| HAL, Princess Seattle send-off

CARNIVAL Corporation pulled out all stops to celebrate the restart of its American cruise operations (CW 26 Jul) in Alaska, hosting a special event in Seattle with a moose in tow!

As well as the nautically-dressed mascot, a host of dignitaries were in attendance including Carnival Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer, Arnold Donald, Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha and Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz.

The momentous occasion saw Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam depart from Seattle on Sat, followed the next day by Princess’ Majestic Princess (CW yesterday).

Each line will operate 10 voyages out of the Washington port through until Sep, taking guests to experience Alaska which has been a mainstay of their itineraries for many years.

Historically, one-in-two guests who sail to Alaska take a cruise with either Holland America or Princess, with both lines homeporting out of Seattle for more than 20 years.

“Operationally, each ship visit directly contributes more than US$364,000 to the local economy in provisioning, port taxes and spending,” Carnival said, with the return of cruising creating a multidimensional impact on Seattle, the local community as well as the state of Alaska.

The executive team and senior ship officers are pictured above, while inset are Antorcha, Swartz and Donald in front of Majestic Princess at the Seattle dock.