Rockland’s City Council is considering a change in policy that would allow more frequent visits by large cruise ships.
City rules currently limit large cruise ship visits to September and October. In 2018, the council set a cap of six large cruise ships that could come into the harbor and have passengers come ashore over the public landing dock, but then amended that limit two years ago. In 2025, eight large cruise ships came in September and October.
The proposed increase would allow large cruise ships that carry between 500 and 3,600 passengers to use city docking facilities from May 15 through June 30, and from Aug. 15 through Oct. 15. No more than two large vessels per week would be allowed within that period, and at no time would the total number of passengers exceed 3,600 passengers on any single day.
The change also would allow the harbormaster, with authorization from the City Council, to adjust the schedule and lower berth capacity. The council also could authorize an annual increase of up to 15% in the daily passenger limit.
The changes stem from discussions with staff, council, merchants and the cruise industry, City Manager Tom Luttrell said. He said nothing is set in stone and will be discussed for a second time Dec. 30 by the city’s harbor management commission with a recommendation of some sort to council for its January meeting.
American Cruise Lines, which operates the smaller cruise ships that have frequented Rockland sent a letter to the city on Nov. 28, offering to pay $3 million for a new dock.
“American Cruise Lines would like to build a new, resilient, multi-use dock that can withstand decades of service and is aligned with the plan you have provided (about long-term plans for the middle pier and public landing),” the letter said.
The company said it will commit to invest at least $3 million in a new dock. The company said it would manage and construct the dock, all subject to the city’s approval. All wood pilings and floats will be replaced with new steel piles and concrete floats. The goal is for the dock to be ready for the 2027 cruise season.
The cruise company would have priority rights to schedule the use of the face dock only before any other reservation is accepted by the city. American Cruise Lines would submit its annual schedule by Jan. 31. The company would pay $40,000 annually for the first 40 visits and $500 for any visits beyond that amount.
The current policy allows up to three small cruise vessels (up to 500 passengers) each day. There is no change to that section of the policy.
The policy and the harbor and waterfront fees for cruise ships would be reviewed annually to ensure that they meet the needs of Rockland residents and to ensure that the stated goals remain appropriate, according to the new policy.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
