US cruise port to welcome 192 cruise calls and 895,055 revenue passengers this year
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Holland America Line’s (HAL) Westerdam opened the 2015 cruise season at the Port of Seattle when she arrived at the US port’s Smith Cove Cruise Terminal on 2 May.
Westerdam and sister ship Amsterdam, which will arrive on 31 May, will both sail seven-day Seasttle-Alaska voyages. For the first time, they will be joined by a third HAL ship – Statendam – which will sail 14-day Alaska itineraries from 18 May.
HAL is one of three Carnival Corporation & plc cruise brands that will homeport in Seattle this season. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Legend will offer seven-day Alaska cruises, while Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess and Crown Princess will replace Grand Princess and Golden Princess.
“The awe-inspiring majesty of Alaska is one of the most anticipated cruise vacations of the year for our Carnival Corporation brands,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “In fact, by popular demand, HAL has added a third ship homeporting out of Seattle this season, and two ships from its sister brand, Princess Cruises, will sail from Seattle with more passenger capacity.”
Other homeporting ships sailing seven-day Alaska cruises include Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas; Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl; Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Regatta; and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Solstice.
Ships will berth at either Smith Cove Cruise Terminal or Bell Street Pier, which both offer concierge services, luggage storage, onboard airline check-in, rental cars and secure parking facilities.
All homeporting ships will use either low-sulphur fuel or plug into shoreside electrical power while docked. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore power for two ships at once, eliminating the need to run engines while at berth.
In total, Seattle expects to handle 192 cruise calls and an estimated 895,055 revenue passengers this year, marking the eighth consecutive year that the port’s cruise terminals have handled more than 800,000 visitors. Meanwhile, Seattle’s cruise business is expected to generate US$441 million in annual business revenue, US$17.2 million annually in state and local tax revenues and support more than 3,600 jobs.
“Each of these cruise ships contribute US$2.5 million to the local economy, which comes out to over US$400 million for this cruise season,” said Stephanie Bowman, port commissioner. “We also want passengers to stay in the area an extra few days to spend more time and money in Washington state. Our region offers some of the best day trips for travellers.”