Massport's cruise terminal named for Raymond Flynn

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, elected officials, community members, children from South Boston and Massport officials took part in the event which also kicked off Boston's cruise season.

'We are honored to dedicate this facility in honor of Ambassador Flynn and his service to the people of Boston, our Commonwealth and nation,' Baker said. 'A proud son of South Boston who worked these docks as a young man and would later become mayor, Ambassador Flynn saw before many others the opportunity to build the economically vibrant seaport district we stand in today.'

When then-Mayor Flynn opened the Cruiseport in 1986, it welcomed 13 ships and a total of 11,723 passengers in its first season. The 2017 season will bring a record 64 homeport calls and 89 transit calls. The more than 150 total calls this season represent a 34% increase over 2016, with service from 19 cruise lines and 36 ships, including five maiden calls.

Cruise operations at Massport provide more than 950 direct jobs, $25m in annual local, state, and federal tax revenue and contribute nearly half a billion dollars to the regional economy.

Flynn was mayor from 1984 until 1993 and, besides his many other important contributions, is remembered for his dedication to the preservation and celebration of the South Boston waterfront. He was appointed ambassador to the Holy See in 1993. In his younger years, Flynn and several family members were dock workers in South Boston.

'The terminal has been a vital part of the history of the Port of Boston which has provided a welcome to immigrants and a livelihood for generations of families of hard-working men and women like mine and will continue to do so,' Flynn said. 'The future of this vital working port is critical to the future of America and this vibrant and diverse city.'

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas was docked at the terminal for today’s celebration. The ship made its maiden call at Boston last year and is the largest cruise vessel ever to call.

The Flynn Cruiseport Boston at The Black Falcon Terminal attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year while greatly contributing to our local economy and we are looking forward to all the 2017 season has to bring,' Massport ceo Thomas Glynn said.

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