Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star departing Boston October 12 after overnighting at Massport’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on her maiden voyage to North America
Photo/Massport
Cruiseport Boston Closes Successful 2016 Cruise Season and Anticipates a Record Year in 2017
Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Star departing Boston October 12 after overnighting at Massport’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on her maiden voyage to North America
Photo/Massport
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 ships. Among the 10 first-time visitors was Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever to call the Port of 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 percent increase from this year, with service from 19 cruise lines on 36 calls, including six first-time visits calls. They will also shatter the record set in 2001 124 calls, including 40 diverted from New York following the September 11 attacks.
"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."
In 2017, six ships will homeport in Boston: NCL's Norwegian Dawn; Royal Caribbean International’s Serenade of the Seas; Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Quest; and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, Veendam and Maasdam. Port-of-call visits are scheduled for vessels operated by 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.
Cruiseport Boston offers a variety of itineraries – Canada/New England (especially popular during the fall foliage season), Bermuda, the Caribbean and trans-Atlantic to Europe. Cruiseport Boston is a recipient of Cruise Insight Magazine’s "Best Turnaround Destination" and "Most Efficient Port Facilities" awards.
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.
Port Saint John: Cruise Passenger Count Jumped 21% in 2016
The 2016 cruise season was Port Saint John’s best since 2013, with the passenger count jumping 21 percent from last year to 143,926. Additionally, ship calls increased to 63 from 59 in 2015 and the vessel crew count to 59,003 from 50,979.
Highlights of 2016 included:
Port Saint John is Eastern Canada’s largest port by tonnage and has a diverse cargo base, including dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise.
Port Saint John hosted these three cruise ships simultaneously on October 5. From left, Norwegian Gem at Long Wharf Terminal, Regal Princess approaching Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, and Disney Magic at Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. Photo/Port Saint John