Carnival Cruise Lines to Begin Seattle Service in 2010

Alaska bound 7-day cruises add to Port of Seattle’s growing cruise business

The Port of Seattle can now claim Carnival Cruise Lines as the latest big name cruise line to call in Seattle. For the first time ever, Carnival will operate a schedule of seven-day Alaska cruises round-trip from Seattle beginning in May, 2010.

“The Port’s cruise business generates nearly 2,400 jobs in King County,” said Commission President Bill Bryant. “We are pleased to welcome Carnival as a partner.”

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,124 passenger Carnival Spirit will depart on Tuesdays from May 11 to August 31 2010. The region benefits by the thousands of jobs the cruise business creates.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Carnival Cruise Lines to Seattle,” said Tom Norwalk, President & CEO of Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Tourism Matters to Seattle, King County and Washington State – and the Port of Seattle’s investment in our cruise infrastructure matters to the health and vitality of the tourism industry.”

The Port of Seattle provides two downtown cruise terminals that offer convenience and easy access to Seattle Tacoma International Airport. The Port's new Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 will open on April 24th offering two 1200 foot berths and the world's only facility equipped with two shore power plug-ins for cruise ships, while the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal will continue to serve cruise passengers on Seattle's downtown waterfront.

The cruise industry has a major impact on the local economy. In 2008, its annual business revenue totaled $274 million, producing 2,380 jobs and $8 million in annual state and local taxes. On a typical home port cruise day in Seattle the activity related to the call contributes about $1.7 million to the local economy. In 2008, Seattle hosted 210 vessels and a record-setting 886,039 passengers which moved Seattle to the top spot for Alaska cruises. In 2009, 211 cruise ships are expected to call at Port of Seattle terminals.

With the coming 2009 cruise season, the Port of Seattle will host Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International at the new Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91, and the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 will continue to serve Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruise passengers can now select from twelve different ships going to Alaska or the Pacific Northwest.