Cruise: Boston, New Orleans, Tampa

Governor Baker, Massport Officially Dedicate the Flynn Cruiseport Boston at Black Falcon Terminal

Governor Charlie Baker joined elected officials, community members and children from South Boston, and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) this May 4 in officially dedicating Flynn Cruiseport Boston in honor of Raymond L. Flynn, a former mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See. The event also celebrated the start of Boston cruise season.

Docked at the Black Falcon Terminal during the ceremony was Royal Caribbean’s 4,180-passenger Anthem of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever to call the Port of Boston.

"We are honored to dedicate this facility in honor of Ambassador Flynn and his service to the people of Boston, our Commonwealth and nation," said Governor Baker. "A proud son of South Boston who worked these docks as a young man and would later become Mayor, Ambassador Flynn saw before many others the opportunity to build the economically vibrant seaport district we stand in today."

Ambassador Flynn was mayor of Boston from 1984 until 1993 and, among other things is remembered for his dedication to the preservation of the South Boston waterfront, where he and several family members were once employed as dock workers. He was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See by President Clinton in 1993 and served until 1997.

"I am humbled to have this historic American gateway for hundreds of thousands of soldiers, workers and visitors to be renamed in my honor," said Ambassador Flynn. "The Terminal has been a vital part of the history of the Port of Boston which has provided a welcome to immigrants and a livelihood for generations of families of hard-working men and women like mine and will continue to do so. The future of this vital working port is critical to the future of America and this vibrant and diverse city."

Mayor Flynn opened Boston’s cruiseport in 1986. That first season it received 13 ships and a total of 11,723 passengers. This year Massport is expecting a record 395,000 passengers and 153 vessel calls by 19 different cruise line on 36 different ships, including five maiden calls. Particularly popular are Canada/New England cruises in the fall foliage months of September and October, but other Boston based itineraries sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean and across the Atlantic to Europe. Cruise operations at Massport provide more than 950 direct jobs; $25 million in annual local, state, and federal tax revenue and contribute nearly half a billion dollars to the regional economy.

In 2010, the main terminal received an $11 million makeover, which tripled the usable space on the third floor to allow for faster processing of embarking or debarking passengers and added vibrant colors, environmentally friendly lighting, new elevators and people movers, and signage.

In 2015, renovations to the second terminal were completed. The $3.2 million project included improved ventilation, heating, lighting, additional outlets for power and data to facilitate ticketing and baggage functions, new restrooms, and new storefront installations to provide more daylight into the existing space.

First Royal Caribbean Cruise Launches Summer Season of Cruises to Cuba from Port Tampa Bay

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s 2,070 passenger Empress of the Seas docked at its new summer home port, Port Tampa Bay
Photo/Port Tampa Bay

Royal Caribbean International’s launched its first ever Tampa-based summer season on April 30. The recently revitalized Empress of the Seas will depart Port Tampa Bay for the duration of the 2017 summer season on a series of four- and five-night itineraries that include port calls in Cuba.

On that inaugural sailing, passengers and special guests, including local travel agency partners, were treated to a live band playing Cuban-inspired music and Cuban coffee inside Cruise Terminal 3, the home terminal for Empress of the Seas while she home ports in Tampa.

"Today’s embarkation out of Tampa is truly historic for Port Tampa Bay, and we are thrilled that Royal Caribbean has chosen Port Tampa Bay to offer sailings to Cuba from the United States. We now have three Royal Caribbean ships in 2017, which is exciting for cruise passengers seeking new and innovative experiences all year long, for the very first time," said Port President Paul Anderson. "We are excited to welcome the Empress of the Seas with the fanfare she deserves, and we look forward to continuing to be a great partner with Royal Caribbean for years to come."

The Empress of the Seas joins RCI’s two other Tampa-homeported ships -- the 2,543-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, and 2,416-passenger Rhapsody of the Seas -- in offering a variety of four-, five- and seven-day itineraries.

"The Tampa Bay market has always been important to us, and the entire family at Royal Caribbean is excited to give our guests great year-round options to travel on one of our beautiful ships from a world-class port like Port Tampa Bay," said Michael Bayley, the cruise line’s president and CEO. "We are thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travelers to Cuba from Tampa and we look forward to continuing to grow our business in Tampa for years to come."

Royal Caribbean Announces Return to New Orleans

Vision of the Seas will be homeported in New Orleans beginning in December 2018
Photo/Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International will return to New Orleans with a seasonal home-based cruise ship in late 2018. The 915-foot Vision of the Seas will sail seven-night itineraries to The Bahamas and Yucatan Peninsula from the New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal.

"The Port of New Orleans is thrilled to welcome back Royal Caribbean. We look forward to working productively together for many years to come," said Port President Brandy Christian. "Our city’s energy and music, culinary and cultural attractions perfectly compliment the Caribbean cruise experience. Our cruise business continues to grow, as does the variety of itineraries offered, as most cruise passengers spend an average of two nights in the region, either before or after their cruise."

The Crescent City port handled 1,070,695 deepsea and river cruise passengers in 2016. Christian chairs the AAPA Cruise Committee.

Before repositioning to New Orleans on December 15, 2018, Vision of the Seas will offer two 16-night sailings through the Panama Canal from Miami to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to New Orleans – marking the first time in three years a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will traverse the Panama Canal.