black cruise ship 2023

Festival At Sea, the  Black Cruise group photo on deck ; (c) Blue World Travel

Black Cruises

For first-time cruisers or infrequent cruisers, consider the following “ Cruising 101 Tips .”

Cruise Line Operators : Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, and many others own very large cruise ships for multi-day journeys. They follow strict onboarding & offboarding schedules, so be timely. Big Cruise Line Operators are required to follow Cruise Ship Law which is a bit convoluted because the ports of call in so many nations have different laws. The big brands do, however, attempt to follow high sanitary and safety standards. If something is not right in your room, report it to the Cruise Line Operator staff. Some Cruise Line Operators include one-day excursion activities on an island they own.

Cruise Group Operators : The groups listed below organize themed cruises for groups, in this case, Black Cultural Cruises. Some cruises take up a quarter, half, or all of a ship big cruise ship. Other Black Cultural Cruises may have groups of 100-200. The largest Cruise Group Operators have staff to help your journey be more comfortable or better informed. They also tend to have the best entertainment. Only Cruise Group Operators can answer questions about their pricing and services.

Shore Excursion Operators Independent operators who arrange dining, shopping, cultural tours, snorkeling, and other activities. Their quality and pricing vary. In the Passenger Welcome pitch & brochures, Cruise Line Operators will provide extensive lists. Some have special arrangements with local businesses and receive a commission on sales from tourists in their group. The largest and oldest Cruise Group Operators sometimes have connections with Shore Excursion Operators too. Focus on the Price-Value of the shore excursions you want.

Busiest Domestic & International Cruise Ports The busiest cruise ports typically have more amenities. From America’s Lower 48 states to the Caribbean, Mexico & Alaska consider excursions from Port Canaveral on Space Coast, Miami , Port Everglades Fort Lauderdale , Galveston , New York & New Jersey , New Orleans , Tampa , Seattle , Los Angeles , San Diego , and Baltimore . If cruising to the Southern Caribbean consider excursions from Puerto Rico or St. Thomas USVI . In Europe, consider excursions from Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southhampton, and Marseille.

Packing for a Cruise      TSA ID Requirements      Hurricane Status      Travel Insurance Pros & Cons

Established Black Cruises

Experience White Night Deck Party on Festival At Sea; (c) Blue World Travel

Festival At Sea PORTS: Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas & St. Maarten SHIP: Celebrity Reflection DATES: 8 Nights from July 13-21, 2024 (SOLD OUT, get on the Wait List) WEBSITE: https://www.festivalatsea.com ITINERARY: In 1992, 31 years ago, Blue World Travel launched the first African American cultural cruise program — Festival at Sea (FAS). Today, FAS welcomes about 3,000 passengers from around the world to celebrate a curated Black culture experience that honors the essence and traditions of the African American diaspora. Some signature events include an African Attire Night, the UNCF Bachelor Auction, annual DJ and Comedian competitions, Stomp The Deck Step Show and White Night Deck Party. FAS curates the whole itinerary with activities for every type of passenger – including Speed Dating, Gospel Brunch, Worship Service, Bible Study, Bid Whist, Dominoes, daily Dance & Fitness classes,, African-American Idol, Urban Ballroom Dancing, Family Feud, Jewelry Raffle Giveaway, 2-on-2 Basketball Tournament, Renewal of Wedding Vows and much more. Not to be forgotten, every year FAS provides top name entertainment. Past acts have included, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi, Kem, Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Bill Bellamy, Babyface, Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Hamilton, Fantasia, Faith Evans, Zapp Band, Kirk Franklin, Keith Sweat, Musiq Soulchild, Dru Hill, Gary Owen, Mary Mary, En Vogue, Gladys Knight, DL Hughley, Babyface, Tamia, Teddy Riley and many more. Join their mailing list to ensure getting first announcements on their next sailing. Because once you go, then you know!

Friends of Festival at Sea – French River Cruise PORTS: Arles, Avignon, Rivers, Tournon, Lyon & Paris in France SHIP: AMA Christina DATES: August 22 – September 1, 2024, includes a Free 3-night Post-Cruise in Paris WEBSITE: https://www.festivalatsea.com/xfrance2024/ ITINERARY: If you are looking for more explorative travels, Festival at Sea has an alternative program called Friends. In 1998, Blue World Travel created Friends to help passengers expand their horizons without sacrificing the culture and fun community they had created with FAS. In 2024, they will be collaborating with AmaWaterways to bring their tagline “Cruising with An African-American Twist” to this Soulful Epicurean French River experience onboard the award-winning AMA Kristina. The ship features a walking track, fitness room and bicycles for in-port exploration, a pool with swim-up bar, and specialty restaurants with multi-course dinners made from the fresh local ingredients paired with hand-selected wine and beer or soft drinks. Sail from Arles along the Rhone River through the South of France while you enjoy a superior standard of service, gourmet dining, fine wines, and premium spirits. Take in culture from onboard and on shore. Enjoy a variety of experiences exclusive to this itinerary such as guided tours showcasing jazz, food, win and captivating World War II history all while shining a light on Black culture and history. Festival at Sea provides entertainment from comedian and host Damon Williams, their DJ Al “Your Pal,” dance instructor Wilber McZeal and other signature events and activities from FAS. Check them out and see why you get much more traveling with Friends.

Friends of Festival at Sea will also be exploring the Allure of Asia sailing on the Regent Seven Seas Explorer in 2025 from February 5th-19th visiting Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. See https://www.festivalatsea.com/friends2025/

Capital Super Cruise A spin-off cruise from the Capital Jazz Concert in the Washington-Baltimore metro area PORTS: Puerto Rico, Tortola BVI, St. Croix USVI, St. Maarten/St. Martin DATES: January 15-22, 2023 ITINERARY: Entertainment includes concerts, theme parties, DJ jam sessions, contests, dancing, Open Mic, workshops, card games, karaoke, films, golf tournament, fitness classes

Aventura Latin Dance Cruise Get your Latin Dance groove on with a ship take-over in the Caribbean DATES: Febraury 3-7, 2023 and watch here for the 2024 date PORTS: Miami, Cuba, and the Bahamas ITINERARY: Features Day & Night Dance Parties, great dance workshops and watch world-class shows in Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Zouk, Kizomba, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Merengue & more!

Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise “Party with a Purpose” in the Caribbean with Tom Joyner and friends PORTS: Fort Lauderdale, Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, Falmouth Jamaica DATES: May 20-27, 2023 PAST ITINERARY: Entertainment includes concerts, theme parties, DJ jam sessions, contests, dancing, Open Mic, workshops, card games, karaoke, films, fitness classes See TJFV CRUISE REVIEW

Love and Harmony Cruise A medium size cruise group that emphasizes friendship and good times harmony DATES: April 4-9, 2023 PORTS: Fort Lauderdale, Ocho Rios, Nassau ITINERARY: Includes Live Concerts day & night, meet the performers, parties throughout the ship, plus Roots and Afrobeat music

Grown and Sexy Cruise Calls itself the “Biggest Party at Sea” and you can’t blame them for trying PORTS: Miami, Great Stirrup Cay Bahamas, Nassau, DATES: May-26-29, 2023 ITINERARY: Includes 1 Dinner at a specialty restaurant; Events include Theme Parties, the “SEXYFEST” Island beach party on Great Stirrup Caye, the Nassau “WE TURN UP” party, comedy show, karaoke, game shows, contests

Jamrock Reggae Cruise Jamrock Productions invites you to take a journey to Jamaica PORTS: Miami, Falmouth Jamaica, Ocho Rios Jamaica DATES: December 4-9, 2023 ITINERARY: Experience top-tier Reggae artists as they perform in multiple venues on the ship. In addition, there will be sound systems blazing the vibes all day and all night

Smooth Jazz Cruise Its like a mega-Jazz concert at sea. After the music, enjoy up-close meet-ups with Jazz greats DATES: 1/25/2024-2/01/2024 and 2/01/2024-2/08/2024 PORTS: Miami, Aruba, Curacao ITINERARY: An line-up of nightly performances by Marcus Miller, Boney James, Alonzo Bowden, Jeffrey Osborne, Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Butler, Candy Dulfer, Rick Braun, Norman Brown, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot, Peter White, Vincent Ingala, DW3 and more

Soul Train Cruise Official cruise of the legendary Soul Train TV show PORTS: Fort Lauderdale, Tortola BVI, St. Maarten DATES: January 23-February 3, 2024 ITINERARY: An incredible line-up of nightly Soul, Funk, and R&B performances by The Temptations, Boyz II Men, Stephanie Mills, En Vogue, Melba Moore, Tower of Power, The Dramatics, Rose Royce, and War; activities include Dance the Soul Train Line, dance lessons from original Soul Train Dancers, 25+ Celebrity-hosted events, panel discussions, artist Q&A sessions, happy hours, game shows, wine tasting, trivia contests, Karaoke, pool parties and more

Huddle On The Sea Cruise Join sexy, accomplished, beautiful people at sea PORTS: Miami, Dominican Republic, Aruba, Curaçao DATES: February 10-18, 2024 ITINERARY: Includes Lypc-Sync Battle, Bad & Boozy Beach Bash 2, HOTS Play Date, Pre-Super Bowl Tailgate Party, Trick or Treat Costume Party, HOTS Fitness

Return to HOME

Is there any updated information to this site for 2020?

Working on it.

COVID changed everybody’s cruise plans

If I sincerely apologize for my white privilege, can I go on your cruise?

Can I get some information on the cruise ship

Hello, I just found this site. Is there any updated information on cruises for 2022 or 2023 and beyond? Do you plan cruises on any other beside Carnival or Royal Caribbean (like Celebrity)? Thansl, Paul JC

Cruises have been slow to recover from the pandemic. We’ll update again this summer.

Are you offering any cruises for the holidays?

Individual cruise operators arrange cruises. Sorry to disappoint you, but Soul Of America is a publisher, not a cruise operator.

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5 Black Cruise Events To Book ASAP

Folks just want to party and there’s no party like one at sea. Truth is, nobody celebrates like us and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. There are a growing number of sailings designed with us in mind.

African American themed cruises are hot and can sell out fast.  If you want to get on board this year, book now, and it’s certainly not too early to start booking for 2025. Peek at itineraries and see what all the buzz is about to find the one perfect for you. You can visit destinations on your bucket list, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Paris, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and these getaways offer all kinds of entertainment. Hear live music you love, be it R&B, jazz, or hip-hop. Enjoy comedy shows and old school hip-hop foam parties as well as fun and games with a Black twist like bid whist, gospel brunches, dominoes, sorority step competitions and more.

Here’s a look at where to set sail to experience Black culture at sea .

Colors of Provence

If you haven’t checked Paris off your bucket list, there’s incentive to do so now with AmaWaterways’ new “Soulful Experience,” celebrating Black history and culture. Colors of Provence is a jaunt in mid-June that includes three nights in Paris before setting sail. Delve deep into Paris’ Black history through sites like the Arc de Triomphe, the Monument to the Abolition of Slavery, and receive insights into the Code Noir. Explore Montmartre’s jazz roots, the lively African district, and visit Little Africa in La Goutte d’Or. End with the Latin Quarter and Pantheon Square’s tribute to Josephine Baker from 2021. After a dreamy time in Paris, set off toward Lyon, cruise the Rhône River to Arles and take a full day Black Heritage tour in Marseille. Throughout the journey, enjoy experiences exclusive to this special itinerary, including guided tours showcasing little bit of everything, including food and wine. Also new from AmaWaterways this year are Black history themed trips in Egypt and Douro.

Grown & Sexy

How can you go wrong with a cruise called Grown & Sexy? Picture this: You’re kicking off summer early with a late May, five-night sail on the Vibe on Virgin that departs from Miami and goes to Puerto Plata and Bimini. With nine bars, two pools, an arcade, social club, nightclub, fitness classes, pajama party, scarlet red party and more, how fast can you pack your bags?

Fantastic Voyage

If you’re old-school you probably remember Lakeside’s “Fantastic Voyage,” which says, “just sail on…just slide, glide, slippity-slide.” You can do just that during the Tom Joyner Foundation’s ever-popular Fantastic Voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas. Leave from Miami for ports of call in Labadee, Haiti, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Get your party on with Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Bobby Brown, Tank, Method Man and Redman, among others this year. An added bonus, your cabin purchase benefits The Tom Joyner Foundation and may qualify as a charitable contribution.

Soul Train Cruise

This year’s Soul Train Cruise sold out in March of 2023. That tells you everything you need to know about how popular this trip is. Look forward to the late January sailing in 2025. With Charlie Wilson, Jeffrey Osborne, Shalamar, The Brothers Johnson, Thelma Houston, and others performing, and hosted by Don Cornelius’ son Tony, “You can bet your last money it’s gonna be a stone gas honey.” When you need to take off your dancing shoes (after lessons from original Soul Train dancers, line dancing or from doing your own two-step), amuse yourself with happy hours, panel discussions, game shows, wine tasting and artist Q&As. Leave Fort Lauderdale and enjoy Costa Maya, Belize City and Cozumel.

