Port Of Boston Sets Record for 2008 Cruise Ship Calls

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced that the Port of Boston set a record with the most scheduled cruise ships ever to call at Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. In 2008, there were 113 ship calls, an increase of 12 percent over the prior year. Scheduled passenger counts were up by 15 percent and set a new record of 270,000.

“The Port of Boston had a record-breaking cruise season with Cruiseport Boston showing double-digit growth in both scheduled passengers and ship calls,” said Port Director Mike Leone.

New this cruise season, the 2,000-passenger Norwegian Spirit will sail the Boston-Bermuda itinerary, along with some Canada/New England cruises.

Norwegian Spirit replaces the 1,750-passenger Norwegian Dream. Other highlights for 2009 include a July 4 eight-day trans-Atlantic voyage from Boston on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to Southampton, England. And in September, Cruiseport Boston will welcome Cunard’s new Queen Victoria for a maiden call.