Seattle's Alaska cruise season wrapped up on Sunday, October 25, and the Port of Seattle says it was the biggest yet. In a release on Monday, the port reported a record number of passengers and sailings. It also reported more ships plugging into shore power than ever before. Two new cruise lines joined the lineup this year, and both are coming back in 2027.
The season by the numbers
The port puts the season's regional economic benefit at about $1.2 billion, topping last year's record. It says cruise supported more than 5,120 direct and indirect jobs over the season.
The port did not give a final passenger count in Monday's release. When the season opened in the spring, it forecast 330 ship calls and 2.1 million revenue passengers, the most in its history.
The fleet grew, too. "This season, 16 homeport ships across 10 CLIA-member cruise brands operated from Seattle, compared with 14 ships across eight brands last year," said Renée Limoge Reeve, vice president of government affairs at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry's main trade group.
Port Commissioner Sam Cho called cruise "a powerful economic engine for our region." He said it "remains the Port's fastest-growing maritime sector."
Two new lines in town
MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages both sailed from Seattle for the first time this year.
MSC Poesia sailed from Pier 91 on Mondays all season. That brought MSC, a big name in European cruising, to the Seattle market. Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady sailed from Terminal 91 on Thursdays, offering an adults-only way to see Alaska. The port says both lines will return for the 2027 season.
A record year for shore power
Shore power lets a ship turn off its engines and run on electricity from the dock while in port. Seattle now has it at all three of its cruise berths. This season, 66% of ships plugged in at berth, a record for the port.
The port estimates that cut about 1.52 metric tons of diesel particulate matter. It also avoided more than 6,189 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
More work is on the way. This fall, the port will dredge at Pier 91 and add more electrical gear on the pier. When those projects are done, the port says, all cruise ships will be able to plug in while at berth.
A first for LNG in Elliott Bay
Princess Cruises' Star Princess also made local history this season. It tested fueling with liquefied natural gas (LNG) while docked in Elliott Bay. The port says it was the first LNG fueling in the bay for any type of ship. LNG burns cleaner than standard marine fuel, with fewer air pollutants. The port says 3% of the LNG used came from renewable sources. Fuel supplier Seaspan, the Coast Guard and the Seattle Fire Department all worked on the project.
Bags straight to the airport
The port's Port Valet program had a busy year. The service takes bags straight from the ship to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). That frees guests to spend their last day exploring the city without dragging luggage around. This season, it handled bags for more than 187,000 guests.
If you are flying out on the day your cruise ends, it is worth a look. You can head to Pike Place Market or the Space Needle, then go to the airport with just a day bag. Check with your cruise line about how to sign up and what it costs.
Looking ahead to 2027
The port expects about 326 ship calls and roughly 2 million revenue passengers in 2027. That is a touch below this year's opening forecast. A first draft of the 2027 cruise schedule is on the port's website, and the port notes it can change during the season.
For travelers, the takeaway is simple. Seattle now offers more lines and more ships for Alaska than ever. With MSC and Virgin Voyages back next year, Alaska cruisers will have even more choice on dates and style.