National Anthem Day

click to enlarge images

O say can you see, by the dawns early light, a large red, white and blue banner? 

Whose broad stripes and bright stars . . . were so gallantly streaming! over the star-shaped Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore, September 13-14, 1814. The valiant defense of the fort inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.

We had the opportunity to visit Fort McHenry during our post cruise stay in Baltimore, MD after one of our conferences.

view our Fort McHenry photo album for more pictures

The flag pictured above was flown over the fort.   We were fortunate to be there for the lowering of the flag and raising of a much smaller flag that would fly through the evening hours.

Click here for the story behind the Star-Spangled Banner origin. The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

Why not take your family on a cruise out of Baltimore, extend your stay, and visit Fort McHenry and the National Museum of American History to bring history to life.  You can read about the flag and the Star-Spangled Banner in text books or the internet, but seeing the actual flag and the fort where the national anthem was created will be an experience to treasure for a life time.

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Enchanting the Port of Baltimore

Enchantment of the Seas® 

Sailing Year-round from Baltimore Maryland

Baltimore just got more enchanting. Enchantment of the Seas® is now sailing year-round from this beautiful city, offering more onboard activities and amenities than any other ship in the area.  

Royal Caribbean's Vision Class of ships include exciting new features like Bungee trampolines, suspension bridges, an expanded Pool Deck, and the interactive Splash Deck, a great spot for kids to get soaked. Enjoy Boleros, the new Latin-themed lounge; work up a sweat in the fitness facilities; and then cool down with a cone from Ben & Jerry's.  Learn More about Enchantment of the Seas®

5-Night Bermuda 

Baltimore, Maryland • Kings Wharf, Bermuda (Overnight) • Baltimore, Maryland

8/9-Night New England & Canada 

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Bar Harbor, Maine • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland • Portland, Maine • Bar Harbor, Maine • Saint John, New Brunswick • Halifax, Nova Scotia • Boston, Massachusetts • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Bahamas 

Baltimore, Maryland • Port Canaveral, Florida • Key West, Florida • Nassau, Bahamas • Cococay®, Bahamas • Baltimore, Maryland

9-Night Eastern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • San Juan, Puerto, Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Samana, Dominican Republic • Labadee®, Haiti • Baltimore, Maryland

12-Night Southern Caribbean 

Baltimore, Maryland • Labadee®, Haiti • Samana, Dominican Republic • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Tortola, British Virgin Islands • Baltimore, Maryland

Weather Advisory Port of Baltimore

Photo Courtesy Carnival Cruise Line

CARNIVAL PRIDE ®

Weather Forecast:

Baltimore - SNOWY
Bahamas - SUNNY

Note:  This Blog Post covered a particular event, however, links contained in this article may still be useful during later weather events.     Click (here) for Weather & Travel Links

As the Nation's Capital and surrounding areas endures another blast of winter weather, passengers scheduled to leave on Sunday's departure of Carnival Pride's 7-Night Caribbean, Baltimore R/T anxiously watch the weather and wonder if they will be able to get to the Port of Baltimore in time for their cruise. Forecasts show total accumulation of up to 2 feet of snow in some areas. Snow is expected to taper off in the evening which should allow time for snow removal.

SUNDAY CRUISE PASSENGERS REMINDED TO ALLOW EXTRA
TIME FOR REACHING PORT OF BALTIMORE

The Maryland Port Authority reminds passengers to allow extra time for travel from their homes due to the upcoming snow event. This is not the first snow storm MPA has faced, so they have a plan in place. (Press Release)

“We strongly encourage our cruise passengers to exercise good judgment and use common sense when coming to the Cruise Maryland terminal on Sunday,” said Maryland Port Administration (MPA) Executive Director James J. White. “Comparable to our December snowstorm, MPA personnel will work around the clock this weekend to make sure our parking lots, walkways and pier are cleared of snow and are safe for the public.”

The Port Administration successfully combated a similar storm last December. The snow operations plan that worked last time will once again be implemented for this storm. The plan included round-the-clock snow removal by crews working in 12-hour shifts using heavy-duty equipment to move snow.

