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Ships anchor off Bar Harbor and tender passengers to the Town Pier in the center of town. The Information Center, where you can book tours, get maps and ask questions, is located at the tender dock.

Printable map to take along on the cruise.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video .

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Monthly Climate Averages for Bar Harbour USA

Sightseeing:

Bar Harbor is a village on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County in the Down East area of Maine.

Bar Harbor is home to the largest parts of Acadia National Park, including Cadillac Mountain the highest point within 25 miles (40 km) of the coastline of the Eastern United States.

The Bar Harbor Whale Museum (West St facing the harbor). 10AM-8PM. The museum is devoted to whales and other sea creatures. There are many real skeletons (from stranded marine mammals) on display including a 28-foot long juvenile humpback whale. Other exhibits include climate change, bioacoustics, marine adaptations, and a brief history of whaling. Great for kids and adults.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

The Island Explorer features eight bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. There is no charge for this service. It does not provide commentary.

The central area of Bar Harbor is quite small and easily explored by foot.

Rent an electric car to explore Acadia on your own.

Oli's Trolley : 30 minute Trolley Tours June through October Daily tours leave downtown Bar Harbor at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM

2½ hour Acadia National Park Trolley Tours April 26 through October Daily Tours leave downtown Bar Harbor at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

4 hour Acadia National Park Trolley Tours July though October. Both are narrated Trolley Tours

Whale watching tours are also popular.

It pays to compare your cruise line tours here .

Nearby Places:

The second most visited National Park in the United States, Acadia National Park is open year round. Visitors can visit the visitor's center from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May through early October.

In Acadia National Park there are more than 120 miles of marked trails. There are 17 mountains to climb. The Carriage Road consists of over 50 miles of broken stone roads built by John Rockefeller, Jr. which he later donated to the park. There are 18 stone bridges in the park. The Park Loop Road is 27 miles long. You can get to Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain and Otter Cliffs on the Park Loop Road. In the park, you will find 20 lakes and ponds.

Acadia National Park also includes substantial tracts of land off Mount Desert Island. Fifty miles from Bar Harbor by road. Acadia preserves 2000 acres on the tip of Schoodic Peninsula, the only section of the park on the mainland. A one-way, six-mile loop road skirts the edge of the peninsula, bringing into view a rugged coastline offering sweeping panoramas of Mount Desert Island. Acadia also preserves another 2000 acres on Isle Au Haut, an offshore island linked to the mainland by a mail boat from Stonington.

Shopping and Food

The official U.S. currency is the United States dollar (symbol: $). ATM's everywhere.

Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely used and accepted, even for transactions worth only a few dollars. In fact, in some cases, it may be the only way to make a transaction. Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Note to overseas visitors: Prices of goods and services always seem lower than they really are, as taxes and gratuities are seldom included.

Most states have a sales tax, ranging from 2.9% to nearly 10% of the retail price; 4-6% is typical. Sales tax is almost never included in posted prices (except for gasoline, and in most states, alcoholic beverages consumed on-premises), but instead will be calculated and added to the total when you pay.

Tipping in America is widely used and expected. While Americans themselves often debate correct levels and exactly who deserves to be tipped, generally accepted standard rates are:

• Full-service restaurants: 15-20% (Often this is the only income of the wait(ress). Tips are either left in cash or you can add it to the credit card slip) Note: Few restaurants add an automatic service charge, in which case it is up to you how much you tip extra. Check your bill!
• Taxi drivers, hairdressers, other personal services: 10-15%
• Bartenders: $1 per drink if inexpensive or 15% of total
• Bellhops: $1-2 per bag ($3-5 minimum regardless)
• Hotel doorman: $1 per bag (if they assist), $1 for calling a cab
• Tour guides: Depending on tour length, size, and overall quality of guided tours; for half day tours or less $5-10 per person, for longer tours $10-20 per person.
• Private car & limousine drivers: 15-20%
• Housekeeping in hotels: $1-2 per day for long stays or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
• Food delivery (pizza, etc.): $2-5, possibly more for very large orders

Currency Converter

Communication:

Free wireless Internet is available at the Town Pier and Village Green.

The U.S. has no official language at the federal level, but English is by far the standard for everyday use. Several states have declared their official state language as English. Spanish is also official in the state of New Mexico, where it is widely spoken; French is official in Louisiana and the Hawaiian language is official in Hawaii, but neither approaches the use of English and are official for primarily historical reasons.

Emergency 911

Opening Hours and Holidays:

In major metropolitan areas like New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets are routinely open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, while department stores, shopping centers and most other large retailers are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and often with shorter hours on Sundays - generally 11 a.m. or noon to 5 or 6 p.m. On holidays, the tendency is to remain open (with the exception of the most important holidays like Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day where stores are generally closed)

Holidays in the USA

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Bar Harbor United States of America

The port of Bar Harbor is located in Maine, on an island along the Atlantic coast. Nearby, Acadia National Park is one of the most popular attractions of the region.

Wealthy people came to the region and built sumptuous summer residences in the early 1900s.

In the streets of Bar Harbor you will find several restaurants and shops. Let induldge yourself with a famous lobster roll.

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Useful Information

A 15% tip will be appreciated in restaurants and taxis.

USD US dollar

Time difference

from New York: 0h

from San Francisco: +2h

from London: -5h

Where is located the Port of Bar Harbour Cruise Terminal

Activities in bar harbor, acadia national park.

Several activities in nature, such as cycling, walking, swimming can be practiced in this beautiful park. Trails are also set up to visit the park by horse-drawn carriage.

Cruise in the bay

Bar harbor walking tour.

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Useful References

• Tourism Board - Bar Harbor
• Tourism Board - United States of America
• Bar Harbor on Wikipedia
• United States of America on Wikipedia
• Travel Advice and Advisories (Government of Canada)
• Port Website

For details or to book an excursion, visit our page:

Alternative:

https://www.viator.com/en-CA/Bar_Harbor/d4371-ttd?pid=P00045706&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=morebutton

Boston United States of America

Charlottetown Canada

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St Antony (Newfoundland) Canada

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A Super Fun Bar Harbor Cruise Port Itinerary (On Your Own)

By: Author Melody Pittman

Posted on Published: October 11, 2023  - Last updated: November 11, 2023

During our unforgettable Canada and New England vacation, my friend Angie and I sailed into the breathtaking port of Bar Harbor, Maine, aboard a Holland America cruise. As our last stop, we couldn’t wait to explore all this charming destination had to offer— from exploring picturesque Acadia National Park to catching glimpses of celebrity homes. We crafted a meticulously planned itinerary that perfectly suited our desires. Here is the Bar Harbor cruise port itinerary we created that left us with perfect Maine memories.

First, Rent a Car

As we had arranged in advance, Angie and I were promptly picked up at the port by Enterprise rental cars. After a 30-minute drive, we arrived at the airport and collected our vehicle.

Although reaching our destination and completing the necessary paperwork took some time, the rental price was reasonable, and we were pleased to have control over our day’s itinerary.

With excellent fuel efficiency, the car proved cost-effective, resulting in a total price of $140, including refueling and the rental itself. While the roads were easily navigable, cellular service was intermittent in certain areas.

To see how the cruise played out, check out this article about the Canada and New England cruise .

Seal Harbor

Located just 30 minutes from the Bar Harbor cruise port, we decided to take the scenic route toward Acadia National Park and explore the highly recommended areas. One such area is Seal Harbor, renowned for its stunning mansions and celebrity residences, including Martha Stewart .

Navigating through the winding roads of these charming neighborhoods can be a challenge when trying to find specific addresses of the homes you wish to see. Nonetheless, we strolled along, marveling at the magnificent multi-million dollar properties that dotted the landscape.

Venturing out to MDI (Mount Desert Island) is an absolute delight, as it is home to Bar Harbor and a cluster of upscale Maine towns. These towns are favored summer destinations for affluent socialites and boast impressive art galleries, exquisite dining options, and unique accommodation.

The charming city of Ellsworth, nestled on the way to Acadia National Park, offers a picturesque gateway filled with delightful attractions. There is plenty to enjoy, from museums to birding hotspots and the captivating Timber Tina’s  Great Maine Lumberjack Show  that runs throughout the summer. Take advantage of the incredible telephone museum, an intriguing dive into our communication history.

Among the charming towns, my favorite is  Northeast Harbor , reminiscent of serene hamlets in upstate New York. Its quaint village shops, captivating eateries, and an air of sophistication make it a playground for the affluent, including notable homeowners like the Rockefeller’s.

While exploring, visit Main Street Mercantile, a must-see shop brimming with souvenirs, glassware, household items, and delightful baby gifts. It’s truly a joy to uncover the hidden treasures of these enchanting small towns at your own pace.

Lunch at Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound

Angie and I share a love for food, and we were thrilled to indulge in some delectable fresh Maine lobster. I’m confident that you’ll feel the same way. After receiving a local recommendation, we eagerly went to  Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound . This charming restaurant has been serving customers since 1956. 

