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Astoria Today
By the People, for the People
Astoria Welcomes First Cruise Ship, Boosting Local Economy
The arrival of the Nieuw Amsterdam marks the start of a record-breaking cruise season expected to bring 30,000 passengers and $16 million to the coastal town.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:23am
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The arrival of the first cruise ship of the season signals a vital economic boost for the coastal town of Astoria, Oregon.Astoria TodayThe first cruise ship of the season, the Nieuw Amsterdam, has docked in Astoria, Oregon, signaling the start of what officials say will be a record-breaking year for passenger arrivals and an influx of dollars for the local economy. The cruise ship season is vital income for many local vendors and businesses, who are eager to welcome the estimated 30,000 passengers expected to visit Astoria this year, bringing an estimated $16 million to the community.
Why it matters
Astoria, a small coastal town, relies heavily on the cruise ship industry to support local businesses and vendors. The arrival of the first ship marks the beginning of a busy season that provides a significant economic boost, with the potential to make or break the livelihoods of many in the community.
The details
The Nieuw Amsterdam, carrying roughly 2,800 passengers, docked at Pier 1 at the Port of Astoria on Thursday morning. It's one of more than a dozen ships scheduled to visit Astoria this season. Local vendors, like Rinda Johansen who has spent the past decade welcoming cruise passengers, were up early to prepare for the crowds. Many say the cruise ship season is essential to their livelihood, with some relying on it as their primary source of income.
- The Nieuw Amsterdam docked on Thursday, April 10, 2026.
- The Encore, a larger ship carrying 4,200 passengers, is scheduled to arrive on May 1, 2026.
The players
Rinda Johansen
A vendor who has spent the past decade welcoming cruise passengers to Astoria.
Bruce Conner
The director of cruise industry marketing for the Port of Astoria.
What they’re saying
“Day one is pretty good for all of us because we've worked all winter long and we have to buy our supplies, so we're looking to cover our supplies and we're seeing if we're making a profit or yet.”
— Rinda Johansen, Vendor
“It's like having guests in the house. You've invited them to come on over, and you just want to make sure they're comfortable and they're happy.”
— Bruce Conner, Director of Cruise Industry Marketing, Port of Astoria
What’s next
The Port of Astoria is expecting an even larger cruise ship, the Encore, to arrive on May 1, 2026, bringing in 4,200 passengers.
The takeaway
The arrival of the first cruise ship of the season is a vital economic driver for Astoria, a small coastal town that relies heavily on the influx of thousands of passengers and millions of dollars in revenue to sustain local businesses and vendors throughout the year.