Jazz Cruises

If jazz is your thing, you’ll be in heaven on board The Jazz Cruise, The Smooth Jazz Cruise or the Chris Botti at Sea voyage. These trips from the company Jazz Cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale in January and February so make plans for 2025 now. The Jazz Cruise is seven days and nights of more than 200 hours of jazz music. Venture to Cozumel and Grand Cayman with performers including Dianne Reeves, Arturo Sandoval, the Eubanks Brothers, and 100 of the genre’s finest artists. There are “Learn” events that include musician interviews, panel discussions, instrument seminars and tutorials, comedy, trivia contests, Name That Tune games, and more. The Smooth Jazz Cruise’s lineup includes Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, David Sanborn, Mindi Abair, Marqueal Jordan, among others as you travel through Labadee, Turks & Caicos and Nassau. Bonuses include culinary events, theme parties, autograph sessions, pool events featuring performers, and talent shows. As for Chris Botti at Sea , it stops in Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Get ready for Corinne Bailey Rae, the Jazz Cruises Super Band, the Botti at Sea Party Band and more. Crack up as artists compete against each other in a Family Feud style game, and play pickleball, basketball, and enjoy musician interviews and panels.

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Cruising with an African American Twist!

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Fes tival a t sea 2024 bahamas • puert o rico • st thomas • st maarten july 13 - 21  • 8 nights  , onboard the celebrity reflection.

Festival at Sea is the ORIGINAL Black Culture Cruise.

For over 31 years we have brought Cruising with African-American Twist to the Caribbean Sea. 

In 2023 we were joined by 2,800 of our #FASFamily to sail the Caribbean for 8 nights on the Celebrity Equinox. In 2024, we’ll do it again … this time onboard the Celebrity Reflection.

The Reflection is a luxurious vessel appointed with stylish accommodations, luxury boutiques and elegant event spaces. Offering vast ocean views, it is designed in a way that accentuates the Festival at Sea experience. You can see more details about the ship here .

Our Festival at Sea staff has curated an award-winning onboard program and itinerary filled with events and activities tailored to the culture of the African Diaspora. Our DJs will be spinning music day and night for as long as you can hang on – as we say, pace yourself! Take part in our yearly costume/theme party, our iconic White Night deck party and our African Attire Wakanda at Sea evening. In between, enjoy a daily schedule sure to make your cruise experience is enriched with Black Culture.

What else can you expect?  From waking up at 8am to do some Aqua Zumba to sleeping in a bit until second seating Gospel Brunch, we have room for night birds and early birds alike. Can you get a Boston and dominate our Bid Whist tournament? How about some dominoes? Take some steppin’ classes with Mr. & Mrs. Smooth or J and J Soulful Steps. Maybe you want a workout in the morning with Becky Singleton. Grab your teammate and get above the rim in our 2 v 2 Basketball Tournament or stand ten toes and win King of the Court by yourself. Enter our free jewelry raffles. Join your Brothers or Sisters and take part in our Stomp the Deck Step Show. Get some business advice at Karwanna’s Women’s Hour of Power, or network during Black Wall Street with Montez Jones. Check out our UNCF Bachelor Auction that raised over $80K for scholarships in 2023. Play some Family Feud, renew your Wedding Vows, join the FAS Celebration Choir, show us your talent at African-American Idol, or just grab a drink, kick your feet up and enjoy the vibes until one of our top-name entertainers step on stage. Some past performers include: Charlie Wilson, Kem, Ledisi, Bill Bellamy, Slick Rick, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Isley Brothers, Babyface, Fantasia, Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Hamilton, and many more!

As maybe you can tell ... words can only describe us so much and that is why we say:

Once you go…then you know!

TOP NAME ENTERTAINMENT

• Travel Insurance: Click here to view the insurance options offered for Festival at Sea. Feel free to look for your own insurance policy as well!
• Celebrity Cruise Lines Health and Safety Protocols: Celebrity's Health and Safety Protocols can be found here: https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea/us-travel-requirements
• Payments Taxes and Fees: Cabin prices listed are per person (based on double occupancy) and include port charges. Taxes and pre-paid gratuities are additional. Festival at Sea 2025 is not an all-inclusive sailing. Triple occupancy for a third adult is on a waitlist basis only. The maximum number of adults in a cabin is 3. We cannot accommodate 4th person adults. You can request a triple or quad for children 17 and under. Once a cabin is reserved the cancellation policy applies even if you do not clear the waitlist for triple or quad occupancy. All 3rd/4th passengers have limited availability and are on request. 3rd person adult sharing with two full paying adults is $1,999 (interior, ocean-view, balcony) and $2,499 (suites) and $3,499 (premium suites). 3rd/4th children are $899 per person (0-17). Child's fare does not include showroom tickets. Single Occupancy rates are double the published price plus gratuities. Deposits and additional payments are also double the per person amount. Taxes and fees of $180.00plus; gratuities of $144.00 per person for Standard Cabins, $148.00 per person for Concierge and Aqua Cabins and $184.00 per person for Suite Guests are additional to the Published Prices. Celebrity reserves the right to impose a fuel surcharge fleet wide for all guests. The amount of the surcharge, if necessary, shall be determined by Celebrity Cruise Lines.
• Beverage and WiFi Packages: Festival at Sea is a chartered cruise. The inclusions will vary from Celebrity's standard cruises. Beverage packages and WiFi packages are not included in the price above. You will be able to purchase these packages prior to sailing in 2025.
• Festival at Sea 2025 Full Terms and Conditions: To view/print the Festival at Sea 2025 Terms & Conditions, click here.
• Incentive Awards: Incentive awards are as follows:​ 16 passengers - One complimentary passenger cabin fare.​ 32 passengers - Two complimentary passenger cabin fares.​ 48 Passengers - Three complimentary passenger cabin fares.​ 64 Passengers - Four complimentary passenger cabin fares.*​ (​No rebate is given for partial groups e.g. 15 full paying passengers etc.)
• Group Dining: Group Leaderes are required to assign dinig for their group. Blue World Travel will supply Group Leaders with forms for dinner table seating. It is imperative that you check with your group members individually regarding their dining requests and that you ask them NOT to send in separate dining forms. Please let us know if your group has any special requests such as a meeting place, group picture, private party arrangements, etc.
• Group T-Shirts: Group T-shirts and other items may be distributed to your members only, prior to the cruise. No merchandise may be sold at Festival at Sea venues. Please note that the Festival at Sea mascot, “Island Ike”, the names “Festival at Sea”, “Blue World Travel”, and “Cruising With An African American Twist” are trademarks of Blue World Travel Corp. Any use or reproduction of the above for sale or distribution is prohibited.
• Terms and Conditions: Group Leaders are required to confirm their reservations with an application and deposit for the specific cabin category desired. Group Leaders are required to make monthly payments as outlined for their own reservation. Once you have reached the required number of group members for a complimentary passenger fare, you will be refunded the cruise fare only, based on the average category booked by your members. Group Leaders may upgrade their cabin category for an additional charge (if applicable).​ Reservations are taken on a first come, first served basis.​ No cabins will be held without a deposit from every passenger in the cabin.​ ​ BE SURE THAT YOUR GROUP MEMBERS ARE AWARE OF THE PAYMENT POLICIES; PARTICULARLY THAT PAYMENTS ARE DUE EVERY 30 DAYS AND ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. ​​ Separate groups cannot be merged for any reason. Repeat passengers that were not members of your group in previous years can dine with your current group but do not count towards your incentive. Repeat passengers that originally sailed as members of your group may continue to be members of your current group. Repeat passengers may form their own groups. However, as a courtesy, please inform your previous Group Leader that you are forming a group of your own. Blue World Travel will keep track of your group by your name and number. You will be assigned a number by one of our reservation agents. Prior to sailing, we will send you a summary of the confirmed members in your group. We ask that Group Leaders also keep track of the names and number of members in their group. This will serve as a cross check.