Here, you’ll discover some of the finest lobsters in the world, sourced from Mount Desert Island and sold within hours of being caught. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

For our meal, we both opted for a Lobster Roll accompanied by sides of coleslaw and potato salad. The rolls were perfectly crispy on the outside and delightfully soft on the inside. What’s more, the rolls were generously filled with juicy lobster meat. A side of melted butter provided the ideal complement for dipping our lobster rolls, resulting in a truly divine bite.

Visit Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park, commonly known as the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, is the premier attraction in Bar Harbor. It is easily one of the key reasons the cruise ships tend to visit here on their  Canada and New England itineraries . Our  Holland America ship  featured some fantastic Acadia National Park trips, but we wanted to see several other things in the area, hence curating our own itinerary. 

Immerse yourself in the grandeur of this massive park, spanning across half of Mount Desert Island. Begin your exploration by traversing Park Loop Road’s winding 27 miles, where scenic overlooks and captivating photo opportunities await at every turnout.

Marvel at the breathtaking views the oceanside cliffs offer, granting you a splendid vantage point of the park’s pristine beauty. Encounter the serene beach setting of Thunder Hole and Sand Beach, starkly contrasting the lush, tree-covered mountains. The rhythmic force of the surf lapping against the rocky shore will surely mesmerize.

During our visit to Acadia National Park , we unfortunately couldn’t find the time to explore the renowned Jordan Pond House and its scenic trail or indulge in the famous popover restaurant. Instead, we decided to head to Frenchman Bay, where we captured breathtaking photos of the stunning beachfront and the majestic mountains in the background.

Keep an eye out for the picturesque Porcupine Islands, the charming mounds of land rising from the shimmering waters of Frenchman Bay .

Cadillac Mountain

The pinnacle of Acadia National Park awaits at Cadillac Mountain, its granite-topped peak towering at an elevation of 1532 feet. As the highest mountain along the North Atlantic seaboard, this awe-inspiring summit treats visitors to a panoramic 360-degree vista overlooking Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Cranberry Isles.

A close second in terms of natural beauty lies within Jordan Pond, an exquisite area framed by the majestic Penobscot Mountain and the iconic “The Bubbles.”

Watch for the wild blueberries that flourish in the area, adding a delightful touch to your journey. While witnessing the nation’s first sunrise may prove unlikely for cruising enthusiasts, Cadillac Mountain proudly holds this title. Trust me when I say the pictures depicting this remarkable spectacle are nothing short of magnificent.

Bass Harbor Head Light

Visiting Bass Harbor Head Light is a must for those passionate about lighthouses. Perched on the rugged granite shoreline of MDI, this historic beacon, dating back to 1855, stands as one of the most photographed lighthouses along the Eastern Seaboard.

While visitors can explore the impressive grounds, please note that the lighthouse is privately owned and not open for public entry.

Shop for Souvenirs in Bar Harbor

Downtown Bar Harbor, steps away from the cruise port, is the ultimate destination for all your souvenir needs. From unique and cheesy mementos to adorable and fantastic treasures, you’ll find practically every type of souvenir here. Spend your day leisurely browsing through the relaxed and fun offerings in this port.

Don’t miss out on visiting two must-see stores:  Cool as a Moose  and Fair Trade Winds. These stores are packed with goodies that will leave you spoiled for choice.

If you’re a jewelry enthusiast like myself, you’ll be thrilled to know that Maine is the source of the elusive watermelon tourmaline. The pieces available here are stunning. Additionally, upscale food products such as jams, jellies, sauces , syrups, and more are perfect for taking home as souvenirs.

No trip to this region of Maine would be complete without indulging in the flavors of blueberry. We highly recommend trying the blueberry soft-serve ice cream cone from CJ’s Big Dipper. Heavens to Betsy, it’s truly phenomenal!

As you stroll along the pedestrian-clad sidewalks and explore the immaculate stores, galleries, and wineries, it becomes evident why Bar Harbor has remained a beloved New England summer retreat for over a century.

Bar Harbor: A Visit to Remember

Upon completing our day tour, we returned the car to the airport. Angie and I were then chauffeured back to Bar Harbor, allowing us to explore the area near our cruise ship at our leisure. Opting for self-guided exploration in Bar Harbor proved to be an excellent decision. We avoided waiting for large groups to embark and disembark from buses, skipped unwanted destinations, and were not bound by rigid itineraries.

Planning your trip should be smooth. We hope that these recommended suggestions for the Bar Harbor cruise port mentioned above will enhance your experience in this remarkable destination.

**I was hosted on this cruise by Holland America, but our day on our own was at our own expense. As with all of our articles, opinions and reviews are 100% ours and unbiased. 

Read more about our cruises:

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What to Do at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

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Bar Harbor cruise port

East coast usa and canada new england.

• Coordinates 44.392, -68.204
• LOCODE USBHB
• Local Time 2024-07-12 01:05

Bar Harbor cruise ship schedule

• Temperature

• Destinations

Overview: Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine on a Cruise

Doug Parker

• November 27, 2021

Located on the northeast shore of Maine’s largest island Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is a popular port on New England/Canada cruise itineraries and is the gateway to Acadia National Park.

Ships anchor in Frenchman Bay and tender passengers to the Town Pier, located just steps from the heart of downtown Bar Harbor. Visitors can easily set out on foot to explore this small, pedestrian-friendly town. You’ll find maps and tour information at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center just south of the pier. A free shuttle bus links Bar Harbor with neighboring villages and various locations in Acadia National Park.

The History of Bar Harbor

Originally named “Eden” after English statesman Sir Richard Eden, the town was renamed Bar Harbor in 1918 after the sandbar that is visible at low tide and connects Mount Desert Island to neighboring Bar Island. Visitors are drawn to the city’s stunning coastal scenery, specialty seafood, and quaint downtown shops.

Bar Harbor has a long history as a summer retreat for writers and artists looking to escape city life. In the late 1800s, many of America’s most influential families built summer cottages on Mount Desert Island, including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Carnegies. To this day, Bar Harbor is still a popular playground for celebrities, like Martha Stewart and Susan Sarandon who are also counted among the island’s part-time residents.

However, Bar Harbor may be best-known for its proximity to Acadia National Park. Designated in 1916, Acadia National Park was the first national park east of the Mississippi and despite being one of the smallest, Acadia is consistently ranked as one of the most visited national parks in the country. The park encompasses nearly half of Mount Desert Island, as well as a collection of adjacent isles, and offers much in terms of hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and scenic vistas.

Local Flavor

Bar Harbor is all about the seafood. This charming seaside town is bursting with fresh lobster from traditional lobster rolls and delicious lobster bisque to whole steamed lobster dinners and lobster ravioli. You can even find lobster ice cream for dessert. Fresh shrimp, scallops, oysters, crab, haddock, and other fish are also plentiful and the options for sea-to-table dining are nearly endless. If you’re not into seafood, no need to worry; you’ll also find Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisine around town.

Microbrew fans won’t want to miss a sampling of Atlantic Brewing Company’s lineup of beers. The Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale, an easy-drinking beer brewed with wild Maine blueberries, is their signature beer and can be found in restaurants and bars around town or at their tasting room.  Brewery tours are offered daily during the summer season, but keep in mind that they do fill up fast so make sure to arrive an hour before your tour time to be guaranteed a spot.

MORE:  Cruise Port Overview: Portland, Maine

For locally made crafts and goods, head to the shops and galleries clustered around the waterfront. Jewelry made from watermelon tourmaline, a unique pink and green gemstone found in Maine, is among the most highly sought-after souvenirs along with blueberry syrups, jams, and even beer considering wild blueberries grow nearly everywhere on Mount Desert Island. Frequent arts and crafts markets are held at the Village Green, a small grassy park in the middle of town, and the Bar Harbor Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays during the summer months in the YMCA parking lot.

Cultural Attractions

Although cultural attractions are limited on Mount Desert Island, a handful of museums and galleries in Bar Harbor highlight the natural history and Native American heritage of the region.

The Abbe Museum is the only museum in Maine dedicated solely to the Native American heritage of the state. With locations in both downtown Bar Harbor and Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park, the Abbe Museum features a vast collection of Native American artifacts spanning thousands of years in history and exhibits dedicated to the history and cultural traditions of the Wabanaki people.

Located on the campus of the College of the Atlantic in the original headquarters of Acadia National Park, the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History features exhibits and displays on the native flora and fauna of Maine. Their tidepool tank is filled with sea stars, hermit crabs, and other marine life you can touch and observe, making this a great option if you’re traveling with children.

