Beginning of cruise season is a welcomed sight in Seattle
Apr 24, 2022, 7:45 AM | Updated: 7:53 am
Cruise season is back underway in Seattle, and Port of Seattle officials expect it to reach pre-pandemic numbers. (MyNorthwest Photo)
(MyNorthwest Photo)
Cruise season is officially underway in Seattle as the first ship of the season arrived at Pier 66 on Saturday. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s ‘Bliss’ received the honor as the first cruise boat to set sail from the Puget Sound in 2022.
The Port of Seattle expects 1.2 million passengers and nearly 300 ship calls to the Port this year.
“We’re almost back to 2019 levels,” said Peter McGraw, spokesperson for the Port of Seattle. “Each of these vessels, when they homeport here, brings in about $4 million each to the local economy.”
Earlier this year, federal health officials dropped the warning they have attached to the cruise industry since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving it up to vacationers to decide whether they feel safe going on a ship.
The Norwegian Cruise Line has several COVID-19 protocols in place, as passengers 12 years and older are required to be fully vaccinated. A negative test result with two days of departure is also required. Masks are also recommended, but not required.
The Associated Press and KIRO Newsdesk contributed to this report
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