Massachusetts Port Authority launches 2013 cruise season at Cruiseport Boston

Travelers now enjoy free wireless Internet access

BOSTON, 2013-05-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — With Friday’s Bermuda sailing of the Norwegian Dawn, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) launches the 2013 cruise season at Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Terminal in South Boston.

New this year, Massport is offering travelers free wireless Internet access at the cruise terminal to meet traveler’s expectations to be mobile enabled.  More than 80 percent of vacation travelers bring at least one device, such as a smartphone, e-reader or laptop with them on vacation and 65 percent of travelers have used free wifi in an accommodations lobby or common area, according to a national electronics retailer.

Cruiseport Boston’s free wifi service is supported by advertising and sponsorship programs. Subscribers to a roaming service, such as Boingo or T-Mobile, get access through those providers and those using the free service view advertising before accessing the Internet.

“We’re very excited to kick-off the new cruise season and welcome the hundreds of thousands of tourists who will visit Boston and Massachusetts this season to enjoy all that our region has to offer,” said Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas P. Glynn. “This year we are happy to introduce free wireless service at our terminal so passengers will now have the ability to check last minute emails or make on-line reservations at one of Boston’s fine dining establishments or attractions.”

Almost 20 cruise lines call on Cruiseport Boston each season, which this year runs from May through November – with four ships calling Boston home. Cruise destinations include Bermuda, and Canada-New England, and repositioning cruises to San Diego via the Panama Canal, the Southern Caribbean to Tampa, Florida, and a European Transatlantic cruise.

To allow for faster and more efficient processing of passengers and to accommodate the growing number of travelers choosing Boston for cruising, Massport has invested $11 million to renovate Cruiseport Boston including new vibrant colors, environmentally friendly lighting, elevators and people movers, and signage giving visitors a sense of place and destinations served.

To view a complete Cruiseport Boston cruise schedule visit www.cruiseportboston.com.

In 2012, 117 ships and more than 380,000 passengers passed through Cruiseport Boston. According to a 2012 report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise industry spending generated nearly 7,500 jobs and $438 million in income for Massachusetts’ workers through direct, indirect, and induced impact. The report estimated that cruise industry direct spending in Massachusetts accounted for more than $452 million, and passengers and crew spent $24.8 million in Boston in 2011.

Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is located just 10 minutes from the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and Routes 1 and 93. It is also conveniently located just 10 minutes from Boston Logan International Airport and downtown Boston. Cruiseport Boston offers an attractive mix of cruises to Bermuda, Canada & New England, Europe and the Caribbean. Each year more than a quarter million passengers use Cruiseport Boston.

You can find Cruiseport Boston on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cruiseboston and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cruiseportboston.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities.  For more information please visit massport.com.

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