BANGOR, Maine — Bangor is hosting cruise ships again following city council approval of a lease on the waterfront.
According to the city, it's been 10 years since a cruise ship has docked in the Queen City, but that all changed Monday morning.
American Independence, owned by American Cruise Lines, arrived in Bangor around 8 a.m. on Monday. A spokesperson with the cruise line said the ship would leave on Tuesday at 6 a.m.
“I think it will give a nice economic boost to the downtown area," Bangor City Council Chair Rick Fournier told NEWS CENTER Maine. "It kind of gets the word out about Bangor when you have people from away coming to town. If we can provide a good experience, which I’m sure we will, that will create more repeat business.”
The Bangor City Council approved a 20-year lease with American Cruise Lines earlier this spring.
According to the company, American Independence can hold 100 passengers.
American Independence is scheduled to make a total of 18 stops in Bangor during the 2022 season.
“This year, we’ll be in once a week as a port of call," American cruise lines CEO and President Charles Robertson said about American Independence. "Starting in 2024, Bangor will become a turnaround port. Guests will actually stay in hotels here, bored the ship here to start their cruise around Maine.”
Robertson told NEWS CENTER Maine he's excited the cruise line is back in Bangor.
“I was on those trips back in the day when we’d come up," he said. "Guests absolutely loved it back then when we’d come up, and we’re off to a good start already now. We wanted to come back because it’s such a fantastic city, and the waterfront’s been doing such a great job, so we’re proud to be here.”
Dorann Schramm was the first passenger to step foot in Bangor after getting off the cruise ship.
“I can't wait to explore the city in the beautiful weather,” she said.