The Port of Seattle, celebrating 20 years serving the cruise industry, welcomed 1,114,888 revenue passengers through its cruise terminals in 2018, the second year in a row the Port exceeded the one-million passenger mark. More growth is expected next year with the arrival of the Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas—a 4,180 passenger vessel that will be the largest on the west coast in 2019—and the addition of the Norwegian Joy, sister ship of the Norwegian Bliss, a 4,000-passenger vessel.
“This year, Port of Seattle is proud to celebrate our 20 years of serving the cruise industry, while also handling over one-million passengers for the second year in a row,” said Commission President Courtney Gregoire. “This continued growth points to a bright future for cruise in Seattle, and we are proud that each homeported cruise vessel brings approximately $2.7 million for our local economy. Through innovation and collaboration, we continue to work with our partners to make this the greenest port in the nation.”
Home Port Cruise Lines for 2019
“We thank the Port of Seattle for growing the cruise business over the past 20 years, bringing visitors here from around the world to experience the Space Needle, keeping this landmark thriving for everyone to enjoy,” said Space Needle LLC Chief Marketing Officer Karen Olson.
View a short video about local provisioning of cruise ships in Seattle.
The Port saw a 4-percent increase in cruise passengers over 2017, which brought 1,071,594 revenue passengers. Seattle’s cruise business—currently leading all cruise homeports on the west coast in passenger volume—is responsible for over 4,000 jobs, $501 million in annual business revenue, and $18.9 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Each cruise vessel is estimated to bring in $2.7 million for the local economy, bringing total revenue for the region to over $500 million each cruise season.
In 2019, the Port of Seattle will host the following home port cruise vessels and their itineraries:
- Carnival Cruise Line offers 7-day Alaska cruises on Carnival Legend departing Tuesdays from Pier 91.
- Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on Celebrity Solstice departing Fridays from Pier 91.
- Holland America Line offers 7-day Alaska cruises on Eurodam and Oosterdam departing Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91. The Amsterdam offers 14-day sailings departing on Mondays, from Pier 91.
- Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Norwegian Joy and the Norwegian Bliss. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.
- Oceania Cruises offers a variety of itineraries on the Oceania Regatta departing from Pier 66.
- Princess Cruises offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Ruby Princess and Star Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91.
- Royal Caribbean offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on Ovation of the Seas on Fridays from Pier 91.
Contact
Peter McGraw | Maritime Media Officer
mcgraw.p@portseattle.org | (206) 787-3446
