Cruise Ports
Portland, Maine cruise port
USA › Maine › Portland

Portland, Maine

The Hub of the North

⚓ Working Waterfront🦞 Lobster Culture🎨 Artsy Vibe🚢 Casco Bay
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Language
English
Climate
Maritime / Humid Continental
Key Attraction
Portland Head Light

Getting Ashore

Most cruise ships dock at the Ocean Terminal, providing immediate access to the city's heart.

Getting Ashore

  • 1
    Ocean TerminalThe primary docking point. From here, you can walk directly into the Old Port district or take a taxi/Uber to the lighthouse.
  • 2
    Casco Bay FerryFor those wanting to explore the islands, the ferry terminal is adjacent to the cruise terminal.
  • 3
    WalkingThe Old Port is highly walkable with its cobblestone streets and boutique shops.

💡 Pro move: Wear comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestones of the Old Port.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

Portland's waterfront is a mix of working piers and tourist-friendly terminals.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
Ocean TerminalCentral WaterfrontCruise Ship Dock
Casco Bay LinesWaterfrontFerry Terminal
Commercial StreetWaterfrontWorking Pier
Portland PierWaterfrontPublic Pier

Top Excursions

From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to the rugged coast of Cape Elizabeth, Portland offers a blend of urban charm and New England tradition.

Culture

Old Port District Exploration

Wander the historic cobblestone streets that once formed the city's trading hub. Browse local boutiques, art galleries, and waterfront shops.

Cobblestone StreetsBoutique ShoppingLocal Art
Walk from the terminal →
Nature

Portland Head Light & Fort Williams Park

Visit America's most photographed lighthouse at Fort Williams Park. Explore the rugged coastline and enjoy sweeping Atlantic views.

LighthouseCoastal ViewsNature Walk
Taxi/Uber to Cape Elizabeth →
Nature

Casco Bay Island Hopping

Take the Casco Bay Ferry to Peaks Island. Rent a bicycle and explore rocky shores and quiet island beaches.

Ferry RideBicycle RentalIsland Life
Ferry from Waterfront →
Food

Foodie Tour of the Old Port

Sample fresh Maine lobster rolls and local oysters. Highlights include Eventide Oyster Co. and The Holy Donut for potato-based treats.

Lobster RollsOystersPotato Donuts
Walk from terminal →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

Portland is a very walkable city, especially within the Old Port and waterfront area.

The Waterfront Walk

Easy

A flat, scenic walk along Commercial Street, watching fishing boats and lobster traps.

Old Port Cobblestone Wander

Moderate

A loop through historic brick-paved streets, visiting local shops and cafes.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Portland, Maine (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy Days
Jan33°F / 1°C19°F / -7°C10
Feb34°F / 1°C18°F / -8°C10
Mar41°F / 5°C25°F / -4°C10
Apr51°F / 11°C37°F / 3°C12
May62°F / 17°C47°F / 8°C9
Jun71°F / 22°C57°F / 14°C10
Jul77°F / 25°C64°F / 18°C10
Aug77°F / 25°C63°F / 17°C10
Sep71°F / 22°C57°F / 14°C8
Oct59°F / 15°C47°F / 8°C10
Nov47°F / 8°C35°F / 2°C9
Dec38°F / 3°C26°F / -3°C11

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • 🦞
    Try a Maine lobster roll: it's a must-do in Portland.
  • ⚓
    The Old Port is beautiful, but cobblestones can be tricky for heels; wear flats.
  • 🚢
    If heading to the lighthouse, book your Uber or taxi in advance when the ship is large.
  • 🍩
    Visit The Holy Donut for their famous potato-based donuts.
  • 🌊
    Weather can change quickly; bring a light jacket or windbreaker.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at Portland, Maine. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

