The first ship for 2019 cruise season in Seattle arrives on Monday, April 15.
Celebrity Cruises' ship Celebrity Eclipse will arrive at Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal, Pier 66. This will be the 20th year in which the seaport homeports cruise vessels. Cruising industry's economic impact on the region in 2017 topped US$500 million.
Last season, the first cruise vessel that pulled into Port Seattle at Pier 66 was NCL Norwegian Sun. Norwegian Bliss was the largest ship operated along the West Coast which pulled into Seattle. Bliss helped to bring in more cruise passengers who spent money during the stay in the area.
In 2018, Port Seattle approved a 5-year budget to expand its passenger facilities, that included a 4th cruise terminal on the waterfront (Pier 46). The approved budget allows the cruise port to spend US$348 million on upgrades. The plan features upgrades to Fishermen's Terminal, as well as modernization of the conference center at Bell Harbor, light industrial space in Interbay close to Terminal 91 and a new cruise berth.