Baltimore Port and driving from Ohio

[4wheelr]

Hi all -

 

I am thinking of booking a Carnival cruise for next summer leaving out of Baltimore. I live in Ohio and would like to drive to the port instead of fly to hopefully save some $$. Anyone have any tips or info for me? Has anyone made this trip from Ohio or somewhere near me? I have never cruised out of Maryland, so this would be a new experience.

 

Thanks!

[edjny]

We have cruised out of Baltimore. It is about a 5 hour drive for us to get there. We drive there the day before the cruise, stay at a hotel and drive to the port in the morning. We have a lot of Choice hotel points, so the hotel is free. This way, even when paying to park at the port, it is cheaper than the hotel/park/shuttle packages that are available.

[Keith1010]

I would recommend arriving the day before as well so that a breakdown or some other delay doesn't prevent you from arriving to the ship in time.

 

Keith

[shumdit1]

Hi, Have gone on this ship several times out of Baltimore.

Once driving and twice with taking a bus.

Did the drive the day after Christmas and thank goodness the weather was fine on both travel days. It is interstate all but about 2 miles. We left about 6 in the morning, stopped for breakfast, and still got there before noon.

Do prefer taking the bus so can relax and not worry about anything.

We are from Western Pa.

Our next trip is in October to Bermuda.

[Cruiseprotobe]

Defintely would recommend you arrive the day before. Find a hotel that has a park and shuttle that can take you to the port or just drive your car there the next day. This way you can spend the latter half of the day in Baltimore, plenty to do in the Inner Harbor area or catch a ballgame if it is baseball season, it is right in town. But also this way if there are any weather issues that could slow you down, you dont have to rush to get to Baltimore. Defintely arrive the day before for sure;)

[4wheelr]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Arriving the day prior has always been our preference as well. Although the bus idea could be interesting.

[grvdggr71]

Should be an easy drive - pretty much a straight shot in via I-70. If possible, try to time your arrival before or after afternoon rush hour (4-7pm). Baltimore's rush is nowhere near as bad as DC's, but still preferable to be avoided if possible. I personally find Baltimore to be quite driveable, and I think you can find nice yet cheap hotel options if you look around. Bon Voyage!

[SteveK51]

Like several and you said, drive day before.

 

Used to live 20 minutes north of Port and have cruised from B'more.

 

The Port is right on I-95 so directions are simple. I suggest a hotel north of city off 95 then drive in and park at port. That is for drive-rest-sail. If you want tour B'more then get more expensive hotel at Inner Harbor.

[cardamon]

We always drive in to the Baltimore area, stay overnight in a hotel, and take the hotel shuttle to the port.

Advantages? 1.parking at the port is more expensive than night at hotel, and parking is free at the hotel for up to 14 nights; 2. you are in Baltimore and can have a great dinner in town before sailing; 3. the hotel shuttle drops you off directly in from of the ship and porters immediately take your luggage- no parking at the port and waiting for porters to arrive to load you luggage; 4. no waiting in a line for an hour to park on the pier 5. you may even meet some of the people you are sailing with at the hotel- we usually look on the boards or agree with others to use a hotel prior.

Try either of these sights:

sleep123

parksleepfly

Good luck!:) cardamon

[edjny]

4. no waiting in a line for an hour to park on the pier

 

Yikes... What time did you get there to wait an hour to park at the pier? We get the hotel for free with 'points' and park at the pier. We usually get to the pier early enough to check in around 11:00am. When we got to the pier, we waited about 5 minutes (3 cars) to unload luggage and then drove to the parking lot (around the other side of building). We parked about 50 yards from the check in building entrance. Total time from getting off the highway to entering the building was about 15 minutes.

[DanJ]

Yikes... What time did you get there to wait an hour to park at the pier? We get the hotel for free with 'points' and park at the pier. We usually get to the pier early enough to check in around 11:00am. When we got to the pier, we waited about 5 minutes (3 cars) to unload luggage and then drove to the parking lot (around the other side of building). We parked about 50 yards from the check in building entrance. Total time from getting off the highway to entering the building was about 15 minutes.

 

We were on the Pride, so it's probably a little different for RCI, with their earlier ship arrival time. But, we pulled into the port about 130pm and it took about an hour for us to get the luggage dropped and the car parked. This was also mid-summer, and the ship was over 125% of double occupancy, which means more people and more luggage to handle. Next time, I would arrive earlier, but would still park at the port. Can't beat the convenience of walking out the terminal, and getting in your car for the long drive ahead, rather than playing the hotel shuttle waiting game.

 

I also rarely find the hotel parking is "free", there is usually a cheaper rate on their website than the "park, sleep, fly/cruise" package, and then there are hotwire/priceline options as well. And yes, before a bunch of people start posting their favourite hotels with parking plans, I know that package rate is still cheaper than cheap hotel rate + pier parking, but the price difference still doesn't beat the convenience for me.

[Rewind]

I know it doesn't help yet, but I will be driving from Ohio to Baltimore in December for a cruise. I'll try to post details when I get back.

[scoonrod]

I will be making the drive at the end of Sept. We are located by Sandusky, Oh. We are driving in the day before. Staying at best western on Dorsey in elkridge. Free parking and free shuttle. Got it for $95. I will come back and post how it was

[Rewind]

I will be making the drive at the end of Sept. We are located by Sandusky, Oh. We are driving in the day before. Staying at best western on Dorsey in elkridge. Free parking and free shuttle. Got it for $95. I will come back and post how it was

 

I've been looking at that same hotel. How did you get it for $95? Every time I select the park and cruise package, It jumps to $140.

[scoonrod]

I used trinityreservations dot com . I researched the company before I booked it and once I booked it i even called the 800 number they are very nice and professional. I called the hotel 3 days later and they had my reservation. Very pleased with the price. I will do a review when we get back I am excited ok my oldest daughter is really excited as it is 3.69 miles from a huge mall. I said 4 miles and she said no mom it 3.69... Go figure.

[Cruiseprotobe]

I used trinityreservations dot com . I researched the company before I booked it and once I booked it i even called the 800 number they are very nice and professional. I called the hotel 3 days later and they had my reservation. Very pleased with the price. I will do a review when we get back I am excited ok my oldest daughter is really excited as it is 3.69 miles from a huge mall. I said 4 miles and she said no mom it 3.69... Go figure.

 

she must be talking about Arundel Mills. It is a pretty large shopping center/mall for sure. You can spend a few hours there too. Across the street now is the brand new Maryland LIVE casino that just opened up a few weeks ago. It is supposedly to be pretty nice place. I need to get up there and see how it is. But you will have just about every restaurant/fast food/convenience store around Arundel Mills.

Enjoy your cruise too :)

[SteveK51]

A bit north of the city on I-95 you also have White Marsh Mall.

[Rewind]

I used trinityreservations dot com . I researched the company before I booked it and once I booked it i even called the 800 number they are very nice and professional. I called the hotel 3 days later and they had my reservation. Very pleased with the price.

 

Thank you for the info - I was able to get my single night stay in December for $89 including tax (supposedly) instead of the $139+ tax the hotel charges. If my math is correct, I saved $69 with taxes.

 

I really wanted the Best Western as it has the indoor heated pool - a slight necessity in December.

[scoonrod]

Glad I could help. I was told that price included taxes. I will be back after my trip and post my review.