Live lobster shipped overnight from 48 Union Wharf in Portland, Maine. Here's exactly how it's packed, what survives the trip, and what to do when it arrives.
The question almost every first-time buyer asks
It's a fair one. You're spending real money on something alive. You want to know it arrives the way it left — cold, kicking, ready to cook.
Here's the honest answer: yes. Overnight lobster delivery is safe — when done correctly. The difference is in the details of how it's packed, where it's packed, and when.
What 'overnight' actually means
Most companies pack your lobster in a warehouse. It moves through a distribution hub. By the time it reaches you, it's been handled multiple times and has traveled a long route.
At Get Maine Lobster, the lobster is pulled from Casco Bay in the morning by Tom Martin. By that afternoon it's at 48 Union Wharf in Portland, Maine — packed by our team. It ships that evening. It arrives at your door the next morning.
That is overnight lobster delivery. Not a warehouse. Not a fulfillment center. The dock.
Trap to table in under 24 hours. That's the standard we hold, and the reason we can back it.
How live lobster survives the trip
Live lobsters are remarkably resilient in cold, moist conditions. Properly packed, a hard-shell Maine lobster can survive 24 to 36 hours out of water without any degradation in quality.
Every GML shipment includes:
• Insulated foam cooler lined for temperature retention
• Gel packs — not dry ice, which is lethal to live lobster
• Moisture-preserving material to keep the lobster comfortable
• Careful packing to prevent shifting during transit
The lobster arrives dormant — slowed by the cold — but alive. When it hits room temperature, it wakes up. That's what you want.
What to do when your order arrives
Don't leave it in the box. Open it immediately, check that your lobster is alive (it should move when touched), and keep it in the refrigerator covered with a damp cloth until you're ready to cook. Cook within 24 hours of arrival for best quality.
If a lobster arrives deceased — which is rare but can happen — contact us. We make it right.
The bottom line
Overnight lobster delivery is safe. The variables are: quality of packing, speed of shipping, and the chain of custody before the box is sealed.
Ours starts at the dock. That's the difference.