The tourists are coming, the tourists are coming(!!), we knew it was going to happen sooner or later, as today marks the opening day of the cruise ship season. This year is a Champagne bottle-breaking moment, for the Port of Seattle as the first ship pulled into the $72 million new Smith Cove terminal on Pier 91 this morning. With an expected 801,000 passengers to filter through Seattle, the new terminal will provide a swanky on-land introduction for over 200 ships. Most importantly, the new terminal will finally stop the hot-mess of traffic congestion in front of the old cruise ship docks at Pier 30. more ›

• Finally, some good news on the horizon with regards to housing in Seattle! Seattle Bubble has the story.
• Real estate on Beacon Hill is looking promising, too, reports Beacon Hill Blog, thanks to light rail plans.
• Ballard has a lot to discuss about how the viaduct will affect their neighborhood, and My Ballard hosts the conversation. (My Ballard has an unusually active comments section, we're noticing today.)