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The 16 Best Cruises to Book in 2023, According to T+L's Expert

Travel + Leisure hand-selected 16 different types of on-the-water adventures to consider in the year ahead.

Paul Brady is the news director at Travel + Leisure and the brand's expert on cruise travel. He has been covering the travel industry for more than 15 years for outlets including Condé Nast Traveler , Skift , and The Huffington Post .

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Cruising is in the midst of an epic comeback . Travelers are turning to trusted lines to help minimize the hassles of country hopping and maximize relaxation time in each destination. With 2023 poised to be a big year for both new and frequent cruisers — thanks in part to an abundance of new ships and itineraries — Travel + Leisure has hand-selected 16 different types of adventures to consider in the year ahead.

The Nile on Viking Osiris

Alastair Miller/Courtesy of Viking

Viking Osiris is the line’s newest on the Nile, with just 41 suites and staterooms, a pool deck, and cool Scandinavian design. The ship sails between Aswan and Luxor, with pre- and post-sail touring in Cairo included with the 12-day itineraries.

Alaska on Ocean Victory

The Alaska trips on Ocean Victory , a fuel-efficient, 93-cabin ship from American Queen Voyages, come with the opportunity to kayak past glaciers and spot bald eagles and grizzlies. The vessel, which first debuted in 2021, represents an evolution in ship design for American Queen, with its cutting-edge X-Bow design (which helps reduce fuel burn) and chic suites, including many with private verandas.

The Galápagos Islands on Quasar Expeditions’ Evolution

In June, Quasar Expeditions is offering a Galápagos cruise on the 32-passenger Evolution for children with autism spectrum disorder, hosted by an expert in supporting families with special needs. The trip, which departs June 24, is a seven-night expedition that takes in many of the most notable sites on the islands, with programming specially tailored for both kids and adults.

Cruising Antarctica on Silver Cloud or Silver Endeavour

Adrian Wolodarczyk/Courtesy of Silversea

Silversea gives Antarctica travelers the option to skip two days of sailing the often-rocky Drake Passage. Instead, they can fly in comfort over the waters separating South America from the continent, then hop aboard the 127-suite Silver Cloud and 100-suite Silver Endeavour for trips along the frosty coastline.

The Caribbean, South Pacific, and Australia With Windstar Cruises

Windstar has a series of 2023 itineraries on the 156-cabin Star Pride and 171-suite Wind Surf that hit yachty Caribbean ports like Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands, and Anguilla. The small-ship line, which is known for both its sleek “Star Plus Class” ships and its classic vessels with their dramatic sails, also has an array of itineraries along the coast of Australia and in the South Pacific.

Cold-weather Cruises on Le Commandant Charcot

A game changer in lowering emissions, Ponant’s brand-new hybrid-electric Le Commandant Charcot can operate on less-carbon-intensive battery power and liquefied natural gas and has room for 245 guests. The game-changing ship, which has already hosted eclipse watchers on a trip to Antarctica and sailed to the geographic North Pole, also offers adventures in places such as Iceland and Svalbard.

Cruises Closer to Home With American Queen Voyages

Michel Verdure/Courtesy of American Queen Voyages

American Queen Voyages will offer the longest trips in the line’s history in 2023, with two 23-day river itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio aboard the 123-stateroom American Countess . “The ship will sail more than 1,700 miles from Minnesota down the Ohio River and Upper Mississippi River , calling on more ports and offering more guided tours than ever before,” as T+L reported in August .

The South Pacific on Paul Gauguin

Just refurbished, the 165-cabin Paul Gauguin will be exploring the Pacific in 2023, with trips to the Cook Islands, Fiji, the Marquesas, and the Society Islands. The single-vessel brand was voted the very best small-ship cruise line in the World’s Best Awards 2022 , as T+L readers gave particularly high marks to the Paul Gauguin ’s on-board staff.

Mystery Cruising With Uniworld

Courtesy of Uniworld

Next year, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will offer two nine-night “mystery cruises ,” with the European destinations revealed only as guests depart: similar trips in 2022 sold out. Travelers on the June 2023 trip will meet in Amsterdam, while the July 2023 sailing rendezvous in Nice, France — from there, the itinerary is anybody’s guess.

Expedition Cruising With Seabourn

Courtesy of Seabourn

Seabourn Venture , the luxury line’s first 132-suite expedition ship, launched in late summer with itineraries in northern Europe; trips in Japan, the South Pacific, and Antarctica are on tap for 2023. Seabourn Pursuit , which will be a sibling ship to Venture, is scheduled to arrive in 2023, the second in Seabourn’s growing expedition fleet.

Seeing Europe’s Gems by Small Ship

Slated to launch in the spring, the 228-passenger Scenic Eclipse II will visit ports from Dublin to Lisbon, as well as both polar regions, in 2023 and 2024. The innovative vessel, which is similar in design to Scenic Eclipse , will have luxurious suites complete with butler service and all sorts of extras, including helicopters (plural) and a submarine.

Visiting Wild Places With Fewer Impacts

Aurora Expeditions, whose newest vessel is the 71-cabin Sylvia Earle , guarantees that all operations are carbon neutral, pledging to offset all emissions. The newly launched ship, with its fuel-saving X-Bow design, doesn’t skimp on expedition necessities: guests on Antarctica expeditions can explore by Zodiac or snowshoe and even, when conditions allow, go scuba diving in polar waters or camping on the ice.

Solo Cruising With a New Line

Upstart cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages offers all-inclusive fares on its two 98-suite vessels, and, in a departure from industry norms, the brand doesn’t charge solo travelers a single supplement. The line’s second ship, World Traveller , launched in November 2022 . It will sail nine-, 10-, 11-, and 12-night round-trips from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Antarctica through March 2023 before heading to the Mediterranean to hit Spain, France, and Portugal.

The Galápagos Islands on Celebrity Flora

Michel Verdure/Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Another ship that sails the Galápagos, the Celebrity Flora , has 50 suites, many with large verandas, plus a stargazing deck and a fleet of comfortable tenders. Two itineraries are available, the first of which is a seven-night “northern loop” that visits the volcanic island of Santiago and has guests spotting red-footed Boobies on Genovesa Island, a place sometimes called Bird Island thanks to its famed animals. The line’s “outer loop” also includes plenty of wildlife watching, plus a stop at the less-frequented Daphne Island.

