Next week, Rockland ME's City Council will consider whether to issue a one-time waiver for a cruise vessel to exceed the passenger limit.
The City Council is expected to vote at its Monday, December 12th meeting to waive the 3000 passenger cap for cruise vessels that sail into Rockland (Maine USA) in September-October one time for the 3600-passenger liner Emerald Princess (operated by Princess Cruises) scheduled to arrive in Rockland in mid-September 2023.
Rockland's City Council approved the cap in an order back in August 2018. There is also a limit of 6 trips during those 2 months for cruise ships of 500+ passengers. 5 vessels are already scheduled for 2023 fall. The bigger ones are not allowed to disembark guests at the public landing during the rest of the year.
According to Interim Harbormaster Molly Eddy, the visit would generate US$35,000 in revenues for the port city. Rockland ME charges US$10 per passenger for cruise ships.
Eddy said it was in Rockland’s best interest to issue the waiver. There was a lot of deferred maintenance. A large float had broken when it was being taken out of the water this fall.
She added the 3 members of the Harbor Management Commission who attended the recent meeting were in favour of the one-time waiver.