Best Cruises from Baltimore

First introduced in 2002, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend was last updated in May 2018 to include cosmetic updates and traveler favorites like the Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina and Tequila Bar, Guy's Burger Joint and the RedFrog Rum Bar. The ship provides a wide array of entertainment and activities to satisfy multigenerational crowds.

Young ones (ages 2 to 17) can play at organized, age-appropriate clubs while adults attend a show at the comedy club or hit the casino. The ship is also one of the first to include the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea.

When it comes to lodging, about 80 percent of the ship’s staterooms offer ocean views, and 80 percent of those cabins feature balconies. While Interior staterooms are more budget-friendly, Balcony and Suite category rooms are worth the splurge, according to recent passengers. All staterooms include flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

The ship's food options include two main dining rooms, a steakhouse, a sushi restaurant, a buffet with everything from pizza to Chinese fare and more. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Legend departs from Barcelona, London, New York, Vancouver, Tampa, Los Angeles and Venice for sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. It also completes some transatlantic sailings. 

Launched in 1997, Enchantment of the Seas was last upgraded in 2012 to offer imaginative features, such as a poolside movie screen, bungee trampolines and additional cabins. Other ship highlights include three pools, a rock climbing wall, a video game arcade and Broadway-inspired shows in the main theater.

For families, the ship offers age-appropriate kids clubs and a splash deck. And for adults, there are six bars and lounges on board, as well as a casino. When it comes to dining, the ship houses five venues and offers 24-hour room service and several other specialty food shops.

As far as lodging goes, only about 20 percent of the ship's cabins offer balconies, while Interior cabins make up about 40 percent of the staterooms. While the 2,730-passenger ship maintains a 1-to-3 crew-to-guest ratio with 852 crew members on board, recent cruisers still say all the Royal Caribbean employees – from the room stewards to the wait staff – were pleasant and accommodating. 

In 2019-20, Enchantment of the Seas departs from Galveston, Texas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, for sailings in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. 

Eighty percent of the staterooms aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride provide ocean views, which is more than what the majority of the fleet's other ships offer. While those on a budget can opt for Interior staterooms, Balcony, Ocean View and Suite category cabins offer more space and scenery.

Either way, much of your time will likely be spent outside of your cabin, thanks to Carnival Pride's myriad of onboard activities. Cool off in one of the pools, splash around in the water park or tackle the 214-foot-long Twister waterslide. Kids can head to age-appropriate youth clubs while adults grab a cocktail at one of multiple bars. At night, passengers can attend comedy shows and musicals or enjoy the nightclub and piano bar.

What's more, a renovation in 2014 equipped Pride with "Fun Ship 2.0" dining, including the popular Guy's Burger Joint and the specialty Bonsai Sushi eatery. The ship's dry dock also introduced new features, such as the Seaside Theater and the Alchemy Bar. An even more recent refurbishment in February 2019 freshened the ship's public areas, renovated the arcade and more. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Pride departs from Baltimore for sailings in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Panama Canal. 

Among Royal Caribbean's smaller ships, Grandeur of the Seas welcomes up to 2,440 guests and 760 crew members. While the ship boasts a rock climbing wall and six whirlpools, it lacks some of the modern amenities found on other Royal Caribbean ships, like a surf simulator and waterslides. However, a 2017 revamp updated the ship's cabins and added some new dining options, including fan favorite Izumi, which serves Japanese cuisine. The ship offers eight dining venues total, including a Starbucks at sea. 

Similar to the rest of the fleet, the ship offers four stateroom categories (Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite). Interior cabins range from 136 to 145 square feet, while Suites span 247 to 1,087 square feet. Recent travelers said a highlight was the service from their room stewards. The ship is best suited to adults, with a 6,843-square-foot casino, multiple bars and lounges and the Vitality Spa.

In 2019-20, Grandeur of the Seas sails from Baltimore for itineraries in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and New England.