american constitution cruise ship chesapeake bay

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American Constitution

Cruise line American Cruise Lines

• Seattle (Washington)
• Boston (Massachusetts)
• Washington DC (USA)
• Juneau (Alaska)
• Baltimore (Maryland)

American Constitution current position

American Constitution current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 38.62002 N / -77.12881 W) cruising en route to WASHINGTON DC. The AIS position was reported 33 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of American Constitution

American Constitution current cruise is 9 days, round-trip 10 Night American Revolution Cruise , themed as "Easter". Prices start from USD 6310 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 26 Mar, 2024 and ends on 04 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of American Constitution

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

American Constitution Itineraries

American constitution review, review of american constitution.

The 2018-built MS American Constitution cruise ship is the second of American Cruise Lines fleet's "Coastal Class" boats - with sistership American Constellation (2017).

This "ocean ship" design was later modified for inland/river cruising, resulting in the company's "Modern Riverboat" fleet - American Song (2018), American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (202o), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2022).

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner American Cruise Lines (ACL) is the USA's largest river cruise company (headquarters in Guilford Connecticut) operational since 1991. The company specializes in cruise shipping on the USA's largest navigable inland waterways (rivers and lakes) as well as in cruises along the US East Coast, US West Coast and Florida. All ACL vessels feature some of the industry's largest passenger cabins with private balconies, spacious lounges and outdoor deck spaces, gourmet cuisine, top-quality enrichment program with many complimentary land tours and excursions, highly-personalized service by all-American staff and crew.

All ACL cruise ships are US-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury (Maryland USA).

The new coastal riverboat was inaugurated in 2018. The "American Constitution" name was inspired by the oldest vessel in service of the US Navy (USS Constitution), originally commissioned by George Washington (1732-1799, the USA's first President) during his tenure as president (1789-1797).

Decks and Cabins

ACCL's American Constitution ship has 6 passenger decks (accessible via one elevator) and a total of 85 staterooms . The number of cabin categories is 9. Most of the accommodations are Balcony rooms, with floor-ceiling sliding doors leading to a private step-out veranda. There are no connecting rooms onboard.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

ACCL's American Constitution ship has a single-capacity, open-seating dining room. This is the main restaurant onboard featuring floor-ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers, classy furniture, 4- and 8-seat tables and luxury dining amenities. Most of the cuisine is American fare. The menu boasts itinerary-inspired gourmet specialties and fresh food. Breakfast is buffet-style, with made-to-order items. Lunch offers soup, choice of 3 dishes, chef's salad. Dinner offers soup, salad and 3 entrees. The wine list has a selection of domestic wines. Any dietary needs are catered for.

The ship American Constitution with full active wing stabilization caters to vacationers looking for an intimate high-end experience of a smaller vessel. Well-appointed rooms are the largest ever seen in service, with room service and tastefully furnished private balconies. Additional features include kayaks and Zodiacs that offer guests alternative ways to explore historic North American destinations.

The list of the ship's main public venues includes:

• (Deck 1) Vestibule/lobby level, Ship's Office, Dining Room Restaurant, Galley/Kitchen
• (Deck 2) Lounge/midship-starboard
• (Deck 3) Library Lounge/midship-starboard, Chesapeake Lounge/forward
• (Deck 4) Pilothouse/Wheelhouse, Upper Lounge & Library (midship-starboard), Sky Lounge (aft, with outdoor terrace seating)
• (Deck 5) Fitness Room/midship Gym, Lower Sun Deck/aft
• (Deck 6) Upper Sun Deck with outdoor seating and Mini-Golf/Putting Green

Itineraries

American Constitution itinerary program includes two new American Cruise Lines itineraries - one from the USA to New England, and the other along southeast USA's Intracoastal Waterway.

• The 10-night / 11-day "Grand New England" cruise itinerary starts in Boston MA and visits Provincetown MA, Newport RI , Martha's Vineyard MA , Kennebunkport ME, Camden ME, Bar Harbor ME ) and Rockland ME .
• The 10-night / 11-day "Grand Historic South" cruise itinerary is roundtrip from Charleston SC and visits Wilmington NC , Beaufort NC , Savannah GA , Sapelo Island GA , Jekyll Island GA , Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach) and Beaufort SC .
• (April 18, 2018) The 11-day "Inaugural Cruise" itinerary (themed "American Revolution Cruise" was roundtrip from Baltimore MD ) and included as call ports Norfolk VA , Williamsburg VA, Yorktown VA , Washington DC, Mount Vernon VA (George Washington's plantation house), Cambridge MD , St Michaels MD , Annapolis MD , and Chestertown MD.

ACL cruise deals are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel package, all shore excursions (organized daily), cocktail hour (each evening), cruise accommodation, gourmet meals, Afternoon Tea service, room service (Breakfast only), onboard enrichment and entertainment programs, Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage).

American Constitution - user reviews and comments

American constitution ship related cruise news.

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Other American Cruise Lines cruise ships

• ACL American Eagle
• ACL American Glory
• ACL American Legend
• ACL American Liberty
• American Constellation
• American Harmony
• American Heritage
• American Independence
• American Jazz
• American Melody
• American Pride
• American Serenade
• American Song
• American Spirit
• American Splendor
• American Star
• American Symphony
• American West

American Constitution Wiki

The newbuild vessel has a modern propulsion system consisting of 2x azimuth thrusters ("Z-drives") manufactured by Veth (Holland). These 360-degree rotating propellers (1x forward, 1x aft) provide the boat with greater manoeuvrability and berthing flexibility.

The ship is powered by 2x Caterpillar marine engines running on low-sulfur diesel. These modern engines require less fuel and produce fewer emissions (COx, NOx, SOx) and soot particles in comparison to other boats on the US river cruising market.

On June 20, 2017, was the vessel's launch (float-out) at Chesapeake shipyard (Salisbury MD), during which it was removed from drydock and slid into Wicomico River.