Top Excursions

Cruise passengers docking at the Bar Harbor cruise port generally head out on a tour of Acadia National Park or a sightseeing cruise in the harbor. Other popular excursions include lighthouse tours, lobster boat adventures, and whale-watching cruises. Here are some of Bar Harbor’s most popular shore excursions:

• Acadia National Park Tours —  Although a free shuttle bus is offered from Bar Harbor to destinations in Acadia National Park, you’ll see much more of the park with a guided tour. Park tours often hit all of the top sites, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and the top of Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard.
• Lighthouse Cruises —  Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island. If you want to see Bear Rock, Egg Rock, or any of the other lighthouses in the area you’ll have to take a boat tour. Several tour options are available; some even include a visit to the outer islands.
• Lobster Boat Tours —  Take a ride on a traditional lobster boat to learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about life as a lobsterman. You’ll see how lobsters are caught as you watch your captain haul in lobster traps from the ocean floor. You’ll also enjoy scenic views of the harbor, catch glimpses of the luxurious cottages scattered along the shore, and have a chance to see whales, seals, bald eagles, and other seabirds depending on the season.
• Whale Watching Tours —  The waters around Bar Harbor are rich with marine life, including whales, dolphins, harbor and gray seals, puffins, and other seabirds. Humpback, Finback, and Minke whale sightings are frequent during whale watching season, which runs from mid-June through mid-August, but can be seen anytime between April and October.

Insider’s Tip

At low tide, Bar Island, located directly north of the Town Pier, is accessible by foot across a natural sand and gravel bar. The sandbar is typically open for three hours and once on the island, you can hike to the highest point for a spectacular panoramic view of the town of Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island. Visitors also enjoy exploring the bar’s tide pool area for sea stars, barnacles, and crabs. You’ll want to keep your eye on the tide to avoid getting stranded on the island until the next low tide.

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Bar Harbor Cruise Port

Guide to Cruise Ports and Terminals

Bar Harbor Maine Cruise Port

Bar Harbor is a seaside town on Mount Desert Island in the State of Maine.

Cruise ships anchor offshore and tenders drop passengers off at one of two nearby locations:

• Town Pier (55 West Street) Note: near Agamont Park.
• Harbor Place (1 West Street)

Public Transportation

Port shuttle.

Because the town of Bar Harbor is small in size, a port shuttle is not required.

There is, however, a free shuttle service called the Island Explorer that takes visitors around the island and into Acadia National Park. There are currently 9 bus routes.

For more information about this service, please visit www.exploreacadia.com . (Note: Service operates from June 23 until Columbus Day - October 9th)

Bus Tour Service

A number of companies provide tours of Acadia National Park.  One such company is Acadia Tours ( www.acadiatours.com ).

A second service provider is Oli's Trolley ( olistrolley.com ).

Visitor Information

Bar harbor, maine.

The town of Bar Harbor is quite small. The main attractions are:

• Shore Path - a mile-long walking trail along the water's edge.
• Bar Harbor Historical Society Museum
• George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History

Acadia National Park

This large national park is located near Bar Harbor. It is the second most visited National Park in the United States.

Please visit www.nps.gov for more information.

Map of Bar Harbor Cruise Port

View map of Bar Harbor .  Note: Passengers are tendered to the Town Pier next to Agamont Park.

Weather in Bar Harbor

Average daily temperatures in Bar Harbor Maine are as follows:

Free Wifi Service

Free Wifi is available at two city parks in Bar Harbor:

• Agamont Park (which overlooks the waterfront)
• Village Green Park (Main Street at Firefly Lane)

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Bar Harbor, Maine, US

Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Bar Harbor is the quintessential New England coastal town. Our Bar Harbor cruise takes our guests to this picturesque and charming town with its scenic and walkable streets lined with restaurants and boutiques. Dining on lobster is a must, as is a scoop or two at one of the town’s homemade ice cream shops. Boat tours explore the waters and islands that surround Bar Harbor, with seasonal opportunities to see wildlife—including whales—and lighthouses along the way.

A favorite attraction many of our guests enjoy on our cruises to Bar Harbor is the magnificent Acadia National Park, an adventurer’s playground. The park, which is celebrating its centennial in 2016, is home to sites such as Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States and the first place in the country to see the sun rise. Bar Harbor cruise guests can hike, bike or take a horse-and-carriage ride to explore Acadia’s lakes and striking coastline. While on your cruise to Bar Harbor, take advantage of the best bargain in town during your visit: The free Island Explorer buses take guests to Acadia’s major sites and to other nearby destinations.

Featured Shore Excursions

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Cruises to Bar Harbor, Maine

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Bar Harbor Maine Port Guide

Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, a large island off the coast of Maine. Cruises to Bar Harbor pull into port near the central part of town. It’s a popular port of call for travelers on a Canada and New England cruise due to the attractions in Bar Harbor’s charming downtown area and its close proximity to Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor is often called the Gateway to Acadia National Park and a Bar Harbor, Maine cruise port of call provides many opportunities to explore that natural wonder.

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Top sights & attractions for cruises to bar harbor, acadia national park.

Acadia National Park is mostly located on Mount Desert Island and is home to the highest rocky headlands and mountain (Cadillac Mountain) along the east coast of the United States. Its sprawling beauty covers 47,000 acres and it is filled with towering trees and wildlife. Cruises to Bar Harbor provide a jumping off point for getting to Acadia National Park and a day spent there can be spent hiking on one of its 158 miles of trails (including ones to the top of Cadillac Mountain), or being driven along one of the park’s carriage roads, which are accented by 16 stone bridges. In addition to the natural beauty, you may see bears, moose, whales, and a variety of birds and other woodland creatures while making your way through Acadia National Park.

Thunder Hole

Located in Acadia National Park, Thunder Hole is a highlight of the park for many visitors – particularly if you love wave watching. Thunder Hole is a small cavern that is located on a rocky inlet. When a large wave come in, it’s forced out of that cavern like a loud clap of thunder and forms a water spout that goes high into the air, making for an exciting sight to see.

Jordan Pond

Jordan Pond is a gorgeous glacier-formed lake with strikingly clear water. Motor boats and swimming are not allowed, but you can kayak or canoe on the pond, and cruisers to Bar Harbor who are looking for a more adventurous way to spend the day may enjoy heading to Jordan Pond for some paddling.

Looking out over Jordan Pond is another popular tourist spot: the aptly named Jordan Pond House. It is a historic restaurant that has been in operation since 1890 (though the original building burned down in 1979). The thing to order here is tea with popovers, and afternoon tea on the lawn is an idyllic way to spend a summer afternoon while in Bar Harbor.

Whale Watching

Bar Harbor is located on the Gulf of Maine, which is home to a variety of whales. Depending on the time of year, you can see humpback, finback, and minke whales migrating through the waters of the Atlantic. A whale watching shore excursion will take you out to sea to search for the giant mammals and gets you up close to them so you can see the whales spout, breach, and more. On a whale watching shore excursion out of Bar Harbor, you also may see eagles, dolphins, porpoises, and possibly even puffins.

Lobster Boat Experience

Maine is famous for its lobster and you can learn more about how lobster is caught on a shore excursion that takes you onto a lobster boat for a demonstration of how lobster traps work. You’ll also learn more about the lobster fishing season in Maine and become educated on the Maine lobster itself. During your lobster boat ride you may spot other wildlife like bald eagles plus see some of the gorgeous views along the coastline of Mount Desert Island, including Egg Rock Light.

Great Cranberry Island

Great Cranberry Island is the largest of the five islands that make up the unique town of Cranberry Isles, Maine. You won’t find too much in terms of businesses and buildings on Great Cranberry Island, but you will find an idyllic slice of small-town island life with a tiny population mostly consisting of fishermen. You’ll also find peaceful nature to walk in, featuring forested shoreline and colorful wildflowers.  

Asticou Azalea Garden

Learn more about the plants and flowers of Maine at Asticou Azalea Garden. Located in Northeast Harbor, Maine, it is a popular excursion for visitors who have a Bar Harbor, Maine cruise port of call. The garden was started by a local of the area in 1956. It has a 2.3-acre garden and picturesque pond. The lovely rhododendrons and azaleas are popular flowers to see during a stroll through the gardens.

Village Green

Located on the location of the old Grand Central Hotel, Village Green was created after the hotel was torn down in 1899 in order to give Bar Harbor some public open space. The beautiful park like space is home to one of Bar Harbor’s most famous landmarks: a cast iron clock that has stood in Village Green since 1905.

Learn More About Bar Harbor Shore Excursions

Top things to do in bar harbor.

A beautiful way to spend some time in the Bar Harbor, Maine cruise port is to walk along a half-mile trail called Shore Path. The trail has been there since 1880 and provides people ambling down it with picturesque views of the sea and Porcupine Islands. Shore Path begins at Agamond Park, which is its own popular attraction in Bar Harbor for its grassy slope that leads to a panoramic harbor view.

Mount Desert Island Oceanarium

This isn’t your typical aquarium experience since the Mount Desert Island Oceanarium mostly features local animals from the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. A highlight is to see baby lobsters in the Oceanarium’s lobster hatchery and learn more about the sea creature in the adjacent Maine Lobster Museum, where you can also learn more about the life of a lobster fisherman.

George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History

If you’re interested in learning more about the outside world of Maine and its wild nature, head to the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History in Bar Harbor. It has a number of interactive and hands-on exhibits that let visitors use all their sense to learn more about the flora and fauna of Maine.

Abbe Museum

Learn more about the native people of Maine, the Wabanaki tribe, while at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor. You can see a collection of artifacts made by the Wabanaki tribe, some of which date back to prehistoric times.

