Port of Seattle’s Cruise Season Underway

The Port of Seattle’s 2015 cruise season began May 1 at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal with the arrival of the Holland America Line Westerdam. The port expects 192 cruise ship calls this season, bringing an estimated 895,055 revenue passengers.

 

“Each of these cruise ships contribute $2.5 million to the local economy, which comes out to over $400 million for this cruise season,” said Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman. “We also want passengers to stay in the area an extra few days to spend more time and money in Washington state. Our region offers some of the best day trips for travelers.”

 

"The awe-inspiring majesty of Alaska is one of the most anticipated cruise vacations of the year for our Carnival Corporation brands," said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise company with three of its nine global brands -- Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America and Princess Cruises -- making the Port of Seattle one of their signature homeports for the Alaska cruising season. "In fact, by popular demand, the Holland America Line has added a third ship homeporting out of Seattle this season, and two ships from its sister brand, Princess Cruises, will sail from Seattle with more passenger capacity."

 

For the eighth year in a row, Port of Seattle cruise terminals will welcome over 800,000 revenue passengers. Seattle’s cruise business—currently leading all cruise homeports on the west coast in passenger volume—is responsible for more than 3,600 jobs, $441 million in annual business revenue, and $17.2 million annually in state and local tax revenues.

 

All cruise ships that homeport in Seattle use either low-sulfur fuel or plug into shore side electrical power while docked. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore power for two ships at once, eliminating the need to run engines while at berth. A Memorandum of Understanding between The Port of Seattle, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Northwest and Canada Cruiseship Association sets strong standards exceeding federal requirements for the treatment of waste discharges from cruise ships operating in Washington waters.

 

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal and Bell Street Pier provide panoramic views of the city’s skyline, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. Both terminals feature concierge services, luggage storage, on-board airline check-in, rental cars, and secure parking facilities.

 

This cruise season will offer several new products, with the addition of Holland America Line’s ms Statendam for 14-day itineraries, the addition of the Jewel of the Seas replacing Rhapsody of the Seas, and the addition of the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess replacing the Grand Princess and Golden Princess. Each of the three new ships to homeport in Seattle in this season provide room for 500 additional passengers.