Business owners in Bar Harbor, Maine, sought to delay the implementation of the town’s daily cruise passenger limits. The federal court has denied the motion, leaving the restrictions in place.
In November 2022, the residents of Bar Harbor voted to limit cruise ship passengers to 1,000 a day. This is half the resort town’s maximum number of passengers during peak season.
Meanwhile, the Association to Protect and Preserve Local Livelihoods (APPLL) filed an injunction to postpone its enforcement until the appeal is heard.
Those who oppose the new guidelines claim that the policy is too restrictive. They expressed concern that it can dramatically impact the revenue of the town and local businesses.
| “More than 90% of our visitors annually come on ships larger than that. And as you can imagine, if you’re a cruise ship, you have to pick and choose who you would like to come ashore and who would have to stay on board,” reasoned Eben Salvatore from APPLL. |
A judge previously noted that fewer than 30 cruise vessels scheduled to visit in 2024 have passenger capacities lower than 1,000.
“It’s harmful to taxpayers, it’s harmful to the businesses and their employees,” Salvatore concluded.
Residents who support the new ordinance say that too many passengers lead to congestion and reduced quality of life.
Read more about Overtourism a Sensitive Issue in Bar Harbor
Appeal to Postpone Daily Cap Denied
On Monday, May 27, the First Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the motion to delay the implementation of the 1,000-a-day passenger limit. However, since it was “denied without prejudice,” another injunction can be pursued in the future. Bar Harbor is scheduled to hold a public hearing regarding the ordinance on June 18.
Though the daily cap remains in effect, the Town Council is honoring the cruise ship bookings finalized before the 2022 vote, reducing the new guideline’s full impact. Norwegian Cruise Line is Bar Harbor’s most frequent visitor, with 34 stops scheduled this year, followed by Holland America Line’s 15 visits and Royal Caribbean’s 13 calls.
Bar Harbor, Maine, with 5,000 residents, is often crowded with over 250,000 cruise passengers annually, drawn by the popular Arcadia National Park.