ms Volendam
Holland America Cruises
Boston → Montreal
⚓ Calls 02 Aug 07:00 - 13:007 nights7 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 01
View itinerary · 7 ports
7 days, one-way from Boston to Montreal
  1. 01 Aug 15:00Departing from Boston, Massachusetts
  2. 02 Aug 07:00 - 13:00Portland ME, Maine
  3. 03 Aug 10:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
  4. 04 Aug 09:30 - 17:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  5. 05 Aug 07:00 - 16:00Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
  6. 07 Aug 09:00 - 17:00Quebec City, Canada
  7. 08 Aug 07:00Arriving in Montreal, Quebec Canada
Find this cruise to book →
$1409from / pp
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Cruises
Copenhagen → New York
⚓ Calls 10 Sep 10:00 - 19:0043 nights30 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 01
View itinerary · 30 ports
43 days, one-way from Copenhagen to New York
  1. 01 Aug 17:00Departing from Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. 02 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Skagen, Denmark
  3. 03 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Goteborg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  4. 04 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Oslo, Norway
  5. 05 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Kristiansand, Norway
  6. 07 Aug 09:00 - 19:00Antwerp, Belgium
  7. 08 Aug 06:00 - 17:00Dover, England
  8. 09 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Isle of Wight, Cowes, England
  9. 10 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fowey, England
  10. 14 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Galway, Ireland
  11. 15 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Killybegs, Ireland
  12. 16 Aug 08:00 - 19:00Oban UK, Scotland
  13. 17 Aug 08:00 - 22:00Ullapool, Scotland
  14. 19 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Torshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
  15. 21 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Heimaey Island Iceland, Westman Islands
  16. 22 Aug 07:00 - 17:00Reykjavik, Iceland
  17. 23 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Grundarfjordur, Iceland
  18. 24 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Isafjordur, Westfjords Iceland
  19. 25 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Akureyri, Iceland, Lake Myvatn
  20. 28 Aug 09:00 - 18:00Qaqortoq, Greenland
  21. 29 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Nanortalik, Greenland
  22. 02 Sep 08:00 - 18:00L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
  23. 04 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Gaspe, Quebec Canada
  24. 05 Sep 09:00 - 18:00Madeleine-Magdalen Islands, Cap-aux Meules, Quebec Canada
  25. 06 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  26. 08 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
  27. 09 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Shelburne NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  28. 10 Sep 10:00 - 19:00Portland ME, Maine
  29. 11 Sep 08:00 - 20:00Boston, Massachusetts
  30. 13 Sep 07:00Arriving in New York, NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn
Find this cruise to book →
Price on request
American Independence
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Portland ME → Bangor ME
⚓ Calls 04 Aug6 nights9 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 04
View itinerary · 9 ports
6 days, one-way from Portland OR to Bangor ME
  1. 04 AugDeparting from Portland ME, Maine
  2. 04 AugPortland ME, Maine
  3. 04 Augcoastal cruising
  4. 05 AugBath ME, Maine
  5. 06 AugBoothbay Harbor ME, Maine
  6. 07 AugRockland ME, Maine
  7. 08 AugBar Harbor, Maine
  8. 09 AugBucksport ME, Maine
  9. 10 AugArriving in Bangor ME, Maine
Find this cruise to book →
$5555from / pp
ms Volendam
Holland America Cruises
Montreal → Boston
⚓ Calls 14 Aug 13:00 - 22:007 nights7 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 08
View itinerary · 7 ports
7 days, one-way from Montreal to Boston
  1. 08 Aug 19:00Departing from Montreal, Quebec Canada
  2. 09 Aug 07:00 - 16:00Quebec City, Canada
  3. 11 Aug 10:00 - 20:00Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
  4. 12 Aug 09:00 - 17:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  5. 13 Aug 08:00 - 16:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
  6. 14 Aug 13:00 - 22:00Portland ME, Maine
  7. 15 Aug 07:00Arriving in Boston, Massachusetts
Find this cruise to book →
$1169from / pp
Seabourn Ovation
Seabourn Cruises
Dover → New York
⚓ Calls 10 Sep 10:00 - 19:0036 nights24 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 08
View itinerary · 24 ports
36 days, one-way from Dover to New York
  1. 08 Aug 17:00Departing from Dover, England
  2. 09 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Isle of Wight, Cowes, England
  3. 10 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fowey, England
  4. 14 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Galway, Ireland
  5. 15 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Killybegs, Ireland
  6. 16 Aug 08:00 - 19:00Oban UK, Scotland
  7. 17 Aug 08:00 - 22:00Ullapool, Scotland
  8. 19 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Torshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
  9. 21 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Heimaey Island Iceland, Westman Islands
  10. 22 Aug 07:00 - 17:00Reykjavik, Iceland
  11. 23 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Grundarfjordur, Iceland
  12. 24 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Isafjordur, Westfjords Iceland
  13. 25 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Akureyri, Iceland, Lake Myvatn
  14. 28 Aug 09:00 - 18:00Qaqortoq, Greenland
  15. 29 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Nanortalik, Greenland
  16. 02 Sep 08:00 - 18:00L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
  17. 04 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Gaspe, Quebec Canada
  18. 05 Sep 09:00 - 18:00Madeleine-Magdalen Islands, Cap-aux Meules, Quebec Canada
  19. 06 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  20. 08 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
  21. 09 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Shelburne NS, Nova Scotia Canada
  22. 10 Sep 10:00 - 19:00Portland ME, Maine
  23. 11 Sep 08:00 - 20:00Boston, Massachusetts
  24. 13 Sep 07:00Arriving in New York, NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn
Find this cruise to book →
Price on request
American Independence
American Cruise Lines Cruises
Bangor ME → Portland ME
⚓ Calls 17 Aug6 nights9 portsDeparts 2026 Aug 11
View itinerary · 9 ports
6 days, one-way from Bangor ME to Portland OR
  1. 11 AugDeparting from Bangor ME, Maine
  2. 11 AugBangor ME, Maine
  3. 11 Augcoastal cruising
  4. 12 AugBar Harbor, Maine
  5. 13 AugRockland ME, Maine
  6. 14 AugBath ME, Maine
  7. 15 AugBoothbay Harbor ME, Maine
  8. 16 Augcoastal cruising
  9. 17 AugArriving in Portland ME, Maine
Find this cruise to book →
$5555from / pp
See all 105 cruises calling at Portland →

Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.