American Cruise Lines Says Plans Still Afloat for Sag Harbor Visits, Which Could Start in May

American Cruise Lines is pressing ahead with plans to add Sag Harbor to the itinerary of its Yankee Seaports Cruises.

After initially listing Sag Harbor among its stops on its website last year, the company has tentatively scheduled a total of eight one-day visits to the village, most in May and October, according to its spokeswoman, Alexa Paolella.

She said the company plans to use two ships, the American Eagle and American Glory, which are both described as “coastal cats,” or catamarans, for the seven scheduled Yankee Seaports Cruises, which are weeklong trips from Boston to New York City. The ships have a capacity of 100 passengers. It also plans to stop in Sag Harbor during its New England Fall Foliage Cruise, a two-week-long trip, which will also be aboard the American Eagle.

Ships visiting the village will drop anchor well outside of the harbor, although an exact location has yet to be determined. Passengers will be ferried back and forth from the ship on a tender that can hold up to 49 people.

Paolella said the company plans to limit activities to the village and would use local transportation as required. “We plan to offer a variety of customary small group excursions at local village venues, many of which our guests can walk to,” she said.

Tickets for the cruises begin at around $5,000, and the company is accepting reservations, although Paolella said schedules are subject to change.

She said the company targets an older, affluent clientele who are interested in cultural outings and American history, she said.

“We are the opposite of everything that is Icon of the Seas,” Paolella said of the world’s largest cruise ship, which resembles a floating amusement park. “I don’t think you’ll find a company that is more respectful of New England values.”

Ellen Dioguardi, the president of the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, who also serves as director of special events for The Express News Group, said this week that she had discussed the company’s plans with Shelly Hartfield, its director of product development, and shared those plans with the chamber.

“The entire chamber board, when we discussed it, agreed it was a no-brainer that would be good for business in Sag Harbor,” she said. “It’s not going to bring any added traffic or parking. You are going to have people coming to do activities, go on historic tours, possibly have wine or beer tastings.”

She called it “a very productive and important conversation for the chamber to have with a group that is going to bring 100 people to the village during not terribly busy times here.”

Dioguardi said she planned to meet with Hartfield, Sag Harbor Village Trustee Jeanne Kane, who serves as liaison to the docks and waterfront, and Harbormaster Bob Bori to discuss American’s plans.

This week, Kane said she had invited Dioguardi to make a presentation to the full Sag Harbor Village Board at either next week’s meeting on Tuesday, February 13, or on March 12.

“It would be smart to have her speak at public input so the public and the board can hear what their game plan is with regard to the history of American Cruise Lines as well as their intentions when they come to Sag Harbor,” she said.

When American Cruise Lines first announced its plans to come to Sag Harbor, there was some push-back on social media, as some questioned if the village could prevent the company from visiting Sag Harbor. Although the village could deny docking rights to the ship itself, board members have said privately they don’t believe they can prevent it from anchoring in the bay and ferrying its passengers into the village, much as other large yachts do.

American plans Yankee Seaports Cruises departing from Boston on May 6 and 27, June 25, September 30 and October 4, 14 and 21. Ships would arrive outside Sag Harbor for one-day stays about three or four days after the departure date. The New England Fall Foliage Cruise would depart Boston on September 30.