Seward's first cruise ship since the start of the pandemic is expected to dock on May 9.
But the season wasn’t a total loss in Seward. Independent travelers still filled Seward’s streets last year, said Amy Haddow, a Seward-based vessel manager with Cruise Lines Agencies of Alaska. Her job is to connect the ships with services on land like customs and groceries.
She said Seward bustled with visitors from Alaska last year, but also from the Lower 48 and overseas. That’s reflected in Seward’s 2021 sales tax revenue, which rebounded and surpassed 2019 numbers. in that it’s typically the first or final destination on passengers’ trips. Many go straight between the bus or train and the ship.
But she won’t say anything with complete certainty, at least not until the first ship of the season pulls up to the dock.