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Boston's Best Cruises Reaches Record Number of Passengers - 16,000 During Sail Boston 2009; Nearly 3,000 Enjoy Free Ferry Day to Harbor Islands

Posted on: Monday, 27 July 2009, 14:32 CDT

BOSTON, July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston's Best Cruises, which operates the MBTA Harbor Express Water Shuttle, The New England Aquarium Whale Watch, The Boston Harbor Islands Tours, and The Salem Ferry, announced today that close to 16,000 passengers participated in cruises operated by the company over the weekend of July 10-12, 2009, which is a record for the enterprise's business. In addition, more than half of its trips were sold out. Separately, on Friday, July 17, Free Ferry Day, nearly 3,000 passengers enjoyed Boston's Best Cruises to and from the Boston Harbor Islands.

"Our goal is to provide the best experience for our passengers as they enjoy the New England coast and the beautiful Boston Harbor and its nearby islands. At a time when many families are choosing staycations over faraway vacations, we are pleased to offer several expanded programs through Boston's Best Cruises," said Michael McGurl, Managing Partner of Boston's Best Cruises. "Along with the beautiful weather, Sail Boston 2009 was a terrific draw for Boston's harbor. We were thrilled that we have been able to serve so many guests."

"In addition, thanks to the Highland Street Foundation's Free 'Fun Fridays' program, Boston's Best Cruises and the Boston Harbor Island Alliance were able to provide a fun and adventurous day for thousands of people. This year, the free ferry day brought three times as many people to the Boston Harbor Islands, where they were able to enjoy and explore Boston's great natural resources as well as its scenic waterfront," added McGurl.

On Thursday, July 23, Boston's Best Cruises also provided free transportation for over 600 participants and spectators in the First Annual Camp Harbor View Harborthon 5K race and post-barbeque on Long Island. The Camp Harbor View program offers camping sessions to 600 children ages 11 to 14 who live in Boston's at risk neighborhoods. The program is sponsored by the Camp Harbor View Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Boston, and the City of Boston.

Boston Best Cruises is committed to providing great service as well as updated options and venues for its passengers. For example, on July 31(st), in conjunction with Highland Street Foundation's Free "Fun Friday" offering free admission to the Children's Museum, Boston's Best Cruises is offering 1/2 price tickets and free passes for children who visit the Children's Museum that day.

Blake Jordan, executive director of the Highland Street Foundation, said, "Particularly during these difficult economic times, the Highland Street Foundation wanted to offer something fun and free for families to do this summer. That is why we partnered with some of Massachusetts' best museums and cultural attractions, such as Boston Harbor Island Alliance and Boston's Best Cruises, to offer free admission to a designated local attraction in Boston each Friday this summer. Already tens of thousands of people have taken advantage of the Free 'Fun Fridays' and there are six remaining Free 'Fun Fridays' at locations across the state."

"The Boston Harbor Islands national park area provides a perfect opportunity to be outdoors close to home," said Tom Powers, president of Boston Harbor Island Alliance. "Each year tens of thousands of people enjoy the camp sites, hiking trails, swimming areas and extensive free programming on the islands. Part of the adventure is the ferry ride out to the islands. We are grateful for our partnership with Boston's Best Cruises whose friendly staff help so many people enjoy the ferry ride to the islands each summer."

"Boston's Best Cruises offers not just a boat ride to and from Boston's Harbor, but our passengers enjoy panoramic views, comfortable travels, snacks and narrated voyages along the coastline," said McGurl. "In addition, our Cruise & Play program offers terrific discounts to over 50 of the best attractions in Salem and Boston. From July 31st to August 10th, we will be celebrating Salem's Heritage Days, which is a great opportunity for folks to explore their history along the waterfront."

"The City of Salem and Boston's Best Cruises offer visitors and residents alike a chance to explore Salem, Boston and the scenic waterfront," said Salem's Mayor Kimberley Driscoll. "Whether you are celebrating Salem's Heritage Days or looking for a unique way to enjoy our area's charming attractions, Boston's Best Cruises is a great alternative."

Some of the other ongoing cruises sponsored by Boston's Best Cruises include:

• Salem Ferry connects the cities of Salem and Boston with a fast, comfortable ride in less than an hour! Onboard concierge service directs you to local attractions with discounts available through the Cruise & Play program. Both The Salem Ferry and Harbor Express offer passengers frequent departure times, centrally-located docks, low-cost ticket fares and parking, and scenic routes!
  

• Whale Watch - Cruise to Stellwagon Bank to view the spectacular mammals of the Atlantic Ocean. This unique whale watch program is sponsored in conjunction with the New England Aquarium. Marine biologists host the adventure and share information. Boston's Best Cruises also offers beautiful sunset whale watch cruises.
  

• Harbor Island Tours - Boston's Best Cruises is the official transportation to and from the Boston Harbor Islands National Park areas, connecting Long Wharf North in Boston, Hull, Quincy, and Hingham Shipyard to Georges, Spectacle, Lovells, Peddocks, Grape, and Bumpkin Islands. Passengers enjoy scenic, but also brief rides -- 15 minute ride to Spectacle Island; 30 minute cruise to Georges Island from Long Wharf!
  

• Sunset Cruises - Sail into the sunset on a romantic cruise to Boston Light and the outer Harbor Islands. Passengers in the evening can salute to the Colors and watch the sunset behind the Boston skyline.
  

• MBTA Harbor Express - the MBTA Commuter Ferry, operated by Boston's Best Cruises, offers the most convenient, year-round service connecting Quincy to Hull to Boston and Logan Airport.
  

Tickets and more information about Boston's Best Cruises are available through www.bostonsbestcruises.com.

About Boston's Best Cruises

Boston's Best Cruises (Water Transportation Alternatives, Inc.) was founded in 1996 and operates the MBTA Harbor Express Water Shuttle; The New England Aquarium Whale Watch Program; Boston Harbor Islands Service; The Salem Ferry; and the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi. Its fleet includes Flying Cloud, Lightening, Voyager III, Island Expedition, Island Discovery and Nathaniel Bowditch.

The company's headquarters are in Quincy, Massachusetts. Additional information may be found at www.bostonsbestcruises.com.

Boston's Best Cruises. . .More Than Just A Boat Ride.

SOURCE Boston's Best Cruises

Source: PR Newswire

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