Carnival Cruise Line commemorated 20 years of sailing from Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, October 27, 2024. During the celebration onboard Carnival Pride, the cruise line took the time to honor the first responders who assisted during the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024.
Carnival President Christine Duffy welcomed various dignitaries and public officials including Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, Baltimore Deputy Mayor J.D. Merrill, Maryland Port Administration Executive Director Jonathan Daniels, and representatives from the US Naval Academy.
Expressing gratitude for their partnership, Duffy addressed local leaders and first responders, whom she recognized for their heroic actions as she said, “As America’s cruise line, Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore with Carnival Pride, so it’s fitting that we are here today aboard Carnival Pride showing the immense pride we have in providing great cruise vacations from this great American city. We are proud to sail 100,000 people from Baltimore annually, generate millions in economic impact for the city and state with each departure, and honor the courageous individuals who assisted in saving lives during the tragic bridge collapse.”
Additionally, to mark the 20-year milestone, Carnival made a $25,000 donation to the US Naval Academy Foundation to support its Energy Security and Infrastructure Resilience program.
Carnival Pride was Baltimore’s first year-round cruise ship when she began sailing year-round from the port in 2009. She was also one of the first ships to return to the port when it reopened in May 2024. Carnival Pride was enhanced during a 2023 dry dock and offers itineraries from Baltimore to destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal. In 2025, the 2,124-passenger Spirit Class ship will also begin sailing to Celebration Key, the cruise line’s newest exclusive destination in The Bahamas.