Carnival Cruise Line plans second Baltimore-based ship for 2027-28, expanding Caribbean sailing options

Carnival sets two-ship Baltimore operation for the first time

Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to base a second ship in Baltimore for the 2027-28 cruise season, marking the first time the company will operate two homeported vessels from the city. The Spirit-class Carnival Miracle is scheduled to join Carnival Pride beginning in fall 2027, expanding the number of itineraries offered from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

The company said Carnival Miracle is expected to arrive in Baltimore on Nov. 20, 2027, after a 15-day transatlantic repositioning voyage from Civitavecchia, Italy. Once in Baltimore, Carnival Miracle is slated to operate seven-, eight- and nine-day sailings to the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean, alongside longer 12- and 14-day “Carnival Journeys” itineraries.

What the added capacity means for Baltimore’s cruise market

The move builds on Baltimore’s role as a drive-to cruise port for the Mid-Atlantic. State figures show more than 444,000 passengers cruised from the Port of Baltimore in 2023, the third-highest annual total in the port’s history and the highest since 2012. The planned two-ship deployment signals confidence in sustained demand for longer Caribbean and destination-focused sailings from Baltimore.

Carnival has operated from Baltimore for more than two decades and has maintained year-round cruising from the port with Carnival Pride as its primary vessel.

Routes and destinations: shorter trips, plus extended “Journeys” sailings

Carnival described the 2027-28 Baltimore schedule as a mix of standard weeklong vacations and longer itineraries designed to reach more distant ports. The company said Carnival Miracle’s longer voyages are expected to include calls in destinations such as Dominica, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten, among others. Carnival Pride is set to continue year-round Baltimore service, including seven-day sailings to the Bahamas and Bermuda, plus longer nine-, 12- and 14-day itineraries.

• Carnival Miracle (from fall 2027): 7- to 9-day Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean sailings; extended 12- and 14-day cruises on select dates.

• Carnival Pride (year-round): 7-day Bahamas and Bermuda sailings; longer “Journeys” itineraries reaching southern Caribbean ports.

Context: recent operational disruptions and longer-term commitments

Carnival’s Baltimore operations were disrupted in spring 2024 after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse restricted access to the port’s cruise terminal area, prompting temporary relocation of sailings to Norfolk, Virginia. Carnival Pride later resumed Baltimore departures in May 2024, restoring the company’s year-round homeport schedule.

Separately, Maryland announced in November 2024 that a new five-year agreement would keep Carnival serving the Port of Baltimore starting Jan. 1, 2025, with an option to renew for an additional five years. The new two-ship plan for 2027-28 extends that trajectory, positioning Baltimore for a larger seasonal footprint within Carnival’s U.S. deployment.

What’s next

Carnival said booking details for the 2027-28 Baltimore sailings are included in its broader schedule release for that season. Port activity, berth availability and federal maritime requirements will continue to shape final operational timelines as the two-ship deployment approaches.