Opening Day was official today when the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) ushered in the 2004-cruise season at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. Massport CEO Craig Coy and Massport Port Director, Mike Leone joined Pat Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Visitors and Convention Bureau to welcome passengers as they disembarked the Norwegian Crown for a day of touring in Boston.

The regal Norwegian Crown sailed into Boston, marking the first vessel call in Boston this year. This season, 97 vessels and more than 210,000 passengers are expected to call Boston during its April through November cruise season.

Boston's cruise industry is a proven winner for the Massachusetts economy, said Governor Mitt Romney. Nearly 100 ships will dock this season at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, providing jobs for almost 5,000 workers, $300 million for the local economy, and wonderful vacations for thousands of Massachusetts residents.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has been calling the Port of Boston for more than a decade. Its season-long weekly sailings to Bermuda have become a local favorite as both passengers and locals enjoy its prominent presence in Boston Harbor. The Norwegian Majesty departs every Sunday afternoon for St. George's Bermuda and returns to Boston the following Sunday morning.

"The Boston Redevelopment Authority's Marine Industrial Park is the proud gateway for the thousands of visitors who enter the Port of Boston each year. We've seen the cruise line industry continue to be a vital part of Boston's economy and we are committed to ensuring the continued success of this industry in our city," said Mark Maloney, Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

New England and Canada cruising, a traditional fall favorite, has become a popular itinerary for summer cruising to and from Boston. This season, scenic cruising along the North Atlantic coastline is offered on several cruise lines including Radisson, Silversea, Princess, Seabourne and Crystal cruise lines. With exciting visits to ports of call along the way, New England/Canada cruising continues to be one of the fastest growing sectors on the cruise market.

Look for increased presence in Boston this season from Princess Cruises, Radisson Cruises and Holland America Line. Holland America Line, known for its premium amenities, will be doubling its service at Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, making Boston a homeport for its' luxurious Maasdam. The Maasdam will begin a series of seven and ten-day turn-around cruises to New England and Canadian ports.

As we kick off another exciting season at Cruise Port Boston we expect to top last year's numbers, said Massport CEO Craig Coy, More than 200,000 passengers last year brought millions of dollars into the local economy, and the continuing growth of Boston's cruise industry remains a catalyst for the excitement that is reshaping the Boston waterfront every day.

Royal Caribbean will make several visits to Boston after the debut of its brand new Jewel of the Seas in September. Royal Caribbean Line and Carnival Cruises will offer several fall foliage embarkations in September and October.

Pat Moscaritolo, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, praised Massport for its Cruiseport initiatives and called the cruise offerings "the sleeping giant of Boston's visitor industry. The spending generated for Boston's visitor economy by pre and post stays as well as port of call visits, will help the region's visitor industry rebound."

Last year, 95 vessel calls and more than 200,000 passengers passed through the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal providing vacation planners with an exciting lineup of cruise offerings.

Experience Cruiseport Boston at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, your seasonal portal to a sensational vacation and just minutes from downtown Boston. Whether sailing north along the majestic New England and Canadian coastline, south to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, or east across the Atlantic to enchanting Europe, Cruiseport Boston is your ticket to a dream vacation.

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