Port of Seattle welcomed the record 1,071,594 cruise passengers through its terminals in 2017, with an estimated 1,092,345 cruisers expected next year. Larger ships continue to drive guest increases.
Each cruise ship is estimated to bring in US$2.7 million for local economy, bringing total revenue for the region to more than US$500 million.
The Port saw a 9% increase in cruise travelers in 2017. Seattle’s cruise business (now leading all west coast's cruise homeports in passenger volume) is responsible for more than 4,000 jobs, US$501 million in annual business revenue, and US$18.9 million per year in state and local tax revenues.
Port of Seattle will welcome the arrival of Norwegian Bliss on May 30, 2018, on ship's maiden cruise from shipyard to her first homeport terminal at Pier 66, renovated in a US$30 million partnership with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line).
Bliss is the first to be built specifically for the Alaska market, and will be the biggest cruise ship to homeport at West Coast's port. Norwegian Bliss offers weekly Alaska sailings throughout summer 2018.