This week, the Port of Seattle kicks off the 2026 Alaska cruise season, marking a historic milestone with 330 vessel calls and 2.1 million revenue passengers, the most in the Port’s history. The season begins Friday, April 17 with the first in-transit arrival and extends Seattle’s long and steadily growing legacy as North America’s primary gateway to Alaska for cruisers.
For more than two decades Seattle has cultivated a robust cruise market anchored by long-standing homeport lines. In 2026, these lines are joined by two new cruise lines, bringing this year’s total to 16 homeport ships — the broadest lineup Seattle has ever hosted.
In 2026, eleven homeport vessels will connect to shore power, with design underway for additional connections at Pier 91 that will come online in 2027. In 2025, 87% of shore power–capable vessels connected to clean power via Seattle City Light while at berth. This avoided an estimated 6,444 metric tons of CO2. In addition, to accommodate the growth in cruise operations, the Port has invested in two new passenger gangways. To learn more about the Port’s commitment to shore power, view the cruise dashboard.
“We are fortunate to call the Puget Sound region home,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins. “It’s no wonder that more than a million travelers from around the world will begin their Alaska journeys here this season, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining local businesses and farms across Washington state. Our centuries-long connection with Alaska is rooted in shared values of environmental stewardship and a deep respect for the natural world. This season, most ships will again connect to clean shore power, and with new infrastructure coming online next spring, every 2027 homeport ship will be able to plug in — another bold step in our region’s leadership on maritime decarbonization. I am proud that we continue to advance work on sustainable maritime fuels that will be essential to reducing emissions across the industry.”
This season also marks the first time MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages will sail to Alaska from Seattle, bringing global visibility and new travel options to the region.
The MSC Poesia, sailing Mondays from Pier 91, introduces a widely recognized European brand to Seattle, offering an international onboard experience aboard a vessel accommodating 2,550 double occupancy guests and 1,027 crew members.
“We are proud to bring MSC Cruises to Seattle as we expand our presence in North America and introduce our Alaska itineraries in a new market,” said Lynn Torrent, President, MSC Cruises North America. “As a global cruise line, we are excited to bring our loyal international and North American guests to Seattle, an iconic, bucket-list destination and gateway to the Pacific Northwest. From here, guests can embark on unforgettable journeys to Alaska, combining breathtaking natural beauty with MSC Cruises’ signature blend of European style and American comfort. We look forward to working closely with the Port of Seattle, collaborating with local stakeholders, and contributing to the local economy throughout the season.”
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady offers an adults-only cruise experience in the Pacific Northwest, designed specifically for the region’s climate and Seattle-based itineraries. The ship includes seven new shows and refreshed spaces with expansive views along with Rojo, a Spanish-style restaurant focused on social dining. Guests will also find new wellness options like Radiance, cycling classes, and a juice bar. Alongside Virgin Voyages’ well-known events like Scarlet Night, Brilliant Lady provides travelers with a different way to see the area by sea.
“Seattle is just one of those cities that instantly sets the tone for the kind of trip you’re about to have,” said Natasha Salzedo, Senior Director of Itineraries and Destinations, Virgin Voyages. “It’s creative, it’s outdoorsy, and it’s right on the edge of something incredible. For us, it’s the perfect place to begin an Alaska voyage. As we get ready to bring Brilliant Lady here, there’s a real sense of excitement about showing up in a new region and doing things a little differently and intentionally. We’re looking forward to being part of this community and giving sailors a new way to experience Alaska, starting right here in Seattle.”
Seattle’s cruise program continues to generate significant economic benefits for the region. According to a 2025 impact analysis, cruise activity in Elliott Bay produces nearly $1.2 billion in total local business revenue each year and supports more than 5,120 direct and indirect jobs, reaching $326.6 million in total compensation across Washington’s economy.
"We are thrilled to welcome another season of cruise visitors to Seattle — not just to the stunning new waterfront on which they land, but to all the vibrant neighborhoods which are so easily accessible from our shore powered terminals," said Visit Seattle President and CEO Tammy Canavan. "Seattle's cruise economy uplifts our whole region through visitor spending that we are proud to bring to our community, and offers people from all over the world the chance to fall in love with the great Northwest. We thank our friends at the Port of Seattle for being such a fantastic partner in this work."
As Seattle enters its biggest cruise season yet, the Port continues to expand services and community benefits tied to the industry’s growth. Port Valet, which provides complimentary luggage transfer for departing cruise passengers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, helps streamline the traveler experience and encourages spending time in town supporting local businesses before heading to the airport. Learn more about the Port Valet program.
The Port is also strengthening workforce connections: our recent cruise jobs fair drew more than 500 attendees, reflecting strong interest in maritime and tourism careers and the Port’s ongoing commitment to create job opportunities as the cruise sector grows.
As the 2026 season begins, the Port looks forward to welcoming passengers, cruise partners, local businesses, and maritime workers to another successful year on Seattle’s waterfront.
Contact
Chris Guizlo | Communications Director
206-787-3433 | [email protected]
