Hosting Events at Flynn Cruiseport Boston Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We would be more than happy to schedule a site visit and answer any questions you have regarding our event spaces.  You may schedule your site visit by contacting our Maritime Administration Manager Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com.

Please reach out to Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com for availability. If the date(s) is available, we will offer an initial 30-day soft hold while details are discussed. A hold is not secure until a signed license agreement is returned to Massport.

We do not host events at Flynn Cruiseport Boston when a ship is in port.  Please view the current cruise schedule.  We also do not host ANY events during our peak cruise season period which runs from August 1 until the end of the cruise season (generally around the end of November).

If you would like to book a space, please complete the Event Application/Safety & Security Assessment.  If approved, an event estimate will be sent to you for review.

Flynn Cruiseport Boston is an active, working cruise terminal and events are not allowed on days when a ship is in port.  To avoid any potential conflicts, we do not book events more than a year out.

No.  The Pier and Drive Thru are add-on spaces ONLY.

Except for a scheduled site visit, access to the event space prior to an event is based on the information you provide in the Application and Safety & Security Assessment.

Your licensed use (load-in, event hours and load-out times) and access to the event space is based on the information you provide in the Application and Safety & Security Assessment.  Your licensed use is approved in advance and will be outlined in your license agreement.  

Your licensed use, including access to the venue, is approved in advance and outlined in the signed license agreement. 

You are required to clean up and load out all rentals (equipment and furniture) and personal property at the end of your event.  The times for clean up and load-out of all rentals and personal property is outlined in your license agreement.

No. Flynn Cruiseport Boston is an active, working cruise terminal so, unfortunately, we cannot accept items in advance or allow items to remain onsite after your licensed use ends.  All deliveries must be accepted by you or your representative during your scheduled load-in and are to be taken off the property during your scheduled load-out.

Maximum capacity in each rental space is as follows:

•    Main Terminal 1st Floor:  690
•    Main Terminal, Mezzanine:  154
•    Main Terminal, 3rd Floor:  716
•    Warehouse, Sections A and B: 1,473
•    Pier: (TBD – Event Specific)
•    Drive Thru: (TBD - Event Specific)

Please note that this is MAXIMUM capacity of each of the event spaces determined by the State Building Inspector.  It is not based on event setup.

Yes.  All requests should be submitted to Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com.

Massport does not have onsite parking available.  We encourage you to direct staff, volunteers, and guests to use public transportation, ride-share opportunities or the public parking garage located just minutes walking distance from Flynn Cruiseport Boston:

ABM Marine Park Garage
12 Drydock Avenue
Boston, MA  02210
abmparkboston@abm.com
617-482-2487

Yes.  Massport does not have parking spaces available at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, but you are more than welcome to coordinate this service with the public parking garage located just minutes walking distance from Flynn Cruiseport Boston.  See contact information below:

ABM Marine Park Garage
12 Drydock Avenue
Boston, MA  02210
abmparkboston@abm.com
617-482-2487

or coordinate this service with a different provider.
 

Massport will not schedule two events at Flynn Cruiseport Boston at the same time.

The license fee includes the use of the space.  Any and all labor required for the event would be at an additional charge.  For pricing information, please contact Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com.

There are labor costs associated with each event.  Once the completed Cruiseport Event Application and Safety & Security Assessment forms are received by Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com, an estimate will be developed for your review.  If the estimate is agreed to by the parties, we will move forward with the license agreement. 

Assigned Massport staff will be onsite during your licensed use and will provide general maintenance, restroom management, electrical support, and police/fire safety and security.  The Cruise Terminal Manager or his designee will be present at all times during the event and act as your Massport point of contact. 

For general pricing information, please reach out to Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com.
 

Flynn Cruiseport Boston is considered to be a union facility.  Most of Massport’s staff, who work at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, including, but not limited to, the staff providing general maintenance, restroom management, electrical support, and police/fire safety and security, are union members.  However, you are more than welcome to work with the vendors of your choice provided they are able to work in harmony with Massport’s staff.  

Massport accepts checks and electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments.  All new customers are required to submit a W-9. 

