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The service and everything about Celebrity is quite nice. And the cruise to Bermuda is very nice.
Getting in and out of the port of Baltimore is not bad, though the terminal itself is somewhat sparse. The port is a real "port" i.e., you go through an industrial area of Baltimore and the port has alot of shipping containers, etc. The cruise ship terminal is a converted shipping terminal "shed".
Two years ago, we took "Rembrandt" out of Baltimore, and found the terminal facilities generally pretty good. Not grand, but operational.
We were particularly inpressed as to how easy it was to walk only a few hundred yards to our car, which we parked nearby at very reasonable prices.
Lately I have noted, on these posts and in travel articles, that shuttle buses with attendant waits for them, are now required to reached the parking area.
Also, at our return, when "Rembrandt" was due to sail a few hours after our arrival, we found the pier and terminal to be a zoo. As both inbound and outbound passengers had to be served.
Passengers arriving by car and shuttle buses were trying to unload their baggage at the same time that passengers leaving the ship were trying to put their baggage in their cars, or buses.
Organization was not a high element of the skills demonstrated by pier and police personnel.
What were your experiences in this area? We are thinking of "Galaxy" from Baltimore to Canada this fall.
We sailed on the Galaxy from Baltimore in June. the port is a working port and the building that houses cruise check in and check out is a plain shed. Nothing glamorous, but it serves the purpose. Not memorable but serviceable.
Getting to and from the pier is another story. Not the best operation we have seen. It was okay for us because it was a warm sunny day, if it rained there was no cover to be had, everyone was in the open waiting for the shuttles. We stayed in Baltimore and took a cab from the hotel, about $22.00. When we got to the pier the cab driver was given wrong directions and we drove around a bit before we got in the right lane. Once at the right location we off loaded our luggage into a container and waited for a shuttle to the pier, just a few minutes. Once at the pier check in went fine, no waiting for Captains Club members.
One note, be sure to register all your info on line. This makes the check in about 2 minutes at most.
If going directly to the pier from the airport, try Private Car, they use Lincoln LS"S and you are the only passengers, not a lot of stops - just yours. their price is very reasonablefor the pier or to a hotel. Great service and great rates. You can find their web site on the BWI airport site.
Have fun
[ 09-10-2002: Message edited by: Willy Paul ]
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