Three major cruise lines have announced 2003 itineraries based at the Port of San Francisco that will push the Port’s passenger volume to a 17 year high. Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises each will homeport vessels in San Francisco next year. All told, more than 110,000 passengers will sail on 62 cruise voyages embarking from the Port, providing a significant boost to the region’s visitor and maritime industries.

“These Cruise lines’ announcements couldn’t have come at a better time for San Francisco’s visitor industry, ” noted Doug Wong, Port of San Francisco Executive Director. “ We’ve been working hard for the past several years to develop more cruise business to support our planned international cruise terminal at Piers 30 & 32. This news shows that the cruise industry supports our aggressive investment in this important segment of the maritime industry,” he said.

The economic impact to the Bay Area of the cruise business will exceed $50 million in wages, taxes, and the primary purchases of goods and services. Local labor, tug operators, cabs, bus tours, hotel rooms, restaurants, the airport and gift sales will all benefit from this additional tourism.

Celebrity Cruises announced that it will homeport its premium ship Celebrity Mercury in San Francisco for the fall season next year and the spring of 2004, conducting a regular series of sailings every Sunday. These cruises will feature scenic California ports such as Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, and Monterey, as well as San Francisco. They will also visit Ensenada Mexico.

Princess Cruises meanwhile, announced the introduction of its newest vessel, the Pacific Princess to San Francisco’s lineup for next year. The Pacific Princess is a small 688-passenger ship with “big ship choice,” according to the line, including Princess’ trademark balconies and alternative dining options. It will continue Princess’s dedication to the roundtrip Alaska service out of San Francisco by offering 10 sailings every eleven days throughout the summer, beginning May 29th. The ship, formally of Renaissance Cruises, was constructed in 1999.

Crystal Cruises will base the luxurious Crystal Harmony in San Francisco again next summer offering 9 twelve-day cruises to Alaska. The Crystal Harmony carries 940 passengers and has been homeported in San Francisco every year since 1997.