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Port Of Baltimore Sets New Cruise Passenger Record

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --The Port of Baltimore has set a new record for cruise ship passengers.

As Mike Schuh reports, this year the terminal in South Baltimore will reach capacity.

Business is so good for Baltimore cruise ships, the state has run out of space to park the huge cruise floating hotels.

This year the number of passengers will quintuple since the new cruise terminal opened.

Why so successful? Location.

"We have folks from all over the East Coast and as far away as Ohio driving to this port, this city, to board their ship," said Richard Scher, Port of Baltimore. "We're fortunate to sit in a very large population market, and obviously this is a very wealthy market as well."

Last year saw a new record number of passengers, and this year will surpass that. This makes the cruise lines happy. Ships left with all the cabins full 90 percent of the time.

This port has come a long way from just moving cargo. Now moving passengers on and off these boats means more than $100 million spin-off business for the state.

In fact, business is doing so well that the state is talking about expanding.

The state is looking at another site in South Locust Point to possibly develop as a terminal.

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