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The 2015 cruise season was officially under way in Seattle on May 2 with the arrival of Holland America Line's MS Westerdam at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.

This season, Seattle expects to receive 192 cruise ship calls, which would represent an increase of 13 vessel calls, or 7.3 percent, on the 179 calls recorded in 2014.

Please find below a summary of annual cruise ship calls at Seattle since 2009.

2014 - 179
2013 - 187
2012 - 201
2011 - 196
2010 - 223
2009 - 218

Seattle has seen a rapid increase in cruise ship business since the start of the century. The port's market share of the Alaska cruise market grew dramatically, from six vessel calls to 218 in just 10 years, between 2000 and 2009. However, in recent years, cruise ship calls - and bunker volumes from cruise ships - have fallen. This year's estimated figure of 192 vessel calls is still 13.9 percent below the peak figure of 223 calls recorded in 2010.

All cruise ships that homeport in Seattle use either low-sulphur fuel or plug into shore side electrical power while docked. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal can provide shore power for two ships at once, thus eliminating the need to run engines while at berth. A Memorandum of Understanding between The Port of Seattle, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Northwest and Canada Cruiseship Association sets strong standards exceeding federal requirements for the treatment of waste discharges from cruise ships operating in Washington waters.

The 2015 cruise season is to offer several new products, with the addition of Holland America Line's MS Statendam for 14-day itineraries, the addition of the Jewel of the Seas, replacing Rhapsody of the Seas, and the addition of the Ruby Princess and Crown Princess, replacing the Grand Princess and Golden Princess.

Homeport cruise lines in Seattle - 2015

- Carnival Cruise Lines offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Carnival Legend, departing Tuesdays from Pier 91.

- Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Celebrity Solstice, departing Fridays from Pier 91.

- Holland America Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Amsterdam and the Westerdam, departing Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91. The Statendam offers 14-day sailings, departing on Mondays, from Pier 91.

- Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Pearl. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.

- Oceania Cruises offers a variety of itineraries on the Oceania Regatta, departing from Pier 66.

- Princess Cruises offers 7-day cruises from Seattle to Alaska on the Crown Princess and Ruby Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 91.

- Royal Caribbean offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas, departing from Pier 91 every Friday.