We do not require a security deposit.  However, we do require that the license fee and an estimated labor fee deposit associated with your event be paid in advance. 

No.

Yes.  We have a freight elevator located in the Warehouse space that is available to bring large items up to the Main Terminal, 3rd Floor event space.  The elevator can only be operated by one of Massport’s Flynn Cruiseport Boston staff.  Please note that all items brought up must fit through a doorway which is 3’ 5” W x 6’ 11¼” H.

Freight Elevator details below:
•    Measurements:            17’ 8” L x 8’ 1” W x 9’ 2” H
•    Max. Weight Capacity:      12,000 lbs.

No. The event holder/planner is responsible for bringing in any cooking/warming equipment needed for the event. All equipment must be reviewed and approved, in advance, by our Fire Rescue and Electrical Units. A list of electrical needs should be provided to Kelly O'Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com, for our Fire Rescue and Electrical Units to review.

We provide space ONLY.  We are vendor neutral though so you may work with the vendor(s) of your choice provided they are licensed and insured in Massachusetts.  All vendors are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance naming the Massachusetts Port Authority as an additional insured under their respective commercial general liability insurance policy. Specific insurance requirements will be outlined in the license agreement.

The event holder/planner is responsible for the disposal of all event trash.  They are required to bring in a dumpster or make other arrangements to remove waste at the end of the event.  Massport’s general maintenance staff will, however, provide trash management during the event.  Massport will also provide 15 trash barrels for your use.  If you need more barrels than we provide, you are responsible for providing them.  

Yes, but you must maintain a 20’ fire lane the length of the pier at all times in the event of an emergency.  All tents must be professionally installed and you are required to obtain a tent permit from the State Building Inspector.  

Yes.  All stages/risers must be professionally installed and if they are higher than 2.5 feet, you are required to obtain a building permit from the State Building Inspector.  

Yes.  We provide space ONLY.  We are vendor neutral so you can work with the caterer of your choice provided they are licensed and insured in Massachusetts.  

Yes, you can. You will, however, need to obtain an Entertainment License issued by the City of Boston.  For more information, please click on the following link:

Yes, you can work with a vendor of your choice to provide alcohol, provided they are licensed and insured in Massachusetts.  We do require evidence of a Liquor License issued by the City of Boston for the event and a Certificate of Insurance with liquor liability coverage. Alcohol may only be served to guests 21+ and the customer/vendor is responsible for verifying credentials.  All vendors serving alcohol must be TIPS Certified.  For more information, please click on the following link:  

Yes.  You must, however, provide evidence of proper training of the use of the scissor lift documentation for the operator. 

No. However, we are vendor neutral, so you are welcome to work with the vendor of your choice provided they are licensed and insured in Massachusetts. 

Any decoration that can’t be removed without causing damage to the space is strictly prohibited. No nails, staples, stickers, tapes, or glues that leave a sticky residue allowed. We do not allow the use of glitter, confetti, silly string, rose petals, rice, bird seed and/or sparklers. Balloons are allowed in the space, but helium tanks are not so they must be inflated offsite or outside.  If the balloons rise to the ceiling, the customer is responsible for any labor associated with removing those balloons.  All rigging requests must be reviewed and approved in advance.  The customer is required to have the event space inspected by a licensed engineer and submit a stamped engineering drawing for Massport review and approval at least 4 weeks prior to the event certifying that the structure will support the equipment as designed.  

Smoking is not allowed inside the Flynn Cruiseport Boston or on the Pier. There are designated smoking areas located in the Drive Thru area. 

Yes.  We also have handicap accessible Men’s and Women’s restroom facilities in the Main Terminal and Warehouse event spaces.  

Event details will dictate whether MPA Police and/or MPA Fire are required at the event.  If it is determined that they are required, they will be onsite during the event for all safety and security matters.  

Yes.  Food trucks are generally allowed on the Pier and in the Drive Thru areas but must be approved in advance.  

No.  However, we are vendor neutral, so you are welcome to work with the vendors of your choice provided they are licensed and insured in Massachusetts. 

