Baltimore: The Gateway to Royal Caribbean's Granduer

BALTIMORE: THE GATEWAY TO GRANDEURExperience an unforgettable vacation from Baltimore onboard Grandeur of the Seas®. With multiple itineraries offering diverse destinations – Royal Caribbean certainly puts "more" in Baltimore. On one trip, you can bask in Bermuda, lounge in Labadee® or picture yourself in Puerto Rico. These ports and so many more are just the beginning of your Baltimore cruise, and just think – they're all in your backyard.

Baltimore
With a world-class aquarium, major sporting events and fantastic food, Baltimore is filled with things to do and see. The prime spot for activity is the Inner Harbor, where you'll find the Harborside Shopping Pavilion, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the National Aquarium, Port Discovery and much, much more. Plus, there are a number of historical sites nearby, including Mount Vernon and Federal Hill.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
For a real family adventure, check out the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor, with an amazing collection of more than 10,000 specimens and 560 species. You'll encounter everything from the gigantic pacific octopus to a blue poison dart frog, and don't forget humpback whales, monkeys, sharks, puffins and more. There's even a simulated rain forest with piranha and sloths, and a coral reef with vividly colored tropical fish.

Other Fun Things to Do
* Let the kids go wild at Port Discovery, the Kid-Powered Museum. With three floors of interactive exhibits, there's something for everyone.
* Learn the history of baseball and tour Babe Ruth's Birthplace and Museum, listed as a national historic site.
* Enjoy a great Italian meal in Baltimore's own Little Italy and then take a stroll through the quaint streets.
* Catch an IMAX movie or planetarium show at the Maryland Science Center.
* Visit the Baltimore Zoo, home to more than 2,000 exotic animals in a wooded, 180-acre setting.
* Walk through Federal Hill, a neighborhood on the historic register, and the Cross Street Market.
* Our nation's anthem will unfold before you when you visit the star shaped Fort McHenry. Tour the historical site that defended the Baltimore Harbor in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to pen The Star-Spangled Banner.

Sporting Adventures
If there's one thing that the people of Baltimore are crazy about, it's baseball, played right in the Inner Harbor in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Another exciting sporting event in the area is the Preakness Stakes, part of the prestigious Triple Crown of horse racing. It's held every May at the oldest racetrack in Maryland, the Pimlico Racecourse.

Taste of Local Flavor
Given its seaside location, it's not surprising that Baltimore has its fair share of great seafood restaurants. But for a true culinary experience, you'll want to stop by one of the many crabhouses you'll come across to try the popular local dish, the Crab Cake. What's so special about it? It's made with Maryland Blue Crabs, which are found predominantly in the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

I've been to Baltimore several times and love it ! It's quaint and it clearly gives you the atmospher of being close to the sea !
Have you been ? Please share your experiences.