Most ports of call welcome cruise ships and their many cruisers, who bring with them an influx of money to the local economy. However the town of Rockland, Maine has presented some new guidelines to limit the amount of cruise ships that may come to town in a given year. This move has infuriated local business owners who want more potential customers to come spend their money there.
The Harbor Management Commission, which presented preliminary guidelines to the council, recommended limiting the number of cruise ships to three megaships, 15 medium ships and 35 small ships annually. The commission also recommended that the city tack on a $600 fee for any cruise ship that needs to restrict public traffic by the parks or public landing.
This move impacts Royal Caribbean directly as the fee per passenger would go from $1 to $6 and Royal Caribbean has already requested that the decision be reconsidered or lowered because Royal Caribbean would have to take the loss as it's too late to pass the fee onto the passengers. About 33 cruise ships visit Rockland each year.
Interesting story that will evoke different reactions, I'm sure. To me, it seems like a case of the town wanting to have it's cake and eat it too; it wants the tourists to come and spend their money but they want their town to be pristine and devoid of tourists.
