By Karen Robes Meeks
Next fall, Olympia will be a destination stop in American Cruise Lines’ Grand Puget Sound tour itinerary, the Port of Olympia announced at the end of May.
The new 175-passenger American Constellation, will offer five overnight stops as part of its 11-day cruise package, and will drop anchor at the Port Plaza dock between September and November 2018.
This announcement is the result of a three-year planning process that involved a partnerships between officials from the port, the City of Olympia, Thurston County Economic Development Council, the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau and others.
Making Olympia an official cruise line Port of Call is part of a larger effort to “diversify port operations, capitalize on visitor and recreation amenities and stimulate local economic activity,” said port Executive Director Ed Galligan.
“Guests will have an opportunity to visit destinations throughout Thurston County, shop at local venues and, hopefully, recommend their favorite spaces and places to their friends and families,” he said. “We’re very appreciative that American Cruise Lines has selected Olympia as a destination, and we look forward to rewarding them with an unparalleled visitor experience.”
