By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International’s recently revitalised Grandeur of the Seas arrived at her 2013 homeport at the Port of Baltimore on 3 May, replacing Enchantment of the Seas.
Grandeur of the Seas was originally deployed in Baltimore from 2004 to 2009 and was welcomed by Governor Martin O’Malley, who declared 3 May 2013 as ‘Royal Caribbean Cruise Day’ in Maryland.
“Maryland welcomes the new and improved Grandeur of the Seas to our state,” said Governor O’Malley. “Royal Caribbean’s decision to place this beautiful ship here is another strong vote of confidence in the Port of Baltimore, the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland as one of the top cruise markets in the nation, providing approximately US$90 million in economic activity and generating about 200 direct jobs in Maryland.”
Following the US$48 million bow-to-stern refurbishment, Grandeur of the Seas features a new poolside movie screen, six new speciality-dining options, technological upgrades and new entertainment features, as well as a refresh of all furniture, carpet, upholstery and staterooms.
Grandeur of the Seas will offer a variety of itineraries to Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The ship’s summer itineraries alternate between seven-night Bermuda sailings and seven-night sailings to the Bahamas, while her autumn itineraries alternate between six-night Bermuda and eight-night Canada and New England sailings. In the winter, the vessel will offer rotating ten-night sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, as well as eight-night sailings to the Bahamas.
The Port of Baltimore's cruise facility is located off Interstate 95 and close to Interstate 70. It welcomed more than 240,800 travellers on 100 cruises in 2012. It has 96 scheduled cruises for 2013.