sailing out of baltimore

[see.legs]

me and my husband will be sailing out of baltimore but its a 12 hour drive so looking at hotel and cruise packages. does anyone know what the holiday inn express (supposedly 1 mile from port) is like or would i be better parking at port and finding a room an hour or so out of baltimore.

[montekat]

Have you checked http://www.stay123.com? There are several hotels that offer cruise pkgs.

[see.legs]

Have you checked http://www.stay123.com? There are several hotels that offer cruise pkgs.

i have and thats how i heard of holiday inn. i havent heard good things about the location of the others they had listed

[Carnival_Brides]

I stayed there a few years ago with some college friends. We had no issues with the hotel and our car was fine parked in their secure gated lot. It was close enough to the Inner Harbor that we could walk to dinner or do something downtown and didn't have to pay $$$$ for parking.

 

If I didn't live so close to the port now, I'd consider it again.

[see.legs]

I stayed there a few years ago with some college friends. We had no issues with the hotel and our car was fine parked in their secure gated lot. It was close enough to the Inner Harbor that we could walk to dinner or do something downtown and didn't have to pay $$$$ for parking.

 

If I didn't live so close to the port now, I'd consider it again.

 

thank you

[jcl410]

I would probably stay at an inexpensive motel in Hagersgtown or Frederick, MD. Then drive the 1 or 2hours to the port and park right at the pier; I really like being able to walk right off the ship and into my car and get on the road without waiting for a shuttle.

 

Aloha,

 

John

[bowbiter]

I would probably stay at an inexpensive motel in Hagersgtown or Frederick, MD. Then drive the 1 or 2hours to the port and park right at the pier; I really like being able to walk right off the ship and into my car and get on the road without waiting for a shuttle.

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

I would not recommend doing that. Just stay in Baltimore or near the airport or Arundel mills mall. If you are going to drive an hour or two stay in DC instead.

 

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[jcl410]

I would not recommend doing that. Just stay in Baltimore or near the airport or Arundel mills mall. If you are going to drive an hour or two stay in DC instead.

 

The OP has a long 12 hour drive from Michigan to get to Baltimore. Going to Washington takes them out of their way, and then subjects them to the DC Beltway!

 

They will already be on I-70, and stopping earlier breaks up the trip, and keeps them out of rush hour traffic.

 

Aloha,

 

John

[Keith Esposito]

I would not recommend doing that. Just stay in Baltimore or near the airport or Arundel mills mall. If you are going to drive an hour or two stay in DC instead.

 

The OP has a long 12 hour drive from Michigan to get to Baltimore. Going to Washington takes them out of their way, and then subjects them to the DC Beltway!

 

They will already be on I-70, and stopping earlier breaks up the trip, and keeps them out of rush hour traffic.

 

Aloha,

 

John

I would get closer to the city for that morning making it a short commute. Given the weather difficulties a few weeks back, I would play it safe.

[Rogueperson]

I would probably stay at an inexpensive motel in Hagersgtown or Frederick, MD. Then drive the 1 or 2hours to the port and park right at the pier; I really like being able to walk right off the ship and into my car and get on the road without waiting for a shuttle.

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

Frederick or Hagerstown is a bit of a hike from Baltimore. You would do better to just stay in one of the suburbs closer in. Columbia is a decent area. Also, someone mentioned Arundel Mills. That's near BWI airport which is also another good close in place to the port. Both places have lots of amenities close by, but keep in mind, Arundel Mills now has a casino there, and traffic around there is plain nuts on the weekends. Inside the city line, you can end up paying a lot more money for the convenience to inner harbor, or you could end up in an area of Baltimore you really don't want to be in. Being south of the city also allows you to drive to the port without hitting any tolls. From the north, you're going to hit the tunnel toll or tolls depending on how far north you are. East of town, you might hit the Key Bridge Toll, or need to take the tunnel to the port. The cruise port, I believe is the last exit before you hit the Fort Mchenry Tunnel, which is a $4.00 toll at this point now. It just keeps going up and up.

 

Parking at the port I believe cost $15.00/night.

[GiannaD]

Frederick or Hagerstown is a bit of a hike from Baltimore. You would do better to just stay in one of the suburbs closer in. Columbia is a decent area. Also, someone mentioned Arundel Mills. That's near BWI airport which is also another good close in place to the port. Both places have lots of amenities close by, but keep in mind, Arundel Mills now has a casino there, and traffic around there is plain nuts on the weekends. Inside the city line, you can end up paying a lot more money for the convenience to inner harbor, or you could end up in an area of Baltimore you really don't want to be in. Being south of the city also allows you to drive to the port without hitting any tolls. From the north, you're going to hit the tunnel toll or tolls depending on how far north you are. East of town, you might hit the Key Bridge Toll, or need to take the tunnel to the port. The cruise port, I believe is the last exit before you hit the Fort Mchenry Tunnel, which is a $4.00 toll at this point now. It just keeps going up and up.

 

Parking at the port I believe cost $15.00/night.

 

I agree with this poster. I live near the port and would not suggest staying as far out as Frederick or Hagerstown or in DC unless you want to visit the city. Your best bet for reasonable accomodations is at Arundel Mills or in one of the hotels at BWI airport. They usually offer free parking and free shuttle service to the port which is only about 20 minutes away. At $15 a day for parking at the port the hotel packages are a really good deal. Also there are no tolls if you want to drive and approach the port from the BWI area. You can also approach the city from I 70 via 695 south without going through the tunnels.