Ship's Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage) was scheduled for April 18, 2018. The 11-day itinerary (themed" American Revolution Cruise", roundtrip from Baltimore MD ) included as ports of call Norfolk VA , Williamsburg VA, Yorktown VA , Washington DC , Mount Vernon VA (George Washington's plantation house), Cambridge MD , St Michaels MD , Annapolis MD , Chestertown MD.

Chesapeake Bay Magazine

The Best of the Bay

New River Cruise Ship Launches "American Revolution" Trip up Chesapeake Bay

The small cruise company American Cruise Lines is bringing its brand new cruise ship, American Constitution , to the Chesapeake Bay for a new itinerary highlighting the locations that played pivotal roles in the birth of the United States.

American Constitution makes its inaugural cruise April 18, for 10 days and 11 nights. Stops will include Norfolk, Williamsburg, Yorktown, known as the “Historic Triangle,” Washington, D.C., George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, Cambridge, St. Michaels, Annapolis, the home of many founding fathers, and Chestertown.

On board, Revolutionary War historians and re-enactors will bring the stories behind each landmark to life. Experts like Dr. Harold Cones and Don Albert will lead tours and presentations.

Guests will also have opportunities to visit Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad exhibit or sail on a skipjack through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

The cruise line says it will treat passengers to local recipes and fresh Maryland crab during their time on the Bay. American Constitution boasts “the largest staterooms in the industry” and private furnished balconies. It carries 175 guests. It is the sister ship to American Cruise Lines’ American Constellation , which started sailing in 2017 and has now moved to the Pacific Northwest for 2018.

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American Constitution Inaugural Cruise Completed

By: Sherry Laskin · Updated On: May 9, 2020

American Constitution Chesapeake Bay cruise

American Constitution, the newest ship in American Cruise Lines fleet, has completed its inaugural sailing. The ship sailed the Chesapeake Bay on a new 10-night itinerary, named the American Revolution. The 175-passenger America Constitution departed from Baltimore on April 18, 2018.

“American Constitution has been exceptionally well received and all the spring 2018 American Revolution cruises are already sold out,” a company official said.

One of the highlights on this itinerary, American Constitution docked at The Wharf, inside the District of Columbia. This was the first time a cruise ship has called on D.C.’s Southwest waterfront in over 60 years.

While docked in Washington, D.C., shore excursions included visits to the “Historic Triangle,” Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown. Tours of Washington were also included.

Featured on the inaugural cruise was Dr. Harold Cones, emeritus Professor of Biology, Christopher Newport University. An expert naturalist, historian and writer, Dr. Cones provided onboard enrichment lectures about less well known aspects of American history and the historical sites throughout the region.

Onboard cuisine included Maryland Blue Crabs, while the new ship sailed through the Blue Crab Capitol of the World.

After a spring season of American Revolution cruise itineraries, American Constitution will relocate to northern New England for the summer and their New England Lobsterbake cruises. In the fall, the ship will cruise on the Hudson River.

American Constitution will return for its Chesapeake Bay cruise itinerary in late October, 2018 for several more 10-night American Revolution cruises. Also planned is a special Colonial Holiday cruise departing December 23, 2018.

About American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines cruises the rivers, coastal and inland waterways of America. With 10 ships and over 35 itineraries that visit 25 states, American cruises New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Mississippi River system, and the Southeast.

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Home » Cruise » American Cruise Lines » American Constitution Resumes Cruising with Stops in Washington D.C.

American Constitution Resumes Cruising with Stops in Washington D.C.

American Cruise Lines' American Constitution resumes cruising with stops in Washington D.C., the only cruise line to dock here in 60+ years.

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American cruise lines: only cruise line to dock in washington, d.c. in over 60 years.

Guilford, CT—April 29, 2021— American Cruise Lines announced today that the American Constitution, one of the Line’s 175-passenger small cruise ships has begun cruising Chesapeake Bay and making port stops in Washington, D.C. at The Wharf. American Constitution was the first cruise ship to call on D.C.’s Southwest waterfront in over 60 years during its inaugural cruise in 2018, and remains the only cruise ship to dock inside our Nation’s Capital since that time.

This April, American Constitution began operating the Line’s popular 11-Day American Revolution cruises which include the exceptional stop in D.C. at The Wharf. American’s curated itinerary explores the shores of Chesapeake Bay, and celebrates this region steeped in American history. Guests can also enjoy spectacular scenic views of the region’s famed Cherry Blossoms from the ship’s private balcony accommodations.

“The Wharf has become a vibrant and bustling area along D.C.’s historic waterfront. Our guests love docking there and we very much appreciate our partnership with The Wharf Community Association,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American. “From the moment our guests step off the ship, they can immediately start enjoying one of the hottest new spots in our beautiful capital city.”

“American Cruise Lines long-term partnership with The Wharf is important in reestablishing Washington, D.C. as a true waterfront city. We are thrilled to be included in their exceptional river cruising itinerary for 2021 and continue to be delighted in the number of visits the American Constitution will make to The Wharf this year. The sight of this magnificent vessel sailing to The Wharf, as it maneuvers from the Potomac River is breathtaking,” said Robert Rubenkonig, Director of The Wharf Community Association.

On board and on shore, American Cruise Lines brings together Revolutionary War experts, historians, authors, and reenactors to bring history to life. Led by seasoned expert Robert Yonskie, guests experience tours, lectures, and presentations that illuminate the region’s monuments, quaint towns, historic cities, and lore that shaped our nation and continues to inspire visitors today.

Itinerary highlights include visits to the cities of the “Historic Triangle,” Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. Cruises include guided tours of Washington, D.C.; Mount Vernon, George Washington’s 18th century home; and Annapolis, home to many of our Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence. Guests can also take a private tour of the Smithsonian Museums, visit Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad exhibit, and sail on an authentic “Skipjack” through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Each spring and fall, American offers the 11-Day American Revolution cruises as well as a shorter 8-day Chesapeake Bay cruise, both are Roundtrip from Baltimore. The 11-day American Revolution cruise stops in: Norfolk, VA; Williamsburg, VA; Yorktown, VA; Washington, D.C.; Mount Vernon, VA; Cambridge, MD; St. Michaels, MD; and Annapolis, MD.

