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Portland, Maine: when your ship stops here

Cobblestone streets in the Old Port, a lighthouse at the harbour mouth, and the islands of Casco Bay.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Portland is the most populous city in Maine, with 68,408 people in the 2020 census. A cruise port guide says ships dock at Portland Ocean Terminal, where a berth extension and dredging finished in April 2017. It gives no walking or taxi time to town.

Sources: Wikipedia: Portland, Maine; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Portland, Maine

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Old Port

    A waterfront district known for cobblestone streets, 19th century brick buildings and fishing piers. A fire in 1866 swept the area and led to a wave of new building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on 2 May 1974 as the Portland Waterfront Historic District.

    Tip: Our sources give no walking time from the terminal; ask your ship.

    Source: Wikipedia: Old Port of Portland, Maine

  2. 2. Portland Head Light

    A lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth at the entrance to the main shipping channel into Portland Harbor. Building began in 1787, it was first lit on 10 January 1791, and it stands 80 feet (24 m) tall. Edward Hopper painted it in 1927.

    Tip: It is in Cape Elizabeth, not Portland itself. Our sources give no distance or drive time from the port.

    Source: Wikipedia: Portland Head Light

  3. 3. The islands of Casco Bay

    The bay covers about 229 square miles. A report of 1700 said it had as many islands as there are days in the year, but the count varies: 785 with exposed ledges, and a state historian said little more than two hundred. Peaks, Cliff, Cushing, Great Diamond and Little Diamond Islands are neighborhoods of Portland.

    Tip: The cruise port guide calls the port a gateway to the resort islands. Our sources give no ferry times.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Casco Bay; Wikipedia: Portland, Maine; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Portland, Maine

What to skip

  • The Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum train, without checking

    Wikipedia says the 1.5 mile (2.4 km) railroad on the Casco Bay waterfront shut down in mid-January 2025 for several months while tracks were removed for a development. We did not find out whether it has reopened.

    Source: Wikipedia: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Portland, Maine

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Portland, Maine, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 5, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Portland, Maine

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Portland, Maine on the way.

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