First cruise ship of the summer docks at Port of Anchorage

The first cruise ship to dock at the Port of Anchorage this summer pulled into town early Monday morning.

Nearly 1,400 passengers disembarked from Holland America’s ‘Amsterdam’ to check out the sights before an 11 p.m. call to be back on the ship.

Julie Saupe, president of Visit Anchorage, said the cruise industry in the state continues to grow. According to Saupe, 1,060,000 cruise passengers are predicted to sail to Alaska this summer — a new record. She also said a third of those will spend time in Anchorage, as well as money.

Citing the economic impact, Saupe said the average visitor spends $991 in Alaska.

“And that figure does not include the cost of their transportation. So whether they come here by cruise ship or by air or in their own private vehicle, that’s money left behind in the state,” added Saupe.

The ‘Amsterdam’ is a week into a two-week itinerary in Alaska. It has several other port calls in Anchorage throughout the summer.

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