Britons planning sea travel vacations may need to reconsider their plans as more American cruise ports impose restrictions on ship visits. Bar Harbor (Maine USA) is set to significantly limit cruise shipping in the coming months.
Starting in 2024, Bar Harbor will cap the daily disembarkation of passengers and crew at 1000 individuals, marking a substantial reduction from the current average of approximately 3000 daily visitors to the port. As a result, cruise vessels operating in the region may explore alternative routes to avoid these restrictions.
The decision to impose these limitations stemmed from petitions submitted by local residents, with over half of them expressing negative sentiments about the impact of cruise tourism on their community.
In addition to these restrictions, Britons on long-haul cruises making stops in the Bahamas will also face increased tourist taxes starting next year. Port charges are scheduled to rise from US$18 (~GBP 14.80) to US$23 (GBP 18.90), and additional fees may be incurred when visiting private Bahamian islands without exploring other destinations within the archipelago.