New England seaside port bans virtually all cruise ships from its harbor
The new rules apply to ships that dock or tender.
Cruising is one of the fastest-growing segments of travel, with cruise bookings up 17% in North America between 2019 and 2023.
Globally cruise capacity is forecast to grow at least 10% from 2024 to 2028, according to Cruise Lines International Association, and most major cruise lines have at least one new ship under construction.
But not every community welcomes the crush of tourists cruise ships can bring.
Related: Silversea unveils its 132-day ultra-luxury cruise for 2028
Several U.S. ports have made moves to reduce cruise tourism's impacts. In Sitka, Alaska, for example, voters will decide in a May 30 special election whether to cap daily cruise arrivals at 4,500. In Juneau, daily visitors are already limited to 16,000 per day and just 12,000 on Saturdays.
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Several international ports — including Venice, Italy, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, have also implemented limits on daily visits, or disallowing ships over a certain size.
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Residents say their town is too small for even smaller cruise ships
The latest port to say "no" to big ships is Belfast, Maine. In November 2022, the town, with 7,000 residents, voted to cap the number of cruise guest arrivals to 1,000 per day. The move was in response to a community survey taken the year before. In response to the survey, residents said they believe cruise tourism negatively affects their quality of life.
Now, an amendment approved on March 18, 2025, effectively bans all commercial passenger ships from entering the harbor. The ordinance states no cruise ship that accommodates more than 50 guests is allowed to embark or debark passengers at the city landing or any other city property or marine facility. The rule applies to ships that dock or use tender boats.
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Belfast, a smart port town about 100 miles north of the port town Portland, and 60 miles south of Bar Harbor, typically attracts only one cruise brand: American Cruise Lines.
Related: Holland America Line unveils itineraries for sun seekers, wildlife lovers
Belfast, Maine no longer on itineraries
American Cruise Lines operates a fleet of small ships, most accommodating 90-180 passengers. Now, even the line's 100-passenger American Eagle, which has previously called on Belfast, will be prohibited.
Belfast's harbormaster reportedly supported the law, citing safety and navigation concerns that emerged when eight cruise ships called at the port in the summer of 2024. Limited dock space and bus parking, presumably for shore excursions, contributed to congestion around the harbor, according to local news reports.
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Perhaps in anticipation of the ban, Belfast does not appear on any American Cruise Lines itineraries for summer 2025.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
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