Portland or Bar Harbor?

We booked the Sept. 19, 2015 Norweigan Gem. After reading some posts, I'm having second thoughts because it may be too early to see fall colors. Then I noticed the September sailings go to Bar Harbor and the October sailings go to Portland. Can anyone tell me which is a better port to stop at?

Yes, you will probably be early for fall colors.

Bar Harbor is a nice scenic port, where Portland, while nice, is a city. I guess it depends on what you want to do. Bar Harbor is known for Arcadia park.

I don't think you will have a bad cruise no matter which itinerary you choose.

You will not have fall color in September. Portland and Bar Harbor are totally different destinations so it depends on what you enjoy and what you are looking for.

You could possibly get some early color in Bar Harbor Sept 19th. It is a gorgeous place.

Since you asked, IMVHO, there is no comparison, it's Bar Harbor all the way. While Portland is nice, except for the lighthouses and a few other stops, there wasn't that much to see. Bar Harbor gives you so much more. We have been to Bar Harbor quite a few times and never tire of walking the streets of this city (if you want to call it that). Take a tour to Arcadia national Park, drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, when the tide is low, m you can walk on the ocean bottom, out to Bar Island. We simply love the Bar Harbor area and we were terribly disappointed when the cruise we booked stopped in Portland instead of Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3442_zps68272353.jpg

From the top of Cadillac Mountain

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3443_zpsfdc4a181.jpg

When the tide is out, walk on the ocean bottom, and see what you can find

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3473_zpsea7cec03.jpg

Views from Arcadia National park

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3504_zpsa965157b.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3506_zps126c8a58.jpg

If you decide on Portland, the best thing to see is the Portland Head Light

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3892_zps17c690b5.jpg

Cheers

Len

Our SOS Oct 19th 2015, stops at both Ports, and after reading beginning to think, Bar Harbor will be on our own and walking around. looking at doing Acadia Natl PK then have until 9 PM to do more on our own.

Since you asked, IMVHO, there is no comparison, it's Bar Harbor all the way. While Portland is nice, except for the lighthouses and a few other stops, there wasn't that much to see. Bar Harbor gives you so much more. We have been to Bar Harbor quite a few times and never tire of walking the streets of this city (if you want to call it that). Take a tour to Arcadia national Park, drive up to the top of Cadillac Mountain, when the tide is low, m you can walk on the ocean bottom, out to Bar Island. We simply love the Bar Harbor area and we were terribly disappointed when the cruise we booked stopped in Portland instead of Bar Harbor.

 

Bar Harbor

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3442_zps68272353.jpg

 

From the top of Cadillac Mountain

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3443_zpsfdc4a181.jpg

 

When the tide is out, walk on the ocean bottom, and see what you can find

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3473_zpsea7cec03.jpg

 

Views from Arcadia National park

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3504_zpsa965157b.jpg

 

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3506_zps126c8a58.jpg

 

If you decide on Portland, the best thing to see is the Portland Head Light

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3892_zps17c690b5.jpg

 

Cheers

 

Len

This is a great response to your question and I agree with Len wholeheartedly. LOL, and yes, it is a small town, not a city. The view from Cadillac Mountain is breath taking. Portland is nice but hands down "Baah Haabah" is the place to go and see.

And while we're at it...............Len, those are the best pictures of Bar Harbor I've ever seen! I don't even know where some of those places are and I've been there probably 7-8 times. Very nice and very nice looking couple that is obviously happy. Congrats!

Luigi

And while we're at it...............Len, those are the best pictures of Bar Harbor I've ever seen! I don't even know where some of those places are and I've been there probably 7-8 times. Very nice and very nice looking couple that is obviously happy. Congrats!

 

Luigi

Luigi

thanks so much for the kind words on the pix. We also love Bar Harbor. We spent a week there a couple of years ago,(our third time there) and could have spent more. The entire area is just wonderful.

have you ever done the walk to Bar Island?. they allow cars on that 'road' and they sound a horn when the tide is starting to come in so you know when to start heading back. Kids love this as they chase little hermit crabs all over the place, from the ocean bottom. My DW found a huge star fish there. And sunset on Cadillac mountain is an EVENT, gather crowds up to

500 - 1000 people.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3471_zps562452a8.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3516_zpsf38cc40a.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3540_zps376a1326.jpg

This is the strip of land that takes you to Bar Island. When the tide comes in, it is under 30 some odd feet of water.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3477_zpsa36d9b06.jpg

If you go to Arcadia, and visit thunder Hole, you MUST time it when the tide is coming in. They post the times when you have the best viewing. Or else all you get is a little rumble, but when the tide is rushing in, Thunder.

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3490_zpsfa15b422.jpg

http://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/Giantfan13/Maine/IMG_3492_zpsdb3d6434.jpg

Cheers

Len

We've never walked over but used to watch everyone do it from the deck of our hotel while imbibing in a beverage or two. We always stay at that nice hotel right there. Pricey but gorgeous place.

Luigi "AKA Patriots Fan" LOL;)