Boston is gearing up for the start of its cruise season which officially begins on Sunday, April 28th. More than 90 vessels and more than 200,000 passengers are scheduled to set sail from Massport's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal to various destinations including Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean and England. The 2002 season runs from April through October.

This season marks the ninth consecutive year in which Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Majesty will make its weekly run to Bermuda. Norwegian Majesty will begin sailing from Boston to St. Georges on Sunday, April 28 and continue for weekly service for the next 26 weeks.

Transatlantic sailing from Boston to Harwich, England will be available aboard The Rotterdam and also on Cunard's QE2 New England/Canada run. New to Boston in September will be Residensea's The World, a large, new vessel featuring on-board residences. This vessel is the world's first ocean-going luxury resort and will mark its maiden voyage to Italy in early May. The World offers world-class amenities to residents of the 110 spacious units and 88 guest suites while circumnavigating the globe.

Holland America's Boston to Canada cruises, a long-time favorite for those fond of foliage, has added summer cruises to its itinerary this year. It's famed flagship, The Rotterdam will make its debut in Boston, offering seven and ten day cruises to Eastern Canadian Ports such as Halifax, Montreal, Quebec and Prince Edward Island. North Atlantic sailings are also available on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas and Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Dream.

Silver Seas Cruise Lines has scheduled visits to Canada as well as one day port of call visits aboard the luxury vessel, Silver Shadow and the Cunard/Seabourne Line will do the same with its elegant Seabourn Pride.

Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line will showcase their newer vessels in Boston this year. The Carnival Legend and the Golden Princess both feature passenger capacities in excess of 2,000 each.

Passengers traveling from Boston's Black Falcon Cruise Terminal this season should be prepared for enhanced security measures. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed inside the main terminal before passing through mandatory checkpoints. At the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, all luggage will be scanned including carry-on and checked luggage. Picking up and dropping off of passengers will not be allowed under the drive through. Parking is available at the EDIC garage located a short distance from the terminal.

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