American’s 2021 cruises have voluntary capacity reductions and COVID-19 mitigation practices, including pre-boarding testing and medical staff on board. Review a summary of the plan here .

About American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines offers the finest river cruising and coastal cruising in the U.S.A. Year after year, American continues to launch the newest small ships and uniquely curated itineraries for exploring and Cruising Close to Home. ™ On all American’s cruises, guests discover the history, spirit, and culture of the United States aboard the most sophisticated fleet of modern riverboats and small cruise ships in the country. American operates 13 ships, all accommodating just 100-190 passengers, which cruise in 30 states around the country.

Given that American Constitution Resumes Cruising with Stops in Washington D.C., would you consider one of these cruises closer to home this summer? Have you ever taken a U.S. river cruise? Drop us an anchor below to share your summer 2021 travel plans.

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Chesapeake Bay Cruise

At a glance.

This 7-day Chesapeake Bay cruise sailing roundtrip from Baltimore, MD abounds in history and culture. From the vibrant harbor of Baltimore, travel to Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Jamestown, known as the “Historic Triangle.”

Your first stop on this Chesapeake Bay cruise is Yorktown, where you’ll visit monumental battlefields and authentic colonial homes. Stroll through the narrow streets of a Colonial Williamsburg, nearly unchanged since the days of the first English colonists. In Jamestown, learn about this first permanent English settlement in the Americas.

Discover why Crisfield, once a small fishing village is now considered “The Crab Capital of the World,” and sail on an authentic skipjack in Cambridge. Take a trolley tour through the charming streets of Annapolis and listen to amazing stories about its 350-year history from our local expert guide.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise Highlights

• Baltimore, MD
• Yorktown/Williamsburg, VA
• Crisfield, MD/Tangier, VA
• Cambridge/Oxford, MD
• St. Michaels, MD
• Annapolis, MD

Chesapeake Bay Cruise Details

--> day-to-day itinerary, pre-cruise: baltimore, md.

For those guests who wish to start their cruise in style, we are offering a Signature Pre-Cruise Package at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. Located at the edge of Baltimore’s Harbor East, enjoy a 1-night stay at this 5-star hotel, within walking distance to the waterfront, top restaurants, and popular attractions.

On the morning of your cruise, enjoy breakfast at the Four Seasons, followed by our Baltimore City Exploration shore excursion which concludes at the ship. Explore the world-famous Inner Harbor, historic neighborhoods, and the areas most noted landmarks such as the Star-Spangled Banner waving over Fort McHenry.

Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.

Day 1: Baltimore, MD

Baltimore is a great maritime city, alive with excitement, colonial history, and a busy harbor scene. Explore its history aboard the decks of celebrated ships and on the cobblestone streets of the charming Inner Harbor. Visit Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to pen “The Star-Spangled Banner”.

Day 2: Yorktown/Williamsburg, VA

Step back in time in a town that transformed the history of a nation. Yorktown is known for its monumental battlefields, authentic colonial homes, and storied past. Discover museum exhibits, recreated Continental Army camps and restored homes from the 1700’s. Also visit Colonial Williamsburg, once the political and economic center of the Virginia Colony, today the world’s premier living history site.

Day 3: Crisfield, MD/Tangier, VA

Settled in 1608 by Captain John Smith, the charming island of Tangier retains many customs and much of the appearance of an earlier era. Stroll through the delightful village, crab shanties, shops, and unique homes, on a personalized guided walking tour of the “Blue Crab Capital of the World.”

Day 4: Cambridge, MD/Oxford, MD

Cambridge is an authentic Chesapeake town known for its rich history, beautiful buildings, and vibrant arts scene. Sail on an authentic skipjack or visit the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and witness the diverse wildlife and shorebirds that inhabit the area. Explore Oxford, a charming coastal village and one of the oldest towns in America. Discover its rich maritime history, with houses dating back to the late 1600s, fascinating museums, and the original Oxford-Bellevue Ferry.

Day 5: St. Michaels, MD

Stroll along the waterfront of St. Michaels, or peruse the charming gift shops and boutiques on tree-lined Talbot Street. As you dock at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, once a famed shipbuilding village, get a glimpse into life in the 1800’s.

Day 6: Annapolis, MD

This 18th-century port pleasingly preserves its Colonial American charm. With city streets boasting thousands of historic buildings in several different architectural styles, Annapolis is often called a “museum without walls.” This vibrant city is also home to the United States Naval Academy, a National Historic Landmark.

Day 7: Baltimore, MD

Spend your day visiting Baltimore, one of America’s finest cities. A number of excursions are available for you and your travel group, many related to Baltimore’s deep maritime history. Make sure you tour the Baltimore Aquarium and Civil War Museum as well.

--> Dates & Rates

Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.

Prices displayed are per person based on double occupancy.

Prices subject to change

• Cruise passage
• All gourmet meals
• Breakfast room service
• Cocktail hour each evening
• Entertainment aboard the ship
• Acclaimed enrichment program
• Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Personalized service from a dedicated crew

Not Included

• Air transport to/from embarkation/debarkation destinations
• Most shore tours (unless otherwise noted)
• Port charges and fees

American Constitution

The 175-passenger American Constitution is designed with elegance in mind. This coastal cruise ship is uniquely designed to navigate the inland coastal waterways of the East Coast.

American Constitution Details …

American Star

The 100-passenger American Star offers guests a friendly and accommodating atmosphere, a hallmark of American Cruise Lines.

American Star Details …

American Independence

The 100-passenger American Independence is owned and operated by American Cruise Lines and sails overnight coastal, river, and inland waterways within the continental United States.

