First Cruise Ship of Season Arrives in Port of Anchorage

Many will head out immediately on excursions, but many will hit the streets of downtown Anchorage where local shopkeepers are waiting for them.

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: May 20, 2011 at 2:14 PM AKDT

Story Updated: May 20, 2011 at 8:05 PM AKDT

The cruise ship season has officially begun in Anchorage with the arrival of the first ship to the Port of Anchorage.

Holland America’s Amsterdam arrived early Friday morning carrying more than 1,300 people.

It’s the first of eight stops the ship will make here this summer spending roughly 16 hours in port each time. Many will head out immediately on excursions, but many will hit the streets of downtown Anchorage where local shopkeepers are waiting for them.

“We’re excited and we are ready,” says Trapper Jack manager Debby Foster. “We’ve made all our summer hires and we are ready to welcome visitors!”

Foster says Anchorage merchants depend not just on the 11 cruise ships that will visit the Port of Anchorage this summer, but the dozens of others that dock in Seward and Whittier and bus passengers to Anchorage from there.

Tourism officials say the outlook for next summer is even better with lots to look forward to, including the addition of a Disney cruise. The next ship to dock in Anchorage this year will arrive on May 30.

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