Some 169 calls are booked, up from 149 in 2023 when more than 373,000 passengers visited. Of those, 79 are homeport calls. Cruises will operate to Bermuda, Canada/New England, Iceland/Greenland, Europe and the Caribbean until November.
At an event Massport recognized State Rep. David Biele with the 2024 Maritime Champion Award for his support and advocacy of the maritime economy in Boston and throughout the commonwealth. He advocated for $10m in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the modernization of Conley Terminal, a container facility.
'Between the expanding cruise industry here and the essential cargo shipping industry, the economic benefits are growing every day,' Biele said. '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.'
Economic impact
Since 1986, more than 7m passengers cumulatively have traveled through Flynn Cruiseport Boston, which supports $135.5m in annual economic impact and provides nearly 2,200 jobs (direct, induced and indirect) and generates $40m in federal, state and local tax revenue, according to the 2018 Martin Economic Impact Report.
'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,' Massport Port Director Joseph Morris said.
13 maiden calls, eight homeport ships
Flynn Cruiseport Boston welcome 13 maiden calls this season.
And a record six cruise lines will deploy eight ships in homeport operations. They include Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem, which began operating March 29, and will offer Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises, and Norwegian Jade, which starts Canada/New England itineraries Aug. 29.
Holland America's Volendam will begin Canada/New England cruises May 11, with Zuiderdam to join July 20. Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess embarks on its Canada/New England series July 14.
Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Eclipse sails in Aug. 28, and Royal Caribbean International's Jewel of the Seas Aug. 28, both bound for Canada/New England.
Oceania Cruises' Nautica is scheduled to start Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises Sept. 11.
Some of these ships will also operate one-way cruises to the Caribbean and/or Panama Canal. And Windstar Cruises' Star Pride will embark Oct. 23 for a cruise to St. Maarten, while Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Hanseatic Inspiration will sail Oct. 28 to Panama.
Facilitating larger ships?
'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, SVP port development and construction, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. '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.'
Pursuing grant to support shore power and more
As part of Massport’s net-zero strategy, the authority is taking steps to reduce emissions at Flynn Cruiseport by 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.
Sen. Nick Collins said he looks forward to working together to ensure moving toward a net zero facility at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, which starts with shore power and the infrastructure to enable it.
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