Top Food and Drink Spots Near the Bar Harbor Cruise Port

You can find cuisine from all around the world in Bar Harbor, but its claim to fame that you can’t miss trying is located right off its shores: Maine Lobster. It’s a local delicacy and eating it is a thing to do on a Bar Harbor, Maine, cruise that even your taste buds will appreciate. Dine on decadent lobster rolls or enjoy perfectly steamed lobster claws dipped in butter. You can even get lobster flavored ice cream at Ben and Bill’s Chocolate Emporium located in Bar Harbor! Besides lobster, Bar Harbor has many other fresh seafood caught in its water that you can try in town, including oysters, shrimp, scallops, flounder, and other fish depending on the season.

Culture & History of the Bar Harbor Cruise Port

The first known people to utilize the shores of Bar Harbor were the Wabanaki tribe, who would visit the area seasonally for fishing, clam harvesting, and to pick berries.

The area became known to the Europe in 1604 when French explorer Samuel de Champlain discovered it after damaging his boat on a nearby rock ledge. The community wasn’t settled by Europeans, though, until 1763 when English businessmen arrived and set up fishing, lumbering, and shipbuilding industries in Bar Harbor (known at the time as Eden after one of America’s earliest settlers, Sir Richard Eden).

In the 1800s the beauty of Bar Harbor began to attract the rich and famous from the mainland, who would build summer homes in Bar Harbor (the Rockefellers, Astors, and J.P. Morgan all had homes in the area), or would spend summer vacations in the town. After a devastating fire destroyed much of the town in 1947, tourism was hurt. The town eventually rebuilt and today it has a population of around 5,200 and is a popular tourist destination in Maine.

In addition to tourism, there is a large fishing industry in Bar Harbor and it is also home to the College of the Atlantic, Jackson Laboratory, and MDI Biological Laboratory. It is still frequented by prominent people, including the CEO of Burt’s Bees, who has a home on Mount Desert Island near Bar Harbor.  

Bar Harbor Port Facilities & Location

The Bar Harbor, Maine cruise port is a tender port of call, meaning cruise ships anchor a short distance off shore and passengers are ferried to the port terminal in smaller tender boats. The tender ride takes about 15 minutes. The main part of town is within walking distance of the Town Pier where passengers are dropped off by the tender boat. There is an information center at the Town Pier.

Transportation in Bar Harbor

Very few taxis are available in Bar Harbor. Luckily for travelers on a Bar Harbor, Maine cruise port of call, most attractions in the city are located within walking distance. For destinations outside the city, there’s the Island Explorer, which has eight bus routes that go to various locations around Acadia National Park. Shore excursions are also a convenient and fun way to get around the area while in port.

Shopping Near the Bar Harbor Cruise Port

Bar Harbor has many tourist shops and independently owned boutiques located near the harbor in the downtown area, with most located along Main Street and its adjacent side streets. For a souvenir unique to Maine, look for jewelry with a “watermelon” tourmaline stone, which is a special type of pink and green tourmaline that is mined in Maine. Other stores in Bar Harbor that are popular with souvenir seekers are the art galleries, antique shops, and craft stores located in the city. 

Local Currency & Tipping Customs

The U.S. dollar is the accepted currency in Bar Harbor and the rest of Maine. Many ATMs are located within walking distance of the harbor. If you need to get cash right away after disembarking from one of the cruises to Bar Harbor, Maine, head to Bar Harbor Bank and Trust on Main Street that has an ATM as well as a currency exchange inside.

You can use credit cards at most places of business in Bar Harbor and surrounding areas, even if purchasing something that is just a few dollars. When in doubt, though, it’s good to double check accepted payment for a transaction if you aren’t able to pay in cash.

Tipping in Maine and all of the United States is prevalent and expected. For restaurants, taxis, and most other services, a tip of 15% to 20% of the total bill is customary.

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Cruises from/to Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar harbor, maine cruise port.

• Take a hike along the mossy green trails with rugged climbing options to gain some fantastic views of the coastline.  
• Bike along the 45 miles of carriage roads where trees, streams, wildlife and ocean surround you.  
• Explore the museum where you can learn more about the area’s culture and history.  
• Go whale watching on a small boat tour that ends with the perfect sunset.

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Bar Harbor – Maine

Last updated on March 11th, 2024 at 04:07 pm

Experience the rugged beauty of Bar Harbor, nestled on the stunning coast of Maine. Explore the breathtaking Acadia National Park, with its granite peaks and pristine lakes. Embark on a whale-watching excursion, indulge in fresh lobster, or stroll along the charming streets lined with boutique shops and art galleries. Bar Harbor offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and coastal charm.

In Bar Harbor, Maine, summers are comfortable, and winters are very cold and snowy. The average temperature in the summer is between 73 F and 81 F. During the winter months, from the beginning of December to the end of March, the average temperature is usually below 40 F. The coldest month is January, with temps at the freezing point most of the month. January also sees the most snowfall, with an average of almost 12 inches during the month. From October to July, there is a 28% chance of rain on any given day. The dryer times of the year run between July and October.

The U.S. dollar is the currency used in Bar Harbor. Banknotes come in denominations of $1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100. There are many ATMs in the area within walking distance of the harbor. The Bar Harbor Bank and Trust at 82 Main Street have a currency exchange and an ATM. Most businesses accept major credit cards

Wireless Internet:

You will find free WiFi in almost all Bar Harbor restaurants and cafes. The Jesup Memorial Library will also have free WiFi.

English is spoken everywhere in Maine.

Where You Dock in Bar Harbor – Maine

Your ship will anchor in Frenchman Bay. Passengers will be tendered to the Town Pier, located in the heart of the downtown area. Once the ship drops anchor, passengers are ferried back and forth to one of the port’s two piers.

Getting Around Bar Harbor – Maine

Walk: The town of Bar Harbor is easy to get around by walking. The Bar Harbor Shore Path is a 1.5-mile flat, crushed stone trail near the harbor. There is heavy foot traffic on this path and it is suitable for all skill levels. This path offers scenic views of the harbor and is accessible all year round.

Bus: The Island Explorer is a free shuttle bus that has routes that link the village center to Acadia National Park, which is on the Campground Route (No. 1). The bus departs from the Village Green approximately every 30 minutes, and it will take you about 10 minutes to get to the park.

If you want to go to Jordan House or Cadillac Mountain, take the Loop Road Route (No. 4) from the Visitor Center at the park entrance.

The Sand Beach/Blackwoods Route (No. 3) leaves the Village Green every 30 minutes. The trip to Thunder hole will take about 20 minutes.

As we mentioned, the Island Explorer shuttle is free, but there is a small fee per person to enter Acadia Park.

Trolley: Oli’s Trolley will take passengers on a 2.5 hour narrated tour through Acadia National Park. The trolley visits Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole. There are daily tours from June through October and run, as of  December 2021 writing, $16 for adults. Children under 12 are $11, and children under 5 are $6.

Car: There are no rental car agencies located in Bar Harbor. Hertz and Enterprise are located at the Hancock County Airport, a 45-minute ride away on the Island Explorer (Campground Route).

For Hertz, you will need to provide a valid driver’s license. If the license is in a language other than English, you will also need an International Driver’s Permit. If using a credit card for payment, you will need to provide two (2) valid forms of identification and proof of a return airline flight that coincides with your rental.

For Enterprise, you must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. Please check with Enterprise for additional policy information.

Driving in the United States is on the right-hand side of the road.

Taxi: You will have no trouble getting a taxi in Bar Harbor, as taxis line up on the street by the pier. If you would like a custom, narrated tour by taxi, then At Your Service Taxi Company would be the one to contact (1.207.288.9222). They are Bar Harbor’s oldest and largest taxi service.

Bikes: You can rent a bike to travel along the motorist-free gravel carriage road about a mile and a half from downtown. Bar Harbor Bike at 141 Cottage Street or Acadia Bike at 48 Cottage Street will be able to rent you a bike. Once you have rented a bike, you can take the bike from Bar Harbor to the trails or on the Island Explorer shuttle, a bicycle express route from Village Green to the Acadia National Park carriage road system at Eagle Lake.

Shopping In Bar Harbor – Maine

Many tourist shops and boutiques are located near the harbor in the downtown area. Most of them are located along Main Street and the adjacent side streets.

Spruce & Gussy

This shop is not your typical tourist shop. Although you will find items reminiscent of the area, they are all made by hand. They can be both functional and fabulous. The shop is locally owned with jewelry, handbags, baby gifts, art, ceramics, and more.

Find out more here: Spruce and Gussy .

Sherman’s Books & Stationary

This is the oldest bookstore in coastal Maine. If you are looking for a bookstore to replenish your reading material on board the ship or want to know more about Maine, this bookstore will be the place to stop. You will also find gifts, housewares and a few souvenirs here.

Find out more here: Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop .

The Acadia Store

This store has been locally owned and operated for over 80 years. Here you will find soaps, clothing, housewares, books, pottery, and local food and snacks. The store also has Maine-crafted rope mats, buoys, art, photography, and prints.

