Cruise ships put a lot of money into some tourism businesses, none at all into others.

In Rockland, the Farnsworth Museum has sold 18,000 tickets to cruise-ship passengers, plus additional giftshop sales.

But lodging properties get no benefit from cruise ships - land-based tours are much better for them. And most cruise lines that visit Maine - American Cruise Lines, Holland America, etc. - serve 3 meals a day onboard, so local restaurants lose out also.

Because more cruise ships are making port calls in Maine each year, the Maine Office of Tourism has just this summer taken over cruise promotion from the Maine Port Authority and awarded a $115K marketing contract to maritime consultants Soli DG.