Local cruise line adds $480 million to the state economy

Apr 26, 2010, 5:56 PM | Updated: Mar 28, 2011, 3:46 pm

On this opening day of the cruise season (to be followed by opening day of boating season this weekend) one cruise ship company says it contributes $357 million to Seattle’s economy and $481 to the state.

A report from Holland America Line, based in Seattle, finds direct spending in 2009 amounted to more than $73 million – mostly for payroll. And passengers spent about $14 million in local shops, restaurants, hotels and museums.

Holland America President and CEO Stein Kruse says since moving its headquarters to Seattle in 1982, it’s increased the number of ships in the line from two to 14. They’ll launch a 15th later this summer.

Are you a cruise person? I must be missing something, because I’ve never really wanted to travel on a cruise ship.

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Holland America’s MS Amsterdam arrived in Seattle from Russia early Monday as the cruise season gets under way. Photo courtesy our news partner KING 5 TV.

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