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The 2011 cruise season gets underway today, April 15th, at Bell Street Pier, Seattle, with the arrival of the Crystal Symphony, operated by Crystal Cruises.

Bunker sales volumes from the cruise ship industry are expected to fall this year at the West Coast port as a result of a decrease in cruise ship calls. In total, 195 cruise ship calls are scheduled for this season, down 12.6 percent on the 223 calls recorded in 2010.

The size of the bunker market in Seattle is currently estimated to be between 1.5 - 2.0 million tonnes per year.

Seattle's market share of the Alaska cruise business grew dramatically, from six vessel calls to 218 in just 10 years, between 2000 and 2009. The growth in cruise vessel calls in recent years has also, as a consequence, led to a rise in demand for marine fuel from the cruise industry with the majority of bunker purchases coming in the form of 'term contracts'.

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, eliminating the need to run engines while at berth.

Homeport Cruise Lines Seattle - 2011

Carnival offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Carnival Spirit [pictured], departing on Tuesdays from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal located at Terminal 91.

Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Infinity; departing from Bell Street Cruise Terminal on Pier 66 every Friday throughout the season.

Holland America Line offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Oosterdam or the Westerdam. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Terminal 91. Holland America also offers a 14-day Alaska cruise sailing every other Friday from Terminal 91 on the Amsterdam.

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

Princess Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises on the Golden Princess or the Sapphire Princess. Sailings depart Saturdays and Sundays from Terminal 91.

Royal Caribbean offers 7-day cruises to Alaska on the Rhapsody of the Seas departing from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Terminal 91 every Friday throughout the season.

Last week Disney Corporation announced that they will offer weekly Alaska-bound cruises from Seattle in 2012 on the Disney Wonder between May and August next year.