Doing Wine Country on Seadream II

SeaDream Yacht Club has two Wine Voyages in 2023, which include vineyard visits in Greece, Italy, and Spain and a winemaker-hosted dinner on the 112-guest Seadream II . The highly regarded intimate-ship line wins frequent accolades from T+L readers for its on-board service and well-appointed vessels.

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Is Cruising Welcoming Enough for Black Travelers?

Not yet—but a group of black travel advocates is hoping to help change that..

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A photo from Celebrity Cruises’ All-Inclusive Photo Project, which aims to address the lack of diversity in travel marketing imagery.

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

It may be a bucket list trip for many, but Antarctica was never on Stephanie Jones’s travel list. In part, because it’s cold and in part, because it’s quite white. And not just the snowy landscape.

“I can’t tell you the number of family members and friends that said, ‘Antarctica? Why would anyone want to go there?’” says Jones with a laugh. “And honestly, it was the same question I had.”

In fact, she only began considering travel to Antarctica because of an invitation from Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten Expeditions. Jones, founder of Black Cultural Heritage Tours , which offers Black culture and history tours in U.S. destinations , is one of six Black travel professionals who joined Hurtigruten’s Black Travel Advisory Board (BTAB) in early 2022. The board was tasked with helping Hurtigruten diversify its typical clientele through marketing initiatives and community outreach. Through BTAB, the cruise line’s parent company Hurtigruten Group has started a conversation that they hope will lead to a change in the expedition cruise industry’s woeful record of attracting Black cruisers. It’s particularly challenging, says Board member and Black Travel Alliance president Martinique Lewis, because the evidence is anecdotal. Statistics are impossible to find.

Stephanie Jones on a Hurtigruten cruise in Antarctica in early 2022.

Courtesy of Stephanie Jones

“When it comes to Black people cruising, there are no numbers per se,” says Lewis. “There’s nothing that indicates what [our] community is doing, where they’re going, and how much they spend when it comes to cruising. It is something that we look forward to providing for the industry.”

Equally challenging: Hurtigruten’s goals aren’t just to create a more welcoming and equitable space for Black cruisers but to also illuminate any unconscious bias that may exist in hiring practices or product design within the company and the cruising industry as a whole.

“While some parts of the travel industry have been at the forefront of diversity and inclusion, the cruise industry is far behind, and the expedition cruise sector even more so,” says Hurtigruten Group’s head of public relations Anders Lindström.

Case in point: None of the BTAB members had ever experienced an expedition ship before, despite all being frequent travelers. Lindström says he has learned that is due in part to them not seeing themselves represented in the space. He invited them all to test it out, and although Jones agreed to the trip, she had concerns and hesitations leading into it.

“If you haven’t been exposed to or had access to certain experiences, or you haven’t seen yourself, or women who look like you, have these types of experiences, you’re just not sure,” she says.

When Lewis was approached to participate, she saw an opportunity to set a precedent for the entire industry.

“I understood how big of a task it was and how much of a difference it can make,” she says. “I understood the significance of what could happen when Black people see themselves reflected in cruising, and not only to the Caribbean, but to places like the South Pole, the North Pole, and the Galápagos.”

Two travel influencers sharing a drink on board the Celebrity Apex , part of Celebrity Cruises’ All-Inclusive Photo Project.

Hurtigruten isn’t the only cruise line realizing it has missed the ball when it comes to Black travelers. In the years since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, there has been a stronger emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the cruise industry.

One of those efforts came from Celebrity Cruises, which in March 2022 launched the All-Inclusive Photo Project , a databank of images and videos that aims to address what Celebrity acknowledges is a “lack of diversity in travel marketing imagery.”

“As global brands, we have a powerful platform to act as a catalyst of positive change. We know we have more work to do and we hope we inspire others to join us on this important journey,” Celebrity Cruises’ chief marketing officer Michael Scheiner said in a statement about the image bank, which includes photos of models and athletes with disabilities, people of color, nonbinary and transgender models, and LGBTQ+ activists, among others.

River cruise line AmaWaterways also hopes to celebrate greater diversity among its passengers by “providing a warm and genuine welcome to all guests,” says Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. The river cruise company this year launched a new Soulful Epicurean Experience river cruise itinerary in France that highlights Black history and culture in Paris and Provence. The 2023 departure sold out almost immediately and AmaWaterways is preparing to announce two new dates for 2024.

Adds Karst, “We are very proud to . . . develop products within the luxury cruise space designed to meet the needs and interests of specific travelers, including people of color.”

Passengers attend a costume party onboard the 30th Festival at Sea cruise, which took place in July 2022.

Courtesy of Blue World Travel

It’s not entirely altruistic. When it comes to cruising, leaving Black travelers off the manifest is leaving money on the table. Black American travelers spent more than $109 billion on travel and travel-related expenses in 2019. What percentage of that is spent on cruising has yet to be measured but the BTAB is hoping to change that.

Patricia Yarbrough, who also sits on the board, doesn’t need statistics to tell her what her 43 years in the industry has already shown her: Black people cruise and when cruise lines gear their offering toward them, they turn up.

Through her California-based travel company Blue World Travel, Yarbrough has been offering cruises that focus on Black travelers first. On board her full-ship charter Festival at Sea cruises, passengers will find the traditional African American card game of bid whist (instead of bridge), African head wrap demonstrations, and deejays who focus on music by Black artists.

She started Festival at Sea in 1992 because she felt like larger ocean ship cruises often failed to offer Black travelers a vacation experience worth investing in when it came to entertainment and inclusion. “It wasn’t anything political, it was just getting your dollars’ worth for your vacation,” says Yarbrough.

Her first cruise booked 250 people as a partial ship charter, but within five years she was selling out entire ships. Last August, her 2023 sailing sold out a full charter of the 3,000-passenger Celebrity Equinox in 10 hours. Her newest initiative, Friends of Festival at Sea, launched in 1999, brings that same Black-focused cultural offering to a luxury cruise setting. Those ships have taken Black cruisers to Italy, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, most often with Regent Seven Seas Cruises , and never without their own deejay, dance instructor, and dominoes—three of many things that make the group of predominantly Black travelers feel more at home on the ships.

I understood the significance of what could happen when Black people see themselves reflected in cruising, and not only to the Caribbean, but to places like the South Pole, the North Pole, and the Galápagos.

Most of Yarbrough’s cruises focus on the Caribbean, a region where her clientele see themselves reflected not just on the ship but in the people they see and interact with in the ports of call. That isn’t the case with Hurtigruten’s traditional offerings, which tend to focus on Norway and other north European destinations. But the hope is that a concerted effort on behalf of the BTAB and Hurtigruten Group will result in an environment that welcomes those who may never have considered going beyond something that feels more familiar.

The rush of recognition for Hurtigruten’s efforts may help spur that much-needed change. In December 2022, the group received Global Traveler Magazine ’s 2022 Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion Travel Award. BTAB also received two gold Magellan awards from industry newspaper Travel Weekly in the Accessibility/Inclusivity and DEI Marketing Initiative categories.

