COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          7b 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting      February 27, 2018 
DATE:     January 25, 2018 
TO:        Executive Director Stephen P. Metruck 
FROM:    Stephanie Jones Stebbins, Managing Director Maritime Division 
Michael McLaughlin, Director Cruise Operations 
SUBJECT:  Cruise Overview 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Staff will brief commission on Maritime Cruise business highlighting growth in the industry,
our record season in 2017, forward-looking market demand for Alaska cruising, cruise economic
impact, Port Valet Program (flight check in and luggage service), and a look ahead of the 2018
cruise season. 
Background 
The Port of Seattle's continued success as a homeport supporting the Alaska cruise market is an
important component of the Ports economic impact to the region as well, as important to
industry's continued growth. The opportunities for Seattle are significant. This briefing will
include discussion on the following items. 
The overall cruise industry growth and Alaska market growth 
Year over year passenger growth 
Overview of 2017 cruise season 
Economic Impacts 
Port Valet (flight check in and luggage service) 
Cruise Connections event held January 19, 2018 
Look ahead at 2018 and beyond 
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND 
Current capacity includes two terminals with three berths total with cruise ships scheduled in
the harbor from mid-April to mid-October. Cruise ships are in the harbor every day of the week
except Wednesday and Thursday. Continued growth is limited by current berth availability in
Seattle and Alaska. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
Presentation slides. 

Template revised September 22, 2016.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Briefing Item No. _7b___                             Page 2 of 2 
Meeting Date: February 27, 2018 

PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
April 11, 2017  The Commission authorized the Cruise Luggage Valet Program- 2017 Cruise
Season 
August 11, 2015  The Commission authorized the Bell Street Cruise Terminal Lease Agreement 
with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings 
June 23, 2015  The Commission was briefed on Cruise Industry Trends 















Template revised September 22, 2016.