New Bedford Deal Brings American Cruise Lines Back to Pier 3

New Bedford officials have finalized a temporary agreement with American Cruise Lines that will allow the company’s ships to resume docking in the city this summer at the eastern face of Pier 3, after the closure of State Pier left the line without a berth.

The stopgap plan brings American Cruise Lines back for the 2026 season after the company had previously decided to skip New Bedford this summer when State Pier was taken out of service for major repairs expected to take years. City officials have said the cruise line is expected to make more than 50 port calls between May and October, bringing about 3,000 visitors to the city.

Pier 3 agreement restores cruise calls after State Pier closure

Mayor Jon Mitchell, who chairs the New Bedford Port Authority, said the city and port authority kept working with American Cruise Lines after the state’s decision to close State Pier. “We are very pleased that ACL continued to engage with the NBPA after the state’s closure of the pier to find a way for their ships to continue to visit New Bedford,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell described the Pier 3 plan as a temporary measure tied to the ongoing work at State Pier. “This is a temporary arrangement while the state rebuilds the state pier,” he said.

Officials said they evaluated other options but determined Pier 3 was the workable location for this season. Pier 3 is a multi-use facility on the working waterfront, used for commercial fishing vessel dockage and home to several restaurants.

Why American Cruise Lines needed a new berth

American Cruise Lines has called in New Bedford for about 25 years and has used State Pier as its docking location since 2000. MassDevelopment announced in October 2025 that State Pier would close within weeks for major repairs, and the reconstruction process is expected to take several years.

With no alternative berth in place, American Cruise Lines announced on Jan. 30 that it would not make port calls to New Bedford this summer. Mitchell said the state’s decision was tied to the pier’s condition. “The state announced that the state pier was in disrepair… As a result it could not support the docking of a vessel as large as even a relatively small cruise ship like American Cruise Lines,” he said.

Mitchell said he contacted American Cruise Lines Chief Executive Officer Charles Robertson and expressed confidence a temporary solution could be found if all sides stayed engaged, while Port Director Gordon Carr and other officials met with waterfront stakeholders during the search.

Working harbor adjustments to accommodate cruise ships

Using Pier 3 for cruise calls will require shifting some commercial traffic in a harbor that supports a large fleet. The New Bedford Port Authority said accommodating American Cruise Lines on the eastern face of Pier 3 will require relocating six to eight commercial fishing boats to other berthing locations within a port fleet of more than 500 vessels.

Carr said the port aims to manage the changes while maintaining access for the fishing industry. “It is important to the local economy to maintain our relationship with ACL and to find a location for this year while we work toward identifying a suitable, long-term solution during State Pier’s reconstruction,” Carr said.

Robertson also addressed the operational impact on the waterfront. “We are grateful to the city team for working with us to find a solution, and we are appreciative of the flexibility of the commercial fishermen as we share Pier 3,” he said.

Local economic stakes and concerns about losing itineraries

City officials said the return of cruise calls supports downtown businesses and cultural sites, including museums, restaurants, and attractions such as the New Bedford Whaling Historical Park. “Our downtown businesses and our cultural institutions” will benefit from the temporary arrangement, Mitchell said.

A delegation of business and nonprofit leaders also warned officials that losing the line could bring both immediate economic consequences and longer-term reputational impacts, given the roughly 3,000 annual visitors associated with American Cruise Lines calls. Mitchell said the city also weighed the risk that dropping New Bedford could become difficult to reverse. “Once those cruise ships find a new place to go, it’s hard to get them back,” he said.

American Cruise Lines’ New Bedford history and typical passengers

American Cruise Lines began with nine visits to New Bedford in 2000 and has increased calls over time. City officials have cited 25 visits in 2023 and 36 in 2024, and said the port has recorded as many as 62 cruise port calls in a single year.

Headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut, American Cruise Lines operates small, U.S.-flagged coastal ships and riverboats carrying about 90 to 180 passengers. The company sails in communities across 35 states and has described its guests as typically older travelers interested in local history and culture.

Robertson said the company values the stop. “New Bedford has always been a favorite port for our guests, and we are appreciative of the city’s efforts to find a solution,” he said.

Itineraries and what passengers do during New Bedford calls

American Cruise Lines lists New Bedford as a stop on multiple regional itineraries, including:

• New England Islands cruise: An eight-day, seven-night sailing with New Bedford scheduled on day two, with additional calls including Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, Newport, and Bristol; fares were listed from $5,240 to $7,835 per passenger.
• Cape Codder cruise: An eight-day, seven-night sailing with New Bedford scheduled on day seven, with additional stops including Provincetown, Plymouth, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Newport, and Martha’s Vineyard; fares were listed from $6,350 to $7,835 per passenger.

During port calls in New Bedford, the cruise line has offered walking tours and shuttle options in coordination with local tourism officials, including visits near the New Bedford Whaling Historical Park and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, along with time for passengers to explore independently.

Longer-term questions as State Pier reconstruction continues

While Pier 3 will serve as the docking site for the 2026 season, officials said planning continues for a longer-term solution tied to the eight-acre State Pier site as the rebuild moves forward. American Cruise Lines is among seven petitioners seeking an agreement connected to a long-term presence at State Pier, including a proposal that would add a park-like area on the pier’s southern side intended to better connect cruise passengers to downtown attractions.

For now, officials said the priority is executing the Pier 3 plan for May through October and coordinating berth moves in the working harbor while the State Pier reconstruction proceeds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where will American Cruise Lines dock in New Bedford this summer?

American Cruise Lines will dock at the eastern face of Pier 3 under a temporary agreement with the city of New Bedford and the New Bedford Port Authority.

Why was State Pier closed, and why can’t cruise ships use it?

MassDevelopment announced State Pier would close in October 2025 for major repairs after it was determined to be in disrepair. Mayor Jon Mitchell said the condition meant it “could not support the docking of a vessel as large as even a relatively small cruise ship like American Cruise Lines,” and officials expect the reconstruction to take several years.

How many cruise visits and visitors does New Bedford expect this season?

Officials have said American Cruise Lines is expected to make more than 50 port calls between May and October 2026, bringing about 3,000 visitors to the city.

Will the Pier 3 plan affect commercial fishing operations?

Yes. The New Bedford Port Authority said making room for cruise calls at Pier 3 will require relocating six to eight commercial fishing boats to other berthing locations within the port’s fleet of more than 500 vessels.

What are the longer-term plans while State Pier is rebuilt?

Officials have described Pier 3 as a bridge while State Pier is reconstructed over several years. American Cruise Lines is one of seven petitioners seeking an agreement tied to a long-term presence at the eight-acre State Pier site, including a proposal for a park-like area on the pier’s southern side designed to better connect cruise passengers with downtown.