Find out more here: Acadia Country Store .

Native Arts Gallery

Opened seasonally from early May to late October, this family-owned store offers southwestern Native American jewelry. Sterling silver jewelry in Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi designs offers you very  unique and beautiful items.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tol-pi-yiné Simbola♓ (@redsun_312)

Find out more here: Native Arts Gallery .

My Darling Maine

Having celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2021, this quaint boutique has beautiful clothing, local products, fun totes, and skincare products.

Find out more here : My Darling Maine Island Boutique .

Dining In Bar Harbor – Maine

Bar Harbor prides itself on its fresh seafood, which is caught and delivered directly from boats in the harbor. Lobster, shrimp, scallops, and crab are a few seafood offerings. There are also haddock, flounder, clams, and oysters to be had at the many restaurants in the harbor.

The dress code in most places in Bar Harbor will be casual. Jeans or khakis with shirts are acceptable for even fine dining places like Havana. You should have supportive shoes for hiking or walking, and a jacket or sweatshirt is advisable as it can get a bit chilly with the wind off the water.

Tipping in Maine and the rest of the United States is an expected practice. Restaurants, taxis, and most other services will expect a customary tip of 15% to 20% of the total bill.

The Thirsty Whale Tavern 40 Cottage Street

This is a  great place for lobster rolls, chowders, and regional craft beers. They have 14 different draught lines that range from local brewers to area craft brews. In good weather, outdoor seating is available.

2Cats Restaurant 130 Cottage Street

In Bar Harbor for over 20 years, the restaurant has been featured in Down East Magazine . This popular restaurant is a great spot for breakfasts, with chocolate pancakes smothered in peanut butter and fresh-squeezed orange juice. 2 Cats also has fresh seafood.

Side Street Cafe 49 Rodick

This family-owned restaurant has been open since 2009. If you are looking for comfort foods, the Side Street Cafe has burgers, sandwiches, soups, and several mac and cheese dishes. Especially popular is the seafood mac and cheese, roasted crab dip, and meatball sub.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Side Street Cafe (@sidestreetbarharbor)

CIAO 135 Cottage Street

The casual menu is inspired by the owners’ winter journeys near and far. The owners have brought back dishes from New Orleans, Charleston, Portland, Montreal, Italy, Mexico, and Maine. Beautifully presented, you can choose from lamb crostini, crispy pork belly, clam chowder, seared carrot taco, and “mo rockin” ribs. They have an eclectic wine list and a selection of Maine beer.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CIAO food|drink (@ciao_barharbor)

Geddy’s 19 Main Street

Touted as Maine’s #1 seafood restaurant in Bar Harbor, Geddy’s features fresh local ingredients and sustainably sourced seafood caught in the waters directly in front of the restaurant. The menu offers lobster roll, fresh fish, wood-fired pizza, burgers, steak, and vegetarian and gluten-free options. In the same location for over 40 years, Geddy’s has current and historical pictures of the town lining the restaurant’s walls and a view of the water.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Geddy’s Bar Harbor (@geddys)

Havana 318 Main Street

If you are looking for a fine-dining spot in Bar Harbor, the chefs at Havana combine local ingredients and cuisine with a Latin flair. There are two menus, one for indoor dining and a tapas menu for outside dining. The restaurant may not look like a fine dining establishment from the outside, but it has been newly renovated and is in its 23rd season. Their meats and produce are organic, and the seafood is sustainably harvested.

Things To Do in Bar Harbor – Maine

Acadia National Park : You can be both active or relaxed in Acadia National Park. A major destination for visitors, it is the highest point on the east coast of the U.S. at 1,530 feet. It has an accessible 27-mile loop road. Bike, hike or drive the paved pathway that encircles Cadillac Mountain. The views in Acadia National Park are spectacular, and there is nature galore. This is one of the most visited parks in all of North America.

Lobster Fishing and Seal-Watching: Lulu Lobster Boat Ride is one of the top-rated boat cruises in the Maine region. They are the only boat tour in Bar Harbor hosted on a Downeast-style lobster boat. The two-hour tour sails from the heart of Bar Harbor with a demonstration of how lobster traps are hauled. You will see bald eagles, sea birds, and seals.

The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers a cruise that takes in the breathtaking scenery of New England. In the waters of Frenchman Bay, your cruise will feature a professional naturalist who will share information and stories of Maine’s natural history.

Mount Desert Oceanarium: Tour the Maine Lobster Museum and see a lobster hatchery. Take the free Island Explorer bus (Campground route) to the Oceanarium. You will have the chance to see lobsters, baby starfish, and seals.

Walking Tour : Take a two-hour walking tour that begins on the Village Green on Main Street. A local, experienced guide will regale you with stories of rum-running and tales from the Gilded Age. The tour is put on by Maine Foodie Tours.

Top Tours & Excursions In Bar Harbor – Maine

Acadia national park private tour.

A local guide will pick you up and drive you to all the best sites along Acadia National Park's Park Loop Road including Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs and many more, all from the comfort of your private van. ...

• Duration: 3 Hours
• Activity Level: Low
• Wheelchair Accessibility: No
• Food: Water and Snacks Included

Schooner Sail

This hour and a half to a two-hour tour of Frenchman Bay will give you beautiful views of Acadia National Park from the sea. Historic schooner vessels are used for a leisurely sail on Frenchman Bay. You will be treated to a narration about historical and geographical points of interest. The boat will pass lighthouses, mountains, fishing villages, and mansions....

• Duration: 2 hours
• Food: None provided, but you can bring it with you.

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Cruise to Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar harbor shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in bar harbor.

Treat Yourself

Barrels filled with various flavors of salt water taffy

As you explore, stop for some saltwater taffy — try one of the 64 flavors of ice cream at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium. Another must is the lobster mac and cheese at Side Street Cafe. After all, what's a trip to Maine without lobster?

Slow Your Stroll

A waterfront building in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor runs on a slower speed. Take the day and walk the cobblestone streets bopping in and out of the countless locally owned small shops and businesses like Fair Trade Winds. Later on, stroll down the Shore Path where land meets sea.

Adventure in Acadia

You'll feel like you stepped into a postcard when you visit to Maine's only national park. Explore Acadia on foot, by bike or in the comfort of your car with Maine cruises. Enjoy the sunset on top of Cadillac Mountain, or head to Jordan Pond to soak in the lakeside and surrounding mountains. Witness the force of Thunder Hole as the waves crash against the rocks.

Local Cuisine

Maine is making its mark on the foodie map thanks to places like Bar Harbor. Indulge in quintessential New England fare with dishes like chowder, lobster rolls and full lobster dinners. Go beyond the typical fair and enjoy lobster mac and cheese or the unique lobster ice cream at Ben and Bill's.

Head to the cobblestone streets to collect artisan items that will remind you of your time in Bar Harbor. Pick up a colorful decorative buoy, a piece of distinctive local pottery or a handcrafted glass ornament made of recycled metals painted with a scene from this seaside New England town.

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This coastal attraction has retained much of its charm since its glory days of the 1900s, when America's elite vacationed here in opulent summer cottages. Surrounding the rock-bound harbor is the world-famous Acadia National Park where the opulence of nature is on display.

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One of Maine’s largest ports, Bar Harbor is surrounded by Acadia National Park and located at the edge of the sea. The town is a New England vacation spot beyond compare welcoming visitors from all over the world for more than 150 years.

There are many ways to explore the beauty of this island that the Wabanaki "People of the Dawnland" first discovered centuries ago, so grab your family and head to the park, explore the bay, hike, bike or snowshoe the Carriage Trails, and take in the local festivals. No matter the season, Bar Harbor is the perfect spot to have fun, relax, stay fit, and make great memories.  

Bar Harbor guests enjoy more than 5,316,000 lobsters every year!

Past prominent visitors to the island have included the Astor’s, Rockefellers, Vanderbilt's, Carnegies, and Morgan’s.

Cadillac Mountain is a family-friendly hike and the first place to see the sun rise in the continental U.S.

PORT CONTACTS

Sarah Gilbert

Interim Town Manager

[email protected]

Alf Anderson

Executive Director, Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

[email protected]

Bar Harbor, Maine

Port schedule.