American Independence Details …

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Chesapeake Bay-American Star

Cruise the Chesapeake Bay roundtrip from Baltimore on these 6-night departures! Visit beautiful ports of call like Annapolis, Yorktown, and Tangier Island. But what makes a Chesapeake Bay cruise especially special? Fresh Crab! The history of Chesapeake Bay is alive in these small ports and towns as old as the 1600s. The region has always been important, for trade, industry, and military. Tour the history of early America as you cruise around the Bay including a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown.

Cruise Details

or call 800.578.1479

*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Embark in Baltimore, MD From the cobblestone streets to the colonial architecture and Fort McHenry – the history of Baltimore is the history of America.

2 Williamsburg & Yorktown, VA No three towns represent early American history better than Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Jamestown Settlement. You can take the Yorktown Trolley through 9 stops throughout historic Yorktown, including battlefields and the Watermens Museum. Transportation is available to 18th century Colonial Williamsburg, once the largest British capital in the New World. From there, you can take a shuttle to the Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English colony established in 1607. If you’d like to spend your day a little differently, head over to the Williamsburg Winery, the largest winery in Virginia.

3 Cruising the Chesapeake Bay Spend your day sailing one of the most spectacular cruising ground in North America. The Chesapeake Bay is the nation's largest estuary, with its name originating from the Algonquian word Chesepiooc, meaning "at a big river." Home to over 22 miles of waterways, canals, lakes, and rivers, the unique combination of saltwater and freshwater which fills most of the Bay has created a rich habitat for fish and blue crabs, as well as other natural resources. Relish time cruising along the beautiful landscapes and historic small ports and towns that dot its shores.

4 Cambridge, MD & Oxford, MD See the Bay aboard the skipjack Nathan! Skipjacks are oyster dredging sailboats, used in the Chesapeake Bay since the 1880s. Join the crew of the Nathan as you sail the Choptank River. If you’d rather relax, head towards the 18th century LaGrange Plantation for a Sweet Tea party! Oxford was founded 1683, and quickly set up as the only port of entry for British trade on the East coast. The town flourished until the Revolutionary War, and is now a quiet town that you can explore by walking tour. Or you can choose to visit the Oxford Museum or Oxford Custom House – a replica of the first Federal Custom House.

5 St. Michaels, MD Start with a walking tour of colonial St. Michaels before venturing out to explore the many options in this town. St. Michaels is home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and 18-acre waterfront property with 10 exhibit buildings, working boatyard and the historic lighthouse. Or take a private eco tour of the Chesapeake Bay with a naturalist to point our wildlife and landmarks as you go.

6 Annapolis, MD A trolley tour of Annapolis is available, giving you a good overview of the history and the town. Get your ID out for a tour of the Naval Academy, founded in 1845. Or if those don’t interest you, perhaps visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum, located in an old oyster packing building, or take an audio tour of historic Annapolis.

7 Disembark in Baltimore, MD Disembark after breakfast.

Map & Gallery

Cabin Categories

*Prices may vary due to seasonality

The fresh and salt waters of the Chesapeake Bay is home to the beautiful and tasty fresh blue crab! The Chesapeake Bay culture and industry, of course, is partially built on this harvest, and people travel from all over the world each year to indulge. Every Chesapeake Bay cruise will serve crab. But the Crabfest dates will dive deep into the culinary and economic legacy of the blue crab in the region.

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

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Baltimore cruises to reroute after bridge collapse pauses port traffic

Carnival, royal caribbean will move some operations to norfolk while baltimore recovers from key bridge collapse.

Cruise lines are scrambling to make alternative plans and avoid the Port of Baltimore while officials suspend vessel traffic amid cleanup and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though no ships were in port Tuesday morning. The next cruise was scheduled to depart Sunday, but its operator confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that the voyage would instead head out from Norfolk.

Amira M. Hairston, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore port, said in an email that the status of the upcoming cruise ship schedule is not yet known.

“At this time we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined we will provide an update. Until then please keep those involved in your prayers,” Hairston wrote.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas left Saturday for a 12-night southern Caribbean cruise with plans to return April 4. The cruise line said in a statement Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring the situation, and our port logistics team is currently working on alternatives for Vision of the Seas’ ongoing and upcoming sailings.”

On Thursday, the cruise company said the current sailing would end in Norfolk.

“Our guests on board will be provided compensation and complimentary shuttle transportation as well as Wi-Fi and phone calls to adjust their travel arrangements,” Royal Caribbean said.

Upcoming cruises on April 4 and 12 will sail from Norfolk as well, and passengers will be compensated for the change. The ship was already scheduled for maintenance in the Bahamas after the April 12 cruise.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and extend our heartfelt prayers to all those impacted,” the company said.

Carnival Legend set off Sunday for a seven-day Bahamas cruise; the ship was scheduled to return March 31 and depart for its next sailing the same day. Instead of coming back to Baltimore, Carnival said late Tuesday, it will end its trip in Norfolk, and free buses will bring passengers back to Baltimore.

The ship’s next seven-day cruise will leave Norfolk and return to the port. In a news release , Carnival said it would temporarily move Baltimore operations to Norfolk “while Key Bridge rescue and cleanup efforts continue.”

“Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore,” Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. “We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk.”

Carnival Pride is supposed to start sailing from Baltimore next month, mostly to the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have cruises scheduled out of the port until later this year. American Cruise Lines, a U.S. river cruise operator, has Chesapeake Bay trips on small vessels scheduled from Baltimore starting in May. The cruise line said it will monitor developments “and make adjustments if needed.”

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said it was “deeply saddened” by the bridge collapse and was closely following the situation. “Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work,” the group wrote in a statement.

This year, 12 ships are scheduled to make a total of 115 calls at the Port of Baltimore, the industry association said. With room for roughly 2,000 or 2,100 passengers at double occupancy, most Baltimore-based ships are much smaller than the record-breaking behemoths that sail from Florida ports.

