Portland

The immense Victorian mansions on the Western Promenade are a delight to the eye, along with all the other historic buildings in a city made up of Gothic, Colonial Revival, Mission Revival and Romanesque styles. Not to be missed is the old harbor district and the recently renovated downtown area, with five blocks filled with 19th-century shops and restaurants.

 

Downtown Portland is also home to some of Maine's most important museums: the Portland Head Light Museum located in the oldest lighthouse in use in the United States (it’s truly spectacular!), and the Portland Museum of Art with collections by Picasso, Renoir and Monet. For an afternoon of shopping and relaxation, there is nothing better than a walk through Maine Mall, the largest shopping center in the city.

 

South of Portland can be found a holiday resort with a population of 1,200 inhabitants: Kennebunkport is another unforgettable stop on your MSC cruise. This small but quaint neighborhood, once known for its shipyards, has become a vacation spot frequented by the rich and affluent such as the Bush family. Do not forget to visit the Portland Observatory, at 138 Congress Street, the last remaining historical warning tower in the United States boasting an incredible view of the coast.