| Bar Harbor fight

ATTEMPTS by Maine businesses to overturn a rule limiting daily cruise ship visitors to 1,000 has been denied by a US federal court.

Residents in the town of Bar Harbor imposed the limit in 2022, including a provision to fine cruise lines in violation.

Local businesses opposing the rule said the low number was draconian and would send ships elsewhere.

Bar Harbor, which has a permanent population of around 5,000, is a popular stop along the Eastern United States on many cruise itineraries into Canada and New England.

Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line have a combined 60 calls booked for Bar Harbor this year, which were booked prior to changes.