Seattle's 2013 Cruise Season Sets Sail

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Seattle’s 2013 cruise seasongot underway May 1 with the docking of Crystal Cruise’s Symphony at Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal. Scheduled this season are 188 cruise ship calls that the port predicts will bring an estimated 852,000 revenue passengers through its facilities, Bell Street and Smith Cove.

First time Seattle callers this year are Oceana Cruise Lines’ Regatta, along with Celebrity Cruise’s Solstice. The 2,850-passenger capacity Solstice will be the largest cruise ship ever to call Seattle.

According to the port, Seattle’s cruise business generates more than 4,004 jobs, $381 million in annual business revenue, and $16.8 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Each vessel call stimulates $2.1 million of local economic activity.

All cruise ships homeported in Seattle burn low-sulfur fuel or plug into shore side 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. A memorandum of agreement between port, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Northwest & Canada Cruiseship Association sets standards exceeding federal requirements for the treatment of waste discharges from cruise ships operating in Washington waters.

Homeport Cruise Lines Seattle – 2013

Carnival Cruise Lines: 7-day Alaska cruises on the Carnival Miracle departing Tuesdays from Pier 91.

Celebrity Cruises: 7-day Alaska cruises on Celebrity Solstice departing Fridays from Pier 91.

Holland America Line: 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the M/S Oosterdam and the M/S Westerdam. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Pearl. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.

Oceania Cruises: Varied on the Oceania Regatta, depart from Pier 66

Princess Cruises: 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Golden Princess and Star Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91.

Royal Caribbean: 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing from Pier 91 every Friday.

Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal.
Photo/Don Wilson