Carnival to Homeport Two Ships in Baltimore Starting in 2027

Carnival Cruise Line will homeport two ships in Baltimore for the first time in the company’s history starting in November 2027, adding Carnival Miracle alongside the year-round Carnival Pride at the Helen Delich Bentley Port.

The expansion is backed by new agreements with the Maryland Port Administration and is aimed at boosting itinerary choice for Mid-Atlantic cruisers, while extending the economic footprint of cruise operations in the region.

Carnival Miracle’s start date and seasonal operating window

Carnival Miracle is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on Nov. 20, 2027, after a 15-day transatlantic sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. The 2,134-passenger ship will operate a seasonal program from the port, running roughly from November through April, complementing Carnival Pride’s year-round schedule.

Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, tied the move to demand for drive-to cruising from the Mid-Atlantic. “Baltimore has been an important homeport for Carnival for more than two decades, and we’re excited to continue building on our year-round operations with the addition of Carnival Miracle,” Duffy said. “By giving our guests more variety in itineraries and ships, we’re giving them more reasons to take a Carnival Cruise vacation.”

What itineraries Carnival plans from Baltimore

From Baltimore, Carnival Miracle is slated to offer a mix of seven-, eight- and nine-day cruises to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, along with longer 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys sailings. Itinerary highlights on the longer cruises include calls such as Dominica, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten, giving Baltimore-area travelers additional options without needing to fly to Florida for many Caribbean routes.

Carnival Pride, which began year-round cruising from Baltimore in 2009 after Carnival started sailing from the city in 2004, will continue to anchor the port’s schedule. Its program includes seven-day cruises to the Bahamas and Bermuda, plus longer nine-, 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys itineraries. On those extended sailings, Carnival Pride’s destination list includes Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, Tortola and Martinique.

• Year-round deployment: Carnival Pride continues sailing from Baltimore throughout the year, including seven-day Bahamas and Bermuda cruises plus longer Carnival Journeys itineraries.
• Winter seasonal deployment: Carnival Miracle is scheduled to sail from Baltimore roughly November through April, offering seven- to nine-day cruises and 12- to 14-day Carnival Journeys voyages.

Agreements with the Maryland Port Administration

The Maryland Port Administration said a new two-year contract brings Carnival Miracle to Baltimore beginning in 2027. Separately, Carnival Pride began operating under a new five-year agreement that took effect in January 2025, extending Carnival’s Baltimore presence through at least the end of 2029.

Maryland Acting Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson described the move as an expansion of a long-running partnership: “Carnival Cruise Line is a longtime partner, and we are excited to grow that relationship by welcoming a second ship to Baltimore.”

Economic impact and Baltimore’s cruise position

Maryland leaders also highlighted the economic impact tied to cruise calls. Gov. Wes Moore said, “Every time a cruise ship docks at the Port, it fuels roughly $1 million in economic activity, supporting our small businesses, filling our hotels, and driving revenue for local restaurants and entertainment venues.” The Maryland Port Administration has said cruise activity supports more than 400 jobs in Maryland, including 220 direct positions at the Port of Baltimore.

Jonathan Daniels, executive director of the Maryland Port Administration, pointed to the port’s accessibility for the region’s drive market. “Our huge regional population market along with our cruise terminal’s ideal location right off Interstate 95 makes us the Mid-Atlantic’s premier cruise port,” Daniels said.

How the added ship fits into the broader cruise calendar

Carnival Miracle and Carnival Pride are sister ships of similar size, each capable of carrying more than 2,000 passengers, and both measure about 963 feet in length. Under the announced plan, Carnival Miracle’s seasonal deployment is expected to cover colder months starting in fall 2027, while Carnival Pride continues its year-round program.

The shift comes as Royal Caribbean adjusts its Baltimore presence. Vision of the Seas is slated to sail from Florida during the winter and spring season and then return to Baltimore for the summer and early fall in 2027. With Carnival adding a second ship seasonally, the port is positioned to see two cruise ships calling during multiple parts of the year, including periods when both homeported vessels are from Carnival.

Duffy also pointed to repeat demand from the region, saying, “The Port of Baltimore has a proud maritime tradition and a loyal community of guests who sail with us year after year,” adding that the expansion is intended to build on Carnival’s year-round commitment while increasing visitor spending in the area.

Carnival Firenze’s East Coast homeport plans for 2027 and 2028

Separately, Carnival’s 2027 to 2028 season includes expanded deployment options for Carnival Firenze, a 4,126-passenger ship set to establish seasonal homeports in both Port Canaveral and New York City.

Beginning in fall 2027, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to offer Caribbean itineraries ranging from four to 14 days out of Port Canaveral, including sailings that incorporate Carnival’s new private destination, Celebration Key, on Grand Bahama Island. The ship is also slated for an 11-day Carnival Journeys repositioning sailing in May 2027, departing Miami and visiting Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Thomas before heading to New York City. From New York City, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to operate seasonal sailings to Bermuda during the summer 2028 season.

Onboard offerings highlighted for the ships

Carnival has also promoted onboard dining and entertainment options it says guests can expect across the deployments. Carnival Miracle’s venues include Guy’s Burger Joint and the Steakhouse, along with spots such as Alchemy Bar and The Punchliner Comedy Club. The ship also features WaterWorks, Carnival’s onboard waterpark, and Playlist Productions shows are among the entertainment options cited for the sailing experience.

With Carnival Miracle’s scheduled arrival in Baltimore in November 2027 and Carnival Firenze’s repositioning plans set for May 2027, the next major milestones will be the release and execution of the seasonal schedules tied to those deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will Carnival Miracle begin sailing from Baltimore?

Carnival Miracle is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore on Nov. 20, 2027, after a 15-day transatlantic sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. The ship is slated to begin a seasonal Baltimore program that runs roughly from November through April.

What itineraries will Carnival Miracle offer from Baltimore?

The ship is scheduled to operate seven-, eight- and nine-day cruises to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, plus 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys voyages that include ports such as Dominica, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten.

Will Carnival Pride remain in Baltimore year-round?

Yes. Carnival Pride is expected to continue operating year-round from Baltimore, including seven-day Bahamas and Bermuda cruises and longer nine-, 12- and 14-day Carnival Journeys itineraries to destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, Tortola and Martinique.

How long is Carnival committed to cruising from Baltimore?

The Maryland Port Administration said a five-year agreement that took effect in January 2025 keeps Carnival operating in Baltimore through at least the end of 2029, and a separate two-year contract covers Carnival Miracle’s addition starting in 2027.

What are Carnival Firenze’s deployment plans for 2027 and 2028?

Beginning in fall 2027, Carnival Firenze is scheduled to homeport seasonally in Port Canaveral with four- to 14-day Caribbean itineraries that can include Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island. The ship is also slated for an 11-day May 2027 Carnival Journeys repositioning sailing from Miami to New York City via Celebration Key, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Thomas, followed by seasonal summer 2028 sailings from New York City to Bermuda.