Cruise season is about to heat up in Seattle
Seattle's cruise season kicks off next month, and with nearly 2 million passengers expected to pass through the city's two terminals, it's about to get very busy down by the waterfront.
Why it matters: Since Seattle started hosting cruises in 1999, the industry has grown into one of the region's biggest tourism drivers, pumping an estimated $900 million into the economy and shaping the city's warm-weather vibe.
The big picture: The global cruise industry saw record growth in 2023, generating $168.6 billion in economic impact, supporting 1.6 million jobs, and carrying 31.7 million passengers, according to a 2024 study by the Cruise Lines International Association.
Seattle's cruise industry is operating near full-steam — with more ships, more passengers, and expanded itineraries this year, per the Port of Seattle.
By the numbers: Nearly 300 cruise ship visits are expected in 2025 — Pier 66 Bell Street Terminal is expecting 90 while Pier 91 Smith Cove Terminal expects 208.
Up to 18,000 passengers and three ships are expected on peak days between May and October, starting with May 4, May 31 and June 7.
11 cruise lines will be sailing from Seattle this year, including Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Holland America.
The latest: Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will make its Seattle debut in June, offering 11 roundtrip cruises to Alaska, per the port.
Seattle will also welcome port-of-call visits from Fred Olsen, Hapag Lloyd, and Regent Seven Seas.
While most sailings still head to Alaska, the port says new itineraries have been added for 2025 — including routes to Hawaii, Asia, and New Zealand.
Friction point: Critics have raised concerns about the cruise industry's environmental impact, highlighting issues such as high carbon emissions.
Yes, but: Port of Seattle spokesperson Chris Guizlo tells Axios this will be the first year all three of Seattle's cruise berths will have shore power, allowing ships to plug in and cut emissions.
By plugging into the local electrical grid while docked, cruise ships can power their lights, refrigeration, and other onboard systems without running their engines, reducing diesel emissions by 80% and carbon dioxide emissions by 66% on average, Guizlo said.
That saves the greenhouse gas equivalent of a typical car driving 30 road trips from Seattle to New York, according to the port.
The bottom line: Seattleites who don't love dodging tourists and shuttle buses can check the cruise schedule here to know when to steer clear of the piers.
Or try a different tack, and have fun counting the lanyards you see, the number of languages you hear and how many times you're asked: When will the mountain be out?
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