(April 2011 photo of Crystal Symphony passing Luna/Anchor Park, shared by CL)
A note for Elliott Bay marine-traffic watchers: Cruise-ship season starts this Wednesday (May 1st), with a stop by luxury line Crystal Cruises‘ Crystal Symphony at Pier 66 downtown. After that, the routine of weekly arrivals and departures starts next Sunday, with Holland-America Line‘s Oosterdam at Magnolia’s Pier 91, and the full weekly lineup beginning the second weekend in May. According to the Port of Seattle’s 2013 cruise-season fact sheet, this year’s stops and total passenger count are down – the projected 188 vessel visits is the lowest number since 2004, and the expected passenger total, 852,000, is the lowest since 2007. As for the changes you’ll notice, if you watch the bay and/or docks, two ships are making their Seattle debut Oceania is joining Seattle’s summer fleet, with the mid-sized Regatta docking at Pier 66. Celebrity Cruises, meantime, moves to Pier 91, with the Seattle debut of Celebrity Solstice, described last year as one of the largest ships to ever sail from here, able to handle almost 3,000 passengers. See this year’s full Seattle cruise schedule by going here.