Updated: The Star Legend made history today by becoming the largest cruise ship to ever navigate the Ballard Locks and the Ship Canal.
A crowd gathered to watch the big event, along with media helicopters and a KING 5 drone:
Here’s the perspective from on the ship:
Then it headed to the Ballard Bridge, where the ship exceeded the height of the bridge itself:
A view from the bridge:
And a shoreline perspective:
It was quite the sight, and it also generated lots of free publicity — another successful marketing campaign at Ballard’s favorite tourist attraction.
(First bridge photo by Adrienne Erickson on Twitter. Second by Meghan Walker. Third by Annie on Twitter. Other photos above from Windstar Cruises.)
Earlier: The largest cruise ship to ever traverse the Ballard Locks will make the journey around 1 p.m. and again between 6 and 7 p.m. today (Wednesday).
The 440-foot-long Star Legend carries 212 passengers, and it’s taking a side-trip through the Ship Canal as it heads to Alaska. The ship will have 7.5 feet of clearance on each side in the Locks.
The cruise ship will then go under the Ballard Bridge around 2 p.m. and the Fremont Bridge a short time later. It takes a spin around Lake Union, crosses back under the Ballard Bridge at approximately 6 or 6:30 p.m. and then heads back out of the Locks between 6 and 7 p.m. Then it will be visible off Shilshole as begins its journey to Alaska.
The Star Legend is run by Seattle-based Windstar Cruises.