The world?s newest and largest ship sailing under a U.S. flag docked Thursday at the Locust Point Cruise Terminal.
The ship, Norwegian Cruise Line?s Pride of Hawaii, docked in Baltimore?s harbor after sailing from Germany, where it was constructed. NCL spokeswoman Amy Patti said the ship will remain in Baltimore for the next few days to gather the rest of its crew from the NCL training facility in Piney Point.
Then the 965-foot-long ship is off to Hawaii, where the company expects to begin offering 52 inner-island cruises per year.
Although the ship will only be in Baltimore briefly, the ship?s arrival marks the first time this year that a cruise liner has docked in the Locust Point Cruise Terminal, which should be completed later this spring.
And as the new passenger terminal nears completion, the city is gearing up for a busy cruise season with 28 Royal Caribbean cruises lined up for the 2006 season, said J.B. Hansen, a spokesman with the Maryland Port Administration. The previous passenger terminal was located at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, which also handles freight.
Dennis Castleman, assistant secretary for tourism, film and the arts at the Maryland Department of Businessand Economic Development, said having a new dedicated passenger terminal in Baltimore may raise the city?s profile as a cruise departure destination, which could mean an increased economic impact for Maryland.
“It?s the same reason we?re a drive-to destination for tourism,” Castleman said.
The Pride of Hawaii
» Entered service: April
» Length: 965 feet
» Breadth: 106 feet
» Draft: 27 feet
» Speed: 25 knots
» Guest capacity: 2,466 double
occupancy
» Guest cabins: 1,233
