By
Elizabeth Robinson |
The Port of Seattle in Washington, US expects to welcome a record 1.1 million cruise passengers in 2018 – a rise from the 1.07 million it handled in 2017 – thanks to an increase in the number of larger cruise vessels sailing from the port to Alaska.
Seattle’s record season opened with a call from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sun on 19 April. The port will also welcome Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss on 30 May making this ship the largest cruise ship on the West Coast this season.
“The Port of Seattle welcomes the cruise season every year, as it provides over half a billion dollars in economic value to our region,” said Courtney Gregoire, commission president of the Port of Seattle. “These dollars reach businesses of all sizes, and we look forward to having more visitors stay and enjoy the beautiful state of Washington, US.”
For 2018, the Port of Seattle commissioners have approved a new complimentary Port Valet programme, where Seattle cruise passengers will be able to get their airline boarding pass and check out their bags before leaving the cruise ship.
“Port Valet is a wonderful way for visitors to leave their luggage and explore the great things Seattle has to offer,” said Tom Norwalk, CEO of Visit Seattle. “You can visit Pike Place Market, see the Space Needle, or even taste some wine in Woodinville before catching your flight home.”