to keep us busy.