Making the most of Portland ME
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Portland’s larger visiting cruise ships berth either at The Maine State Pier, also called Portland Ocean Terminal, or at Ocean Gateway Terminal.
The new Ocean Gateway Cruise Terminal sits steps from Portland’s dynamic downtown and within walking distance of the Old Port shopping district, plus the uptown Historic and Art’s districts.
The terminals are a few blocks apart. Printable map.
An old seacoast town, Portland is also a funky city of galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques and shops, and exceptional restaurants serving New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, Maine seafood and nouvelle cuisine.
On a Casco Bay peninsula along Southern Maine’s coast, Portland lies approximately 100 miles (161 km) north of Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 65,000 inhabitants, it is Maine’s largest city. This small seaside city has a dense concentration of shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, tours and things to see and do. Commuters travel in to work, and the population rises significantly in summer.
Getting around
The pedestrian-friendly Old Port and Downtown Arts District are highly walkable. Portland’s historic Old Port has cobblestone streets, quaint shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants, making it ideal for a leisurely stroll and taking in the city’s maritime charm.
In nearby Cape Elizabeth, just a short drive from downtown, Portland Head Light is an iconic lighthouse. Among the United States’ most photographed lighthouses, it has stunning coastal views.
A narrated 90-minute trolley tour passes many popular attractions; prices are adults $45 and kids $30. Buy tickets at the visitor-information kiosk beside the cruise terminal, at 14 Ocean Gateway Pier.
Long Wharf hosts lobstering excursions from Memorial Day weekend in May through Columbus Day weekend in October.
Nearby places
This single port gives access to four dynamic destinations. Beyond historic Portland, Kennebunkport lies 30 minutes south: a quintessential Maine village and summer home to two US presidents. Freeport, 20 minutes north, has factory outlets and boutiques and is home to the world-famous outdoor outfitter LL Bean. New Hampshire offers the White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington Cog Railway, a unique, unforgettable lifetime experience.
The LL Bean Outlet on Congress Street in Portland, Maine closed in September 2010. The Freeport store is usual business.
Food and shopping
Against the busy port, Old Port has 19th century streets full of boutiques, galleries, restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Its shops sell everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry and designer jeans to best-selling books and surf boards.
Money
The United States dollar is the official U.S. currency, with the symbol $. ATMs are everywhere.
Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards are widely used and accepted, even for purchases of only a few dollars; sometimes they may be the only way to transact. Overseas visitors should remember that goods and services can appear cheaper than they are because taxes and gratuities are seldom included.
Sales tax applies in most states, from 2.9% to nearly 10% of retail price, with 4-6% typical. It is almost never included in displayed prices, except for gasoline and, in most states, alcoholic drinks consumed on-premises; instead it is calculated and added at payment.
Tipping is widespread and expected in America. Americans debate the right amounts and who merits a tip, but generally accepted rates are:
- Full-service restaurants: 15-20%. This is often the wait(ress)’s only income. Leave tips in cash or add them to the credit card slip. Few restaurants add an automatic service charge; if one does, decide how much extra to tip. Check your bill!
- Taxi drivers, hairdressers and other personal services: 10-15%
- Bartenders: $1 per inexpensive drink or 15% of total
- Bellhops receive $1-2 for each bag, with a $3-5 minimum regardless.
- Hotel doorman: $1 per bag if they assist, plus $1 for calling a cab
- For tour guides, tipping depends on a guided tour’s length, size and overall quality: half day tours or less call for $5-10 per person, while longer tours call for $10-20 per person.
- Private car & limousine drivers should receive 15-20%
- Hotel housekeeping: $1-2 per day for long stays, or $5 minimum for very short stays (optional)
- Food deliveries such as pizza usually receive $2-5; very large orders can receive more.
Staying connected
At federal level, the U.S. has no official language, though English is overwhelmingly standard for everyday use and several states have made it their official state language. Spanish is also an official and widely spoken language in New Mexico; French is official in Louisiana and Hawaiian in Hawaii, although neither is used as much as English and their official status is primarily historical.
Emergency number: 911.
Opening Hours and
In large metropolitan areas such as New York and Los Angeles, many drugstores and supermarkets routinely operate 24 hours a day, 7 days weekly. Department stores, shopping centres and most other major retailers commonly open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours, typically 11 a.m. or noon until 5 or 6 p.m. They tend to open on holidays, except major ones such as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when stores generally close.