IMPORTANT WEATHER LINKS

NWS - Local Weather

NWS - Baltimore, MD

Baltimore Sun Weather Page

IMPORTANT TRAVEL LINKS

Airport Delays

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Port of Baltimore 

Saturday, February 6 at 10:00 AM -- A significant winter weather event is impacting the Baltimore-Washington region on Saturday. Airlines have cancelled all flights, and indicate most Saturday service will be cancelled. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information regarding flight delays or cancellations.

Sunday, February 7 at 11:30 AM --Snow removal operations continue at BWI Marshall Airport. Airline cancellations continue, and BWI Marshall expects limited, if any, commercial flight activity on Sunday. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for information on flight delays or cancellations. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to Airport.

Monday, February 8 at 6:00 PM --Both of BWI Marshall Airport's main runways are now open for flight operations. Airlines are gradually returning to near-normal schedules. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines to confirm flight status BEFORE heading to Airport. Passengers are encouraged to rebook travel by telephone or airline website, rather than coming to the Airport. Those customers travelling from BWI Marshall this week should consider parking under cover in one of the Airport's garages. Light rail information is available here.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

BWI Ground Transportation

Carnival Cruise Line has not altered the February 7, 2010, itinerary as of this posting. Should it be necessary for Carnival to alter the itinerary, an advisory would be posted to the following link: Carnival Travel Advisory

Winter storms like this are perfect examples of why to take Travel Protection Insurance. For example: Trip Delay / Missed Connection coverage would potentially cover any additional expenses necessary to join your cruise in progress if you aren't able to get to the departure point on time. There are several other unexpected situations that can occur after final payment. Protect your vacation investment and travel without worries.

No matter what policy you chose, make sure you understand the limitations and coverages so you are not surprised after the fact. It is for this reason that I advise my customers to utilize the insurance company's help desk to get your detailed questions answered.

Safe Travels to all Departing on Carnival Pride - Enjoy Your Cruise

Celebrity's Caribbean & Panama Canal

Celebrity Cruises Xclusive Sale

Thru August 13, 2009

Receive UP to $100 in Onboard Credit when you book an Ocean View stateroom or higher on any of the following departures on Celebrity Mercury® .

Do you live near Baltimore, Maryland? How would you like to sail on a Celebrity cruise departing or ending in Baltimore?

The following itineraries might just be what the doctor ordered for a Caribbean, Bahamas, or Panama Canal cruise vacation from a port close to home. Celebrity Cruises has also added Motorcoach transportation making it easy for passengers in surrounding areas to also take advantage of this cruise port.

Celebrity Mercury®
9 Night Bahamas
Baltimore • Charleston • Key West • Nassau • Cococay • Baltimore
November 21; December 12, 2009; January 2, 23, 2010
$50 Onboard Credit per stateroom

12 Night Eastern Caribbean
Baltimore • Charlotte Amalie • St. Croix • Basseterre • St. Johns • Philipsburg • Baltimore
November 9, 30; December 21, 2009
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom

17 Night Eastbound Panama Canal

San Diego • Cabo San Lucas • Acapulco • Huatulco • Puntarenas • Panama Canal • Cartagena
Santo Domingo • Baltimore
October 23, 2009
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom

Announcing 2009 Motorcoach Program

PROGRAM DETAILS

Sailings departing from Baltimore, Maryland
Aboard the Celebrity Mercury 2009
Price per person is $100* round-trip

Following are the cities that are offered as part of the program:

Route 1
Woodbridge, NJ • Trenton, NJ • Philadelphia, PA • Wilmington, DE

Route 2
Wilkes-Barre, PA • Allentown, PA • Harrisburg, PA • York, PA

Route 3
Dover, DE • Salisbury, MD • Annapolis, MD

Route 4
Lakewood, NJ • Toms River, NJ • Cherry Hill, NJ

Route 5
Hagerstown, MD • Frederick, MD • Alexandria, VA • Washington DC

For Bookings and Additional Information

Prices are per person.

Additional Celebrity Cruise Offers