Federal Rules Threaten US Cruise Ports

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland's gleaming, $21 million terminal for cruise ships and ferries will open this spring. Another $7 million berth built to accommodate the world's largest cruise ships will follow next year.

There's one problem.

Because of a proposed change in federal rules, the city that's banking on cruise ships and their passengers to pump millions of dollars into its economy is now wondering how many, if any, cruise ships will be calling this summer.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposal would require foreign-flagged cruise ships that depart from a U.S. port to spend 48 hours in a foreign port. It would also require them to spend more than 24 hours in a foreign port for every two days in a U.S. port.

More time in foreign ports would mean less in U.S. ports, and fewer tourists to spill out of the ships and spend money in places like Portland.

"It could be potentially devastating. There's no question about that," said Jeff Monroe, the city's transportation director.