Seattle Closed Its Biggest Cruise Season Ever, and Ships Plugged In

The Port of Seattle wrapped up its 2026 cruise season on Sunday, October 18, with two records to show for it. The port counted 330 ship calls, the most in its history, and nearly 2 million guests, also a record. The port did not give an exact passenger figure or last year’s numbers in its release.

The economics were big. The port estimates the season delivered $1.2 billion in regional economic benefit and supported more than 5,120 direct and indirect jobs. Two lines made their first full seasons at Seattle: MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages, which helped fill the berths.

The environmental numbers may matter more to the port’s long-term plans. More than 65 percent of visiting ships used shore power while docked, a new high, letting them switch off engines at the berth. Star Princess also carried out the port’s first liquefied natural gas bunkering operation, in Elliott Bay.

The next milestone is further out. The port says it aims for 100 percent shore-power use by homeported ships in 2028. The release gave no 2027 schedule, so travelers planning Alaska departures from Seattle will want to watch for cruise lines’ own deployment announcements and compare prices early.

Sources: Cruise Industry News