Boston is set to introduce a passenger arrival fee for cruise visitors, joining a growing number of USA homeports implementing similar charges to fund port infrastructure improvements.
Beginning in 2026, cruise ship tourists arriving at Flynn Cruiseport will pay a head tax, contributing to a US$105 million modernization project.
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) approved the fee structure on February 11th, 2025. The charge will commence at US$3 per passenger in 2026 and will increase incrementally by US$3 each year, reaching US$15 per person by 2030. Revenue generated from this fee will be allocated toward upgrading passenger facilities, enhancing terminal operations, and implementing shore power infrastructure to reduce emissions from berthed cruise ships.
The collected fees will help finance several key improvements at Flynn Cruiseport. A primary component of the project is the installation of shore power connections, allowing vessels to utilize the local electrical grid rather than running auxiliary engines while docked. Massport has indicated that ~80% of the ships calling at Boston are already equipped to use shore power or alternative low-emission technologies.
The adoption of this system is expected to yield substantial environmental benefits, including:
- 93% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions
- 85% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions
- 65% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
With these enhancements, Boston will become New England's first cruise port to offer shore power supply.
Additional improvements include the installation of a new passenger boarding bridge, expansion of the terminal’s reception area, and an increase in seating capacity to enhance the overall embarkation and disembarkation experience.
Boston’s decision aligns with a broader trend among cruise destinations implementing passenger arrival fees to support infrastructure investments, mitigate environmental impacts, and manage the effects of increasing cruise tourism.