Seattle Closed Its Biggest Cruise Season Ever and Still Missed Its Own Forecast

The Port of Seattle wrapped up its 2026 cruise season on October 18 with record results: 330 ship calls and nearly 2 million revenue passengers. That compares with 298 calls and 1.9 million passengers in 2025. Sixteen ships from 10 CLIA member brands homeported in Seattle for Alaska itineraries this year.

The port estimates that cruising generated about $1.2 billion in regional economic benefit and supported more than 5,120 local jobs. There is one footnote to the celebration: passenger totals fell short of the port’s own forecast of roughly 2.1 million, a reminder that even a record year can come in under expectations.

Environmental figures also improved. Shore power was used by a record 66 percent of ships at berth, up from 65 percent in 2025, avoiding an estimated 6,189 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. All three of Seattle’s cruise berths are equipped with shore power, and the port will require homeported ships to plug in by 2027.

Looking ahead, the port projects 326 ship calls and about 2 million passengers in 2027, a slight dip in calls from this year’s peak. For Alaska-bound travelers, the numbers suggest strong competition among lines and plenty of sailing choices from Seattle, though the busiest summer departures tend to book early.

Sources: Cruise Hive