Port of Seattle Opens Its Busiest Alaska Cruise Season in History
Key Aspects:
The Port of Seattle expects 330 vessel calls and about 2.1 million passengers in 2026.
The season begins with a call by Norwegian Jade on April 17, while Noordam begins the homeport season on April 19.
Sixteen vessels will homeport in Seattle, including first-time MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages’ vessels.
The Port of Seattle officially launched the 2026 Alaska cruise season on April 17, 2026, with the first cruise ship arrival of the year, beginning a schedule that will run through mid-October.
The season will include a record number of ship visits and passengers, with the port revealing it is expecting 330 vessel calls and roughly 2.1 million passengers, the highest totals the port has ever recorded.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade is the first to call on the Port of Seattle on April 17 as the ship repositions from San Diego to Vancouver for its Alaska season.
On Sunday, April 19, Holland America Line’s Noordam will kick off the official homeport season with a 7-night roundtrip voyage that includes calls in Ketchikan, Alaska, and Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, and Victoria, British Columbia.
The ship’s May 10 sailing will begin its regular itinerary pattern, visiting Juneau, Endicott Arm, Sitka, and Ketchikan.
Noordam will also be the last ship to depart Seattle in 2026 on October 11, 2026.
Seattle has spent more than two decades building a cruise program centered on Alaska voyages, which remain among the most popular itineraries in North America.
Port officials said the continued expansion reflects both strong demand for Alaska cruises and Seattle’s role as a convenient gateway to the region.
“We are fortunate to call the Puget Sound region home,” said Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins.“It’s no wonder that more than a million travelers from around the world will begin their Alaska journeys here this season, supporting thousands of jobs and sustaining local businesses and farms across Washington state.”
Cruise activity remains a significant economic driver for the region, with a 2025 impact analysis finding that cruise operations in Elliott Bay generate nearly $1.2 billion in annual local business revenue. It also supports more than 5,120 direct and indirect jobs across Washington State.
The port has also focused on environmental initiatives tied to cruise growth. Eleven homeport ships are expected to connect to shore power during the 2026 season, allowing vessels to plug into electricity from the local grid while docked.
The port will require all homeport cruise ships to use shore power by the 2027 season, becoming the first US port to adopt that such a rule.
New Cruise Lines for a Busy Season
The 2026 cruise season in Seattle will feature 16 homeport ships, the largest lineup Seattle has ever hosted.
Two cruise lines will enter the market for the first time this year: MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages.
MSC Cruises will begin Alaska sailings from Seattle when the 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia begins operating from Pier 91 on May 11, 2026. The ship recently completed an expansive dry dock and will offer 7-night roundtrip itineraries that include Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, and Victoria, along with scenic cruising in Endicott Arm.
Virgin Voyages will follow on May 21 with the Alaska debut of the 2,762-passenger Brilliant Lady. The ship will operate 7- to 12-night itineraries visiting ports including Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, and Haines, Alaska.
Several other cruise lines will also homeport ships in Seattle throughout the season.
Besides Noordam, Holland America Line will base Eurodam in the city, while Carnival Corporation sister brands Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard will also operate Alaska sailings from the port.
Carnival Cruise Line will deploy Carnival Miracle and Carnival Spirit from Seattle, Princess Cruises will homeport Star Princess and Royal Princess, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will join the lineup in May.
Royal Caribbean will begin its homeporting season May 8 with the dual arrival of Voyager of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, followed by Anthem of the Seas on May 11.
Celebrity Cruises will also position a ship in the city when Celebrity Edge begins sailing from Seattle on May 22.
Although Norwegian Cruise Line will not be homeporting one of its vessels in Seattle, several ships will call at the port during the season, including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Encore.
Port of Seattle Opens Its Busiest Alaska Cruise Season in History