Port of Seattle: 298 Cruise Ship Arrivals Expected
- SEATTLE – the 2025 cruise season has commenced at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal, Pier 66, in Seattle, marked by the arrival of the Norwegian Bliss.
- The season anticipates approximately 298 voyages, projecting an influx of 1.9 million visitors, representing over 900,000 unique passengers.
- This year marks the first full season where all three berths at the Port of Seattle are equipped with shore power.
Seattle’s Cruise Season Sets Sail with economic and Environmental Focus
Table of Contents
- Seattle’s Cruise Season Sets Sail with economic and Environmental Focus
- Seattle’s Cruise season Sets Sail: Your Top Questions Answered
- What’s New for the 2025 Seattle Cruise Season?
- How Many Voyages and Visitors Are Expected?
- What’s the Economic Impact of the Seattle Cruise Season?
- What Does “Shore Power” Mean for Seattle Cruises?
- How Critically important is the Cruise Season to the Local Economy?
- Are There Any Environmental Initiatives?
- Which New Cruise Lines Are Coming to Seattle?
- What Itineraries Will Be Offered from Seattle?
- What is the Tourism Impact of the Cruise Industry in Seattle?
- How Does the Cruise Industry Contribute to Protecting Destinations?
- Key Highlights of the 2025 Seattle Cruise season:
SEATTLE – the 2025 cruise season has commenced at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal, Pier 66, in Seattle, marked by the arrival of the Norwegian Bliss. This sailing signifies the start of the Alaska cruise season, a period extending from April to October.
The season anticipates approximately 298 voyages, projecting an influx of 1.9 million visitors, representing over 900,000 unique passengers. The cruise industry is expected to generate nearly $900 million in economic benefits, supporting tourism, local businesses, and approximately 5,500 jobs.
Shore Power Capabilities Fully Operational
This year marks the first full season where all three berths at the Port of Seattle are equipped with shore power. This technology allows cruise ships to connect to the electrical grid and shut down their engines while docked, reducing emissions.
Steve Metruck, executive director of the Port of Seattle, emphasized the importance of the cruise season to the local economy. “The Seattle cruise season to Alaska drives our local economy thanks to passenger spending and the supply of local goods and services to the cruise lines,” Metruck said. “The 2025 cruise season marks an significant milestone, since it will be the first complete season with clean energy available on land in the three bingers, which makes our base port.”
Metruck also noted Carnival Corporation’s biofuel pilot program in the region. “In addition, this year, Carnival Corporation will carry out a biofuel pilot program in our region to obtain additional data about future tools to further reduce carbon emissions. Enduring alternative fuel The time it minimizes the environmental and social impact.”
New Cruise Lines Homeporting in Seattle
Seattle is also set to become a homeport for several new cruise lines over the next two seasons. Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will begin its first season with Seattle as a base this June, offering 11 departures with itineraries ranging from seven to 11 days, running from June to September.
Liz Fettes, Senior Commercial Vice president of Cunard for North America, expressed enthusiasm about the new Seattle base. “We are very excited to have Seattle Base from June 2025 for our unbelievable itineraries by Alaska aboard Queen Elizabeth. We are looking forward to working with our new partners, welcoming the new guests of Cunard and bringing Seattle to our faithful clients of Cunard,” Fettes said.
In 2026, Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises are also scheduled to begin their first seasons with Seattle as their Alaska base port.
Tourism Impact
Tammy Canavan, president and executive director of Visit Seattle, highlighted the broader impact of the cruise industry. “The beginning of the cruise ship is a time to celebrate the importance of this sector in the tourism industry of USD 8 billion in Seattle and King Count Unique commitment in the country,” Canavan said.
Sally Andrews,Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs of CLIA,added,”Seattle is an incredible city to enjoy the cruise experience by Alaska,and 2025 promises to be another exciting cruise season. With some of the most advanced technologically, navigating technologically sailing ships, the cruise industry is at the forefront of the protection of beautiful destinations such as the Pacific Northwest.”
Seattle’s Cruise season Sets Sail: Your Top Questions Answered
Are you curious about the latest happenings in the Seattle cruise industry? Here’s an in-depth look at the 2025 cruise season, answering your most pressing questions.
What’s New for the 2025 Seattle Cruise Season?
The 2025 cruise season in Seattle, which commenced with the arrival of the Norwegian Bliss at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal, Pier 66, marks the beginning of the Alaska cruise season.This season,running from April to October,is packed with exciting developments.
How Many Voyages and Visitors Are Expected?
The season is anticipating approximately 298 voyages. This influx of voyages projects around 1.9 million visitors, translating to over 900,000 unique passengers.
What’s the Economic Impact of the Seattle Cruise Season?
The cruise industry is a notable economic driver for Seattle.The 2025 cruise season is expected to generate nearly $900 million in economic benefits. This includes:
Supporting tourism
Boosting local businesses
Providing approximately 5,500 jobs.
What Does “Shore Power” Mean for Seattle Cruises?
This year marks the first full season where all three berths at the Port of Seattle are equipped with shore power. This technology allows cruise ships to connect to the electrical grid while docked, reducing emissions by shutting down their engines. This is a major step toward a more sustainable cruise experiance.
How Critically important is the Cruise Season to the Local Economy?
Steve Metruck, executive director of the Port of Seattle, emphasized the cruise season’s importance. The Alaska cruises drive the local economy through passenger spending and the supply of local goods and services to cruise lines. The 2025 season is a milestone because its the first full season with clean energy available on land at all three berths.
Are There Any Environmental Initiatives?
Yes! Along with shore power, carnival Corporation will conduct a biofuel pilot program in the region. This program aims to gather more data about future tools to further reduce carbon emissions and minimize the environmental and social impact.
Which New Cruise Lines Are Coming to Seattle?
Seattle is expanding its role as a homeport. Here’s a look at the new lines:
Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth: Will begin its first season in June 2025, offering 11 departures with itineraries lasting 7-11 days, from June to September.
Virgin Voyages: Scheduled to begin its first Alaska season with Seattle as its base port in 2026.
MSC Cruises: Also plans to begin its first Alaska season from Seattle in 2026.
What Itineraries Will Be Offered from Seattle?
While specific itineraries may vary, the Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth will offer itineraries ranging from seven to eleven days, providing passengers with diverse options for exploring Alaska.
What is the Tourism Impact of the Cruise Industry in Seattle?
The cruise industry significantly impacts Seattle’s tourism sector. According to Tammy Canavan, president and executive director of Visit Seattle, the cruise industry is a vital part of the tourism industry.
How Does the Cruise Industry Contribute to Protecting Destinations?
Sally Andrews, Vice president of Communications and Public Affairs of CLIA, highlighted that the cruise industry is utilizing advanced technology in its ships.this technology helps in the preservation of destinations such as the Pacific Northwest.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Seattle Cruise season:
| feature | Details |
| ————————— | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| start Date | april 2025 |
| Arrival of first ship | Norwegian Bliss |
| Estimated Voyages | 298 voyages |
| Expected Visitors | 1.9 million |
| Economic Impact | Nearly $900 million |
| Key Environmental Initiative | Full operation of shore power at all three berths, Carnival Corporation biofuel pilot program |
| New Cruise Lines | Cunard Line, Virgin Voyages (2026), MSC Cruises (2026) |
| Homeport of Focus | Seattle |