CRUISE FROM SEATTLE IN 2010

2010 will commence the cruise industry's 12th season in Seattle! The Port of Seattle is currently expecting 222 premium ship embarkations, carrying close to 423,000 passengers, including repositionings (based on one-way counts).

Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and new to Seattle this year Carnival Cruise Line. These lines will offer 7-day roundtrip cruises to Alaska every weekend during the peak season, 14-day round trip cruises to Alaska departing on Mondays beginning May 24th, and 1 to 4 day Pacific Northwest cruises at the beginning and end of the Seattle season. Repositioning cruises provide some additional itinerary options.

In addition to the large cruise lines, Seattle also benefits from small-ship sailings to the San Juan Islands, British Columbia, Northwest rivers, early and late season Seattle / Alaska and reverse itineraries. The niche lines include American Safari Cruises, Cruise West, and Fantasy Cruises.

We encourage professional travel planners responsible for arranging both FIT and group trips to consider the many options available for pre and post-cruise stays. Whether traveling alone, or with friends, family, co-workers, infinity groups or others, and whether cruising from Seattle, Vancouver B.C., Alaska or Portland, your clients will appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the many experiences Seattle and Washington State have to offer. There is something for everyone: biking, golfing, hiking, kayaking, sailing, exploring museums and art galleries, sightseeing by seaplane or van, cooking classes, dining at gourmet restaurants or enjoying small pubs and bistros, casual wine-tasting or more formal wine-maker luncheon or dinner events, exploring beautiful gardens, watching glass-blowing artists in action or learning the skill personally, relaxing at a spa, learning about Native American culture from locals, attending a major sports activity, taking a whale-watching - wildlife excursion, experiencing some of our favorite attractions including icons like the Space Needle and the 102 year old Pike Place Market, enjoying a concert, stage show, opera, symphony, ballet, or local jazz, or simply shopping for that special "something." If time permits, your clients may enjoy spending a day or more exploring Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens, the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands, the small towns and islands along the I-5 corridor in the northern part of the State, Washington's Cascade Loop, wine country and agricultural areas, aviation-related stops, manufacturing plants, and so much more.

Contact us for more ideas specific to your group or FIT clients. Let us know if you are looking for transportation, step-on guides, receptive services, brochures to include with ticket packets, general and themed collateral, color images, or something else. Have a question? Just ask.

PRE & POST CRUISE PACKAGES

We highly recommend that you have your clients plan on arriving in Seattle a day or two, or even more, before a cruise departs. There is so much to see and do throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition, your clients will be able to relax, knowing that they have arrived safely, do not have to rush, and still have time to enjoy their surroundings before boarding their ships at leisure.

Click here for special pre- and post-cruise packages.

PREMIUM SHIP CRUISING FROM SEATTLE - 2010

For a daily "big ship" departure schedule, visit the Port of Seattle website. There you will also find information on Port of Seattle cruise terminal specifications, general passenger information, parking and transportation, terminal concierge services, security and port maps.

Note: All cruise schedules are subject to change at any time. Please check with cruise lines directly or your cruise line representative for the most up-to-date information when planning travel for your clients