Celebrity Launches Sailings From Baltimore

Celebrity Cruises set out its inaugural sailing from the Port of Baltimore on the 1,870-guest Galaxy. As the first guests embarked on Galaxy, they were joined by Celebrity executives, officials from the Port of Baltimore and Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, members of the media, and representatives from other organizations in a special ceremony onboard the ship. "We have had a warm and welcome reception from every organization we have worked with in launching these new departures, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of guests to Baltimore and to our stunning ship," said Celebrity Cruises senior vice president, marketing and brand planning Ares Michaelides. Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening and the Maryland Department of Transportation also celebrated the arrival of Celebrity Cruises in the Port of Baltimore. "Maryland is pleased to welcome Celebrity Cruises to the Port and commends its wisdom in recognizing the State's excellent location for business and recreation," said Governor Glendening. "In the best tradition of smart maritime growth, Celebrity Cruises has made a strategic decision to bring its business closer to the people, benefiting the company as well as the vacationers embarking from the great Port of Baltimore." Celebrity's Galaxy is the first of nearly 40 cruise ships to call on the Port of Baltimore during the 2002 cruise season. Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend applauded Celebrity for choosing Baltimore, located in the heart of the fourth largest and second wealthiest region in the country. "In its long history, the Port of Baltimore has launched clipper ships and cargo ships, and now it launches cruise ships. This new arrangement with Celebrity Cruises will provide an important opportunity for Maryland's tourism industry and for the thousands of travelers who will sail to and from our region. It attests to the port's ongoing significance as an economic engine for the city and state," said Lt. Governor Townsend.