Massport Celebrates the 2024 Cruise Season at Flynn Cruiseport, Honors Maritime Champion Award to State Rep David Biele

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Norwegian Gem, photo courtesy of Massport

Today, Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) joined elected officials and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of the 2024 cruise season at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, which runs through November. Read full press release.

Building upon the success of last year, Massport expects to welcome 169 vessels from 25 cruise lines, an increase of 15% over 2023. The Norwegian Gem (see photo) 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.

Among the sailings this season are 79 homeport calls that bring cruise passengers to Bermuda, Canada/New England, and various cruises to Iceland/Greenland, Europe, and the Caribbean. Cruiseport will also welcome 90 port of call visits so that tourists on other itineraries can stop in Boston and explore all the region has to offer.

State Representative David Biele

Massport recognized State Representative David Biele of South Boston 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 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.”

Past winners of the Maritime Champion Award include Congressman Stephen Lynch in 2022 and State Senator Nick Collins in 2023.

Since 1986, over 7 million passengers cumulatively have traveled through Flynn Cruiseport Boston, making it an important part of the Massachusetts visitor economy. Flynn Cruiseport Boston supports $135.5 million in annual economic impact. It 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.

“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,” said Massport Port Director Joseph Morris.

“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, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, senior VP of port development and construction, adding that Norwegian is "eager to continue to explore opportunities with Massport to enhance the current facility to allow larger ships and more guests to cruise from Boston.”

“I am excited to join Massport, the International Longshoremen's Association and the cruise industry to kick off another successful cruise season,” said Senator Collins, whose district includes 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.”

“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 Meet Boston President and CEO Martha Sheridan. “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.

Massport also announced 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).

Located in the city’s bustling Seaport District, Flynn Cruiseport is named after South Boston native and former US Ambassador Raymond L. Flynn, who established Cruiseport in 1986 when he was mayor of Boston. 

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 massport.com.

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