US port expects to handle more calls, larger vessels and nearly one million revenue passengers
By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Port of Seattle welcomed its first cruise ship of 2016 on 29 April.
Marking the start of the US port’s busiest season to date, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam will continue to sail regular cruises from Seattle to Alaska, alongside her sister ships Westerdam and Maasdam.
“HAL’s headquarters have been in Seattle for more than 30 years, and we’ve been sailing from here even longer, giving us deep roots in this amazing city,” said Orlando Ashford, HAL’s president. “As Seattle’s Hometown Cruise Line it’s always exciting to see our ships at Pier 91, and we’re proud to have Nieuw Amsterdam kick off the Alaska cruise season, especially as it’s the ship’s first time ever in Seattle.”
Several other ships will offer frequent departures from Seattle to Alaska including Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice, Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Regatta, Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess and Ruby Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel, and Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas.
Each homeported cruise vessel is estimated to bring in US$2.6 million for the local economy. This year, the port also expects to handle more calls, larger vessels and nearly one million revenue passengers.
“Cruising to Alaska continues to be an economic driver for our region,” said John Creighton, the port’s commissioner. “With all the great things to see and do throughout Washington State, we are working to increase the economic impact by having passengers stay for an extra few days.”