Lindström admits the praise feels premature given the board’s work has only just begun but sees it as a testament to how hungry the industry is for demonstrable change.

And it seems some guests on board cruise ships are ready for it, too. On Hurtigruten’s February 2022 Antarctic sailing, when the line hosted the BTAB onboard, important conversations took place that showed the value of having greater diversity on cruise ships, notes Jones.

Stephanie Jones and her daughter prepare to head out on a Hurtigruten Antarctica cruise.

“There was a really deep conversation about racism, between an older white man from a southern state and my daughter,” Jones recalls. The man asked if he could touch her daughter’s hair, an act many Black people find very offensive. “[My daughter] saw it as a teachable moment and . . . it led to a really deep conversation on racism in America. It was a healthy conversation.”

It was also the type of intercultural exchange that could lead to lasting changes in the way people view the world that can stay with them long after they’ve cruised.

For now, the Advisory Board is focused on the year ahead. They recently renewed their mandate for 2023, establishing three subcommittees—research and marketing; diversity hiring and supplier development; and customer engagement and strategic partnerships—which will be charged with helping to generate meaningful changes.

While this first year has been focused on introducing the board to the Hurtigruten product, 2023 will offer a chance for the board to be more active within the cruise line’s organization.

“They will be able to provide recommendations and goals across a number of facets of our operation, from marketing, tone of voice and language to hiring and on board experience,” says Lindström.

And this summer the BTAB, which also includes Kareem George (founder of Culture Traveler ), Naledi Khabo (CEO of the Africa Tourism Association ), and Rue Mapp (founder of Outdoor Afro ), will be on board the newly relaunched Svalbard Express route in Norway. Following the journey, the board members will visit Hurtigruten’s head office in Oslo for meetings with CEOs and senior management.

Jones will be there. In fact, post-Antarctic cruise, she has taken to preaching the “gospel” of expedition cruising to her friends.

“A lot of Black folks were asking questions,” she says. “Now that they’ve seen me and my daughter embrace the experience and just walk away with a phenomenal memory, they’re open to having the same type of experience,” she adds, noting that the trip made her more curious about what else she might be missing. “I will say it was the most transformative experience I’ve had while traveling.”

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An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Marvel Day at Sea 2023: Black Panther and Okoye Join the Marvelous Disney Dream Lineup

Today, Marvel announced marvelous additions to the upcoming character lineup schedules to appear during the 2023 Marvel Day as Sea voyages aboard the Disney Dream. Staring on select Disney Dream sailings in January 2023, guests will find themselves transported to a new realm of possibilities with Marvel Day at Sea with the addition of the new Black Panther herself, along with the fierce general of the Dora Milaje, Okoye! 

For the first time ever aboard the Disney Cruise line ships, guests will have the chance to meet Wakanda’s new protector with an all-new heroic encounter that you’ll only be able to find on Disney Cruise Line. Additionally, Black Panther will also appear in “Heroes Unite”, the event’s signature nighttime spectacular featuring special effects, stunts, and pyrotechnics.

For any passengers looking to do a little warrior training, too, a brand-new show featuring Okoye will take place in the atrium, “Warriors of Wakanda.” There, train alongside the mighty Dora Milaje in an interactive experience. 

Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrill of Marvel comics, film, and animation with the excitement you’ll find onboard a Disney Cruise. The event features all-day entertainment, including meet and greets, stage shows, special screenings, merchandise, food and beverage, and activities for the whole family — both big and little Super Heroes.  

Marvel Day at Sea voyages  are scheduled to take place on nine 5-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami in early 2023 aboard the Disney Dream.

• January 7, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• January 16, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• January 21, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• January 30, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• February 4, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• February 13, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• February 18, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• February 27, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami
• March 4, 2023  –  5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Miami

Earlier this month, Disney Cruise Line announce there would be more than 30 Super Heroes and Villains assembling with a debut of new characters such those announced today and shows that unlock the inner Super Heroes in lifelong Marvel fans and newcomers alike.

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Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday Sale Is Their Biggest of the Year in 2023

Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise line with 26 cruise ships in service. For Black Friday 2023, they will be offering their biggest sale of the year that has Cruise Planner savings up to 55% off.

The best part of this Black Friday sale from Royal Caribbean is that the deal is now live and will run through Black Friday, November 24, 2023. To see a sneak peek at what all cruise lines are offering for Black Friday 2023, you can see them here .

What’s Included in Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday Sale?

Royal Caribbean is offering up to 55% off everything from drink packages to WiFi to shore excursions.

This offer is good on Royal Caribbean cruises that depart from November 13, 2023 through December 31, 2024 and includes the following:

• Up to 50% off drink packages
• Up to 50% off shore excursions
• Up to 55% off VOOM Surf & Stream WiFi Packages
• Up to 40% off The Key VIP Pass
• Up to 45% off Dining Packages
• Up to 30% off spa packages
• Up to 65% off photo packages
• Up to 50% off onboard activities
• View Best Prices on Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale applies to bookings made November 9, 2023 – November 24, 2023, and applies to select cruises departing November 13, 2023 through December 31, 2024.

Savings differ depending on the cruise ship and sailing date. Log into RoyalCaribbean.com to access all of the deals in Cruise Planner.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is offering a Black Friday preview sale on new cruise bookings.  It includes up to $700 off, 30% off all cruises, and kids sale for free on select sailings.  This offer runs through Monday, November 14, 2023.

For complete terms and service of Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals for 2023, visit RoyalCaribbean.com or contact your preferred travel agent.

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• East Coast USA and Canada New England Cruise Ports

Boston (Massachusetts)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region East Coast USA and Canada New England

Local Time 2024-08-23 21:54

Port Boston cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Boston, Massachusetts. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Port Boston is owned and operated by the 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 population around 680,000. Flynn Cruiseport Boston supports ~2200 local jobs and annually generates ~USD 136 million in economic activities.

Port Boston (locode USBOS) has been historically important for the city's growth. It was built in the early-18th-century (1710-21) and was originally positioned downtown (the current Long Wharf Pier). After major land reclamation projects, this area is no longer open to commercial shipping traffic, excluding the ferries . Port's main cargo handling facilities are now in the neighborhoods Charlestown, South Boston, East Boston, and also in Everett MA.

MassPort (1956-established) maintains its own police force. Its 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 historic locations). The annual number of visiting/mainly domestic tourists is 16+ million, many of whom arrive on cruise ships. Among the big-ship cruise companies with scheduled calls at Port Boston are RCI-Royal Caribbean, HAL-Holland America, NCL-Norwegian, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, Oceania. The USA-flagged ACL-American Cruise Lines is among Boston's regular homeporting companies. ACL offers from the city two very popular roundtrip itineraries:

• 7-night "The Cape Codder Cruise" that visits ports in Oregon (Portland), Maine (Rockland), New Jersey (Camden), Maine (Rockland, Bucksport, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Boothbay Harbor, Bath), Massachusetts (Gloucester), Rhode Island (Newport), Massachusetts (Oak Bluffs/Martha's Vineyard Island, Provincetown).
• 10-night "Grand New England Cruise" that visits only ports in Massachusetts (Gloucester, Plymouth, Cape Cod Canal, Martha's Vineyard Island, Falmouth, New Bedford, Provincetown).

