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Passenger Ship Calls on Boston, 2012
A Photo Essay
By Lisa Plotnick
Last year’s photo essay Passenger Ship Calls on Boston, 2011 received such positive feedback that we decided to make this an annual feature. From April through November of every year, my home port of Boston, Massachusetts is host to an impressive roster of passenger ships. On many weekends, particularly during the busy autumn season, you may find me in the neighborhood, camera in hand, to admire and capture some of the beautiful ships whose itineraries bring them to our lovely city.
According to the Massachusetts Port Authority, 24 ships were scheduled for 124 calls on Boston in 2012, including four ships (Norwegian Dawn, Carnival Glory, Maasdam, and Jewel of the Seas) that used Boston as a regular home port. Below are several of my photographs on the few days this year that I was able to visit.
Norwegian Dawn (Norwegian Cruise Line)
April 21, 2012
Boston’s 2012 cruise season began with the April 21 sailing of Norwegian Dawn to
Bermuda. NCL is a longtime fixture on the Boston-
Vital statistics: 92,250 gross tons, 2,224 passengers (double occupancy), 1,073 crew members, 965 feet length, 105 feet beam, delivered 2002.
Veendam (Holland America Line)
September 22, 2012
Holland America Line’s Veendam joined her sister ship Maasdam in Boston, making three
cruise departures in autumn 2012. She is the fourth and last of HAL’s popular S-
Vital statistics: 57,092 gross tons, 1,350 passengers (double occupancy), 580 crew members, 719 feet length, 101 feet beam, maiden voyage 1996.
Crystal Symphony (Crystal Cruises)
September 22, 2012
Occasionally, I find a ship with which I form a special attachment. I first met Crystal
Symphony on a tour in 2005, and I have felt a connection ever since. She was also
a favorite ship of a dear friend who, sadly, passed away during 2012 – and I do my
best to see the ship whenever possible to keep that connection going. This luxury
cruise ship has had seven major redesigns in her 17-
Vital statistics: 51,044 gross tons, 922 passengers, 575 crew members, 781 feet length, 991 feet beam, maiden voyage 1995.
Carnival Glory (Carnival Cruise Line)
October 1, 2012
As of June 2012, Carnival Glory made Boston a new home port, offering 4-
Vital statistics: 110,000 gross tons, 2,974 passengers (double occupancy), 1,160 crew members, 952 feet length, 116 feet beam, delivered 2003.
Caribbean Princess (Princess Cruises)
October 18, 2012
Caribbean Princess made seven calls on Boston in September and October, as well as
an unexpected multi-
Vital statistics: 113,000 gross tons, 3,080 passengers (double occupancy), 1,200 crew members, 951 feet length, 118 feet beam, maiden voyage 2004.
Emerald Princess (Princess Cruises)
October 18, 2012
L to R: Caribbean Princess, The World, Emerald Princess
Like her sister ship Caribbean Princess, Emerald Princess was a regular visitor to
Boston during the 2012 fall foliage season. In total, she made five calls during
September and October. One of these coincided with a visit by her sister—on October
18, these two Princess sisters served as bookends for the visiting vessel The World.
Boston will welcome her return on September 28, 2013 for the first of several one-
Vital statistics: 113,000 gross tons, 3,080 passengers (double occupancy), 1,200 crew members, 951 feet length, 118 feet beam, maiden voyage 2007.
The World (Residences at Sea)
October 18, 2012
Unlike the other ships in this pictorial, The World is not a cruise ship. Rather,
she is home to many passengers who have purchased residences onboard, and runs continuous
itineraries around the world. According to the company, The World has, since her
2002 debut, visited more than 800 ports in approximately 140 countries. Her owners
represent 19 countries, nearly half of whom are from the North America continent.
Onboard are 165 private residences (ranging from studios to 3-
Vital statistics: 43,524 gross tons, 150-
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Boston’s cruise season resumes on May 3, 2013 with the arrival of Norwegian Dawn, and runs through November 2. NauticalNotebook plans to be there, camera in hand, to capture as many visiting ships as possible. And, we wish a warm welcome to two ships that will use Boston as a regular, seasonal home port – Veendam and Brilliance of the Seas.
(All photographs are copyright NauticalNotebook.com and may be used with proper attribution.)