With the number of North Americans taking cruise vacations steadily increasing each year, Alaskan ports-of-call are gearing up for another busy season in 2005. Approximately 780, 000 cruise passengers visited the largest state in the US in 2003, bringing with them over $393 million to spend on souvenirs, restaurants and tours. But the impact of these visitors goes far beyond the money spent while they are in port. A study published in 2004 shows that direct spending by cruise lines, passengers and crew brought $633 million to the Alaskan economy in 2003, and generated 12, 430 jobs (annual-equivalent) in both direct and indirect cruise industry-related employment.
Starting in May and ending in late September, the 2005 season brings with it several exciting new options for cruise passengers. These additions promise to give visitors a more in-depth Alaskan experience, and are sure to fuel the growth of the industry in the Pacific North West. Extended-length cruising, added drive-to options from convenient North American homeports, increased glacier viewing, expanded options for backcountry adventure, and a second season of operations at Icy Strait Point, Alaska's first master-planned cruise destination - these are just some of the new features making a cruise north more attractive than ever to passengers from every demographic.
Below is a brief overview of what each of our member lines has to offer for the 2005 Alaska cruise season, cruises are seven days unless otherwise noted.
Carnival Cruise Lines: The 2, 124-passenger Carnival Spirit travels the Glacier Route between Vancouver and Whittier 12 times this year, with Inside Passage cruises starting and finishing in Vancouver.
Celebrity Cruises: The Mercury, Summit and Infinity will be making Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska trips departing from Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Seward.
Crystal Cruises: From her homeport of San Francisco, the 940-passenger Crystal Harmony will be making ten 12-day cruises.
Holland America Line: Seven of the line's ships will be sailing to Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver this year.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Three ships will be making the roundtrip from Seattle and one from Vancouver. Offered new this year are 10 and 11-day cruises.
Princess Cruises: The Regal Princess will be making 10-day roundtrips departing from San Francisco. Additionally, two ships will be sailing roundtrip from Seattle and four will be traveling the Gulf Route between Vancouver and Whittier.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises: The 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner will be making 13 trips from Vancouver to Whittier as well as 2 roundtrips departing from Vancouver. Her season will kick-off with a 13-day Pacific Coast repositioning cruise.
Royal Caribbean International: Two ships will be sailing the Inside Passage from Vancouver, while the Vision of the Seas will be offering one-way itineraries from Vancouver and Seward. |
