Cruise Route

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Spirit Dining Cruises in Baltimore sail along the Patapsco River. The Patapsco provides Baltimore City with 110 million gallons of water every day and is the home to over 40 species of fish. As one of the smaller rivers emptying into the Chesapeake Bay, The Patapsco extends only 52 miles long. Spirit travels past Ft. Mc Henry and the Francis Scott Key Bridge before it makes its way back. As we leave port, you will notice the Maryland Science Center, the state’s major source of informal science, technology and math education. There's nothing like seeing an IMAX show or the fabulous Planetarium.

Next to the Science Center is a grassy hill known as Federal Hill, which received its name because the federal constitution was ratified here. The Hill also served as a lookout point for the cities merchants. You can also see the Pride Mast Memorial, from the original Pride of Baltimore, a replica 19th century topsail schooner which capsized and sank in a freak squall north of Puerto Rico in 1986. Sadly, the Captain and three of 11 crew members were lost. The vessel proudly serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the City of Baltimore and has been replaced by the Pride of Baltimore II. The large white ship, called the Sanctuary, that once served as Navy Hospital Ship during the Korean War. It was the sister ship to the U.S.S. Hope, which was well known in the 1960’s. The Modern Hospital Ship, the USS Comfort, also docks in Baltimore and was most recently deployed in the latest Iraqi War.

World-famous Fort Mc Henry, a late 18th century star-shaped fort, is known as the birthplace of America’s national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner.” It’s the only space in the National Park System to be designated both a national monument and historic shrine. After Washington burned down, the Fort stood as the guardian of Baltimore’s Harbor during the War of 1812 when the British bombarded the Fort for 25 hours with a 60 ship fleet. After this tremendous Battle, the American flag still stood at the Fort. This inspired a young poet and lawyer, Francis Scott Key, to write what was to become our national anthem. Believe it or not, the poem was originally four verses and called “Defense of Fort Mc Henry” before becoming the one verse “Star Spangled Banner” we know today. Scan Pier 1 for one of the two remaining Liberty Ships: the John W. Brown. They were originally built at the Key Highway Shipyard that you saw on the way out and were used to take cargo and materials to Europe during World War II.

Canton is an example of the extraordinary renaissance that has taken place in Baltimore. Canton was the original home to many of Baltimore’s earliest industries, such as Stodder’s Shipyard, which built the U.S. Frigate Constellation, the American Smelting and Refining Company, the American Can Company, Tin-Decorating Company and other iron work companies, mills and warehouses. Canton reinvented itself after manufacturing declined with historic buildings being reconstructed to become renovated homes, condos, offices and a very hip series of restaurants, clubs, boutiques and one-of-a-kind galleries. Fells Point always was and still is a hub of activity for merchants and traders. The heritage is reflected in the quaint brick row homes, boutiques, restaurants, taverns and brick roads. The warehouses that once housed grain, cotton and coffee now contain modern shops, hotels and condos.

As we wind our way back into the Harbor, check out the Living Classrooms. This is the oldest standing brick building in Baltimore, made with round corners. The Dutch built this and used round corners because of an old superstitition that evil spirits couldn’t hide behind round corners. After that, you can see our world-renowned National Aquarium in Baltimore. This building holds one million gallons of water. The glass structure at the top is the tropical rainforest, which houses many tropical plants and animals. This building also houses the Marine Mammal Pavilion, which boasts trained whales and dolphin shows. The Light Ship Chesapeake is stationed at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. For over 40 years, it helped to guide ships and sailors into the Bay.

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