The Nova Star ferry will end its Portland-to-Nova Scotia service three weeks earlier than originally planned for its inaugural season, citing slow ticket sales and a desire to focus more resources on its 2015 season.
The decision to end ferry service on Oct. 13, three weeks earlier than its originally scheduled end date on Nov. 2, marks another sign of the company’s struggle to attract more passengers in its first year, but the company’s chief executive said it was expected.
Marc Admundsen, CEO of Nova Star Cruises, told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network that the company noticed a “significant dropoff” in passenger bookings after Columbus Day weekend and decided to nix its original plan to end in November. The 650 passengers who booked trips between Oct. 14 and Nov. 2 are being offered full refunds and vouchers for the season’s remainder, or a 50% discount for next year’s season.
The news agency noted that Nova Star Cruises will likely require more financial investment after spending the $21 million in subsidies from Nova Scotia’s provincial government that was originally supposed to be dispersed over seven years. Company officials and Nova Scotia officials are reported to be working with the state of Maine on obtaining a $5 million line of credit, with assistance being provided by the Finance Authority of Maine.
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