Overview: Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine on a Cruise

Table Of Content

• Overview: Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine on a Cruise
• Top Tours & Excursions In Bar Harbor – Maine
• Things to Do in Charming Bar Harbor: Itinerary for Visiting Bar Harbor on a Cruise
• Watch the Sunset from Cadillac Mountain
• Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
• Cultural Attractions
• Take a Scenic Drive Along the Coast

On July 7, town councilors voted to ban cruise ships after ACL-American Cruise Lines announced its plan to resume coastal voyages with some itineraries visiting several Maine coast towns. The scenic drive along Maine’s coastline is a must-do for anyone visiting Bar Harbor. The drive takes visitors past picturesque fishing villages, lighthouses, and stunning ocean views. One of the most popular routes is the Acadia All-American Road that runs for 40 miles along the park’s coastline.

Overview: Visiting Bar Harbor, Maine on a Cruise

Bar Harbor Gets Approval to Radically Limit Cruise Ship Passengers - Cruise Hive

Bar Harbor Gets Approval to Radically Limit Cruise Ship Passengers.

Posted: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Although you will find items reminiscent of the area, they are all made by hand. The shop is locally owned with jewelry, handbags, baby gifts, art, ceramics, and more. In Bar Harbor, Maine, summers are comfortable, and winters are very cold and snowy. 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.

Bar Harbor upset with cruise line after ship anchors without reservation - WABI

Bar Harbor upset with cruise line after ship anchors without reservation.

Posted: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Top Tours & Excursions In Bar Harbor – Maine

Urban oases such as the Village Green and seaside Agamont Park have also been prominent elements in Bar Harbor’s layout, which pays homage to the past while embracing the future. 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....

Things to Do in Charming Bar Harbor: Itinerary for Visiting Bar Harbor on a Cruise

A free shuttle bus links Bar Harbor with neighboring villages and various locations in Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor is located in New England, making it a great stop for those looking to experience the charm of this region’s northeastern coast. Visitors can stroll through quaint downtown streets lined with unique shops and galleries or take a scenic drive along Mount Desert Island’s rugged coastline. Visiting Bar Harbor with a guided tour is an excellent way to explore this charming New England town. The guided tour offers an organized itinerary that takes passengers to all of the must-see destinations in Bar Harbor and its surroundings. One of these destinations is Acadia National Park, which covers more than 47,000 acres and includes mountains, forests, lakes, and coastline.

The schedule of cruise ships visiting Bar Harbor varies throughout the year, with peak season typically running from May to October. During this time, visitors can expect to see several cruise ships docked at the port each week. In 2021, over 150 cruise ships are expected to visit Bar Harbor, bringing in thousands of tourists to the area. This pedestrian-friendly town has plenty of unique shops and art galleries to peruse, as well as an array of restaurants serving up fresh seafood and classic New England fare. Take some time to stroll along the waterfront path or visit the Abbe Museum to learn about Native American history in Maine.

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. 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. While fewer cruises may be scheduled during these times, you’ll still be able to enjoy all that Bar Harbor has to offer without as many tourists around. On November 17, 2020, Bar Harbor Town Council discussed the popular policy (for smaller seaports in the USA) to limit the annual number of ships due to the ongoing concerns over the COVID crisis.

Yacht owners can also dock at Bar Harbor and explore the area on their own. With its stunning natural beauty and picturesque coastal villages, this part of Maine is a popular destination for boaters from around the world. Yacht owners can enjoy everything from whale watching tours to lobster dinners at local restaurants. Bar Harbor Cruise Port is a popular destination for cruise ships, located in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor, Maine. With over 150 ships and 300,000 passengers visiting annually, the port offers easy access to the charming town of Bar Harbor and its stunning natural surroundings.

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. The port of Bar Harbor is located in Maine, on an island along the Atlantic coast.

In November 2022, via voting (1780 vs 1273) was placed a daily limit of 1000 cruise tourists, effective January 2024. A fine of US$100 per person is imposed on the company/operator for every disembarking passenger over the daily limit. 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.

Bar Harbor is known for its fresh seafood offerings like lobster rolls, clam chowder, scallops, and more. There are several restaurants in town where visitors can try these delicious dishes while enjoying beautiful views of Frenchman Bay or downtown Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park is one of the most popular attractions in Bar Harbor, and for a good reason. The park covers over 47,000 acres of breathtaking natural beauty, including mountains, forests, lakes, and ocean shoreline. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and more within the park’s boundaries.

Passengers waiting for their ferry or bus can stay connected with free WiFi service available at both terminals. This allows visitors to keep in touch with friends and family back home or catch up on work while they wait. The free WiFi service is just one example of how the Bar Harbor Cruise Port strives to provide a comfortable and convenient experience for its passengers. For those looking to explore beyond the town itself, Acadia National Park is just a short distance away. The park is known for its breathtaking views of the coastline and offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. Bar Harbor ME is a tender cruise port, which means cruise liners anchor in Frenchman Bay and their passengers are transported to the pier via the ship's tender boats.

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. 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. 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. End your day by watching the sunset from Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the east coast.

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

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.

After the ship drops anchor, cruise passengers are ferried back and forth to one of the port's 2 piers/docks in downtown (at 121 Eden Street). From there, they can connect (with trolleys and buses) to local attractions, including Acadia National Park. It is estimated that cruise tourists contribute USD 20+ million annually to Maine State's economy. Before the cruise shipping industry's pause (since mid-March 2020), the port expected nearly 200 ship calls and 300,000+ passengers. By mid-November 2020, Bar Harbor ME had booked 150+ cruise ship dockings (scheduled port calls) for season 2021.