Coastal cruising bolsters stagnant Maine tourism market
Maine’s growing cruise business was a major factor that helped it reverse a stagnant trend and report a 11% growth in the tourism market.
Maine Governor John E. Baldacci attributed some of the growth to American Cruise Lines, which has used Bangor as a homeport since 2004.
American added three more cruises and a second ship this year.
“Since starting to offer Maine trips in 1975, American Cruise Lines has tripled their capacity in the state by offering high-end, luxury cruises along Main’s coast,” said a news release from the Maine Tourism Office.
American next year is adding a new ship, the American Star, along the coast.
By operating the new 100-passenger, 215-foot ship, the cruise line expects to double its number of berths available to guests.
“Maine has seen a dramatic increase in coastal cruising programs and is also summer homeport for Cruise West and American Canadian Caribbean Line,” Maine Tourism said.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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