The Massachusetts Port Authority formally launched a new Cruiseport Boston today, with the opening of a renovated and expanded terminal with a focus on meeting the growing demand of the cruise industry and the economic benefits it brings to the region, as well as enhancing customer convenience, and being environmentally sensitive. Over the past year, Massport spent $11 million transforming the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal from a vintage World War I military warehouse into a 21st century point of departure for ocean-going vacationers.
»You can only make one first impression, and our cruise terminal is the front door for a world-class port[ds_preview] city,« said Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., Massport’s CEO & Executive Director. »With larger ships bringing more visitors every year, and with more vacationers choosing to cruise out of Boston, we had to make this investment. Cruising is a growth industry in Massachusetts and its economic impact extends far beyond the waterfront.«
The renovations include moving the baggage claim area from an adjacent warehouse area to the former ticketing hall on the ground floor of the terminal. A gently sloping moving walkway and an additional elevator were installed to help those disembarking a ship on the second level easily transition to the ground floor with their carry-on bags. With the additions and expansion, Cruiseport Boston can now simultaneously handle disembarking passengers as well as those wanting to board a ship. Previously passengers leaving on a cruise would have to wait outside the terminal until it was cleared of those getting off the ship. Overall, the renovations generated about 100 construction jobs.
