Bucksport ME (Maine)
Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news
Region
Canada and USA Rivers
Local Time
2026-09-15 02:30
45°F 7.2°C
Light breeze2.3 m/s
70 °F / 22 °C 42 °F / 6 °C
Port Bucksport ME cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Bucksport ME, Maine. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.
| Day | Ship | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 July, 2026 Sunday |  ACL American Independence | ||
| 21 July, 2026 Tuesday | ACL American Legend | ||
| 23 July, 2026 Thursday | ACL American Maverick | ||
| 26 July, 2026 Sunday | ACL American Independence |
Bucksport ME (port locode USBUP) is a historic town in Maine USA (Hancock County) with population around 5,000. The town is linked to Fort Knox (across the Penobscot River estuary) via Penobscot Narrows Bridge.
Bucksport is crossed by US 1 Highway (parallels the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire to Calais/through Portland-Brunswick-Belfast, then the St Croix River and the USA-Canada border to Fort Kent). Bucksport borders Orrington and Holden (north), Dedham and Orland (east), Verona Island (south), and Prospect, Frankfort and Winterport (west).
As a cruise port, Bucksport ME was introduced in the 2021 schedule of the largest USA-flagged cruise shipping company ACL-American Cruise Lines.
The next table shows ACL's 10-night/11-day "Grand New England Cruise" itinerary, a Boston roundtrip priced from ~USD 7000 per person, with double occupancy.
| Days | Ports |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Departing from Boston, Massachusetts |
| Day 2 | Portland, Maine |
| Day 3 | Rockland Maine and Camden Maine |
| Day 4 | Bucksport and Bar Harbor, Maine |
| Day 5 | Boothbay Harbor, Maine |
| Day 6 | Bath, Maine |
| Day 7 | Gloucester, Massachusetts |
| Day 8 | Newport, Rhode Island |
| Day 9 | Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts |
| Day 10 | Provincetown, Massachusetts |
| Day 11 | Arriving in Boston |
Bucksport was visited for the first time by ACL's boat American Constitution in May 2019. The unscheduled stop followed Bar Harbor's decision (due to the Coronavirus crisis) to deny the vessel docking through the rest of the year. On shore excursions, ACL passengers are bused from Bucksport to Fort Knox State Historic Site (in Prospect ME, ~ 5 mi / 8km from the mouth of the Penobscot River) or to Acadia National Park (on Mount Desert Island).
The town was named after Colonel Jonathan Buck, who in 1762 arrived to survey the area, and in 1763 permanently settled, building a sawmill, house and store. By 1775, the settlement (initially named "Plantation No. 1") had 21 families. In 1780 was built the Jed Prouty Tavern and Inn (now a nursing home for the elderly). Following the American Revolutionary War (1775-83), the settlement was renamed "Buckstown Plantation" and incorporated (as Buckstown) in 1792 and in 1817 renamed Bucksport.
The town's current economy is based primarily on shipbuilding (boats), fishing (fisheries), lumber/wood industry, light manufacturing (marine pumps, barrels, carriages, leather goods, boots, shoes). In 1930 opened Bucksport Mill (initially owned by Maine Seaboard Paper Co/last by Verso Corporation) but was closed in 2014. In 2018, Whole Oceans (a company specializing in the construction of salmon aquaculture systems) purchased the Verso paper mill's site to convert it into a recirculating Atlantic Salmon aquaculture facility.
Bucksport is a small waterfront stop on Maine’s Penobscot River. Easy independently: the downtown waterfront and Main Street suit a relaxed walk from the town landing. Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory require a road transfer; Acadia National Park is a longer excursion.
Getting from the Cruise Port
Small cruise vessels use Bucksport’s downtown waterfront, near the town marina and Fort Knox Park Inn. Confirm your ship’s precise landing arrangements. From the downtown landing, the Waterfront Walkway and Main Street are close enough to explore on foot, without a sightseeing shuttle.
For attractions outside town, arrange transport before leaving the ship, including the return pickup. Do not rely on finding a waiting taxi or an immediately available rideshare.
Best Ways to Spend Your Time
Waterfront and Main Street
Allow 1–2 hours for river views, historical markers, the Veterans Memorial and downtown shops or a café stop. Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Bridge are visible across the water. The historical society occupies the old railroad station beside the walkway; check whether it is open before planning an indoor visit.
Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory
Across the river in Prospect, these neighboring attractions make a practical half-day outing with arranged transport. Explore the granite fort’s passages, courtyards and gun positions, then ride the observatory elevator for views over the river and surrounding countryside. Allow approximately 2–3 hours at the site, plus transfers and any admission queues.
Use a vehicle transfer rather than treating the fort as an extension of the downtown walk. The fort and observatory normally open from May through October. Clear weather improves the observatory experience. The observatory has accessible elevator and lift access; exploring the fort involves uneven surfaces, dim passages and stairs.
Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor
Organized excursion recommended: Bucksport is a gateway to Mount Desert Island, rather than a landing in Bar Harbor itself. Allow roughly 60–90 minutes each way, depending on your destination and traffic. Travel can consume 2–3 hours of the call before sightseeing begins.
Choose a focused scenic outing or time in Bar Harbor instead of trying to cover the whole park. This option suits a longer call with confirmed transport. Check park entry requirements and any reservations needed for your chosen itinerary.
Self-Guided Waterfront Walk
Easy overall: start at the downtown town landing. Follow the riverside path toward the old railroad station, then return through the waterfront and Main Street. Depending on your berth and turnaround point, allow approximately 2 km (1.2 mi), 30–40 minutes of walking, or 1–2 hours with stops.
- Town landing and marina: identify your return access before setting off.
- Waterfront gardens and gazebo: pause for river and bridge views.
- Veterans Memorial: stop beside the waterfront.
- Historical markers: read selected panels along the walkway.
- Old railroad station: view the building or visit the historical society if open.
- Main Street: browse downtown or stop for refreshments before returning to the landing.
The central walkway is mostly level and brick-paved, with benches. Some sections farther west have steeper gradients, so visitors with mobility limitations should keep to the central waterfront rather than assume the entire path is flat.
Practical Tips
- Carry a light rain layer and wear shoes suitable for brick paving and uneven fort surfaces.
- Check museum and attraction opening arrangements for your actual call date.
- For local independent outings, aim to return to the landing at least 30 minutes before the ship’s stated all-aboard time. Leave a larger margin after road excursions, especially from Acadia or Bar Harbor.