2024
Overview of the Cruise Season
Maine Welcomed
429 SHIP CALLS
+ an estimated
378,166 PASSENGER DAYS
+4%
Increase from last season
The 2024 cruise season marked a significant transition in Maine’s cruise industry, with Portland surpassing Bar Harbor as the state’s busiest cruise port.
The redistribution of passengers due to Bar Harbor’s regulatory changes led to growth in Eastport and Portland. At the same time, American Cruise Lines increased the size of its fleet in Maine, leading to increases in ports like Bath and Boothbay Harbor.
PORTLAND
EASTPORT
Highlights from Major Cruise Ports
BAR HARBOR
97
SHIP CALLS
132,735
PASSENGER DAYS
50%
REDUCTION
from previous peak seasons:
2019 & 2022
These deliberate reductions continued a process that began in 2023, following passage of a citizen-initiated ballot initiative the prior November.
For the first time since cruise ships first began visiting Maine in the 1990s, Bar Harbor was not the state’s busiest cruise port, a trend that is all but certain to continue in 2025.
PortShare Promise
A Destination Management Pilot Program
As Portland faced its busiest season ever in 2023 – and looks ahead to becoming Maine’s busiest cruise port in 2024 – local stakeholders realized the importance of implementing some best practices in destination management. The PortShare Promise program was launched as a pilot by CruiseMaine and the Cruise Portland consortium, which is made up of the City of Portland, Visit Portland, Visit Freeport, and the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel Chamber of Commerce.
EASTPORT
8
SHIP CALLS
7,029
PASSENGER DAYS
INCLUDING THE
ENCHANTED PRINCESS
The largest vessel to ever visit the port
Inaugural Call of the Enchanted Princess
A major milestone for Eastport in the 2024 cruise season was the inaugural call of the Enchanted Princess, carrying approximately 3,500 passengers and 1,346 crew members.
This historic call, which took place on September 3, 2024, marked the largest vessel ever to visit Eastport, further positioning the port as an emerging cruise destination in Maine.
Eastport Buzz
It really was a great day for Eastport with accolades from the President of Princess Cruise Lines and the Captain of the Enchanted Princess. We were tickled to have two members of The Love Boat cast at the presentation too! We hope the ship will visit us again! Passengers gave our community a big thumbs up! Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the day a success for our business community!!!!
Tessa Chaffey Ftorek
Starring Special Guests
A major milestone for Eastport in the 2024 cruise season was the inaugural call of the Enchanted Princess, carrying approximately 3,500 passengers and 1,346 crew members, bringing an unprecedented level of activity to the port and surrounding community.
PORTLAND
139
SHIP CALLS
202,300
PASSENGER DAYS
PORTLAND BECAME MAINE'S
BUSIEST CRUISE PORT
The PortShare Promise Program continued to evolve, with the aim of enhancing the visitor experiences while addressing community concerns around pedestrian and transportation flow.
ROCKLAND
53
SHIP CALLS
20,645
PASSENGER DAYS
SHIP VISITS 2014-2024
Highlights from Maine’s Domestic-only Ports
American Cruise Lines expanded its presence in Maine, with:
132
SHIP CALLS
15,457
PASSENGER DAYS
Across Bangor, Bath, Boothbay Harbor, and Bucksport.
Including:
American Independence | American Glory | American Eagle | American Constitution
American Cruise Lines traces its roots to East Boothbay, where it began building vessels for dinner boat cruises at the Harvey Gamage Shipyard. They expanded to to overnight vessels, culminating in the American Cruise Lines brand transformation in the 1970s.
SHORE POWER UPDATE
In 2024, CruiseMaine played a pivotal role in assisting the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Port Authority in securing a $1 million planning grant from the EPA Clean Ports Program. This funding will support feasibility studies on implementing shore power infrastructure in Portland, Eastport, and Rockland, as well as cargo operations in Portland, Searsport, and Eastport. CruiseMaine’s close collaboration with these agencies was instrumental in advancing shore power initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability in Maine’s ports. These efforts represent a major step forward in the transition to cleaner, more efficient port operations across the state
Cruise Canada New England Alliance Initiatives
CCNE Combined Berth Availability Solution
In 2024, the efforts begun in 2022 to develop a Combined Berth Availability Solution for the entire Canada New England region advanced significantly. A competitive RFP process has resulted in two finalist vendors, and a final decision is expected in 2025. With a goal to optimize scheduling and quickly identify available berths or anchorages in the region, this collaborative project would impact the 40+ ports in the region and it reflects the strength and collaboration across CCNE.
Closing Note
Reflecting on 2024, it has been a year marked by significant developments within Maine’s cruise sector. The Bar Harbor ordinance and the subsequent failure of the repeal effort stand out as pivotal events, setting the stage for considerable changes in future cruise seasons for that port. While Bar Harbor will see substantial reductions in visitation, the 2024 season demonstrated the adaptability of Maine’s cruise industry, with a notable redistribution of calls across the state. Notably, Portland emerged as Maine’s busiest cruise port this year, and Rockland and Eastport also experienced strong seasons. CruiseMaine continued its efforts to support all ports through initiatives such as the PortShare Promise program in Portland and its pilot in Rockland. We also addressed operational challenges, particularly the limitations imposed by CBP in Portland and Eastport, actively engaging in advocacy to find viable solutions. Our sales and marketing initiatives remained crucial, with participation in Seatrade and a significant CCNE European sales mission, both aimed at fostering relationships and exploring future opportunities. The CCNE also made progress on key projects such as the Combined Berth Availability Solution and the Sustainability Commitment. Looking ahead to 2025, while Bar Harbor navigates its new reality, Maine’s other ports are well-positioned to continue their growth, underscoring the resilience and dynamic nature of our cruise industry. We remain dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and strong partnerships across the Maine cruise community. Sincerely, Sarah Flink, Executive Director, CruiseMaine