What you do Stand at the pool edge while the trainers work with the colony, or go behind the glass on the Insider's Tour to see the life-support systems, quarantine pools and food prep that keep 20,000 animals alive. The building itself is a Baltimore landmark on Pier 3.

Good to know Timed entry, so pick your slot when you book. The Dolphin Training Session runs at set times through the day and caps at a handful of spots. Half-Price Friday Night is a standing weekly discount if your sailing gives you a Friday evening. 501 E. Pratt St, a 15-minute walk round the Inner Harbor from the cruise terminal shuttle drop.

Versus the ship tour The single most-booked thing to do in Baltimore, and it sits on the harbour rather than out of town — which makes it the safest choice for embarkation day when you cannot risk being far from the ship.

book direct with National Aquarium → · the full guide →

What you do The star-shaped fort whose bombardment in 1814 Francis Scott Key watched through the night from a truce ship, and whose flag still flying at dawn gave the United States its national anthem. Ramparts, guardhouse, and the water battery looking straight down the Patapsco.

Good to know The park is CASHLESS — card only, at the visitor centre desk (9am-4pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends in summer). Your entrance pass stays valid for 7 days, so it survives a pre-cruise night in the city. Children under 16 are free. 2400 East Fort Avenue, about 10 minutes by car from the terminal.

Versus the ship tour Three miles from the cruise terminal and open to walk-ups, so it fits either side of a sailing without booking anything in advance.

book direct with Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (National Park Service) → · the full guide →

What you do Five vessels moored around the Inner Harbor, led by the USS Constellation of 1854 — the last all-sail warship built by the US Navy. Also the submarine USS Torsk, the Coast Guard cutter Taney (Cutter 37), the lightship Chesapeake and the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse.

Good to know The ships sit at Piers 1, 3 and 5 — Constellation at Pier 1, Torsk and the lightship Chesapeake at Pier 3, Cutter 37 and Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse at Pier 5 — so this is a walking loop of the harbour, not one address. The USS Constellation History Tour runs 2:00-3:00pm on published dates; Living History days put costumed crew aboard.

Versus the ship tour Everything is within a few minutes' walk of the Inner Harbor, which makes it easy to fit into whatever hours you have and easy to cut short.

book direct with Historic Ships in Baltimore → · the full guide →

What you do The birthplace of American railroading, on the site where the Baltimore & Ohio began in 1829, with the largest collection of 19th-century locomotives anywhere and a working roundhouse you walk right into. A Smithsonian Affiliate.

Good to know The museum REBRANDED from the B&O Railroad Museum — borail.org now redirects to nationalrailroad.org, so an old bookmark still works. Train rides do not run every day, so check the calendar against your sailing date before counting on one. About 2 miles west of the harbour.

Versus the ship tour Indoors and under cover, which makes it the reliable option if your embarkation day turns wet.

book direct with National Museum of Railroad History & Innovation → · the full guide →

What you do Hop-on hop-off boats working the harbour between the Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Fort McHenry and Canton — the way the city is meant to be seen, and the only approach that shows you the working port your ship is about to leave through.

Good to know Runs to a published schedule by route, so check the timetable for your day rather than turning up. It also doubles as transport: it is a sensible way to reach Fort McHenry or Fells Point without a taxi, and a day pass covers repeat hops.

Versus the ship tour Because it is hop-on hop-off, it flexes around whatever time you have left before all-aboard — you are never committed to a fixed-length tour.

book direct with Baltimore Water Taxi → · the full guide →

What you do The small brick row house where Poe lived and wrote in the early 1830s, kept as a museum of his Baltimore years. He is buried a short walk away at Westminster Hall, where the grave still draws visitors.

Good to know OPENING DAYS ARE LIMITED and seasonal, and the house is small, so confirm it is open on your date before making the trip. It sits in a residential block west of downtown rather than on the harbour. The site also lists special tours and bus tours as separate ticketed events.

Versus the ship tour A short, self-paced visit rather than a half-day commitment, which suits the gap between hotel checkout and boarding.

book direct with Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum → · the full guide →

What you do Sail Bermuda's impossibly turquoise waters aboard a sleek catamaran, snorkeling living coral reefs teeming with parrotfish and sergeant majors. A true bucket-list afternoon on one of the Atlantic's most spectacular island chains.

What to expect You'll depart from King's Wharf or Hamilton Harbour on a gleaming catamaran, cocktail in hand as the pink-sand coastline slides by. At anchor over the reef, the crew briefs you personally and stays in the water alongside you. Expect brilliantly clear visibility, an abundance of reef fish, and the kind of golden-hour return sail that ends up as your screensaver.

Good to know Half-day tours typically run 3–4 hours — comfortable with most all-aboard times. Book directly via their website well in advance for summer sailings; private charters require more lead time. Gear and light refreshments included.

Versus the ship tour Restless Native is Bermuda's most celebrated local catamaran operator — small, convivial groups, open bar, and crew who know every reef patch and hidden cove by heart. The laid-back, unhurried pace turns snorkeling into a true discovery rather than a tick-box activity.

book direct with Restless Native Charters → · the full guide →

What you do Descend into Bermuda's most jaw-dropping secret: ancient limestone caves draped in stalactites and lit by glowing crystal-clear pools suspended above the ocean. Rated 4.3 stars by over 2,100 visitors — and utterly unlike anything above ground.

What to expect You descend a winding staircase into cathedral silence, emerging onto a floating pontoon above a perfectly still underground lake. Stalactites hang within arm's reach, reflecting in water so clear it appears bottomless. The Fantasy Cave next door adds a second chamber of coral-pink formations and dramatic lighting. The combined tour takes roughly 1.5 hours.

