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Ship Tour Information
Tour Attire
Visitors should plan on wearing comfortable shoes and clothing. If you are bringing a handbag or camera case, it may be searched prior to entering. Remember to bring sunscreen and sunglasses if it is going to be sunny. A ship is an industrial environment, so avoid high-heels, necklaces that can get caught and bags that will be too heavy to comfortably carry.
Age & Physical Requirements
There is no age requirement for either the tall ships or naval vessels during the Star-Spangled Sailabration. However, there may be steep ladders and/or stairways to climb and uneven surfaces to traverse during a ship tour, and thus, tours may not be appropriate for small children and may be difficult for parents carrying young children. Also, ship tours may not be appropriate for individuals with heart conditions, breathing difficulties, or other medical conditions impacting their ability to navigate such challenges. Strollers or baby carriages are permitted on the pier, but are not allowed on the ships.
Accessibility
The ships are built for warfare and, therefore, are not recommended for handicapped visitors. The USS Constellation, one of the Historic Ships of the Inner Harbor, is accessible and will be open during Star-Spangled Sailabration for an admission fee, except on Saturday, June 16 when it will be closed for a private event.
The Inner Harbor area and the Sailabration Festival Villages are accessible, as are the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Harborplace, hotels and restaurants. Fort McHenry will also provide an accessible area for viewing the air show. An ADA coordinator has been appointed for Star-Spangled Sailabration.
Any special requests should be submitted by Friday, June 8, 2012 to Tara Tharrington at (410) 752-8632 or ttharrington@promotionandarts.com. All requests will be considered and responses forthcoming.
Items Permitted on Ships
Small hand-carried items such as handbags, clear plastic bottles of water, small cameras or diaper bags are permitted. All visitors are screened and all bags are searched before entering the pier.
Cameras are permitted on board the ships during the tours. Pictures of the security personnel or procedures are strictly prohibited. Items Prohibited on Ships
The following are not permitted: glass bottles, cans or containers of any type; banners, posters or signs of any type; mace, pepper spray, or other defensive sprays or chemicals; knives, firearms, fireworks or any explosive; illegal drugs or paraphernalia; flammable liquids or aerosol spray cans; club weapons; and animals. All electronic devices are subject to examination for functionality. The U.S. Navy reserves the right to prohibit other items not listed above. There is no smoking onboard any ship or anywhere on the pier.
Parking
There are a number of parking garages where you can park in downtown Baltimore to enjoy Sailabration.
The only way to access the naval vessels at North Locust Point is to board the free, secured shuttle buses from M&T Bank Stadium Lots G and H where security checks are mandatory. There will be ample parking available at M&T Bank Stadium Lots G or H ($20, including an event production surcharge). Please plan accordingly.
Security/Screening
Access to the naval vessels at North Locust Point is via secured shuttle bus located at M&T Bank Stadium lots G and H only. No vehicles will be permitted to drive to North Locust Point for tours. Screening procedures for tall ships will vary by country and ship. Most will check bags at the gangway as they see fit.
Ship Facilities
No food is available on the ships. There will be festival villages and/or public restaurants where you can purchase food and beverages near all the docking locations except North Locust Point.
