Boston (Massachusetts)

Port Boston is owned and operated by Massachusetts Port Authority (abbrev Massport). Boston is a major cargo port (the largest in Massachusetts USA), one of the principal East Coast USA ports and also New England's largest city with total area approx 124 km2 (48 mi2) and population over 685,000.

Port Boston has been historically important for city's growth. It was originally in what is now the downtown area (Long Wharf. Conversion). After major land reclamation projects, this area is no longer opened to commercial shipping traffic, despite the considerable ferry operations. Port's main cargo handling facilities are now in the neighborhoods Charlestown, South Boston, East Boston, and also in Everett MA.

MassPort (established in 1956) maintains its own police force. These officers are responsible for law enforcement and physical security at all port terminals and MassPort-owned properties. In 2010, Massport invested USD 11 million to renovate Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Port Boston is approx 3 km (2 mi) from Faneuil Hall (Government Center) and Freedom Trail (4 km / 2,5 mi long pathway passing by 16 locations significant to the US history). The annual number of visiting tourists is over 16 million, many of whom arrive on cruise ships. Among the big cruise companies with scheduled calls at Port Boston are Royal Caribbean, Holland America, NCL Norwegian, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, Hapag Lloyd, Fred Olsen, Ponant.

Port's cruising industry supports over 8000 state jobs and generates around USD 479 million (annual income). In 2012, the cruise port handled 117 ship calls (9% increase over 2011) and 274,000 passengers plus over 100,000 crew. Of all itineraries, 63 were roundtrips. In 2013, it handled 116 calls and 382,885 passengers, with economic impact USD 50 million (USD 0,94 million in state taxes). In 2014 were handled 113 ship calls, in 2015 - 115 ship calls and nearly 300,000 passengers.

Cruise itineraries to and from Boston MA

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Boston:

• 7-day Boston to Canada cruises are one-way itineraries visiting ports in both Canada and USA's New England. The list of visited USA and Canadian ports includes Maine (Portland, Bar Harbor), Nova Scotia (Halifax, Sydney), New Brunswick (Saint John), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown), Quebec (Gaspe, Saguenay, Quebec City, Montreal).
• 7-day Bermuda cruises from Boston visit Kings Wharf exclusively, with 2 overnight stays in port.
• Ships repositioning to Caribbean depart from Boston and dock in turnaround USA ports in Florida (Fort Lauderdale) or Louisiana (New Orleans).
• Repositioning - Transatlantic crossings between USA and Europe often visit ports in the UK (including British Isles), Iceland, Greenland and Canada New England, or Bermuda combined with ports in southern Europe (Azores, Canaries, Mediterranean ports, etc).

Today, more than 100 cruises start here each year. The most popular destinations are Europe, Bermuda, throughout the USA Easct Coast (Eastern Seaboard). Boston port's cruise terminals welcome more than 250,000 tourists per year.

Boston cruise terminal

Boston tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• The State House: the red-bricked house designed by the first professional architect in America, Charles Bulfinch.
• Park Street Church: part of the abolitionist history, built in 1810.
• Old South Meeting House: the place where Benjamin Franklin was baptized.
• King’s Chapel Burying Ground: the first cemetery of Boston, dates from 1630. Mary Chilton, John Winthrop and Hezekia Usher (famous colonists) are buried there.
• Old Corner Bookstore: built as an apoth ecary shop in 1712. The place where Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne and Stowe books were printed.
• Paul Revere House: the oldest Downtown Boston house, dates from 1680. Home of Paul Revere from from 1770 to 1800.
• Old State House, Boston Massacre Site: enjoy great exhibitions of historic artifacts in those famous museums in Boston.
• Old North Church: dates from 1723, the oldest worship place in Boston.
• Old Granary Burying Ground: Paul Revere, John Hancock, James Otis and Samuel Adams are buried there.
• Boston Red Sox: the legend Boston team, founded in 1901.
• Harvard Square: a place that you have to visit on your trip to Cambridge.
• Faneuil Hall: a historic complex that comprises buildings and serves as a mall.