Bar Harbor, Maine cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information such as how crowded is the port, as well as the ship’s next port-of-call.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise ship arrivals from all major cruise lines. In order to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

• Oceania Insignia 803 passengers 14 Jul 2024 - 09:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 18 Jul 2024 - 10:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 19 Jul 2024 - 07:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 19 Jul 2024 - 09:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 21 Jul 2024 - 08:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 25 Jul 2024 - 10:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 26 Jul 2024 - 07:00
• Emerald Princess 3.679 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 07:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 01 Aug 2024 - 10:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 08 Aug 2024 - 10:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 10 Aug 2024 - 08:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 15 Aug 2024 - 10:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 19 Aug 2024 - 09:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 22 Aug 2024 - 10:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 25 Aug 2024 - 07:00
• Enchanted Princess 4.402 passengers 27 Aug 2024 - 07:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 28 Aug 2024 - 08:00
• Norwegian Breakaway 4.819 passengers 28 Aug 2024 - 08:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 29 Aug 2024 - 10:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 03 Sep 2024 - 08:00
• Oceania Insignia 803 passengers 14 Jul 2024 - 17:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 18 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 19 Jul 2024 - 17:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 19 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 21 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 25 Jul 2024 - 19:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 26 Jul 2024 - 17:00
• Emerald Princess 3.679 passengers 27 Jul 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 01 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 08 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 10 Aug 2024 - 17:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 15 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• ms Volendam 1.718 passengers 19 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 22 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• ms Zuiderdam 2.364 passengers 25 Aug 2024 - 15:00
• Enchanted Princess 4.402 passengers 27 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Norwegian Breakaway 4.819 passengers 28 Aug 2024 - 17:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 28 Aug 2024 - 18:00
• Norwegian Gem 2.873 passengers 29 Aug 2024 - 19:00
• Seabourn Quest 540 passengers 03 Sep 2024 - 17:00

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Juneau will vote whether to ban cruise ships on Saturdays to give locals a break

FILE - Cruise ships are shown near downtown Juneau on June 7, 2023, along the Gastineau Channel, in Alaska. Voters in Alaska's capital city could decide in October whether to ban large cruise ships on Saturdays starting next year. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

JUNEAU — Each year, a crush of tourists arrives in Alaska’s capital city on cruise ships to see wonders like the fast-diminishing Mendenhall Glacier. Now, long-simmering tensions over Juneau’s tourism boom are coming to a head over a new voter initiative aimed at giving residents a respite from the influx.

A measure that would ban cruise ships with 250 or more passengers from docking in Juneau on Saturdays qualified for the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, setting the stage for a debate about how much tourism is too much in a city that is experiencing first-hand the impacts of climate change. The measure would also ban ships on July 4, a day when locals flock to a downtown parade.

The “ship-free Saturdays” initiative that qualified this week will go to voters unless the local Assembly enacts a similar measure by Aug. 15, which is seen as unlikely.

Juneau, accessible only by water or air, is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, a major draw for the cruise passengers who arrive on multi-story ships towering over parts of the modest downtown skyline. Many residents of this city of about 32,000 have concerns about increased traffic, congested trails and the frequent buzz of sight-seeing helicopters transporting visitors to the Mendenhall and other glaciers.

[ A citizen initiative to limit cruise ships advances in Juneau, while another stalls in Sitka ]

Deborah Craig, who has lived in Juneau for decades, supports ship-free Saturdays. Craig, who lives across the channel from where the ships dock, often hears their early-morning fog horns and broadcast announcements made to passengers that are audible across the water.

The current “overwhelming” number of visitors diminishes what residents love so much about Juneau, she said.

“It’s about preserving the lifestyle that keeps us in Juneau, which is about clean air, clean water, pristine environment and easy access to trails, easy access to water sports and nature,” she said of the initiative.

“There’s this perception that some people are not welcoming of tourists, and that’s not the case at all,” Craig said. “It’s about volume. It’s about too much — too many in a short period of time overwhelming a small community.”

A group of people take in the views of the Mendenhall Glacier on June 8, 2023, in Juneau. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

The current cruise season runs from early April to late October.

Opponents of the initiative say limiting dockings will hurt local businesses that rely heavily on tourism and could invite lawsuits. A voter-approved limit on cruise passenger numbers in Bar Harbor, Maine, another community with a significant tourism economy, was challenged in federal court.

Laura McDonnell, a business leader who owns Caribou Crossings, a gift shop in Juneau’s downtown tourist core, said she makes 98% of her annual revenue during the summer season.

Tourism is about all the “local businesses that rely on cruise passengers and our place in the community,” said McDonnell, who is involved in Protect Juneau’s Future, which opposes the initiative.

Some schools recently closed due to factors including declining enrollment, while the regional economy faces challenges, she said.

“I think that as a community, we really need to look at what’s at stake for our economy,” she said. “We are not in a position to be shrinking our economy.”

A cruise ship departs from downtown Juneau, on June 7, 2023, along the Gastineau Channel, in Alaska. Voters in Alaska's capital city could decide in October whether to ban large cruise ships on Saturdays starting next year. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Cruise ships are docked on June 9, 2023, in downtown Juneau, Alaska. Voters in Alaska's capital city could decide in October whether to ban large cruise ships on Saturdays starting next year. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

The cruise industry accounted for $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, most of that attributable to spending by passengers, according to a report prepared for the city by McKinley Research Group LLC.

After a two-year pandemic lull, cruise passenger numbers rose sharply in Juneau, hitting a record of more than 1.6 million in 2023. Under this year’s schedule, Sept. 21 will be the first day since early May with no large ships in town.

The tourism debate is polarizing, and the city has been trying to find a middle ground, said Alexandra Pierce, Juneau’s visitor industry director. But she noted there also needs to be a regional solution.

If the Juneau initiative passes, it will affect other, smaller communities in Southeast Alaska because the ships, generally on trips originating in Seattle or Vancouver, Canada, will have to go somewhere if they can’t dock in Juneau on Saturdays, she said.

Some residents in Sitka, south of Juneau, are in the early stages of trying to limit cruise visitation to that small, island community, which is near a volcano.

Juneau and major cruise lines, including Carnival Corp., Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, agreed to a limit of five large ships a day, which took effect this year. They more recently signed a pact, set to take effect in 2026, seeking a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays.

Pierce said the overall goal is to keep total cruise passenger visitation around 1.6 million, and to even out daily numbers of visitors that can spike to about 18,000 on the busiest days. Peak days in the past have felt “a bit suffocating,” she said. Juneau traditionally has been the most popular cruise port in the state.

A number of projects around Juneau are expected to help make existing cruise numbers feel less impactful. Those include plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area and increased visitor capacity at the Mendenhall Glacier recreation area, she said.

Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for the trade group Cruise Lines International Association Alaska, said the agreements signed with the city were the first of their kind in Alaska.

The best strategy is “ongoing, direct dialogue with local communities” and working together in a way that also provides a predictable source of income for local businesses, she said.

Protect Juneau’s Future, led by local business leaders, said the success of the ballot measure would mean a loss of sales tax revenue and millions of dollars in direct spending by cruise passengers. The group was confident voters would reject the measure, its steering committee said in a statement.

Karla Hart, a sponsor of the initiative and frequent critic of the cruise industry, said the threat of litigation has kept communities from taking steps to limit cruise numbers in the past. She was heartened by legal wins this year in the ongoing fight over the measure passed in Bar Harbor, a popular destination near Maine’s Acadia National Park.

She believes the Juneau initiative will pass.

“Every single person who is going to vote has a lived experience and knowledge of how the cruise industry impacts their lives,” she said.

Becky Bohrer, Associated Press

Becky Bohrer is a reporter for the Associated Press based in Juneau.

An Alaska tourist spot will vote whether to ban cruise ships on Saturdays to give locals a break

J UNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Each year, a crush of tourists arrives in Alaska’s capital city on cruise ships to see wonders like the fast-diminishing Mendenhall Glacier . Now, long-simmering tensions over Juneau’s tourism boom are coming to a head over a new voter initiative aimed at giving residents a respite from the influx.

A measure that would ban cruise ships with 250 or more passengers from docking in Juneau on Saturdays qualified for the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, setting the stage for a debate about how much tourism is too much in a city that is experiencing first-hand the impacts of climate change. The measure would also ban ships on July 4, a day when locals flock to a downtown parade.

The “ship-free Saturdays” initiative that qualified this week will go to voters unless the local Assembly enacts a similar measure by Aug. 15, which is seen as unlikely.

Juneau, accessible only by water or air, is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, a major draw for the cruise passengers who arrive on multi-story ships towering over parts of the modest downtown skyline. Many residents of this city of about 32,000 have concerns about increased traffic, congested trails and the frequent buzz of sight-seeing helicopters transporting visitors to the Mendenhall and other glaciers.

Deborah Craig, who has lived in Juneau for decades, supports ship-free Saturdays. Craig, who lives across the channel from where the ships dock, often hears their early-morning fog horns and broadcast announcements made to passengers that are audible across the water.

The current “overwhelming" number of visitors diminishes what residents love so much about Juneau, she said.

“It’s about preserving the lifestyle that keeps us in Juneau, which is about clean air, clean water, pristine environment and easy access to trails, easy access to water sports and nature," she said of the initiative.

“There’s this perception that some people are not welcoming of tourists, and that’s not the case at all," Craig said. “It’s about volume. It’s about too much — too many in a short period of time overwhelming a small community.”

The current cruise season runs from early April to late October.

Opponents of the initiative say limiting dockings will hurt local businesses that rely heavily on tourism and could invite lawsuits. A voter-approved limit on cruise passenger numbers in Bar Harbor, Maine, another community with a significant tourism economy, was challenged in federal court.

