Cruiseport Boston Closes Out 2016 Cruise Season
As Cruiseport Boston closes out its successful 2016 season, 2017 is already shaping up to be a record year with 151 calls scheduled for next cruise season. The 2016 season saw 115 calls by a record 32 unique ships with ten maiden calls to the port, including Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to ever call the Port of Boston.
Cruiseport Boston has seen years of steady growth which has contributed to the booming cruise business in Boston. During the 2017 season, which will run from April through November, Cruiseport Boston will welcome a record 62 homeport calls and 89 port-of-calls. These 151 calls represent a 31% increase in the number of calls compared to the 2016 season, with service from 19 different cruise lines on 36 different ships, including six maiden calls. Next year will also shatter the record of 2001, which saw 124 calls including 40 vessels diverted from New York after September 11.
“Boston’s reputation as a hub of history and culture continues to draw more cruise passengers as both a port of call and a starting point for longer journeys,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Cruise lines are responding to this demand by offering more cruises out of Boston and Boston stops on their itineraries than ever before and the hard-working men and women of Cruiseport Boston are welcoming them with open arms and an eye on the important, wider economic impact for the region.“
The growing popularity of Cruiseport Boston can be traced back to the level of convenience the port offers; the growing options for cruise passengers; and strategic investments from Massport to upgrade Cruiseport Boston’s facilities. In 2010, renovation and expansion of the main terminal was launched to create a 21st century point of departure for ocean-going vacationers. The $11 million makeover allows for faster processing of passengers embarking or returning from a cruise.
“As the demand for Boston cruise itineraries continues to grow, the investments in infrastructure and customer service that we have made in recent years are being put to good use at Cruiseport Boston,” said Port Director Lisa Wieland. “Greater Boston and Massachusetts offer an endless variety of activities and experiences for cruisers and Cruiseport Boston is proud to serve as the gateway to all that New England has to offer.”
Cruise operations at Massport provide over 950 direct jobs; $25 million in annual local, state, and federal tax revenue and contribute nearly half a billion dollars to the regional economy.
The 2016 cruise season saw ten ships make their maiden calls to Cruiseport Boston: Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic; Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas; Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine; Regent Seven Seas’ Seven Seas Mariner; Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Quest; Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star; Holland America Line’s ms Zuiderdam; Oceania Cruise’s Sirena; AIDA’s AIDAmar; and Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas.
In 2017 six ships will homeport in Boston - the oldest continuously operated port in the Western Hemisphere - offering a variety of Boston-based cruises from April through November: Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dawn; Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam; Holland America Line’s ms Veendam; Holland America Line’s ms Maasdam; Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas; and Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Quest.
AIDA, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Hapag-Lloyd, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Ponant, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, Silversea, TUI Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises will all call Cruiseport Boston as a port-of-call during the 2017 cruise season.
Cruiseport Boston is a favorite port-of-call with cruise passengers with a growing variety of itineraries to choose from. Many voyages sail north along the Canada/New England coastline – a fall favorite for New England’s spectacular foliage – or to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, the Caribbean, or across the Atlantic to Europe. Cruiseport Boston is a recipient of Cruise Insight Magazine’s “Best Turnaround Destination” and “Most Efficient Port Facilities” awards.
Cruiseport Boston is a favorite port-of-call with cruise passengers with a growing variety of itineraries to choose from. Many voyages sail north along the Canada/New England coastline – a fall favorite for New England’s spectacular foliage – or to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, the Caribbean, or across the Atlantic to Europe. Cruiseport Boston is a recipient of Cruise Insight Magazine’s “Best Turnaround Destination” and “Most Efficient Port Facilities” awards.