LED lights are preferred, but candles are allowed provided they are:

•    located on a stable surface
•    contained in votives
•    the wick is shorter than 1”
•    the flame must be 2” below the top of the container
•    they are isolated from combustible materials

Open flames are not allowed anywhere in the building or tents, or on any stages.
 

Cancellation, Restriction and/or Rescheduling by Massport, a full refund of license and/or labor fees paid.  

 
Cancellation by Licensee.  All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to the Massport’s Maritime Administration Manager, Kelly O’Neil, at koneil@massport.com.

(a)    Cancellation up to 7 days prior to the scheduled Event date, a full refund of any license and/or labor fees paid to Massport minus a One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) Administrative Fee.

(b)    Cancellation between seven (7) days and forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled Event date, a fifty percent (50%) refund of any license and/or labor fees costs paid to the Massport. 

(c)    Cancellation forty-eight (48) hours or less prior to the scheduled Event date, any license and/or labor fees paid to the Massport are non-refundable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that there is a cancellation twenty-four (24) hours or less prior to the scheduled Event date Licensee shall also be responsible for reimbursing Massport for the difference between the estimated labor costs paid to Massport and fifty percent (50%) of the estimated labor costs set forth in the license agreement.  
 

Yes.  A certificate of insurance must be provided by the event holder/planner, as well as all major vendors, naming Massachusetts Port Authority as an additional insured and submitted to Kelly O’Neil, cruiseportvenue@massport.com prior to your event.  Specific insurance requirements will be outlined in the license agreement. 

•    If you are planning to have any type of entertainment (band, disc jockey or music pumped through speakers) at your event, you are required to obtain an Entertainment License issued by the City of Boston.   

Edward “Ned” Morrissey, Cruise Terminal Manager (617-330-1501) is the “Manager of Premise” for the purpose of the application so please be sure to forward to him for signature.

•    If you are planning to have alcohol at your event, you are required to obtain a Liquor License issued by the City of Boston.

Edward “Ned” Morrissey, Cruise Terminal Manager (617-330-1501) is the “Manager of Premise” for the purpose of the application so please be sure to forward to him for signature.

•    If your event is catered, you will need to submit valid City of Boston Health Permits for your event.

•    If you have a food truck, you will need to submit a valid City of Boston Health Permit for your event.  Food trucks are also required to be properly permitted to do business in the city of Boston and hold all standard insurance permits and registration requirements.

•    If you plan to grill outside, you will need a Grill/Propane Permit from Massport Fire Rescue.

•    If you erect a tent, you will need a Tent Permit issued by the State Building Inspector.

•    If you have a stage/riser that is higher than 2.5’, you will need a Stage Permit issued from the State Building Inspector.

•    All vendors must provide flame certificates for any cloth, drapery or furniture provided.
 

Yes.  Flynn Cruiseport Boston provides free wireless internet access throughout the terminal for use with WiFi-enabled devices such as laptops and smartphones.  

Hardwired internet connections (RJ45 Jacks) are also available in various locations of the Main Terminal and Warehouse event spaces.  Please note that adapters may be needed for some devices so please plan accordingly.

Events with higher technology needs may find mobile hotspots or other technology alternatives necessary.  If so, you are more than welcome to bring in a 3rd party vendor to provide those services.
 

Please see below:

•    Main Terminal, 1st Floor:  Heat Only
•    Main Terminal, Mezzanine:  AC and Heat
•    Main Terminal, 3rd Floor:  AC and Heat
•    Warehouse (Sections A and B):  No Heat or AC; limited availability from April - August.  All events are required to have at least two roll up doors open during the event for ventilation purposes.  
 

More details would need to be provided to Massport for review.  All events in the Warehouse space are required to have at least two roll up doors open (at least partially) during the event for ventilation purposes.   If you choose to heat or cool the space, the doors can only be closed if you submit a letter from an engineer stating that the heat/HVAC is supplying the space with enough fresh air to meet code.

You can control some of the lights in each space.  However, there are safety/emergency lights that are required to stay on at all times.