Port must hold firm with (rude) cruise line

If Olympia’s port and business groups had not worked so hard to bring cruise ships to the capital city, the American Cruise Lines snafu would hardly be worth a mention.

But, a last-minute decision by the Connecticut-based company’s tour-ship to skip a maiden weekend visit to Olympia looks high-handed.

It’s hardly the way to launch a potentially long, mutually fruitful relationship. Our port is right to press for answers.

American Cruise Lines gave abrupt notice to port staff by email – apparently too late Friday to reach company officials — that it would not dock the American Constellation on Saturday night as one stop of 11 in a Grand Puget Sound Tour.

Even on Monday and Tuesday port and local tourism officials were left scratching their heads for answers.

The port was told only that “operational” issues got in the way of the stop.

That sounds half-serious, half-specious. The ship, docked in Tacoma over the weekend, was able to add a stop in Bremerton, a cruise line spokeswoman told reporter Rolf Boone of The Olympian.

The company spokeswoman declined to tell Boone why it dropped Olympia.

This is a disappointment. Our port worked hard to diversify its cargo and lure the ships over two years. Our city is sprucing up its tourism offerings too.

Port spokeswoman Jennie Foglia-Jones said the cruise line’s late notice gave no details, and answers were hard to come by even four days later.

With such high hopes all around, we expected more from the cruise line. Foglia-Jones said the port already dealt with American Cruise Lines’ concern about fees for longshore workers to tie up the ship.

A few merchants and the city historical society were ready to welcome the ship passengers as they disembarked at the port’s plaza.

History buffs planned to lead tours, according to Shauna Stewart, chief executive for South Sound’s Experience Olympia tourism agency.

Stewart was taking the high road, explaining that an itinerary change is common in tourism generally.

Good for her. Stewart added that a Capitol tour canceled Sunday was partly made up Monday and it went well.

Though only a dozen or so passengers rode the cruise line’s bus from the ship’s berth in Tacoma to the state Capitol, the majestic Legislative Building drew good reviews, Stewart said.

Experience Olympia staffers said American Cruise Lines still lists Olympia as a port of call for its luxury tours in 2019.

Unless a better reason is given for keeping its ship away, American Cruise Lines should make amends — by making sure those visits still happen. Our local merchants, volunteers and the Port of Olympia deserve no less.

This story was originally published September 25, 2018 at 4:37 PM.