“Any adjustments to current cruise activity at the port will be announced as soon as available by the individual cruise lines,” CLIA said in its statement.

A news release issued last month by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office said that more than 444,000 individuals cruised out of the Port of Baltimore last year, the most since 2012. The Maryland Port Administration said in a news release last year that the cruise industry generates nearly 400 jobs and $63 million in revenue every year for local businesses.

The port positions itself as a convenient option for cruising year-round, thanks to its location off Interstate 95 and plentiful parking. More than 40 million people live within a six-hour drive of the city, the port administration says.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.

Watch CBS News

How you can win a spot aboard USS Constitution on July 4th

By WBZ-News Staff

Updated on: April 2, 2024 / 12:59 PM EDT / CBS Boston

BOSTON - The USS Constitution is holding a free lottery for a chance to be on the ship as it goes underway on Boston Harbor. 

The lottery is open to the general public and 150 people will be randomly selected. They will join the USS Constitution crew as they go underway on July 4, 2024. Each person selected will be able to bring one guest.

Passengers will learn about the history of Old Ironsides and get a front-row seat as the crew fires a 21-gun salute in honor of Independence Day.

A link to enter the lottery was posted on the USS Constitution Facebook and Instagram pages on Tuesday. The lottery will be open until May 2.   

The WBZ News team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on WBZ.com.

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America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises

Columbia and snake rivers.

T hese nine-day American river cruises on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress sail from Vancouver, Washinton to Portland, Oregon and show you a glimpse at some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Pacific Northwest. From the paddle wheeler, you'll get to see the dramatic waterfalls at the Columbia River Gorge, the pioneer town The Dalles, and sea lions and filming sites from the hit 1980s film, The Goonies in Astoria.

Rivers of Wine Theme Cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers

These seven-night American river cruises on the UnCruise Adventure's S.S. Legacy sail round trip out of Portland, Oregon cruising a similar route to American Empress but focusing on wine. A sommelier and guest wine expert sail with passengers for the week, serving as an onboard resource and hosting tastings. There are also wine tastings, vineyard tours, and wine cave tours in Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, and the Willamette Valley and guests get to taste old-vine varietals and wines from eco-cultivated vineyards. River cruises are also popular across the pond.

Adventure Theme Cruise on the Olympic Peninsula

Sailing round-trip out of Seattle through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on an elegant little yacht, this seven-night cruise on UnCruise Adventure's Safari Quest includes kayaking, paddle boarding, and plenty of hikes. There are also opportunities to spot bald eagles, sea lions, and whales and to enjoy local seafood, including oysters and clams.

Upper Mississippi American Heartland Theme Cruise

This river cruise from Chicago to St. Louis is on American Queen Steamboat Company's newest ship, the American Duchess , a paddle wheeler as majestic as her older sisters, with the same iconic red paddlewheel. You'll see the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and get the perfect photo op of St. Louis's famed arch. The focus of this cruise is American history, and you can see towns that were settled as trading posts by French explorers, visit the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in Ottowa, Illinois, and check out places from Mark Twain's writings in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Want to learn even more of America's backstory? Start with these 16 best cities for American history buffs .

Ohio River Cruise

These 11-day cruise tours on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi travel from St. Louis to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visiting Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati (among other towns) along the way. You'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and tour the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. In Cape Girardeau, you'll see everything from Trail of Tears sites to Civil War battlefields. Best of all, expect plenty of bluegrass music and mint juleps along the way.

Music Cruise on the Cumberland River

These seven-night American river cruises from Nashville to St. Louis also on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi will take you to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum and then heads on to St. Louis for a celebration of blues music.

Mississippi River Bourbon Theme Cruise

Cruise up the Mississippi River from Memphis to Louisville on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Queen, with private tastings and cooking demos along the way, as well as lectures by historians. This special sailing, offered annually in July, also includes the opportunity to sample rare and vintage bourbons as well.

Lake Michigan

On this eight-day cruise roundtrip out of Chicago on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grande Mariner , you'll visit Mackinac Island, Michigan, home to historic homes and plenty of rocking chairs as well as Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin's Door County, where you'll see lighthouses and plenty of yachts.

Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to New Orleans

See—and eat—the highlights of New Orleans—from beignets to po' boys—before setting sail on American Cruise Line's America Song . You'll head to Natchez and Vicksburg in Missouri for Civil War sites and St. Francisville and Houmas House, Louisiana for historic plantations with a stop in the middle in Baton Rouge to see the Louisiana State Museum and the capital buildings. Occasionally, the line also offers a food-themed cruise out of New Orleans, too.

Maine Coastal Cruises

Maine Windjammer Association's Lewis R. French is a dramatic 21-passenger schooner that offers two- to six-night cruises in the summer and through the month of September out of the town of Camden, Maine. The schooner, which dates back to 1871 and is a National Historic Landmark, has no engine, and powers through Penobscot Bay just with the wind in its sails. You can help out with the sails, and watch for porpoises and eagles.

Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard Cruise

This sailing yacht, the Arabella , may winter in the Caribbean, but it summers in the northeast, home of lobster rolls, lighthouses, and clambakes. The five-night sailings in July, August, and September let you travel to the area's loveliest beaches under billowing white sails.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise

This seven-night cruise on American Cruise Line's Independence sails round-trip out of Baltimore to Oxford, St. Michael's, and Annapolis, Maryland as well as Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. You'll visit coastal fishing villages and eat plenty of hard-shell blue crabs, and get to visit Baltimore's famed aquarium.

Hudson River Valley Fall Foliage Theme Cruise

This eight-day American river cruise on American Cruise Line's American Constitution sails round-trip out of New York City before taking you to Hyde Park, the Catskills, and West Point as well as Sleepy Hollow, all in upstate New York. But in addition to the history in the region, the highlight of the cruise is easily the changing colors of the autumnal leaves.

