Key Aspects:
- The Port of Seattle closed out its Alaska season with a record 1.9 million revenue passengers transiting the facility in 2025.
- With 298 ship calls reported, cruise tourism generated $1.2 billion in regional economic benefits.
- The port also reached an environmental milestone, with 65% of all homeporting ships connecting to shore power.
With its cruise tourism data for 2025 just released, the Port of Seattle is brimming with success stories, starting with a record-setting 1.9 million revenue passengers.
From cruise guest arrivals to cruise ship calls and shore power usage, it’s all good news that translates to $1.2 billion in economic benefits across the region.
The Port of Seattle’s claim to fame is its proximity to Alaska. During the summer season in 2025, 14 ships were based at the West Coast port, offering voyages of varying lengths to the Last Frontier.
Let’s dig into the numbers.
In 2025, the port surpassed all previous passenger arrival numbers, reaching the 1.9 million total. This represents a respectable hike compared to 2023 and 2024, when 1.7 million revenue passengers transited the port during its May-to-October seasons each of those years.
In 2024, 275 ship calls were recorded versus 298 in 2025. Virtually every major cruise line was represented in Seattle this year, including a Cunard ship that was based at the port for the first time. Queen Elizabeth operated 11 cruises roundtrip from Seattle starting in June 2025 and is expected back in May 2026.
Other lines that based ships in Seattle in 2025 included Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
The robust activity at the Port of Seattle that accounted for $1.2 billion in economic benefit included more than 5,000 jobs directly and indirectly related to port operations and related tourism components, such as local tour operators, restaurants, and hotels.
Queen Elizabeth Ship in Seattle
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) commended the port for its vibrant season.
“Seattle is a premier home port for unforgettable Alaska cruise experiences, and the cruise industry is proud to bring significant economic impact to the region while showcasing the Pacific Northwest’s beauty, attractions, local businesses, and stunning new Waterfront Park,” said Sally Andrews, Vice President of Communications for CLIA.
The 2025 numbers put Seattle well ahead of its main competitor in the Alaska market, Vancouver, British Columbia, which recorded just 1.2 million cruise passengers.
While Alaska is the port’s main cruise market, 23 voyages were operated from Seattle to other destinations in 2025, including Mexico, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Asia. Some also operated coastal cruises in the Pacific Northwest.
Major Environmental Strides Recorded in 2025
The year 2025 also set an important environmental protection record, as 65% of the ships docking at the Port of Seattle utilized the shore power technology now available at all three of the port’s cruise ship berths.
Read Also: Seattle Cruise Port: Terminals, Transportation and What’s Nearby
The number is up from 42% in 2024. Using shore power rather than continuing to run cruise ship engines while in port drastically reduces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
It was good practice, since the port is set to mandate that 100% of all cruise ships homeporting at Seattle starting in 2027 have technology to hook into its shore power grid.
“Seattle set new standards this season on environmental sustainability and economic development by focusing on a shared vision across the Port and our cruise partners,” said Steve Metruck, executive director of the Port of Seattle.
“Through our Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor and partnership work we are advancing market development for alternative maritime fuels such as green methanol and renewable biodiesel.”
In fact, the port worked with Carnival Corporation to test biofuel bunkering on three Holland America Line sailings.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
