Port of Seattle kicks off historic Alaska cruise season
The 2026 Alaska cruise season officially got underway in Seattle on April 17 as Norwegian Jade arrived for a visit to the city on its way north. Norwegian Jade's stop is the first of 330 calls that the Port of Seattle will host during its biggest season yet.
More cruise travelers than ever will sail to Alaska from Seattle this year with a record 2.1 million passengers expected. In addition to hosting in-transit cruise ships like Norwegian Jade, Seattle will serve as home port for 16 ships - its broadest lineup ever.
The Holland America Line Noordam will be the first homeported ship to set sail to Alaska from Seattle on April 19. By May, the Alaska cruise season will be in full swing, as new ships and two new cruise lines launch sailings from Seattle.
Both MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages will debut their first cruises to Alaska from Seattle this season, bringing distinctive new styles of cruising to the region.
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MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages bring fresh Alaska cruise options to Seattle
MSC Cruises' new sailings from Seattle aboard MSC Poesia expand the global cruise line's presence in North America and bring a unique touch of European style to Alaska cruising, with a cruise experience that's grown popular in the Caribbean for its affordably priced fares.
"As a global cruise line, we are excited to bring our loyal international and North American guests to Seattle, an iconic, bucket-list destination and gateway to the Pacific Northwest. From here, guests can embark on unforgettable journeys to Alaska, combining breathtaking natural beauty with MSC Cruises' signature blend of European style and American comfort," said MSC Cruises North America President Lynn Torrent.
Related: 4 new ways to cruise to Alaska this summer
For travelers interested in an adult-centered and off-the-beaten-path way to explore Alaska, Virgin Voyages is bringing its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, to Seattle to offer a fresh take on Alaska cruising. The brand's adults-only cruise experience will offer an adventurous and modern approach to Alaska cruising that's well complemented by Seattle's vibe.
"Seattle is just one of those cities that instantly sets the tone for the kind of trip you're about to have," said Virgin Voyages Senior Director of Itineraries and Destinations Natasha Salzedo. "It's creative, it's outdoorsy, and it's right on the edge of something incredible. For us, it's the perfect place to begin an Alaska voyage. As we get ready to bring Brilliant Lady here, there's a real sense of excitement about showing up in a new region and doing things a little differently and intentionally. We're looking forward to being part of this community and giving sailors a new way to experience Alaska, starting right here in Seattle."
Seattle offers choice and convenience for Alaska cruises
During the 2026 season, Seattle will also serve as home port to ships from a number of popular lines for Alaska cruises, including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will also return to Seattle for its second home port season.
Seattle is a popular departure port for Alaska cruises for its variety of ships as well as its convenient flight options for U.S. travelers and abundance of things to do before or after a cruise.
The Port of Seattle even adds convenience for cruise passengers with its Port Valet service, which provides free luggage transfers directly from cruise ships to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on disembarkation day. This not only helps to streamline the process of getting off the ship and to the airport, it makes it easier for cruise passengers to spend some time exploring Seattle luggage-free before catching their flight home.
Related: A warning before you book a cruise based on TV ads
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 6:50 AM.