The Port of Baltimore (Maryland USA) is set to lose one of its two homeported cruise ships as RCI-Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas relocates to Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) in late 2026.
The vessel, homeported in Baltimore since 2023, will complete its final sailings before repositioning in October 2026, according to booking information on RCI’s website.
The departure of Vision OTS represents a significant reduction in Baltimore’s cruise shipping operations, eliminating 40+ annual roundtrips. The vessel is scheduled to operate 45 departures from Baltimore in 2025, while Carnival Pride, the other year-round Baltimore-based ship, has 48 scheduled voyages in 2025.
Following its relocation, Vision OTS will remain in Fort Lauderdale through at least April 2027. Royal Caribbean has not disclosed any long-term plans for the vessel beyond that period. The Vision currently operates itineraries ranging from 5 to 12 nights, sailing to destinations such as the Bahamas and Bermuda, as well as Canada and New England during the summer months.
While RCI has not announced a replacement vessel for Baltimore, the size constraints of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge limit the number of ships that can be deployed to the port. With a fleet of 28 vessels, the cruise line may consider assigning another appropriately sized ship in the future.
Port Baltimore recently secured a 5-year agreement with CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, extending its presence at the port through 2029. Additionally, AIDA Cruises, a Carnival subsidiary, and Crystal Cruises are scheduled to make calls in Baltimore next year.