Bar Harbor Set to Drastically Limit Cruise Ship Visits

A U.S. federal ruling this week cleared the final hurdle in the implementation of strict cruise limits in Bar Harbor, Maine that have been in the works for nearly four years, reports The Maritime Executive.

In a typical year Bar Harbor receives more than four millions tourists, but residents have long been unhappy with the sudden influx of cruise visitors on days ships are in port. Such residents have been seeking strict limits on the number of cruise visitors, but local businesses have opposed restrictions.

According to The Maritime Executive, a survey of Bar Harbor residents “showed a strong interest in restrictions on cruise ships.” In Nov. 2022, they voted for a seasonal cap of no more than 1,000 passengers a day, but businesses, including the owner of the pier used to land cruise passengers, objected and sued claiming the limits were illegal.

This week a federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine ruled that the limits are legal and can be enforced.

“The ruling notes that Bar Harbor is still open to visitors from out of state or internationally and it does not restrict access for seafarers or passengers to the port. He noted that if the law restricted access it would be a violation,” according to the article.

The town is expected to provide more information about the restrictions, including the final numbers – both of passengers and ship sizes – next week.

Bar Harbor is far from the only destination in the U.S. to set limits on cruise passengers. In Sept. 2022, Sitka, Alaska began the process of limiting cruise ship and passenger numbers, basing its recommendations on the Bar Harbor limits. Santa Barbara, Calif. is also limiting cruise ships, allowing no more than 20 to visit the city annually.