Massport, Elected Officials Celebrate Start of Record-Breaking Cruise Season at Flynn Cruiseport

BOSTON –Against the backdrop of the Norwegian Gem, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today joined elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. The Gem is just one of the eight ships homeporting in Boston this season and offers weekly sailings to Bermuda through August, followed by sailings to the Canada/New England coastline through October.

After a strong season in 2023 welcoming over 373,000 passengers and 149 cruise vessels, Massport is expecting another unparalleled cruise season this year welcoming 169 vessels from 25 cruise lines – up 15 percent over 2023, which support the local travel and tourism industries. Between now and November, the Cruiseport will welcome 79 homeport calls, bringing cruise passengers to Bermuda, Canada/New England, and various cruises to Iceland/Greenland, Europe, and the Caribbean. The Cruiseport will also welcome 90 port of call visits as tourists enjoy all that Boston and the region have to offer.

At the event, Massport recognized State Representative David Biele with the 2024 Maritime Champion Award for his support and advocacy of the maritime economy in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth. Representative Biele was key in advocating for $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the modernization of Conley Terminal.

“The maritime industry is essential to Boston, especially South Boston, and generates thousands of jobs for the City and Commonwealth,” said Representative David Biele. “Between the expanding cruise industry here and the essential cargo shipping industry, the economic benefits are growing every day.  I’m proud to work with Massport and all our maritime partners to ensure that Conley Terminal and Flynn Cruiseport continue to be supported by the state.”  

Since 1986, over 7 million passengers cumulatively have traveled through Flynn Cruiseport Boston to experience a vacation to Bermuda, Canada/New England, and other international destinations. Flynn Cruiseport is an important part of the Massachusetts visitor economy, and supports businesses located throughout the Commonwealth that service and provision homeport ships, provide transportation to passengers, or serve as destinations for port-of-call visitors. Flynn Cruiseport Boston supports $135.5 million in annual economic impact. Flynn Cruiseport Boston is home to nearly 2,200 jobs (direct, induced, and indirect jobs) and generates $40 million in federal, state, and local tax revenue, according to the 2018 Martin Economic Impact Report.

“We are excited to kick off the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. We are proud the growth we’ve seen in our cruise operations over the last few years, and we couldn’t do it without our cruise partners,” said Massport Port Director Joseph Morris. “Boston is the preeminent cruise port for New England and plays a very important role in our tourism economy. It supports thousands of jobs and serves as an economic engine for the Commonwealth. We look forward to welcoming cruise passengers to Boston and New England so they can explore all this region has to offer.”

Flynn Cruiseport Boston will also welcome 13 maiden calls this season. Flynn Cruiseport Boston will have a record six cruise lines offering eight homeport ships and voyages:
•    Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Gem – started March 29th (Bermuda/Canada New England);
•    Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Jade – starts August 29th (Canada/New England);
•    Holland America: Volendam – starts May 11th (Canada/New England);
•    Holland America: Zuiderdam – starts July 20th (Canada/New England);
•    Princess Cruises: Emerald Princess – starts July 14th (Canada/New England);
•    Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse – starts August 28th (Canada/New England);
•    Royal Caribbean International: Jewel of the Seas – starts September 7th (Canada/New England);
•    Oceania Cruises: Nautica – starts September 11th (Bermuda/Canada New England).

“Boston is an exceptional city that our guests enjoy sailing from, and it plays a critical role to our long-term presence on the east coast,” said Juan Kuryla, Senior Vice President of Port Development and Construction of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.  “While we are excited to celebrate Norwegian Gem’s return for another season, we are equally eager to continue to explore opportunities with Massport to enhance the current facility to allow larger ships and more guests to cruise from Boston.”

As part of Massport’s Net-Zero strategy, the Authority is taking steps to reduce emissions at Flynn Cruiseport. Massport is aggressively pursuing the EPA Clean Ports Grant from the federal government that will fund the construction of shore power, procuring electrical equipment, including forklifts and trucks, constructing a solar rooftop, and other deck and electrical improvements.  

“I am excited to join Massport, the ILA and the cruise industry to kick off another successful cruise season,” stated Senator Nick Collins, who represents the Port of Boston. “As the industry grows, I look forward to working together to ensure that we are addressing the impacts and moving towards a Net Zero facility at Flynn Cruiseport Boston. That starts with ship-to-shore power and the infrastructure to enable it.”

Massport is also announcing several new itineraries that either start or end in Boston throughout the 2024 season:
•    10-day one way Boston to the Caribbean – Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse (October 11th Departure);
•    21-day roundtrip from Boston to the Caribbean/Panama Canal - Holland America’s Zuiderdam (October 19th Departure);
•    9-day one way Boston to St. Maarten – Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride (October 23rd Departure);
•    7-day one way Boston to Panama - Hapag Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Inspiration (October 28th Departure);
•    14-day one way Boston to the Caribbean - Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam (November 9th Departure).

More recently, cruise lines are looking to expand their offerings to include more culturally diverse experiences and destinations, unique and curated attractions, and opportunities to welcome demographics of all ages.

“The cruise industry is a vital part of the overall visitor economy in Boston, and working with our partners at Flynn Cruiseport over the past several years we have really elevated Boston as a port and destination,” said Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston. “We are seeing passengers come earlier and stay later, creating a tremendous impact not only during the height of our summer season, but also during the critical shoulder seasons.”

Boston is one of America’s oldest cities. Visitors can experience revolutionary landmarks along the Freedom Trail, visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, stroll through Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, or tour Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.  Neighborhoods such as the North End, Beacon Hill and the Back Bay offer unique flavors, sights and sounds for every interest. Tourists can also experience diverse and vibrant neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Chinatown, providing unique and curated culinary, artistic, and historical connections for those experiencing Boston’s 23 neighborhoods. Boston is a city where tradition and innovation blend to create a unique cosmopolitan destination.

For the full cruise schedule and additional information, visit FlynnCruiseportBoston.com and follow @FlynnCruiseport on Twitter.

Powering What’s Possible. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. For more information, please visit www.massport.com.

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