ROCKLAND — The City of Rockland, in partnership with PortShare Promise Midcoast and Oli’s Trolley, will pilot a free trolley service for credentialed cruise ship passengers during two upcoming ship visits, "improving access between Harbor Park and downtown Rockland," according to the City, in a news release.

 

The trolley will operate on Saturday, October 10, during the visit of the Celebrity Silhouette, and Thursday, October 22, during the visit of the Seabourn Ovation. Service will depart from Harbor Park approximately every 45 minutes and will be available to credentialed passengers from the visiting cruise ships.

 

The trolley will make three stops along Main Street:

The pilot is part of Rockland’s ongoing effort to manage cruise tourism in ways that improve the visitor experience while supporting downtown businesses and responding to community concerns, according to the City.

 

“Making it easier for cruise ship visitors to access downtown creates more opportunities for them to visit our shops, restaurants and cultural assets,” said City Manager Tom Luttrell, in the news release. “It also provides an important option for passengers who may have difficulty walking between Harbor Park and Main Street. This pilot gives us a chance to learn how transportation can improve accessibility and support downtown activity on cruise days.”

 

According to the City, research conducted following Rockland’s 2025 cruise season found that 84% of surveyed cruise passengers visited downtown Rockland, "underscoring the importance of convenient connections between the waterfront and Main Street."

 

The pilot reflects Oli’s Trolley's interest in helping communities improve transportation while supporting local businesses.

 

“Transportation is about connecting people and creating opportunities,” said the company. “By offering free transportation on these days, we can help visitors reach more of Rockland while supporting the businesses and attractions that make the community special.”

 

According to the City, the pilot will help the City and PortShare Promise evaluate whether trolley transportation can improve accessibility, manage visitor movement and strengthen the economic benefit of future cruise visits.

 

Rockland’s 2026 cruise season is part of a broader pilot effort to explore managed, data-driven approaches to cruise tourism that balance economic opportunity with the needs of residents and the working waterfront.