Bar Harbor Town Council clarifies 2024-2025 cruise ship limitations

Subsequent to a ruling handed down by a federal judge on 29 February 2024 which upheld the right of the Town of Bar Harbor to limit cruise ship passenger visits to 1000 a day, the Town Council has issued a clarification as to how this limitation will be enforced in 2024 and 2025:

• The Harbor Master will cancel or reject requests for any reservations made after 8 November 2022 for cruise ships carrying more than 1000 passengers.
• The town will honor 2024 reservations made prior to 8 November 2022.
• 2025 reservations made and accepted after 17 March 2022 will be subject to the ordinance.
• If necessary, the town will pursue legal action in the event of visitor limitation violations.

Because cruise ship lines make port reservations several years ahead, it's expected that 2024 visitor numbers may only be down by 50%. But in 2025 and subsequent years, visitation could be down 80%.

Can the Town of Bar Harbor and its businesses stand a 50%-80% reduction in annual tourist numbers? Stay tuned.