Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings contributed to refurb and will operate terminal for 15 years
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Port of Seattle and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) have opened the newly renovated Bell Street Cruise Terminal at the port’s Pier 66 building.
Following a US$30 million refurbishment, the terminal now has three times the square footage within the same walls of the prior facility. It is custom designed to handle Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss, when it arrives on the US West Coast in 2018.
Terminal improvements include a new and expanded VIP lounge and passenger check-in area, and a modified elevated passenger boarding bridge. A new 140-foot passenger gangway with floor-to-ceiling transparent walls will be added early next year.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to have had the opportunity to work with our partners at the Port of Seattle to enhance the guest experience at the Bell Street Cruise Terminal,” said Howard Sherman, NCLH’s executive vice president of Onboard Revenue and Destination Development. “Together, we have increased usage capacity by more than 300%, created a plush new lounge for suites guests, enlarged the space for all guests awaiting embarkation and much more, allowing for the vacation experience to begin as soon as our guests step foot inside the terminal by providing a seamless, comfortable and stylish ship-to-shore experience.”
In August 2015, NCLH signed a 15-year lease to manage operations at Bell Street, giving ships from its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands preferential berthing rights. The port will operate the facilities outside the cruise season.
The 15-year business commitment is estimated to generate US$2.3 billion in total business revenue for the region, nearly 900 jobs, and more than US$65 million in state and local taxes.
“We have a long history with Norwegian from when we first started in the Alaska cruise market over 15 years ago, and we are thrilled with their unprecedented investment today,” said Stephanie Bowman, commissioner at the Port of Seattle. “Opening Bell Street Cruise Terminal today is the celebration of a community partnership for success.”