Annapolis is Maryland's colonial capital and 'America's Sailing Capital', home of the US Naval Academy. It's a small-ship call on Chesapeake Bay and East Coast itineraries, with a perfectly walkable historic centre.
Small coastal ships tie up near the City Dock or Eastport, or anchor off the harbour and tender to City Dock in the historic centre.
Ego Alley and Main Street start here.
The visitor centre is 5 minutes away (photo ID needed).
The oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use.
Small-ship port.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Small coastal ships | City Dock / Eastport, or anchor and tender | 📍 Docked or 🚤 tender |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
Annapolis is a small-ship port — our eight featured lines rarely or never call here. Small-ship and expedition lines such as American Cruise Lines, Lindblad and UnCruise visit.
Melody can help with river, Great Lakes and small-ship cruises too — just ask.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Annapolis.
Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
City Dock, Main Street, the State House and Naval Academy gate.
Best time: May–October. Warm, 75–88°F / 24–31°C in summer.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 43°F / 6°C | 27°F / -3°C | 10 |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 29°F / -2°C | 9 |
| Mar | 55°F / 13°C | 36°F / 2°C | 11 |
| Apr | 66°F / 19°C | 45°F / 7°C | 11 |
| May ⭐ | 75°F / 24°C | 55°F / 13°C | 12 |
| Jun ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 64°F / 18°C | 10 |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 69°F / 21°C | 10 |
| Aug | 86°F / 30°C | 68°F / 20°C | 9 |
| Sep ⭐ | 80°F / 27°C | 61°F / 16°C | 8 |
| Oct ⭐ | 69°F / 21°C | 49°F / 9°C | 8 |
| Nov | 58°F / 14°C | 40°F / 4°C | 9 |
| Dec | 47°F / 8°C | 31°F / -1°C | 10 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
Historic centre.
City Dock to Eastport.
Downtown loop.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Annapolis.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
America's sailing capital — the Naval Academy, colonial streets and Chesapeake crab.
The Naval Academy Museum documents ADA access, but admission to the military installation is a separate and changeable requirement.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
ADA-accessible museum in Preble Hall
The museum describes itself as ADA accessible. Its visitor page generally directs visitors without military credentials to enter through Gate 1 after parking outside; arrange the route to Preble Hall rather than assuming your excursion vehicle can drive in.
Check current eligibility before booking
The Academy’s base-access page lists accepted identification and screening, and says foreign-national general visitation remains restricted. A museum accessibility statement does not override base-entry restrictions. Confirm the policy for every traveler in your party.
Planning suggestion: Use a museum-focused Academy visit only after confirming gate eligibility, screening and the distance from the permitted drop-off.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
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Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
