The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) is celebrating a new two-year contract with Carnival Cruise Line that will bring the Carnival Miracle to the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore beginning in 2027.

The ship will operate seasonal cruises from November to April.

The Carnival Miracle is one of Carnival’s Spirit-class vessels and is similar in size to Baltimore’s current year-round ship, the Carnival Pride.

“The Port of Baltimore is one of Maryland’s strongest economic engines – driving 13 percent of our state’s gross domestic product – and serves as a gateway to the American economy,” said Governor Wes Moore.

“Every time a cruise ship docks at the Port, it fuels roughly $1 million in economic activity, supporting our small businesses, filling our hotels, and driving revenue for local restaurants and entertainment venues. We are delighted to welcome the Carnival Miracle and look forward to building even more momentum for greater economic growth.”

The Carnival Miracle will complement the Carnival Pride by offering deeper explorations of Southern and Eastern Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Maarten, along with additional 12 to 14-day voyages.

Last year, the Carnival Pride began operating under a new five-year contract with the MPA, sailing year-round from the Port of Baltimore to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, and Greenland/Canada.

“Baltimore has been an important homeport for Carnival for more than two decades, and we’re excited to continue building on that strong foundation,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

“The Port of Baltimore has a proud maritime tradition and a loyal community of guests who sail with us year after year. With this expansion, we will build on our year-round commitment to the region with even more opportunities for families to enjoy the fun and memorable vacations that Carnival is known for, while bringing visitors to the area and enhancing our positive economic impact to the city and state,” Duffy added.

“Carnival Cruise Line is a longtime partner, and we are excited to grow that relationship by welcoming a second ship to Baltimore,” said Maryland Acting Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson. “The Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s leading cruise ports, and Carnival’s continued investment reflects the Port’s strength, reliability, and value to passengers and the regional economy.”

“The cruise industry understands the value of cruising from the Port of Baltimore,” said MPA Executive Director Jonathan Daniels. “Our huge regional population market along with our cruise terminal’s ideal location right off Interstate 95 makes us the Mid-Atlantic’s premier cruise port. We look forward to helping Carnival continue their longtime success in Baltimore.”

Carnival ships have sailed from Baltimore since 2004.

In 2009, Carnival Pride became the first cruise line to launch a year-round schedule from Baltimore.

More than 400 jobs are generated by cruise activity in Maryland, including 220 direct jobs at the Port of Baltimore, according to the port.