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Embarkation in Boston will look a little different for passengers used to cruising from massive cruise terminals.

Guests departing from Flynn Cruiseport Boston are being told to prepare for a temporary check-in setup outside the terminal building as ongoing construction limits the facility’s indoor space.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which is kicking off Boston’s cruise season on April 14, 2026, has begun alerting its passengers that boarding will start in a covered tent positioned outside the terminal before passengers move inside to complete security screenings and the boarding process.

The adjustments are due to the cruise terminal’s major modernization project. Although the port remains open, construction has reduced the amount of indoor space available for embarkation procedures.

NCL warns that arriving outside an assigned boarding window may lead to delays or extended waits for guests.

“Because space at the terminal is limited and there is no designated indoor waiting area, arriving outside your assigned time can result in delays or extended waiting,” the cruise line said in a letter to passengers.

It said pre-selected arrival times will be strictly enforced, “to support a steady flow and a more comfortable experience for everyone.”

Guests have also been reminded to print luggage tags before arriving at the pier, as tags are not mailed and must be downloaded through cruise documents or NCL’s mobile app.

“Thank you for helping us create a smooth and stress-free start to your journey,” said NCL, which also said its team will be ready to assist passengers throughout embarkation.

This isn’t the only port not ready for NCL, as reported by Cruise Hive. Philadelphia’s new cruise terminal, which began construction in late 2025, is not ready for Norwegian Jewel’s first April sailings.

Passengers in Philadelphia will also undergo embarkation in a temporary structure.

$100M Upgrade Underway

The temporary embarkation setup comes as Flynn Cruiseport Boston continues a $100-million renovation project that began in November 2025.

The cruise terminal, located in Boston’s Seaport District and formerly known as the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, is expected to remain under construction through 2029.

Plans for the project include a new passenger hold room designed to accommodate about 1,000 people, expanded security screening areas, and a new boarding bridge intended to improve the embarkation process once the work is complete.

Structural improvements to the pier are also planned to help support larger ships visiting Boston during the cruise season.

The port is also installing shore power infrastructure that will allow cruise ships to plug into the local electrical grid while docked, enabling them to turn off diesel engines and reduce emissions in the city.

Boston has become an increasingly important seasonal homeport for cruise lines operating Bermuda, Canada, and New England itineraries.

Read Also: Boston Cruise Port – Getting There, Piers, Terminals and More

This includes Norwegian Breakaway, NCL’s 145,655-gross-ton ship that will offer 5- and 7-night roundtrip voyages to Bermuda as it homeports in Boston beginning April 14. In May, the sailings extend to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Holland America Line will also operate out of Boston beginning May 9, 2026. Providing 7- and 14-night cruises to Quebec City, Canada, the 82,305-gross-ton Zuiderdam will visit ports in Nova Scotia, Maine, and Prince Edward Island.

In June, Holland America Line’s Volendam will join Zuiderdam on similar routes.

Viking Oceans will arrive in July with Viking Neptune and Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and Windstar join the lineup for fall voyages from Boston.

Passengers Face Tent Check-In as Boston Cruise Terminal Undergoes Upgrades

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