 

Alternatively many people choose to stay in the Inner Harbor or Fells Point sections of Baltimore and enjoy a visit to the harbor and surrounding areas. These hotels also have shuttles to the port.

[WendyCn]

We stayed at the Hilton Garden in White Marsh the last time we cruised out of Baltimore & have booked a room again for our cruise in October. Great hotel, reasonably priced & prompt service to & from the airport. Definitely recommend it. But it is not in Baltimore as we live 90 minutes away & have visited in the past. We just want a clean & friendly place to stay.

[Keith Esposito]

The Pride returns to Baltimore. March 2015.

 

 

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[cbreit]

We are planning to. Fly in on sail away day, what is best transportation to. Cruise port?

[Keith Esposito]

Airport shuttle can be reserved at the time of booking. I think it's $25 each way.

 

 

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[evelyn51]

We always stay at Holiday Inn Stadium Express. However, with answering a thread and revisiting tripadvisor I've learned of a "Casino" being built next door.

 

Any information &/or thoughts on stays there in the future?

[cruisecrazy82]

We stayed at the Brookshire Suites at the Inner Harbor while we were there. They had a park and cruise package that allowed us to leave our car parked there for the duration of our cruise and included transport to/from the port. Personally I thought the transportation part was AWFUL, we waited over an hour for them to take us to the port, coming back was better but getting there was a total pain IMO.

[sweetpea1714]

I agree with this poster. I live near the port and would not suggest staying as far out as Frederick or Hagerstown or in DC unless you want to visit the city. Your best bet for reasonable accomodations is at Arundel Mills or in one of the hotels at BWI airport. They usually offer free parking and free shuttle service to the port which is only about 20 minutes away. At $15 a day for parking at the port the hotel packages are a really good deal. Also there are no tolls if you want to drive and approach the port from the BWI area. You can also approach the city from I 70 via 695 south without going through the tunnels.

 

Alternatively many people choose to stay in the Inner Harbor or Fells Point sections of Baltimore and enjoy a visit to the harbor and surrounding areas. These hotels also have shuttles to the port.

 

 

 

If you are already eastbound on I-70 heading towards B'more, stopping in hagerstown (1.5 hours away) or Frederick (45 min away) is not a bad option. I would avoid Arundel mills area since (1) it is slightly out of the way and (2) the increased traffic and crime due to the casinos is an unnecessary headache.

 

You can depart at a leisurely time (getting a little bit more sleep after that long drive) and totally avoid the various rush hours while making to port in plenty of time.

[cruise2snorkel]

Has anyone stayed at Hampton Inn, Owings Mills? Wonder what kind of area this hotel is in. Will be driving in from Michigan, want to stay outside of Baltimore and park at the pier.

 

 

[bermudababe]

We travel from NW PA and stay at the Embassy Suites-Hunt Valley. Great place. Clean, well staffed, outstanding breakfast, and nice manager's happy (two) hour. We leave the hotel on cruise day at 9:40 and are parked at the cruise port by 10:10. No tolls. Very easy. We were sitting on deck last November by 10:45!

[zippybossrock]

Bermudababe.... Hi neighbor....We're in Erie, Pa. Does the Embassy Suites in Hunt Valley provide a shuttle to the port? Free parking for how long? Or are you parking at the port? Thanks!!!!

[jcl410]

Has anyone stayed at Hampton Inn, Owings Mills? Wonder what kind of area this hotel is in. Will be driving in from Michigan, want to stay outside of Baltimore and park at the pier.

 

It's in a nice area near where I live; my mother stays there when visiting. There are a number of nice chain restaurants close by (Red Lobster, Oliver Garden, etc.)

 

That being said, Owings Mills isn't particularly quick to get to from I-70. You end up going all the way to the Baltimore Beltway, then back tracking north and west 10 miles... From Owings Mills, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the Cruise Port.

 

 

I'll restate my sugggestion for staying in Frederick Maryland when dricing in via I-70. There a number of hotel choices within a few miles of the Interstate. It;s about 50 miles from there to the Cruise Port; about 45-50 minutes total.

 

Aloha,

 

John

[cruise2snorkel]

It's in a nice area near where I live; my mother stays there when visiting. There are a number of nice chain restaurants close by (Red Lobster, Oliver Garden, etc.)

 

That being said, Owings Mills isn't particularly quick to get to from I-70. You end up going all the way to the Baltimore Beltway, then back tracking north and west 10 miles... From Owings Mills, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the Cruise Port.

 

 

I'll restate my sugggestion for staying in Frederick Maryland when dricing in via I-70. There a number of hotel choices within a few miles of the Interstate. It;s about 50 miles from there to the Cruise Port; about 45-50 minutes total.

 

Aloha,

 

John

 

 

Is there anywhere that you would suggest that's a little closer to the cruise port and not out of our way? Don't want to stay right in downtown Baltimore. That's how we found Owing's Mills since it's about 20-30 minutes away. Thanks!

 

 

[megr1125]

Try the White Marsh area....not sure the direction you'd take.....there are a Fairfield Inn and Suites and Residence Inn by Marriott, Hampton and Hilton Garden Inn, and also in the general area, a Home 2 Suites by Hilton...

[jcl410]

Is there anywhere that you would suggest that's a little closer to the cruise port and not out of our way? Don't want to stay right in downtown Baltimore. That's how we found Owing's Mills since it's about 20-30 minutes away. Thanks!

 

 

I'd suggest heading down to the BWI airport area; Lot's of hotel choices. It's not too far out of the way; and that way you won't have to go through the tunnel to get to the port like you would from White Marsh.

 

Aloha,

 

John