Seattlest: Here Come the Cruise Ships

jessejb

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:11:00 -0800

They dont irritate me at all. I like seeing the streets packed with people. It makes things more lively. Plus the ships look cool parked in the bay.

jwhieger

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:44:21 -0800

Unless hotels and resturants aren't local businesses than I guess you guys are right. Try looking at the average daily rate for a downtown seattle hotel in the summer compared to before we had cruise business and tell me there is no economic impact. While the ships may irritate some, they do a TON for area business.

jessejb

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:20:33 -0800

Abercrombie and Niketown rejoice. Seriously, those are the only two shopping bags those people take back to the boat. Cruise ships don't mean jack (probably) to local businesses.

meks

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:03:18 -0800

Unfortunately, that estimate by the Port of Seattle is largely unsubstantiated. As a "home port" Seattle's main benefactors are charter buses, taxis, and of course, the port itself (airport and other fees) as most passengers, planning for the fixed costs associated with a cruise, choose to arrive just in time to ship out and leave upon their return to the dock. The market, downtown, space needle, etc. do not see a huge economic benefit from these passengers. What we experience instead, is increased traffic on the highways and the waterfront, and the occasional sewage leak and fuel dump. Yay!

Katelyn

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:31:56 -0800

So much for quiet mornings at Pike Place Market! *sob*