Bar Harbor businesses ask court to halt enforcement of cruise ship ordinance

MAINE PUBLIC • May 9, 2024

A group of Bar Harbor businesses is asking a federal court to suspend the town's limit on cruise ship passengers until a legal dispute is resolved. The Association to Preserve and Protect Local Livelihoods first sued the town over the 1,000 person daily cap in federal court. A U.S. District judge sided largely with the town, but opponents said the decision means the ordinance is not enforceable as written. Eben Salvatore, a member of the association, said the limits have already had a detrimental effect on the 2025 cruise season, with a significant decline in ships planning to come to Bar Harbor. "Those are all really, really bad things for businesses, for taxpayers, for their families, for employees, etc," he said.