Savannah to Baltimore

Cruise one of our favorite 12-day American river cruises in the Southeast on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grand Mariner and you'll spend your days exploring Beaufort by horse-drawn carriage and wander the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina as the port town of Annapolis. Read on to discover the best cruise to take every month of the year .

The post America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises appeared first on Reader's Digest .

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Is the Bay Bridge safe? Key Bridge collapse has engineers taking a closer look

Protecting the piers holding up the Bay Bridge will likely be costly but necessary

Even before the tragic collapse of the Key Bridge last week, the outstretched, cramped traveling lanes of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge had been known to make nervous drivers grip their steering wheels a little tighter.

The dual-spanned, 4-mile-long bridge, which opened in 1952, is among the world’s longest over-water structures. Like the Key Bridge, it is among the 3% of bridges in the country to fall under the “fracture critical” category, meaning the entire structure could collapse if certain supports give way. And, like the Key Bridge, the Bay Bridge straddles Maryland’s well-trafficked shipping channels. Container and cruise ships routinely pass underneath.

In the post-Key era of heightened bridge scrutiny, engineers have zeroed in on similar vulnerabilities in the bridges, particularly around the support “piers,” or giant concrete columns that anchor the bridge in the water.

In the wake of other disasters, such as the 2007 Minneapolis bridge collapse, former transportation officials assessed the Key and Bay bridges and termed them to be structurally sound, but it’s unclear to what extent, if any, they ever considered protecting the piers supporting the bridges.

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The Bay Bridge has proven costly to maintain. It is undergoing an expansive re-decking project to reinforce the road surface. It’s a few miles south of where the Ever Forward ran aground in the Chesapeake Bay in 2022, a hint of the volatility of commercial shipping traffic.

Well before the Key Bridge collapse, the age of the Bay Bridge and the complexities of managing it had transportation officials pondering its future.

Linwood Howell, an Austin, Texas-based engineer who has worked as a contractor inspecting bridges, said conversations about protecting the Bay Bridge piers should have taken place long ago. He predicted that significant pier protection would be even more expensive for the Bay Bridge because it sits in water about 50 feet deep, as opposed to the 30-foot-deep channel the Key Bridge spanned.

Considerations around expenditures and budgets, Howell said, explain why “nothing has been done.”

“As an engineer in a state agency, you look at the ships, you run the numbers and realize just how vulnerable the piers are, and how difficult and expensive it would be to protect against the risk of ship collisions,” Howell said. “You do that and realize how hopeless it would be to convince the boss, and the boss’ boss, that something should be done.”

He added: “That’s why it takes regular disasters to keep the political and bureaucratic focus on the problem long enough to get something done.”

In response to questions from The Baltimore Banner, Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul J. Wiedefeld said the state transportation authority’s office of engineering and construction is “looking at options with the U.S. Coast Guard on the feasibility of increased pier protections for Bay Bridge and what’s possible in the navigation channel.”

“With the Key Bridge incident in mind, there has been a renewed focus on pier protection at the Maryland Transportation Authority’s ... signature bridges, including the Bay Bridge,” Wiedefeld said.

He added that the agency will “strongly consider any [National Transportation Safety Board] recommendations from the Key Bridge investigation and determine their feasibility for future design and modifications.”

More on engineering questions about the Key Bridge:

Hundreds of bridges in maryland are ‘fracture critical.’ does that mean they’re unsafe, could huge concrete barriers have averted the key bridge collapse, ntsb: key bridge’s ‘fracture critical’ design raised odds of collapse.

Abi Aghayere, a professor of structural engineering at Drexel University, said it appeared the piers of the Bay Bridge have a protection system in place, but it was unclear if they are designed for a 35-million-pound force, which is what he estimated would be the result of a hit from a 100,000-ton ship traveling at 8 knots.

“I would think that, at a minimum, they should design dolphin protection systems around the pylons that can resist the massive impact force and absorb the energy from a direct hit from the huge container ships that I see in the photos, and thus prevent a direct collision of the ships with the pylons,” Aghayere said.

He referenced the Delaware Memorial Bridge protection project as an example.

R. Shankar Nair, a civil engineering expert, said the Bay Bridge piers don’t appear to be capable of withstanding such a hit as they are currently designed.

“Protective measures could be [and should be] added now,” he said.

As for the “fracture critical” nature of the Bay Bridge, Dave Beck, an engineer who assisted with finding mistakes in the Big Dig tunnel and bridge project in Boston, said there was a “big difference” between the Bay and the Key Bridge in that the Bay Bridge is a suspension bridge.

Beck said that meant that, if one of the support piers of the Bay Bridge is knocked out, it shouldn’t lead to the same type of cascading collapse seen with the Key Bridge.

As for protecting the Bay Bridge, Beck said that reinforcing the piers would be almost too expensive to be feasible, and he would focus on “keeping ships as far away from those piers as possible.”

A number of considerations will go into designing what that looks like, Beck said, depending on the channel and its currents.

“Those piers,” Beck said of the Bay Bridge, “are rather un-robust.”

Baltimore Banner data journalist Ramsey Archibald contributed to this story.

Ben Conarck

[email protected]

Ben Conarck is a criminal justice reporter for The Baltimore Banner. Previously, he covered healthcare and investigations for the Miami Herald and criminal justice for the Florida Times-Union.

More from Ben Conarck

See a close-up photo of the support pier that brought down the key bridge, 2 more men die in baltimore jail system, 1 after surgery: ‘we have to do better’, more from the banner.

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How the Key Bridge Collapsed in Baltimore: Maps and Photos

By Weiyi Cai ,  Agnes Chang ,  Lauren Leatherby ,  Lazaro Gamio ,  Leanne Abraham and Scott Reinhard

On Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the water seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship, sending vehicles on the bridge into the river below. The ship lost power and issued a mayday call shortly before it hit the bridge.

The ship, a 948-foot-long cargo vessel called Dali, was about a half hour into its journey toward Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it hit a main pillar of the bridge. All crew members are safe, according to the ship’s owners.

