Cruise: Canaveral, Seattle

Port Canaveral has been selected to host two of the world’s newest and largest cruise ships. Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis Class Harmony of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral beginning May 2019, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  In addition, RCI’s Voyager Class Mariner of the Seas returns to Port Canaveral with 3- and 4-night itineraries to The Bahamas.

"This is great news for Port Canaveral. We are excited to be part of Royal Caribbean’s new deployment plans and proud of their confidence in us to support their brand," said Port CEO Captain John Murray. "With record numbers of cruise passengers coming through our port year after year, this is yet another demonstration that Port Canaveral can effectively handle some of the largest and most sophisticated cruise ships in the industry," Captain Murray stated.

The Harmony of the Seas will be relocated to Port Canaveral from Port Everglades beginning in May 2019.  The Harmony of the Seas is currently the largest ship in the world and newest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet with accommodations for up to 6,687 passengers and 2,100 crew members.

The 4,200-passenger capacity Mariner of the Seas is returning to Port Canaveral following a $100 million upgrade as a replacement for RCI’s 2,744-passenger Majesty of the Seas.  Mariner originally deployed to Port Canaveral as a new ship in 2003.
 

In announcing the new itineraries, Royal Caribbean stated the Oasis of the Seas will be redeployed in 2019 from Port Canaveral to PortMiami.

 

Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas to sail from Port Canaveral in May 2019

Photo/Royal Caribbean 
 

Seattle Has Its Biggest Cruise Season Ever 

The Port of Seattle welcomed a record 1,071,594 revenue passengers through its cruise terminals this year and is expecting 1,092,345 in 2018.  According to the port, larger vessels continue to drive passenger increases. It estimates each cruise vessel pumps $2.7 million into the local economy, bringing total revenue for the region to more than $500 million.

 

This year’s count was up 9 percent from the 2016 total of 983,539 revenue passengers. Seattle’s cruise business supports more than 4,000 jobs and annually generates $501 million in business revenue, and $18.9 million in state and local taxes.

 

On May 30, 2018, the Port of Seattle welcomes Norwegian Bliss on its maiden voyage from the shipyard to its first homeport terminal at Pier 66, recently renovated in a $30 million partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line. The 4,000 passenger Bliss is the first vessel constructed specifically for the Alaska cruise market. It will sail weekly Alaska cruises through-out summer 2018.

 

In 2018, Seattle will homeport the following cruise ship operators and itineraries:

• Carnival Cruise Line: 7-day Alaska cruises on Carnival Legend departing Tuesdays from Pier 91. 
• Celebrity Cruises: 7-day Alaska cruises on Celebrity Solstice departing Fridays from Pier 91. 
• Holland America Line: 7-day Alaska cruises on the Eurodam and Amsterdam departing Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91, and 14-day sailings on Zaandam departing Mondays, also from Pier 91. 
• Norwegian Cruise Line: 7-day cruises to Alaska on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Pearl. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66. 
• Oceania Cruises: Various itineraries on Oceania Regatta departing from Pier 66. 
• Princess Cruises: 7-day cruises to Alaska on Ruby Princess and Emerald Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91. 
• Royal Caribbean: 7-day cruises to Alaska on Explorer of the Seas starting Fridays from Pier 91.