Cruise ship visits to Boston, Massachusetts are about to get more expensive. Massachusetts Port Authority approved a new cruise fee schedule which will cost up to $15 per cruise traveler by the end of the decade.
Fee Will Rise By $3 Per Year Through 2030
Massport is introducing the cruise fee in 2026 starting at $3 per passenger. It will then increase annually by $3 up to $15 per passenger by 2030. It is part of a wide-ranging fee schedule including expected increases for drivers at Boston’s Logan International Airport as well as a ride-hailing fee. The airport fee proposals will be voted on next month.
These funds will pay for most of a $105 million infrastructure project cost that Massport officials also unanimously approved last week. The project comprises various upgrades at the Flynn Cruiseport, including a new passenger boarding bridge, additional passenger seating areas, and the installation of shore power.
According to Massport Port Director Lauren Gleason, this would be the first ship-to-shore plug-in connection in New England.
“This is a critical infrastructure project allows the vessel to turn off their diesel engine to then continue to function without polluting, it is going to be run all by electricity,” said Luciana Burdi, Massport’s director for capital programs and environmental affairs.
The port authority says about 80% of cruise ships that call at Boston are enabled for plugging into shore power or can be powered by other lower-carbon sources.
The port authority forecasts about $93 million will be raised through the new fees to finance the port developments. Officials expect nearly 500,000 passengers will use the Flynn Cruiseport in 2025. The port is expecting more than 160 port calls from around 20 different cruise lines. It serves mostly Canada and New England sailings and Bermuda cruise itineraries.
Alaska Increases Cruise Passenger Tariff
Aside from Boston, the Port of Haines in Alaska implemented a $9 cruise passenger tariff at the start of 2025. It will increase to $12 in 2027 and $13 in 2029. The fee increase will fund cruise port improvements and infrastructure projects.