Follow our live coverage .

A mayday call from the ship gave officials enough time to stop traffic at both ends of the bridge. The waters where the bridge collapsed are about 50 feet deep. By Tuesday morning, six construction workers who had been fixing potholes on the bridge remained missing as divers and other emergency workers on boats and helicopters continued to search for them. Two others had been rescued, and one was in the hospital.

Francis Scott

Patapsco River

The ship left the Port

of Baltimore around

1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Where impact occurred

Direction of the ship

The ship hit the

bridge at 1:28 a.m.

The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m.

Where impact

Source: Spire Global

The New York Times; satellite image by Google Earth

The lights of the ship flickered on and off as it lost power in the minutes before the ship changed bearing and hit the bridge.

Ship approached from

the Port of Baltimore

Road repair crews

Ship changed heading

as it neared pillar

Ship hit pillar

Southern and central spans

of bridge began to collapse within

seconds of impact

Northern span began to

collapse seconds later

Within 30 seconds of impact,

the central part of bridge had

entirely collapsed.

Source: StreamTime Live via YouTube

Timestamps are from StreamTime Live video.

The New York Times

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was opened in 1977 and carried more than 12.4 million vehicles last year. The bridge was one of the three major ways to cross the Patapsco River and formed part of Baltimore’s beltway.

The Port of Baltimore is a major trade hub that handled a record amount of foreign cargo last year. It is an especially important destination — the nation’s largest by volume last year — for deliveries of cars and light trucks.

Ship impact

To Chesapeake Bay

Sources: Maryland Port Administration, OpenStreetMap, MarineTraffic

Note: Ship positions are as of 2:46 p.m. Eastern time.

Overall, Baltimore was the 17th biggest port in the United States in 2021, ranked by total tons, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The bridge collapse brought marine traffic there to a standstill, with seven cargo or tanker ships stranded in the harbor as of Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency for Maryland and said that his office was in close communication with Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary. The White House issued a statement saying that President Biden had been briefed on the collapse.

Erin Schaff/The New York Times

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Small uncrewed Ukrainian plane likely used in attack deep inside Russia - experts

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An activated but faulty missile launcher on a Danish navy vessel triggered a closure of airspace and shipping traffic in the Great Belt strait on Thursday, the Danish armed forces said.

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March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Crew member on DALI said everyone on board was safe hours after bridge collapse, official says

From CNN’s Amy Simonson

A crew member on the DALI cargo ship sent a message hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed Tuesday saying everybody on board was safe, according to Apostleship of the Sea director Andy Middleton.

Middleton, who spent time with the captain of the DALI Monday, told CNN’s Laura Coates he reached out to a crew member after hearing about the incident Tuesday morning. 

He said there were 22 members aboard the ship from India who were setting sail earlier Tuesday morning and were heading toward Sri Lanka.

“I was able to reach out to a crew member very early this morning around 5:30 (a.m. ET) or 6 (a.m. ET) and get a message to them asking if they were OK,” he said. “That crew member responded within just a few minutes advising that the crew was safe, and everybody that [was] on board was safe.”

Middleton was told by the ship's captain Monday that the vessel was going to take a longer route to avoid risks along the Yemen coast.

“When I was out with the captain yesterday, we were talking while we were driving, and he advised that they were sailing down and around the tip of South Africa in order to avoid the incidents that are going on off the Yemen coast, and it was a safer way to go,” he said.

Middleton said the  Apostleship of the Sea  is a ministry to seafarers with members that spend time in the port and on the vessels as a friendly face to the seafarers that visit the Port of Baltimore, “taking care of their needs to make sure that they're reminded of their God-given human dignity when they're here in Baltimore.”

Search operation ends in "heartbreaking conclusion," Maryland governor says. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning. The collapse came after a 984-foot cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday evening it's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day."

Late Tuesday, it was discovered that two of the construction workers who went missing after the bridge collapsed were from Guatemala , the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said late Tuesday.

Here's what you should know to get up to speed:

• The victims: Eight people were on the bridge  when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and was later  discharged , fire official and the medical center said.
• The incident: Video shows the moment the entire bridge structure falls into the water, as the ship hits one of the bridge's pillars. CNN analysis shows that the  ships lights flickered  and it veered off course before it hit the bridge. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship were able to issue a "mayday" before colliding into the bridge, which allowed the authorities to stop incoming traffic from going onto the bridge.
• Response efforts: Earlier, dive teams from various state and local agencies were brought in to assist in search-and-rescue operations, according to Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr.. The mission started with 50 personnel and continued to grow before the Coast Guard announced Tuesday evening that it was suspending its active search-and-rescue operation and transitioning to a "different phase."
• The investigation: Authorities are still working to establish exactly how the crash occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will look into  how the bridge was built  and investigate the structure itself. It will "take time to dig through" whether the bridge had ever been  flagged for any safety deficiencies , NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.
• Rebuilding the bridge: US Sen. Chris Van Hollen said the path to rebuilding the bridge will be "long and expensive." Senior White House adviser Tom Perez told reporters Tuesday “it’s too early” to tell how long it will take to rebuild the bridge. President Joe Biden said Tuesday he wants the federal government to bear the full cost of rebuilding the collapsed bridge, noting that it will not wait for the company who owns the container ship DALI to shoulder the costs. Funding could come from the Federal Highway Administration as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but it may require additional funding from Congress.

2 of the missing construction workers from bridge collapse were from Guatemala, foreign ministry says

From CNN’s Allison Gordon, Flora Charner and Amy Simonson

Two of the construction workers missing from the bridge collapse in Baltimore were from Guatemala, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Tuesday.

Those missing included a 26-year-old originally from San Luis, Petén. The other is a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the statement said.

The ministry said both were part of a work team “repairing the asphalt on the bridge at the time of the accident.”

