This was how the Norwegian Bliss kicked off its first Alaska cruise in 2018 — with skydivers parachuting into Puget Sound.
But the industry is now at a standstill because of COVID-19. There’s a no -sail order by the CDC after many passengers got sick and even died on board some cruise ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line is now warning it has substantial doubt about its future as it tries to raise money to survive during this pandemic.
“I'm not too concerned they're not going to be here or be running as Norwegian. It just might be they have to go through a bankruptcy to shave costs and repair things back to a sustainable financial model for them,” said Steve Danishek of TMA Travel in Seattle.
Even if Norwegian Cruise Line pulls back on its sailings, he doesn't think Seattle will be affected.
“Seattle is a key market. The Alaska market is a key market for NCL and the cruise lines to sail here. It's a money market for them. It's a safe market,” added Danishek.
Despite that, Carnival Cruise Line announced it's ready to start some voyages from U.S. ports in August but notably left Seattle off the list.
That means a lot of money lost for Puget Sound. This year, the Port of Seattle was expecting a record number of 1.3 million passengers. According to the Port, each homeport vessel call is worth $4.2 million to the local economy.
Danishek believes the industry will recover.
“We're thinking 12-18 months for full recovery. So I think, assuming 2020 is shot, 2021 should be fairly strong,” Danishek said.
July is the earliest cruises could start up in Seattle. The Port said that’s 60% of the cruise season left.
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