Why is sailing out of Baltimore so much more expensive than sailing out of NJ

[Highlander1]

We Cruise out of both ports always a balcony or JS we have found Baltimore at times is better priced and some times NJ so we compare and take the best price for the time we want to go.

 

We have been watching cruise prices for NJ and Baltimore for years, I don't remember Baltimore ever offering a lower fee than Bayonne for a comparable cruise . Maybe carnival was less than RC, however, thats not apples to apples. I just think its a supply and demand type market, they filled Enchantment for years at a higher rate, why lower the costs?

 

As for folks that live in that area, I'd drive the 3 or 4 hours to Bayonne for the Explorer at a lower rate, more ship, better deal.

 

As for Premier Parking, we have used them twice, both on 12 day trips, not a problem, they are located 1 1/2 miles from the terminal. As for security and insurance, they are in the car parking business, if they were stealing cars they wouldn't last long. If the savings has value to you, its not a problem, otherwise, park at the terminal. We are going in a couple wof weeks and its only 7 days and parking will be split amongst two couples so the savings isn't enough to warrant Premier. Parking at the pier is $133 for the wek, at premier $84, plus you should tip the Premier drivers dropping off and picking up so that blows more of the savings.

[davy jones]

I ask a similar question about why sailing out of NYC/Bayonne (and Baltimore) is higher than Florida. I have my own thoughts (NY costs, longer sailing distances, less competition, etc.), but would be interested in hearing any other thoughts.

[tahqa]

Is there a restriction on when the duty free shops and casino can open? If they have to wait until leaving the Chesapeake Bay then that could be a factor in pricing also. :confused:

[cruzinlady1947]

Is there a restriction on when the duty free shops and casino can open? If they have to wait until leaving the Chesapeake Bay then that could be a factor in pricing also. :confused:

I don't know what kind of restriction. I think I heard 3 miles from port, but don't quote me on that. I know the Enchantment casino and shops opens not long after we sail and long before we enter open waters. Perhaps someone else has the correct info.

 

Gwen :)

[tahqa]

I don't know what kind of restriction. I think I heard 3 miles from port, but don't quote me on that. I know the Enchantment casino and shops opens not long after we sail and long before we enter open waters. Perhaps someone else has the correct info.

 

Gwen :)

 

Okay... so my best guess would be that the prices are higher because that's what people will pay. :eek:

[pjlee3333]

I don't know what kind of restriction. I think I heard 3 miles from port, but don't quote me on that. I know the Enchantment casino and shops opens not long after we sail and long before we enter open waters. Perhaps someone else has the correct info.

 

Gwen :)

 

Probably not to far off. I'm not sure of an exact figure but having sailed Grandeur and Enchantment frequently I know with a 4 pm sailng the shops are usually open at 5 and the casino about the same time. I think maybe in the early years of Grandeur (think 2005-2006 time frame) they had to be out of the bay so it was the next morning before the shops could be open but its been 5 pm for several years. The bars and Ben and Jerry's are open as soon as you board, just like at any other port.

[ahecht]

I, like loads of other DC area cruisers,would love to see more sailing options , and rue the day that Celebrity left the area. How about National Harbor as a new port addition ? It would be a very attractive destination for US and non US cruisers, with tourist ,restaurant, and entertainment options galore, and gambling on the immediate horizon.

 

National Harbor isn't really a harbor, at least not for anything larger than a ferry. Besides the 301 bridge being too low, they'd have to dredge the entire river between that bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (the channel is under 20ft deep for much of its length), build a pier that can support a large ship, and build the sort of infrastructure required to support loading thousands of passengers and tons of supplies on a regular basis.

[Carnival_Brides]

Is there a restriction on when the duty free shops and casino can open? If they have to wait until leaving the Chesapeake Bay then that could be a factor in pricing also. :confused:

 

I haven't sailed RCI yet, but I'm researching it from Baltimore and came across this thread. The casinos allowed to open once they hit the Key Bridge and have to shut down once they hit the Key Bridge on the return trip. They were trying to prevent gambling "cruises to nowhere" in the 90's and this was the compromise. Also, shops can be open, but they have to charge MD (and sometimes VA) sales tax, which kind of eliminates the idea of duty free shopping.

 

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1993-04-14/business/1993104066_1_cruise-ships-cruise-liners-council-of-cruise