Commemorating 20 years of sailing from Baltimore, Carnival Cruise Line honoured first responders who assisted with the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse during a celebratory event on board Carnival Pride. Carnival President Christine Duffy welcomed aboard dignitaries and public officials that included Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, Baltimore Deputy Mayor J.D. Merrill and Executive Director of the Maryland Port Administration Jonathan Daniels and representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Video from the event is available here.
Duffy thanked local leaders for their longstanding partnership and noted the recent return to cruising from the port after the Key Bridge collapse. She recognized several Maryland Transportation Authority Police first responders who were in attendance for their heroic response to the tragedy.
“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,” said Duffy. “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 assisting in saving lives during the tragic bridge collapse.”
Carnival also marked the 20-year milestone by donating $25,000 to the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation to support its Energy Security and Infrastructure Resilience program. Carnival Pride was recently enhanced during a 2023 dry dock and offers a variety of itineraries from Baltimore including trips to the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal. In 2025, the ship will also include visits to Carnival’s newest exclusive destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key.
