Portland, Maine

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 Line	Typical Berth / Arrival	Dock or Tender
Ocean Terminal	Central Waterfront	Cruise Ship Dock
Casco Bay Lines	Waterfront	Ferry Terminal
Commercial Street	Waterfront	Working Pier
Portland Pier	Waterfront	Public 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.

🗺️ Open in Maps

Old Port Cobblestone Wander

Moderate

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

🗺️ Open in Maps

Cape Elizabeth Coastal Path

Easy

A gentle walk around the lighthouse and surrounding preserve.

🗺️ Open in Maps

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.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Rainy Days
Jan	33°F / 1°C	19°F / -7°C	10
Feb	34°F / 1°C	18°F / -8°C	10
Mar	41°F / 5°C	25°F / -4°C	10
Apr	51°F / 11°C	37°F / 3°C	12
May	62°F / 17°C	47°F / 8°C	9
Jun	71°F / 22°C	57°F / 14°C	10
Jul	77°F / 25°C	64°F / 18°C	10
Aug	77°F / 25°C	63°F / 17°C	10
Sep	71°F / 22°C	57°F / 14°C	8
Oct	59°F / 15°C	47°F / 8°C	10
Nov	47°F / 8°C	35°F / 2°C	9
Dec	38°F / 3°C	26°F / -3°C	11

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

01 Aug 15:00Departing from Boston, Massachusetts
02 Aug 07:00 - 13:00Portland ME, Maine
03 Aug 10:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
04 Aug 09:30 - 17:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
05 Aug 07:00 - 16:00Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
07 Aug 09:00 - 17:00Quebec City, Canada
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

01 Aug 17:00Departing from Copenhagen, Denmark
02 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Skagen, Denmark
03 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Goteborg, Gothenburg, Sweden
04 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Oslo, Norway
05 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Kristiansand, Norway
07 Aug 09:00 - 19:00Antwerp, Belgium
08 Aug 06:00 - 17:00Dover, England
09 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Isle of Wight, Cowes, England
10 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fowey, England
14 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Galway, Ireland
15 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Killybegs, Ireland
16 Aug 08:00 - 19:00Oban UK, Scotland
17 Aug 08:00 - 22:00Ullapool, Scotland
19 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Torshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
21 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Heimaey Island Iceland, Westman Islands
22 Aug 07:00 - 17:00Reykjavik, Iceland
23 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Grundarfjordur, Iceland
24 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Isafjordur, Westfjords Iceland
25 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Akureyri, Iceland, Lake Myvatn
28 Aug 09:00 - 18:00Qaqortoq, Greenland
29 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Nanortalik, Greenland
02 Sep 08:00 - 18:00L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
04 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Gaspe, Quebec Canada
05 Sep 09:00 - 18:00Madeleine-Magdalen Islands, Cap-aux Meules, Quebec Canada
06 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
08 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
09 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Shelburne NS, Nova Scotia Canada
10 Sep 10:00 - 19:00Portland ME, Maine
11 Sep 08:00 - 20:00Boston, Massachusetts
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

04 AugDeparting from Portland ME, Maine
04 AugPortland ME, Maine
04 Augcoastal cruising
05 AugBath ME, Maine
06 AugBoothbay Harbor ME, Maine
07 AugRockland ME, Maine
08 AugBar Harbor, Maine
09 AugBucksport ME, Maine
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

08 Aug 19:00Departing from Montreal, Quebec Canada
09 Aug 07:00 - 16:00Quebec City, Canada
11 Aug 10:00 - 20:00Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
12 Aug 09:00 - 17:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
13 Aug 08:00 - 16:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
14 Aug 13:00 - 22:00Portland ME, Maine
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

08 Aug 17:00Departing from Dover, England
09 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Isle of Wight, Cowes, England
10 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Fowey, England
14 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Galway, Ireland
15 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Killybegs, Ireland
16 Aug 08:00 - 19:00Oban UK, Scotland
17 Aug 08:00 - 22:00Ullapool, Scotland
19 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Torshavn, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
21 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Heimaey Island Iceland, Westman Islands
22 Aug 07:00 - 17:00Reykjavik, Iceland
23 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Grundarfjordur, Iceland
24 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Isafjordur, Westfjords Iceland
25 Aug 08:00 - 17:00Akureyri, Iceland, Lake Myvatn
28 Aug 09:00 - 18:00Qaqortoq, Greenland
29 Aug 08:00 - 18:00Nanortalik, Greenland
02 Sep 08:00 - 18:00L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland-Labrador Canada
04 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Gaspe, Quebec Canada
05 Sep 09:00 - 18:00Madeleine-Magdalen Islands, Cap-aux Meules, Quebec Canada
06 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada
08 Sep 08:00 - 18:00Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada
09 Sep 08:00 - 16:00Shelburne NS, Nova Scotia Canada
10 Sep 10:00 - 19:00Portland ME, Maine
11 Sep 08:00 - 20:00Boston, Massachusetts
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

11 AugDeparting from Bangor ME, Maine
11 AugBangor ME, Maine
11 Augcoastal cruising
12 AugBar Harbor, Maine
13 AugRockland ME, Maine
14 AugBath ME, Maine
15 AugBoothbay Harbor ME, Maine
16 Augcoastal cruising
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.