Cruise destination: Portland Maine; Lighthouses Photos and Video

Portland Head Lighthouse

With the coming of fall, many cruisers are taking or thinking of a cruise to Canada and New England. The leaves are starting to turn color in that region and there is something refreshing about being out in the crisp air in a place of such scenic beauty. Accordingly, cruise ships gather each fall in the embarkation ports of the northeastern United States for their annual fall foliage cruises.

It should be noted at the outset that it is very difficult to time it so that your cruise matches the height of the fall colors. The time when the leaves are at their height varies each year as a result of temperature, rainfall amounts and other conditions. But while the changing leaves can be indeed breathtaking, the good news is that the scenic beauty of this region goes beyond the leaves. In fact, in my opinion, the cruises earlier in the season are usually nicer because the weather is usually warmer and so it is more pleasant to be outside viewing the scenery.

The state of Maine is in the heart of this region. Relatively undeveloped, it is known for its forests which come down to its rocky coastline, its lighthouses and, of course, for its lobster.

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Most cruise ships call at either Bar Harbor or at Portland. Some call in both ports because they are quite different experiences. Bar Harbor is a small town on an offshore island that is dominated by the Acadia National Park. It was once a summer playground of wealthy Americans but now its unspoiled charm is accessible to all. Beyondships’ photo guide to Bar Harbor begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Bar-Harbor.html

Portland is Maine’s largest city and has been a major port since Colonial days. However, during the second half of the 20^th century, many of its traditional businesses declined to moved elsewhere. As a result, Portland had to re-invent itself – – something that it has had to do several times in the past due to war and natural catastrophes. The city which has emerged is quite tourist friendly with restaurants, art galleries and interesting shops as well as places of historical interest. Beyondship’s new photo guide to Portland begins at http://www.beyondships2.com/cruise-destination—portland.html

As mentioned earlier, one of the things that Maine is known for is its lighthouses. These lonely sentinels standing at the edge of the sea have a unique romantic appeal. Consequently, many travelers to Bar Harbor and to Portland choose to visit some of the area’s lighthouses. I’ve put together a photo essay showing some of the lighthouses that can be visited in both ports. http://www.beyondships2.com/lighthouses-in-maine.html

One lighthouse that just about everyone has seen is Portland Head Light. Standing on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Casco Bay, Portland Head Light has been the subject of numerous paintings and photographs. It is the classic image of a lighthouse. However, while the image is well-known, one thing that struck me about visiting Portland Head Light in person was how much the image was enhanced by the sight and the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks below the lighthouse. Therefore, I have put together a short video in which you can hear and see the power of the waves. It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/video-the-portland-head-light.html

Bar Harbor, Maine – Cruise Destination Photo Guide

QE2 in Bar Harbor Maine

September and October are the peak seasons for cruises to New England.  The leaves start to turn color and the air turns cool, crisp and invigorating.  It just seems like the time to be out in theNew England countryside.

Bar Harboris a classic, small New England town on the coast of Maine.  In its center is a village green with a bandstand.  From there, Main Street slopes down a slight hill to the harbor where the fishermen still bring in their catches.

One does not have to go far from the tiny business district to sample the natural beauty of the area.  There is a path along the shore where the crystal clear water washes over the craggy rocks.  Out in Frenchman’s Bay there is a sprinkling of forest-covered islands.  The path is shaded in part by trees and has wildflowers growing along side it.  In other places, it passes the lawns and gardens of mansions that remain from the days when Bar Harbor was the summer vacation home of Astors, Rockefellers and Morgans.

Bar Harbor is surrounded byAcadia National Park, one of the most popular national parks in the United States.  The cruise lines offer excursions into the park as do other tour providers.  It is also possible to explore the natural attractions of the park independently

If you are looking forMaine lobster, Bar Harborhas them in abundance.   Seemingly, every restaurant and eatery in the town offers some form of lobster dish.

Not surprisingly,Bar Harbor has become a popular cruise destination port.  When I first cruised there in the early 1990s, people came from miles around to stand on the shore and look at the QE2 anchored in the bay.  These days, the ships do not attract the locals’ attention.  Although some of the shops have become a little more commercialized, the town still has much of its charm.  It is not to be missed.

Beyondships’ cruise destination photo guide begins at http://www.beyondships.com/Ports-Bar-Harbor.html