The statement did not name the two people missing, but it said the country’s consul general in Maryland “went to the area where the families of those affected are located,” where he hopes to be able to meet with the brothers of both missing people.

The consulate   also issued a statement Tuesday saying its consul general in Maryland "remains in contact with local authorities," and also confirmed that two of those missing "were of Guatemalan origin.”

Six people, who were believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning when a cargo ship hit the bridge's pillar.

State and federal officials have not released information about the identities of any of the six missing workers.

Underwater mapping of bridge collapse area to begin Wednesday, Baltimore fire chief says

From CNN's Jennifer Henderson

Search operations near the Key Bridge collapse have shut down for the night due to dangerous conditions, but the process of underwater mapping with many local, state and federal dive teams will begin Wednesday, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday night.

Wallace said the portion of the Patapsco River is “tidal influenced, so it goes through tide cycles just like the open waters of the Chesapeake Bay does.”

The water depths in the area under the bridge vary from 40 feet to more than 60 feet, Wallace said. The deeper the divers go, the colder the temperatures they encounter, and the visibility is zero, he added.

 Wallace said when crews arrived Tuesday morning, the surface water temperatures of the Patapsco River were about 47 degrees with an air temperature of 44-45 degrees.

Here's what you should know about the historic Francis Scott Key Bridge

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after a massive container ship lost power and crashed into the iconic Baltimore bridge, sending people and vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River.

Six people, believed to be part of a road construction crew, are presumed dead and the Coast Guard has ended its active search and rescue mission.

Here's what you should know about the historic bridge:

• How old?: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also referred to as just the Key Bridge, opened to traffic in March 1977 and is the final link in the Baltimore Beltway, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA.) It crosses over the 50-foot-deep Patapsco River, where former US attorney Francis Scott Key found inspiration to write the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner, the MDTA says.
• How long?: The bridge was 1.6 miles long when standing, MDTA reports.
• Traffic volume: More than 30,000 people commuted daily on the bridge, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
• How much did it cost?: The bridge cost $60.3 million to build, MDTA says. Since its collapse, President Joe Biden said he’s committed to helping rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
• About the port: Baltimore ranks as the ninth biggest US port for international cargo. It handled a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion, in 2023. According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. Dali is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The ship is about 984 feet long , according to MarineTraffic data. That’s the length of almost three football fields.

Baltimore woman says bridge collapse was "like a piece of family dissolved"

From CNN's Kit Maher

For longtime Baltimore resident, Ceely, who opted not to share her last name, seeing footage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse  Tuesday was deeply personal.

“I was very heavy-hearted,” Ceely told CNN. “Very tearful, thinking about the families whose loved ones may be in the water and just remembering when the bridge was constructed, and it was just like a piece of family dissolved.”

Ceely was at a prayer group Tuesday morning when she saw the news. She recalled being afraid when she first crossed the bridge while in Ford Maverick in 1975, but grew to like it because it saved time on the road.

“It was a main artery just like a blood line. It was a main artery to the other side of town. It was awesome. It beat going through the city all the time,” she said.

Elder Rashad A. Singletary , a senior pastor who led Tuesday night’s vigil at Mt. Olive Baptist Church told CNN that many church members watched the bridge's construction.

"It’s a part of the community. A lot of our individuals in our congregation drive that bridge to go to work, and so now it’s really a life changing moment,” he said.

"Heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," Maryland governor says as Coast Guard ended search operation

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

More than 18 hours after the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said it was a heartbreaking conclusion after the Coast Guard ended the search-and-rescue operation for the six people who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

It's a "really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day," he said.

"We put every single asset possible — air, land and sea" to find the missing people, he told reporters on Tuesday evening. "While even though we're moving on now to a recovery mission, we're still fully committed to making sure that we're going to use every single asset to now bring a sense of closure to the families," the governor added.

6 people presumed dead after Baltimore bridge collapse, Coast Guard says. Here's what we know

As the sun sets in Baltimore, six people are presumed dead after a major bridge collapsed overnight Tuesday, according to the Coast Guard. The Francis Scott Key Bridge came down around 1:30 a.m. ET after a cargo ship collided with it.

The Coast Guard said it has ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed.

• What we know: Eight people were on the bridge when it fell, according to officials. At least two people were rescued — one was taken to the hospital and has been discharged . The Coast Guard has been searching for six other people. But, around 7:30 p.m. ET, the Coast Guard said it has transitioned to a “different phase” of operation, now it did “not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive,” Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
• About the ship: The bridge collapsed after a container vessel called Dali collided with one of its supports. The vessel is operated by Singapore-based Synergy Group but had been chartered to carry cargo by Danish shipping giant Maersk . The US Embassy in Singapore has been in contact with the country’s Maritime and Port Authority, a State Department spokesperson said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the collapse. A team of 24 experts will dig into nautical operations, vessel operations, safety history records, owners, operators, company policy and any safety management systems or programs, said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. A voyage data recorder will be critical to the investigation, she added. 
• Vehicles on the bridge: Officials are also working to verify the numbers of how many cars and people were on the bridge, Homendy said. Gov. Wes Moore said the quick work of authorities in closing the bridge had saved lives . Radio traffic captured how authorities stopped traffic and worked to clear the bridge seconds before the impact . Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said there is a “ distinct possibility ” more vehicles were on the bridge, but authorities have not found any evidence to support that.
• Looking ahead: NTSB will look into how the bridge was built and investigate the structure itself, including if it was flagged for any safety deficiencies , Homendy said. The federal government has also directed its resources to help with search and rescue, to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge, Vice President Kamala Harris said . Earlier, President Joe Biden said t he federal government will pay to fix the bridge.
• The economy: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned the collapse will have a serious impact on supply chains . Until the channel is reopened, ships will likely already be changing course for other East Coast ports. Ocean carriers are already being diverted from the Port of Baltimore, where the bridge collapsed, to the Port of Virginia to “keep trade moving."

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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See photo of the meeting point