Port of Seattle Extends Cruise Partnership With NCLH

The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a new long-term lease amendment with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), extending a partnership that began in 2000, according to a company statement.

The agreement secures NCLH’s homeport operations in Seattle through 2035, with options to extend the deal until 2045 depending on progress related to decarbonization and sustainability goals. The Port said the renewed partnership strengthens shared commitments tied to environmental initiatives, economic development, and community engagement.

Under the updated agreement, NCLH will continue investing in Seattle’s cruise and maritime industry through infrastructure support, sustainability programs, workforce development, and local partnerships.

The Port of Seattle’s cruise sector is a particularly bright spot in our business lines, with growing passenger numbers, revenues, and benefit for the community,” said Commissioner Sam Cho. “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has been an outstanding partner to the Port of Seattle for more than a quarter of a century, and I am pleased to support this new agreement today.”

“We’re proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the Port of Seattle,” added Dan Farkas, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Development Officer at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “This agreement allows us to continue to invest in Seattle as a homeport, supports the ongoing growth of local jobs and businesses, and allows us to work collaboratively on practical sustainability initiatives through our Sail & Sustain program.”

The agreement includes a guaranteed minimum of 325,000 revenue passengers annually.

NCLH will also work with the Port on a demonstration project focused on testing sustainable non-fossil marine fuels in Seattle. The initiative aims to help identify the infrastructure, supply, and technology requirements needed for future fleetwide adoption. In addition, the company and the Port will jointly review decarbonization progress and develop an agreed methodology by December 31, 2026.

NCLH also committed to continuing participation in underwater noise reduction initiatives such as ECHO and Quiet Sound. The company will encourage stevedores to transition toward low- and zero-emission equipment, with a target of achieving fully zero-emission shoreside operations by 2030.

The agreement also includes incentives for ground transportation providers using lower greenhouse gas alternatives.

Beyond environmental measures, the deal contains commitments to expand local provisioning through small, diverse, and disadvantaged suppliers while supporting maritime education programs. These efforts could include student engagement opportunities with Maritime High School through ship tours, panel discussions, and sponsorship of local charity events and fundraisers.

NCLH also pledged continued participation in anti-human trafficking initiatives through the Port’s Allies Against Human Trafficking Pledge.

For the 2026 cruise season, NCLH plans to homeport four vessels at Seattle’s Pier 66: Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Joy, and Oceania Riviera, with more than 70 calls scheduled during the season.