Laura McDonnell, a business leader who owns Caribou Crossings, a gift shop in Juneau’s downtown tourist core, said she makes 98% of her annual revenue during the summer season.

Tourism is about all the "local businesses that rely on cruise passengers and our place in the community,” said McDonnell, who is involved in Protect Juneau’s Future, which opposes the initiative.

Some schools recently closed due to factors including declining enrollment, while the regional economy faces challenges, she said.

“I think that as a community, we really need to look at what’s at stake for our economy," she said. “We are not in a position to be shrinking our economy.”

The cruise industry accounted for $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, most of that attributable to spending by passengers, according to a report prepared for the city by McKinley Research Group LLC.

After a two-year pandemic lull, cruise passenger numbers rose sharply in Juneau, hitting a record of more than 1.6 million in 2023. Under this year's schedule, Sept. 21 will be the first day since early May with no large ships in town.

The tourism debate is polarizing, and the city has been trying to find a middle ground, said Alexandra Pierce, Juneau's visitor industry director. But she noted there also needs to be a regional solution.

If the Juneau initiative passes, it will impact other, smaller communities in southeast Alaska because the ships, generally on trips originating in Seattle or Vancouver, Canada, will have to go somewhere if they can’t dock in Juneau on Saturdays, she said.

Some residents in Sitka, south of Juneau, are in the early stages of trying to limit cruise visitation to that small, island community, which is near a volcano.

Juneau and major cruise lines, including Carnival Corp., Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, agreed to a limit of five large ships a day, which took effect this year. They more recently signed a pact , set to take effect in 2026, seeking a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays.

Pierce said the overall goal is to keep total cruise passenger visitation around 1.6 million, and to even out daily numbers of visitors that can spike to about 18,000 on the busiest days. Peak days in the past have felt “a bit suffocating," she said. Juneau traditionally has been the most popular cruise port in the state.

A number of projects around Juneau are expected to help make existing cruise numbers feel less impactful. Those include plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area and increased visitor capacity at the Mendenhall Glacier recreation area, she said.

Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for the trade group Cruise Lines International Association Alaska, said the agreements signed with the city were the first of their kind in Alaska.

The best strategy is “ongoing, direct dialogue with local communities" and working together in a way that also provides a predictable source of income for local businesses, she said.

Protect Juneau's Future, led by local business leaders, said the success of the ballot measure would mean a loss of sales tax revenue and millions of dollars in direct spending by cruise passengers. The group was confident voters would reject the measure, its steering committee said in a statement.

Karla Hart, a sponsor of the initiative and frequent critic of the cruise industry, said the threat of litigation has kept communities from taking steps to limit cruise numbers in the past. She was heartened by legal wins this year in the ongoing fight over the measure passed in Bar Harbor, a popular destination near Maine's Acadia National Park.

She believes the Juneau initiative will pass.

“Every single person who is going to vote has a lived experience and knowledge of how the cruise industry impacts their lives,” she said.

This story corrects a quote from Pierce about peak days.

An Alaska tourist spot will vote whether to ban cruise ships on Saturdays to give locals a break

Each year, a crush of tourists arrives in Alaska’s capital city on cruise ships to see wonders like the fast-diminishing Mendenhall Glacier

JUNEAU, Alaska -- Each year, a crush of tourists arrives in Alaska’s capital city on cruise ships to see wonders like the fast-diminishing Mendenhall Glacier . Now, long-simmering tensions over Juneau’s tourism boom are coming to a head over a new voter initiative aimed at giving residents a respite from the influx.

A measure that would ban cruise ships with 250 or more passengers from docking in Juneau on Saturdays qualified for the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, setting the stage for a debate about how much tourism is too much in a city that is experiencing first-hand the impacts of climate change. The measure would also ban ships on July 4, a day when locals flock to a downtown parade.

The “ship-free Saturdays” initiative that qualified this week will go to voters unless the local Assembly enacts a similar measure by Aug. 15, which is seen as unlikely.

Juneau, accessible only by water or air, is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, a major draw for the cruise passengers who arrive on multi-story ships towering over parts of the modest downtown skyline. Many residents of this city of about 32,000 have concerns about increased traffic, congested trails and the frequent buzz of sight-seeing helicopters transporting visitors to the Mendenhall and other glaciers.

Deborah Craig, who has lived in Juneau for decades, supports ship-free Saturdays. Craig, who lives across the channel from where the ships dock, often hears their early-morning fog horns and broadcast announcements made to passengers that are audible across the water.

The current “overwhelming" number of visitors diminishes what residents love so much about Juneau, she said.

“It’s about preserving the lifestyle that keeps us in Juneau, which is about clean air, clean water, pristine environment and easy access to trails, easy access to water sports and nature," she said of the initiative.

“There’s this perception that some people are not welcoming of tourists, and that’s not the case at all," Craig said. “It’s about volume. It’s about too much — too many in a short period of time overwhelming a small community.”

The current cruise season runs from early April to late October.

Opponents of the initiative say limiting dockings will hurt local businesses that rely heavily on tourism and could invite lawsuits. A voter-approved limit on cruise passenger numbers in Bar Harbor, Maine, another community with a significant tourism economy, was challenged in federal court.

Laura McDonnell, a business leader who owns Caribou Crossings, a gift shop in Juneau’s downtown tourist core, said she makes 98% of her annual revenue during the summer season.

Tourism is about all the "local businesses that rely on cruise passengers and our place in the community,” said McDonnell, who is involved in Protect Juneau’s Future, which opposes the initiative.

Some schools recently closed due to factors including declining enrollment, while the regional economy faces challenges, she said.

“I think that as a community, we really need to look at what’s at stake for our economy," she said. “We are not in a position to be shrinking our economy.”

The cruise industry accounted for $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, most of that attributable to spending by passengers, according to a report prepared for the city by McKinley Research Group LLC.

After a two-year pandemic lull, cruise passenger numbers rose sharply in Juneau, hitting a record of more than 1.6 million in 2023. Under this year's schedule, Sept. 21 will be the first day since early May with no large ships in town.

The tourism debate is polarizing, and the city has been trying to find a middle ground, said Alexandra Pierce, Juneau's visitor industry director. But she noted there also needs to be a regional solution.

If the Juneau initiative passes, it will impact other, smaller communities in southeast Alaska because the ships, generally on trips originating in Seattle or Vancouver, Canada, will have to go somewhere if they can’t dock in Juneau on Saturdays, she said.

Some residents in Sitka, south of Juneau, are in the early stages of trying to limit cruise visitation to that small, island community, which is near a volcano.

Juneau and major cruise lines, including Carnival Corp., Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, agreed to a limit of five large ships a day, which took effect this year. They more recently signed a pact , set to take effect in 2026, seeking a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays.

Pierce said the overall goal is to keep total cruise passenger visitation around 1.6 million, and to even out daily numbers of visitors that can spike to about 18,000 on the busiest days. Peak days in the past have felt “a bit suffocating," she said. Juneau traditionally has been the most popular cruise port in the state.

A number of projects around Juneau are expected to help make existing cruise numbers feel less impactful. Those include plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area and increased visitor capacity at the Mendenhall Glacier recreation area, she said.

Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for the trade group Cruise Lines International Association Alaska, said the agreements signed with the city were the first of their kind in Alaska.

The best strategy is “ongoing, direct dialogue with local communities" and working together in a way that also provides a predictable source of income for local businesses, she said.

Protect Juneau's Future, led by local business leaders, said the success of the ballot measure would mean a loss of sales tax revenue and millions of dollars in direct spending by cruise passengers. The group was confident voters would reject the measure, its steering committee said in a statement.

Karla Hart, a sponsor of the initiative and frequent critic of the cruise industry, said the threat of litigation has kept communities from taking steps to limit cruise numbers in the past. She was heartened by legal wins this year in the ongoing fight over the measure passed in Bar Harbor, a popular destination near Maine's Acadia National Park.

She believes the Juneau initiative will pass.

“Every single person who is going to vote has a lived experience and knowledge of how the cruise industry impacts their lives,” she said.

This story corrects a quote from Pierce about peak days.

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Alaska’s capital, with a population of 32,000, could ban cruise ships on Saturdays as tourists can spike to 18,000 a day

Each year,  a crush of tourists  arrives in Alaska’s capital city on cruise ships to see wonders like the  fast-diminishing Mendenhall Glacier . Now, long-simmering tensions over Juneau’s tourism boom are coming to a head over a new voter initiative aimed at giving residents a respite from the influx.

A measure that would ban cruise ships with 250 or more passengers from docking in Juneau on Saturdays qualified for the Oct. 1 municipal ballot, setting the stage for a debate about how much tourism is too much in a city that is experiencing first-hand the impacts of climate change. The measure would also ban ships on July 4, a day when locals flock to a downtown parade.

The “ship-free Saturdays” initiative that qualified this week will go to voters unless the local Assembly enacts a similar measure by Aug. 15, which is seen as unlikely.

