Daily Record

Baltimore’s cruise business is poised for a major upswing next year, officials said, as the number of trips and lines operating out of the Maryland Port Administration’s South Locust Point terminal more than doubles.

The MPA reports that it saw 27 trips this year, one fewer than 2007. There are 79 trips planned for 2009, including 19 cruises from Carnival Cruise Lines, which are expected to run throughout the year —the port’s first year-round service.

The cruise business has been stable since before the South Locust Point terminal opened in 2006. Until 2008, the only line to cruise to Baltimore was Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. This year, Norwegian Cruise Line began calling at the port, and Celebrity Cruises (owned by Royal Caribbean) and Carnival will join next year.

In 2004, the number of calls spiked to 60, as several companies came to test the market, but cruises returned to historical levels after that.

James J. White, executive director of the MPA, said the expansion is substantial. Though cruises are not a significant revenue source for the port itself, he said they are important in terms of economic development for the surrounding area.

Still, he added that there is some uncertainty in such a large increase, given the weak economy that has dominated most economic news for the past several months.

“[From 27] to 79 is a challenge for our region, but I’m sure we will meet it,” White said. “I think we’ll do very well. I’m very optimistic about it, but I honestly don’t know where our economy is taking us.”