Port's cruising industry supports 8000+ state jobs and generates ~USD 480 million (annual income). In 2012, the Port handled 117 cruise ship calls (9% increase over 2011) and ~274,000 passengers (plus 100,000+ crew). Of all itineraries, 63 were roundtrips by Boston-homeported liners. 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 tourists.

Following the 2-year cruise shipping pause due to the COVID crisis, for season 2022 Flynn Cruiseport Boston handled 128 ship calls (berthings booked by 19 different lines/companies), of which 12 were maiden port calls (first-time visiting vessels) and 310,767 passengers. The homeported vessels were 5 (Norwegian Pearl, MS Zaandam, MS Nieuw Statendam, Celebrity Summit, Voyager of the Seas, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Carnival Legend). Prior to the global pandemic (season 2019/record year), the Port handled 138 ship calls and 402,346 tourists.

On January 16-17, 2022, at Conley Container Terminal docked the Port's largest container ship (so far) - Ever Fortune (2020-built, IMO 9850563, cargo capacity 12000 TEU-containers, owned by EVERGREEN Marine ). The call followed the completion of a USD 850 million project that included Conley Terminal's modernization and expansion, Boston Harbor's dredging/deepening, adding 3x large STS gantry cranes (ship-to-shore), and a new berth. Currently, Conley Terminal can handle large boxships (with max capacity 14000 TEUs) and is New England’s only full-service container terminal that serves 2500+ local traders (importers/exporters).

In 2023, MASSPORT received 149 cruise calls (~16% increase over 2022), of which 58 homeporting and 91 transiting. Flynn Cruiseport Boston reported a 20% increase in cruise passenger numbers (~373000).

For season 2024 (May-November), Flynn Cruiseport reported a total of 169 booked berthings (15% increase over 2023) made by 24 different cruise companies. Of those, 90x were from transiting vessels, 13x maiden visits, 8x homeporting vessels (6x different companies), 16x 3-ship days.

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 (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 the Caribbean depart from Boston and dock in turnaround USA ports in Florida ( Fort Lauderdale ) or Louisiana ( New Orleans ).
• Ship relocation voyages (RepositionCruises.com) - Transatlantic crossings between USA and Europe often visit ports in the UK (including British Isles), Iceland, Greenland, Canada-New England, or Bermuda, combined with Southern European ports (Portugal's Azores, Spain's Canaries, Mediterranean).

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

Boston cruise terminal

Boston cruise port terminal is called Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. Boston has a great geographical location and a deepwater harbor, which has made it a commercial port since the early-17th-century.

Black Falcon cruise terminal

Boston’s Black Falcon terminal is located in South Boston Waterfront, 2 mi / 3 km away from Boston downtown. The terminal is named after a 440-ft / 134 m long Norwegian merchant ship Black Falcon which caught fire on Nov 2, 1953. At the time, the terminal was a US Army Base. The building is large, converted to a terminal in 1986. The 2010 refurbishment doubled the terminal's capacity by simultaneous handling embarking/disembarking passengers.

In November 2021, at the Terminal was installed a new PBB/passenger boarding bridge (enclosed passageway extending from the terminal gate to the cruise liner). Since 2017, Boston Harbor is annually dredged (by the US Army Corps of Engineers), thus deepening the Reserved Channel (depth 8 m / 27 ft, width 305 m / 1000 ft, length ~4,8 km / 3 mi) and expanding the Turning/Swinging Basin (radius 526 m / 1725 ft).

• address: "1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210, United States"
• location - 10 min drive distance from BOS (Boston Logan International Airport, via Ted Williams Tunnel), and 3 mi / 5 km (within 15 min drive distance) from Boston’s Back Bay shopping areas.
• GPS coordinates - 42°20'35.0"N+71°02'01.1"W
• phone number +1 617-330-1500
• Parking: indoor parking garage with 5 levels, $15.00 per day (Port Authority subject to change). There is no need of long-term parking advance reservations.

Statistics show that ~70% of all Canada and New England cruise ship tourists leaving from Boston arrive here by air. Approximately 95% of Bermuda cruise passengers or repositioning cruise ship passengers (going to the Caribbean) live in or near Boston (within a 4-hour drive).

Flynn Cruiseport Boston can be accessed from the airport, the subway, also via taxis, buses and even ferries . If you prefer walking to the facility, the distance is ~30 minutes via Northern Avenue, Boston Harborwalk (a scenic esplanade that follows Boston Harbor's shoreline/beaches, piers, wharves) and the Old Northern Avenue Bridge.

Means of transportation at the Passenger Terminal include taxis and buses, as well as the cruise line's bus shuttle service.

Cruise ship terminal directions & parking

From North (driving south on I-93) - drive Inside Tip O’Neill Tunnel, take Exit 23 (Purchase Street). Turn left onto Seaport Blvd and continue straight (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From South (driving north on I-93) - take Exit 20 to I-90 (Logan Airport). Inside the tunnel, take Exit 25 (to South Boston). At the traffic lights continue forward onto East Service Drive. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From West (Turnpike MA, driving eastbound on I-90) - follow the Turnpike MA toward Logan Airport. In the tunnel take Exit 25 (to South Boston). At the traffic lights continue forward onto East Service Drive. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

From Logan Airport (driving westbound on I-90) - when exiting the airport, follow the signs to enter Ted Williams Tunnel (toll charge). Take Exit 25 (to South Boston), stay in the right lane. Turn right onto Congress Street, then turn left onto B Street. At the next traffic light turn right onto Seaport Blvd (changes to Northern Ave). At the end of Northern Ave, turn right on Tide Street, then make an immediate left onto Drydock Ave. Follow Drydock Ave and turn right on Black Falcon Ave. Follow the signs to the cruise ship terminal.

Convenient parking is available at the BRA-EDIC garage (close location to the terminal).

Boston port also has facilities to handle cargo ships ( container carriers and bulk vessels).

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - USBOS.
• opened in 1986 (first season - 13 cruise ships, 11,723 passengers)
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deepwater berths

The cruising season runs from late April through late October/November.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Boston in the early morning (7 or 8 am) and depart from Boston in the late afternoon (4, 4:30 or 5 pm).

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.

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2024-2026 OCEAN CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from August 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all itineraries except World Cruise products. Special fares plus up to FREE roundtrip airfare valid on select departures of Canada & New England Scenic Shores; Eastern Seaboard Discovery; Grand Hawaii & Polynesia; Hawaiian Islands Sojourn; Panama Canal & Central America; Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by September 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by March 31, 2025. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offers Expires August 31, 2024.