Juneau, accessible only by water or air, is home to the Mendenhall Glacier, a major draw for the cruise passengers who arrive on multi-story ships towering over parts of the modest downtown skyline. Many residents of this city of about 32,000 have concerns about increased traffic, congested trails and the frequent buzz of sight-seeing helicopters transporting visitors to the Mendenhall and other glaciers.

Deborah Craig, who has lived in Juneau for decades, supports ship-free Saturdays. Craig, who lives across the channel from where the ships dock, often hears their early-morning fog horns and broadcast announcements made to passengers that are audible across the water.

The current “overwhelming” number of visitors diminishes what residents love so much about Juneau, she said.

“It’s about preserving the lifestyle that keeps us in Juneau, which is about clean air, clean water, pristine environment and easy access to trails, easy access to water sports and nature,” she said of the initiative.

“There’s this perception that some people are not welcoming of tourists, and that’s not the case at all,” Craig said. “It’s about volume. It’s about too much — too many in a short period of time overwhelming a small community.”

The current cruise season runs from early April to late October.

Opponents of the initiative say limiting dockings will hurt local businesses that rely heavily on tourism and could invite lawsuits. A  voter-approved limit on cruise passenger numbers in Bar Harbor, Maine, another community with a significant tourism economy, was challenged in federal court.

Laura McDonnell, a business leader who owns Caribou Crossings, a gift shop in Juneau’s downtown tourist core, said she makes 98% of her annual revenue during the summer season.

Tourism is about all the “local businesses that rely on cruise passengers and our place in the community,” said McDonnell, who is involved in Protect Juneau’s Future, which opposes the initiative.

Some schools recently closed due to factors including declining enrollment, while the regional economy faces challenges, she said.

“I think that as a community, we really need to look at what’s at stake for our economy,” she said. “We are not in a position to be shrinking our economy.”

The cruise industry accounted for $375 million in direct spending in Juneau in 2023, most of that attributable to spending by passengers, according to a report prepared for the city by McKinley Research Group LLC.

After a two-year pandemic lull, cruise passenger numbers rose sharply in Juneau, hitting a record of more than 1.6 million in 2023. Under this year’s schedule, Sept. 21 will be the first day since early May with no large ships in town.

The tourism debate is polarizing, and the city has been trying to find a middle ground, said Alexandra Pierce, Juneau’s visitor industry director. But she noted there also needs to be a regional solution.

If the Juneau initiative passes, it will impact other, smaller communities in southeast Alaska because the ships, generally on trips originating in Seattle or Vancouver, Canada, will have to go somewhere if they can’t dock in Juneau on Saturdays, she said.

Some residents in Sitka, south of Juneau, are in the early stages of trying to limit cruise visitation to that small, island community, which is near a volcano.

Juneau and major cruise lines, including Carnival Corp., Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Group, agreed to a limit of five large ships a day, which took effect this year. They more recently  signed a pact , set to take effect in 2026, seeking a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays.

Pierce said the overall goal is to keep total cruise passenger visitation around 1.6 million, and to even out daily numbers of visitors that can spike to about 18,000 on the busiest days. Peak days in the past have felt “a bit suffocating,” she said. Juneau traditionally has been the most popular cruise port in the state.

A number of projects around Juneau are expected to help make existing cruise numbers feel less impactful. Those include plans for a gondola at the city-owned ski area and increased visitor capacity at the Mendenhall Glacier recreation area, she said.

Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government and community relations for the trade group Cruise Lines International Association Alaska, said the agreements signed with the city were the first of their kind in Alaska.

The best strategy is “ongoing, direct dialogue with local communities” and working together in a way that also provides a predictable source of income for local businesses, she said.

Protect Juneau’s Future, led by local business leaders, said the success of the ballot measure would mean a loss of sales tax revenue and millions of dollars in direct spending by cruise passengers. The group was confident voters would reject the measure, its steering committee said in a statement.

Karla Hart, a sponsor of the initiative and frequent critic of the cruise industry, said the threat of litigation has kept communities from taking steps to limit cruise numbers in the past. She was heartened by legal wins this year in the ongoing fight over the measure passed in Bar Harbor, a popular destination near Maine’s Acadia National Park.

She believes the Juneau initiative will pass.

“Every single person who is going to vote has a lived experience and knowledge of how the cruise industry impacts their lives,” she said.

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4 Cruise Line Bars Worth Sailing For in 2024

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Table of Contents

1. Spellbound by Magic Castle

2. star wars: hyperspace lounge, 3. skyy vodka ice bar, 4. alchemy bar, cruise line bars are just getting started.

Forget the stuffy piano bars and generic buffets. These standout cruise ship bars have over-the-top themes with zany cocktails — and mocktails — to match.

The vibe inside these cruise ship bars might even be compelling enough to pique the interest of travelers who've sworn off cruising. Here are top choices to imbibe on the sea in 2024.

On board the Sun Princess by Princess Cruises

(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)

Spellbound by Magic Castle offers a cruise line version of The Magic Castle, an iconic and exclusive club for magicians and magic enthusiasts in Los Angeles.

The Princess Cruises version features magic-themed rooms and theatrical cocktails. For example, the butterfly pea tequila used to make a cocktail called "The Magician" transforms from blue to purple as the server pours it into the glass. In "The Conjuror," classic ingredients like bourbon, maraschino and agave join with squid ink, which adds a spooky look.

And unlike the Hollywood version — where you need to be a member of the Academy of Magical Arts or a guest of one of its members to enter — anyone can experience this iteration of The Magic Castle (provided you have a reservation, you’ve paid the additional fee to get inside, and you’re at least 13 years old). Admission costs $149 on top of your cruise fare, though it includes dinner and unlimited drinks, according to the Princess Cruises website.

On board the Disney Wish by Disney Cruise Line

(Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)

With bartenders serving up mixed drinks like "Spire Sunset" and "Cloud City," Disney Cruise Line’s Hyperspace Lounge illustrates how cruise lines are incorporating themed experiences to cater to fans — this one specific to “Star Wars” fans. A virtual window into the galaxy shuttles travelers past iconic locales in the “Star Wars” universe, including Tatooine, Mustafar and Coruscant.

The immersive bar experience has proved popular, as there's often a line to get in — though the line may also have to do with the bar’s small capacity. Only about four dozen people can fit in the intimate lounge at one time. At peak times, customers are asked to limit their stay to just 45 minutes.

While admission to the bar is included with the price of a Disney cruise , you’ll pay extra for drinks (typically about $15 to $20 each).

On board select Norwegian Cruise Line ships

(Photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Though a cruise might evoke the mood of a sunny beach, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Skyy Vodka Ice Bar briefly transports cruisers to frozen temperatures. The bar is made entirely from ice — all the way down to the seating and glasses. And yes, it’s cold inside. The bar is kept at a chilly 17 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Norwegian Cruise Line.

But don’t worry about packing winter garb, as cruisers can borrow gloves and coats to wear inside.

You’ll find the Skyy Vodka Ice Bar on a few Norwegian Cruise Line ships, including Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic.

On board select Carnival Cruise Line ships

(Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Themed like a vintage pharmacy, Carnival Cruise Line’s Alchemy Bar serves up both alcoholic and — uniquely, alcohol-free — drinks with labels like "passion potions" and "energizing elixirs."

In 2023, Carnival teamed up with nonalcoholic spirit distiller Lyre’s to offer the world’s first full range of alcohol-free cocktails (that’s as opposed to a mocktail, which is a beverage that relies on ingredients such as sodas or fruit juices as substitutes for alcohol).

Alchemy Bar taps into a growing trend of reduced alcohol consumption. In fact, the sale of nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits in the U.S. reached $565 million in 2023, according to NielsenIQ, which tracks consumer behavior. That’s a 35% increase from the year prior.

But whereas mocktails can sometimes cost less than half the price of a cocktail, that’s not the case with Alchemy Bar’s nonalcoholic cocktails. A la carte nonalcoholic drink prices are only a few dollars cheaper than their boozy counterparts. Carnival cruise drink package prices start at more than $70 per day — and that’s whether you opt for alcoholic or nonalcoholic cocktails.

More themed cruise bars are on the horizon.

When Disney’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, sets sail on its maiden voyage in December 2024, it’ll feature multiple adult-exclusive themed bars. That includes the world’s first Haunted Mansion-inspired bar, as well as a bar called Skipper Society themed to Disney parks’ Jungle Cruise attraction.

While some options, like Carnival’s Alchemy Bar, are a fixture across nearly every ship in a cruise line's fleet, there’s also a growing trend of one-of-a-kind experiences that double as bars, like Spellbound by Magic Castle. The limited availability and unique offerings might encourage repeat or first-time cruisers.

Plus, bars mean additional revenue for cruises. While some cruise lines are more inclusive than others, it’s rare to find a cruise line that includes unlimited specialty drinks with your cruise fare. In fact, visiting any of the bars above entails an additional charge.

A 2023 NerdWallet analysis of Caribbean cruises found that the average seven-night Caribbean cruise costs $635 per person — but that’s before taxes, port fees and extras (like specialty drinks). Given that, make space in your cruise budget should you want to dive in.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.