Carnival Upgrades Ship, Plans More Trips

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More choices to cruise. That's what Carnival says customers will have now that the cruise line is adding more trips to its lineup---but only after a multi-million dollar upgrade to the ship that services Baltimore.

Gigi Barnett has more.

"I love cruising," said Vernetta Browder.

For Browder, cruising is the ultimate vacation. She's just back from a seven-day trip to the Bahamas on Carnival's Pride. It was her 14th cruise, which she calls fun at her fingertips.

"Everything's on board right there for you so I do enjoy it and of course I love the casino," she said.

Now, passengers will have more options to hit the high seas on the Pride. The cruise line says it's adding more itineraries---that include several new destinations---to the Port of Baltimore next year, a sure sign that the industry continues to grow in Maryland.

"Over the last five years, the Port of Baltimore has developed," said Richard Scher, Port Administration Spokesman. "The response has been fantastic."

And while the Pride is docked during the fall and winter months, it will undergo technology upgrades and a $500 million makeover.

"I'm ready. I love this harbor. I love this port," said Fran Felhoelter.

Felhoelter is a platinum cruiser. She and her husband Dennis have traveled out on it several times; she says convenience is key.

"We love Baltimore," she said.

Cruises to the port bring about $90 million and hundreds of jobs to the state every year.

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