Introduction
Boston, the largest city in the north eastern US, is seen as an unofficial capital of New England because of its artistic and economic influence on the entire area.
The city has played a large part in American history since its beginnings. In 1630, a group of Puritans arrived from England and founded Boston, which rapidly became the financial, educational and religious center of the Massachusetts colony. In the 1770’s Boston was a hotbed of anti-English feeling. The famous Boston Tea Party, when men dressed as native Americans boarded English ships in the harbor and threw the tea cargo into the sea, was a precursor of the war. The rise of industry in the mid 19th century attracted many immigrants, and Boston transformed from a commercial city with citizens of generally English origin, to a manufacturing hub populated by a majority of Irish residents.
Today Boston is celebrated as a center of computer and electronics inventiveness, thanks to its large number of research and development companies with strong links to premier universities such as Harvard and MIT.
You Choose The Cruise
Boston’s winters are snowy and cold, restricting the cruise calendar to the period between May and September.
Several cruise lines operate cruises out of Boston, including NCL, Royal Caribbean and HAL.
Cruise ships sail northeast following the New England and Canadian coasts, a fall favorite on account fo New England’s magnificent foliage, or south to the gorgeous white sand beaches of Bermuda.
Cruises from Boston details all the cruise ship departures out of Boston.
Cruise Terminal
The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is situated in South Boston’s lively Waterfront District, just a quick taxi or bus ride from downtown.
The cruise terminal was inaugurated in 1986, and just a year later was offering new cruise routes to Bermuda on the cruise ships Galileo and Canada Star. In 2010 an ambitious $11 million refurbishment of the terminal created twice the space on the third floor to allow for dedicated processing of embarking passengers.
The cruise terminal offers comfortable seating, along with elevators, security screening, luggage porters, check-in desks and soda machines.
Handily placed cruise parking is offered on level 4 at the BRA-EDIC garage, next to the terminal, which is under 24hr security surveillance.
For the port website see Port Of Boston.
Sightseeing In Boston
Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail tours a historic collection of parks, houses, a battleship, burying grounds and churches, recounting the story of the turbulent years of the American Revolution. Highlights of the tour include Faneuil Hall, with its famous 2nd floor assembly hall, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, with the grave of Mary Chilton the first woman to alight from the Mayflower, USS Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides, Boston Common, America’s oldest public park and Old South Meeting House, where the meeting which instigated the Boston Tea Party was held. Be sure to take a break for a refreshing drink at America’s oldest bar, Bell in Hand Tavern, on Union Street.
Paul Revere’s House
The Paul Revere House in Boston’s North End belonged to the famous silversmith between the years 1770 to 1800. Paul Revere is famous for his ‘midnight ride’ from this house to Lexington, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that they were due to be arrested by British troops. The building was carefully restored in the years 1902 to 1908 to closely matche its late 17th century look, with original fireplaces, doors and raftering. The house is open to the public every day excluding winter Mondays and public holidays.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
The Museum of Fine Arts is amongst the most representative art museums in the world with a collection that speaks to the diversity and richness of art from prehistoric times to the modern day. One of the most popular works at the museum is Paul Revere’s Sons of Liberty Bowl, engraved with several Revolutionary emblems. The museum is open every day apart from certain public holidays.
USS Constitution
USS Constitution, one of six new battleships whose construction was given the go ahead by the 1794 Naval Armament Act, has served for over 2 centuries in the US Navy. The ship's greatest fame hails from the War of 1812 when she captured four English Navy frigates. During the battles cannon balls shot at the USS Constitution glanced off her thick hull, giving her the moniker ‘Old Ironsides’. The ship is berthed at Pier 1 of the former Charlestown Navy Yard, in the Boston National Historic Park.
Traveling To Boston Cruise Port
By Car
The cruise terminal is within easy reach via the I90 or I93 of many cities in New England including Providence (1 hour away), New Bedford (1 hour away) and Springfield (2 hours away).
From the North
On the I93 expressway leave at exit #23 signed Purchase Street. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Seaport Blvd signed S Boston Waterfront. Make a right onto D street. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.
From the South
Follow the I-93 north into Boston. Leave at exit #20 signed I-90 Logan Airport. Follow the signs to South Boston. Head onto Congress Street. Turn rightwards right onto D street. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.
From the West
Drive along the Mass Turnpike head in the direction of Logan Airport. Take exit #25 signed South Boston. Continue straight onto Massport Haul Road. Make a right onto Pumphouse Road. Make a left onto Summer St. Continue as detailed below ‘From Summer Street’.
From Summer Street
Turn left onto Drydock Avenue into the Boston Marine Industrial Park, with a sign for the Cruise Terminal. Straight ahead on the left hand side is the BRA-EDIC garage.
From the Airport
All the Logan Airport terminals have taxi ranks, and it is a short 10 minute ride to the cruise port.
