Massport Celebrates Successful Cruise Season and Launch of Modernization Project at Flynn Cruiseport Boston
Cruiseport upgrades will accommodate larger ships and enhance passenger experience
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today celebrated the end of another strong cruise season and the start of its most ambitious renovation project at Flynn Cruiseport Boston to date. This past season welcomed 22 cruise brands and over 455,000 passengers, including a record 10 homeport ships. As Massport prepares to welcome larger vessels and more frequent ship calls in the coming years, these upgrades will streamline passenger flow, boost operational efficiency, and ensure an exceptional embark and debark experience for guests.
“The cruise and cargo industry are backbones of the local economy, creating thousands of jobs and bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to Flynn Cruiseport Boston,” said State Senator Nick Collins. “These upgrades to the Cruiseport, including ship-to-shore power, are incredibly important to keep Boston a premier cruise destination and reduce emissions for all the residents of South Boston.”
Flynn Cruiseport generates $256 million annually in economic impact and creates over 3,000 jobs. Boston’s cruise industry is a vital part of travel and tourism in New England. From exploring revolutionary landmarks along the Freedom Trail, strolling through Boston Common or catching a game at Fenway Park, many visitors experience Boston thanks to the thriving cruise industry.
“The Port of Boston is one of the most important economic drivers in the Commonwealth, adding jobs and revenue for the entire region,” said State Representative David Biele. “I am excited to see theses upgrades to the Cruiseport, which will help bring even more tourists to Boston and cut down on emissions, benefiting the surrounding communities.”
It’s not just tourist attractions that benefit from the cruise industry. From transportation providers and local restaurants, hotels, airlines, souvenir shops, and local suppliers who provision the ships, the cruise industry supports hundreds of businesses all over New England. It creates opportunities for people and strengthens the local economy, benefiting communities large and small.
“Flynn Cruiseport is the premier cruise port in New England, and has been growing consistently over the decades,” said Rich Davey, CEO of Massport. “We are excited to enhance the experience for hundreds of thousands of passengers, while reinforcing our Net Zero commitment by providing the first ship-to-shore power for cruise ships in New England.”
Upgrades to the Cruiseport
Flynn Cruiseport Boston is an essential resource for travelers and economic engine for the region. Last year, Massport announced a plan to bring ship-to-shore power to Flynn Cruiseport by 2030. Nearly 80 percent of the ships that currently serve Boston can plug into shore power or use an alternative low-carbon technology.
When ships use shore power, they tap landside electricity for their power needs at berth including lights, pumps, communications, and refrigeration, instead of running diesel-fueled auxiliary on-board engines. Infrastructure like this can prevent greenhouse gas emissions from ships.
“After another successful cruise season, we are looking forward to begin a series of improvements to revamp and enhance Flynn Cruiseport,” said Lauren Gleason, Massport Port Director. “This investment reflects our commitment to our passengers, cruise partners and sustainability initiatives. We look forward to welcoming the largest ship to ever homeport here, and continued growth in the future.”
Massport is also investing in critical infrastructure improvements to structurally accommodate port growth and provide a more streamlined passenger experience. Some of these enhancements include:
• A state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridge
• An expanded waiting area with increased seating capacity and restrooms
• Streamlined security check in area to expedite the embarkation process
• Upgraded outdoor escalator to facilitate third floor simultaneous embark/debark flow
These improvements are also crucial to accommodate the larger cruise vessels that are increasingly making their way to the New England region.
2026 Shaping up to be a Record Season
The 2026 cruise season will feature nine homeported vessels, including the largest cruise ship to ever homeport in Boston, the Norwegian Breakaway. The Norwegian Breakaway can carry up to 4,000 passengers and will be Flynn Cruiseport Boston’s largest homeport vessel replacing the current homeport vessel, the Norwegian Jewel, which carries up to 2,400 passengers. In addition to the Norwegian Breakaway, next season will welcome three other ships with capacities over 4,000 passengers for port of call stops in Boston– the Norwegian Escape, Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas.
“With another successful cruise season in Boston in the books, we are thrilled to debut Norwegian Breakaway in April 2026—the largest ship to sail out of the port— bringing an elevated experience to this vibrant market,” said Daniel S. Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Development Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “Congratulations to Massport for an incredible cruise season and we look forward to the port’s brand-new enhancements which our guests will soon experience in Boston. This historic and lively city will continue to be a favorite for our guests, and we look forward to the continued success next year.”
Flynn Cruiseport Boston will also host 23 cruise lines offering a variety of unique itineraries, such as the Holland America Vikings Solar Eclipse. This is one of Holland America Line’s Celestial Voyages, which is a round-trip, 35-day trip with stops throughout Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway Rotterdam, and the British Isles on the Zuiderdam. This trip also includes a special view of the solar eclipse at sea on August 12th.
The influx of larger cruise ships coming to Boston reflects a growing commitment from cruise lines to expand their presence in this vibrant market. The growth is poised to deliver significant economic benefits, supporting local businesses and driving greater economic impact for the City and Commonwealth, while enhancing the region's profile as a premier travel destination.