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5 cruise lines that know how to keep teenagers happy

A vacation with a teenager can be great (no, really) onboard these teen-friendly ships..

If you’re planning a family cruise and you have teenagers to keep busy at sea, you already know how important it is to figure out which lines offer the most entertaining cruise ships for teens. The megaships offer the most bells and whistles—rock climbing walls, racetracks, and surf simulators—but don’t count out some of the ships with fewer attractions, especially if your teen is content hanging out with other kids the same age, playing foosball or video games, and joining in activities like sports tournaments and dance parties.

As an avid cruiser who’s sailed on ships of all sizes, I’ve toured many teen clubs and personally checked out the virtual reality games, high-tech simulators, and other activities while on board. These five standout cruise ships for teens are some of my top picks from different cruise lines. They offer just the sort of action-packed fun that will keep everyone in the family happy, including often-hard-to-please teenagers.

SET SAIL: 7 great cruise lines for families (and their 12 most kid-friendly ships)

1. Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is the largest vessel in the world, six percent bigger and 10 feet longer than the previous record holder, Wonder of the Seas . Billed by the line as the “ultimate family vacation,” the megaship accommodates as many as 7,600 passengers and features eight distinct themed “neighborhoods” with activities and dining options for families and kids of all ages. The Surfside neighborhood, a space dedicated to families (which also has staterooms located close to the family-friendly activities) features a supervised teen club, Social020.

MAKE MEMORIES: 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S. for all ages

Thrill-seekers will want to check out Category Six, the largest water park at sea. The impressive new area at the top of the ship boasts lots of firsts—the tallest waterside, the first open freefall slide, and the first family raft slide on the high seas. The vessel also has Royal Caribbean favorites, such as a rock-climbing wall; the surf simulator, FlowRider; a Sports Court offering basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, and pickleball; and a mini golf course, Lost Dunes. In addition, the ship has an impressive seven pools.

Icon of the Seas offers Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries yearround from Miami. All cruises include a stop at the line’s fun-filled private island,  Perfect Day at Coco Cay , where teens will find more warm-weather activities waiting ashore. 

2. MSC Seashore (MSC Cruises)

MSC’s ships offer plenty of activities and entertainment for teen cruisers, especially on MSC Seashore, one of the line’s U.S.-based ships. Tweens 12 to 14 and teens 15 to 17 get their own respective clubs, complete with video game consoles and contests, a disco, table games, themed events, and other special programming. It also features a Teens Lab, an immersive, modern tech space.

Another highlight for young adults is the TLS Teens Late Show, a weekly “late-night show” event during which they will be interviewed by hosts, chat about different trending topics, and even have a chance to earn prizes. Outside, a jaw-dropping “waterpark meets obstacle course” features a virtual reality waterslide, Adventure Trail hanging bridge, and much more.

MSC Seashore homeports in Port Canaveral and offers Bahamas and Caribbean cruises ranging from three all the way up to 14 nights.

3. Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Bliss, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway Plus class ships, and one of their largest vessels, is packed with entertaining activities that are best fit for teens. Entourage, the teen club, is an exclusive space for 13- to 17-year-olds where they can chill out, play games, and meet other kids their own age. The lounge offers movies, music, art, and sports, and there are planned age-appropriate activities to join in throughout the sailing. You’ll find some of these events listed in the daily program.

CRUISE DEALS: Kids sail free on these 8 cruise lines

There’s also no shortage of action around the ship with two watersides—Aqua Racer and Ocean Loops; a two-level racetrack, Bliss Speedway; an open-air laser tag course; a video arcade with VR games, skeeball, and more; a two-lane duck pin bowling alley at The Local Bar and Grill; and mini-golf.

For quieter pursuits, young adults can play board games like Monopoly, backgammon, checkers, and chess in The Library and Card Room. And there’s a jogging track so they can stay in shape while at sea. From October to April, it offers Western Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries from Miami, as well as cruises to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and the Panama Canal from Los Angeles. There is also a transatlantic sailing between Miami and London.

4. Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)

There are three dedicated adult-free zones on Disney Cruise Line’s cruise ship Disney Wish . Edge, for ages 11 to 14, is inspired by a New York City loft and decorated in bold, bright colors, creating the perfect cozy spot for kids to hang out, play games, and watch movies. Other cool features are the “photo walls” (graphic arts display) for capturing shareable vacation images; an indoor solarium with a skylight and décor with the theme of a city park; and a soda bar.

TEEN-FRIENDLY TRIPS: 10 best vacation ideas for families with teenagers

Older teens, ages 14 to 17, can play games, watch movies, and meet new friends at Vibe. This teen-only area, inspired by a Paris artists’ loft—and with a funky retro twist—features pop art murals, French columns, bold graffiti, and Disney-inspired travel posters. Additional highlights of the club are the floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views and planned activities geared toward teens such as scavenger hunts, trivia games, drawing classes, card tournaments, karaoke, and more.

The Hideaway is new to Disney Wish . The third designated space for tweens and teens is also retro in design with vibrant colors and disco ball lights. Here, young adults can listen to music, kick back and relax, or join in the fun during a friendly competition on the dance floor. Teens can also look for additional onboard programming throughout the ship in the Hero Zone, Luna and other venues. And they won’t want to miss taking a ride on Aqua Mouse, Disney’s first attraction at sea.

BEFORE YOU BOOK: Everything you need to know about Disney’s cruise ships

Disney Wish is based in Port Canaveral, Florida , and sails three- and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas. The voyages include a stop at Castaway Cay , the line’s private island, where younger cruisers can head ashore for land-based fun. Activities available on the island include banana boat rides, fishing adventures, adventure jeep rides, and an Atlantis Aquaventure. 

5. Carnival Jubilee (Carnival Cruises)

Carnival Jubilee is the third and final vessel in Carnival Cruise Line’s XL class. Circle “C” is the designated area where tweens ages 12 to 14 can hang out together for dance parties, outdoor movies, games, and other activities. The colorful space features comfy seating areas where kids can chill and chat while supervised by the ship’s friendly counselors. Young adults, 15 to 17 years old, can socialize with same age teens at Club o2. This venue features current music, movies, sports and video games, and karaoke. The space is also host to theme parties like Carnival’s version of a high school prom.

EASY VACATIONS: 11 guided tour companies that offer trips around the world

There’s no shortage of action-packed fun around the ship with BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea; thrilling water slides at WaterWorks, the ship’s water park; a challenging ropes course; and Sports Square, which features mini-golf, basketball, foosball, ping pong, and other sports activities. The ship’s ZSPA has an indulgent spa service menu for teens with pedicures, haircuts, facials, and fitness classes. Carnival Jubilee sails round-trip from Galveston, Texas, and include ports of call in Mexico and Roatan, Honduras.

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