Good to know Located in Hamilton Parish — a 25-minute taxi or scooter ride from King's Wharf. Book the combo ticket online in advance to guarantee your preferred time slot. Wear flat, closed-toe shoes; the pathways are slightly damp. Easily back before all-aboard with time to spare.

Versus the ship tour Booking direct means you choose your entry time and avoid the mid-morning rush. A knowledgeable local guide explains the geological story — 30-million-year formations — at your own pace, with time to photograph the ethereal pontoon walkway suspended over the luminous blue pool.

book direct with Crystal Caves Bermuda (Official) → · the full guide →

What you do Step onto Horseshoe Bay — consistently ranked among the world's finest beaches — where blush-pink sand meets crashing Atlantic surf and turquoise coves beg to be explored. Rated 4.7 stars by nearly 4,000 visitors; a genuine once-in-a-lifetime beach day.

What to expect Your guide leads you along the clifftop South Shore Park trail, revealing secret pocket coves flanked by limestone arches and cedar groves. Horseshoe Bay's famous pink sand — coloured by crushed coral and red foraminifera — glows most vividly in morning light. Snorkelling equipment can be rented on-site; the rocky headlands shelter excellent reef fish habitat.

Good to know A private mini-bus tour from Island Tour Centre runs USD 750 for up to 6 guests for 3 hours — excellent value split across a group. Alternatively, a shared guided tour starts at USD 80 pp. Horseshoe Bay is ~30 minutes from King's Wharf by cab or ferry + taxi. Pre-book your tour slot to secure the best morning timing.

Versus the ship tour Island Tour Centre's expert local guides take you beyond the main beach into the hidden coves — Jobson's Cove (rated 4.8 stars), Warwick Long Bay, and Stonehole Bay — that most visitors never find. A private or small-group format means the guide stays flexible around your pace and interests.

book direct with Island Tour Centre Bermuda → · the full guide →

What you do Wade into a protected lagoon steps from the cruise pier for an intimate, expert-led dolphin encounter at one of the world's most respected marine education programs. Rated 4.7 stars — a profoundly moving experience for adults and families alike.

What to expect You'll don a wetsuit and enter a calm, sheltered saltwater lagoon where Atlantic bottlenose dolphins glide past with curious intelligence. Trainers explain dolphin biology, communication, and Dolphin Quest's ongoing research as you interact — touching, feeding, and swimming alongside the animals. The post-session debrief and photo package make an indelible keepsake.

Good to know Located at the Royal Naval Dockyard — within easy walking distance of the King's Wharf cruise terminal. Book directly on the Dolphin Quest website as far in advance as possible; slots sell out quickly in peak season. Allow 1.5–2 hours total including check-in and photos. Ideal before exploring the Dockyard's galleries and restaurants.

Versus the ship tour Dolphin Quest is located literally inside the Royal Naval Dockyard — no transfers, no waiting. Their marine biologist trainers deliver genuine conservation education alongside the in-water interaction, making this far more than a swim: it's an immersive wildlife experience with scientific depth.

book direct with Dolphin Quest Bermuda (Official) → · the full guide →

What you do Taste Bermuda's layered culinary identity — rum swizzles, fish chowder, codfish cakes, and Portuguese-influenced bites — on an intimate guided evening food tour through Hamilton's most characterful bars, kitchens, and local haunts.

What to expect The tour winds through Hamilton's pastel-painted streets as dusk falls, stopping at a rotating cast of intimate restaurants, rum bars, and heritage eateries. You'll sample Bermuda fish chowder laced with sherry pepper, bite into warm codfish cakes, and sip a properly made Dark 'n' Stormy using genuine Gosling's Black Seal rum. Groups are kept deliberately small, allowing genuine conversation with chefs and owners.

Good to know Bermuda cruise ships typically dock at King's Wharf — take the 20-minute ferry to Hamilton (runs roughly hourly; approx. USD 5 each way). The After Hours tour is an evening experience, so confirm your ship's overnight or late all-aboard schedule before booking. Book directly via Island Tour Centre's website.

Versus the ship tour This is a small-group, locally curated evening experience that takes you beyond the tourist trail into the bars and kitchens that Bermudians actually love. The guide is a storyteller as much as a host — every bite comes with the cultural context that turns a meal into a memory.

book direct with Island Tour Centre Bermuda (Bermuda Food Tours) → · the full guide →

What you do Cover Bermuda's most iconic landmarks — Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, the Botanical Gardens, historic St. George's, and the pink-sand coast — in a fully customised private tour with an expert local guide. The definitive, unhurried way to understand this extraordinary island.

What to expect Your private guide collects you at the pier and charts a course through 400 years of Bermudian history. At Gibbs Hill Lighthouse — the world's oldest cast-iron lighthouse — you climb 185 steps for a panoramic view stretching to the outer reef line. The Botanical Gardens deliver acres of sub-tropical colour and the charming Camden House. In St. George's (a UNESCO World Heritage town), your guide brings the colonial-era streets to life with stories of privateers, Prohibition rum-running, and the island's unique Anglo-Caribbean identity.

Good to know Book via ToursByLocals and communicate your must-see list during the pre-tour consultation. A 5–6 hour private tour comfortably fits a King's Wharf port day with time to return before all-aboard. Groups of 2–6 make the per-person cost highly competitive for the quality of experience delivered.

Versus the ship tour Every itinerary is built around your interests in consultation with your guide before the day. You travel in a private vehicle, stop when and where you wish, and benefit from the kind of insider knowledge — family histories, architectural detail, off-map viewpoints — that only a lifelong resident can offer.

book direct with ToursByLocals Bermuda (Expert Local Guides) → · the full guide →