Departure port
Seattle Cruise Port
Seattle is the busiest Alaska departure port and the most convenient for travellers flying from within the United States. It uses two terminals, Pier 91 in Magnolia and Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront, and they are eight miles apart, so knowing which one your ship uses is the first thing to establish. Almost all Seattle Alaska cruises are seven night round trips.
The short answer
Seattle handles more Alaska cruise departures than any other port. Ships sail from Pier 91 in the Smith Cove area or Pier 66 downtown, and the two are about eight miles apart. Sea-Tac Airport is 12 to 15 miles from either terminal, taking 30 to 50 minutes. Every Seattle round trip must call at a Canadian port, usually Victoria, because of United States cabotage law.
Key points
- Two terminals: Pier 91 in Smith Cove and Pier 66 downtown, roughly eight miles apart.
- Sea-Tac Airport is 12 to 15 miles away, 30 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
- Almost all sailings are seven night round trips that must include a Canadian port call.
- Parking runs roughly $30 to $45 per day at the terminals.
- No passport needed to board for most United States citizens on a closed loop sailing, but strongly recommended.
Quick facts
- Terminals
- Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91; Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66
- Season
- Early May to late September, with a handful of late April and early October sailings
- From the airport
- 12 to 15 miles, typically 30 to 50 minutes
- Lines sailing from here
- Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and others
Seattle as a departure port
Seattle became the dominant Alaska departure port because it is easy to reach: Sea-Tac is a major hub with direct service from most of the United States, hotel supply is deep, and the city is worth a day or two on its own. For a family flying from Chicago or Dallas, Seattle is almost always cheaper and simpler than Vancouver.
The structural consequence of sailing from Seattle is the Victoria call. Under the Passenger Vessel Services Act, a foreign flagged ship cannot carry passengers between two United States ports without calling at a foreign port. A Seattle round trip therefore has to stop in Canada, and that stop is usually a short evening call at Victoria on the final night. It consumes several hours of the itinerary that a Vancouver departure would spend in Alaska.
Terminals
2
Pier 91 and Pier 66, eight miles apart
Airport to port
30 to 50 min
Traffic dependent
Terminal parking
$30 to $45 / day
Roughly $210 to $315 for a week
Typical itinerary
7 nights
Round trip with a Canadian port call
Which terminal does your ship use?
This is the first thing to check and the most common Seattle mistake. The two terminals are eight miles apart and a taxi between them takes twenty to thirty minutes in traffic.
| Terminal | Location | Typically used by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pier 91, Smith Cove | Magnolia, about 4 miles north of downtown | Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival | Larger facility, more parking, less walkable |
| Pier 66, Bell Street | Downtown waterfront | Norwegian, Oceania, occasional others | Walkable to downtown hotels and Pike Place Market |
Pier 66 is the more convenient of the two if you are staying downtown, because you can walk to it from many hotels. Pier 91 has better parking and easier coach access, but it is not walkable from anywhere useful.
Parking at the Seattle cruise port
Both terminals have official parking operated on behalf of the Port of Seattle, and there are cheaper off site options with shuttles.
| Option | Typical cost per day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pier 91 official lot | $35 to $45 | Adjacent to the terminal. Reserve in advance in peak season |
| Pier 66 official garage | $35 to $45 | Downtown garage, short walk to the terminal |
| Off site lots with shuttle | $18 to $30 | Typically 10 to 20 minutes away, shuttle included |
| Hotel park and cruise package | $0 to $15 effective | Bundled with a pre cruise night. Often the best value |
| Downtown public garages | $25 to $40 | Rates vary widely. Check event schedules |
Getting from Sea-Tac to the cruise terminal
| Method | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi or rideshare | $45 to $75 | 30 to 50 min | Two or more people with luggage |
| Cruise line transfer | $35 to $55 per person | 45 to 70 min | Travellers who want zero decisions |
| Link light rail plus taxi | $3 plus $15 to $25 | 50 to 70 min | Solo travellers on a budget |
| Private shuttle service | $30 to $45 per person | 40 to 60 min | Groups of four or more |
| Rental car return plus taxi | Varies | 60 min plus | Only if you need a car pre cruise |
The Link light rail runs from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle in about 40 minutes for a few dollars, which is excellent value, but it does not go to either cruise terminal. From the Westlake or University Street stations you still need a taxi, which for Pier 91 is a further fifteen to twenty minutes.
Where to stay before a Seattle cruise
The choice is between downtown, which is more interesting and closer to Pier 66, and the airport area, which is cheaper and more convenient for a late arriving flight.
| Area | Typical summer rate | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown and waterfront | $260 to $450 | Walkable to Pier 66, Pike Place, restaurants | Most expensive, parking extra |
| Belltown and Seattle Center | $210 to $360 | Close to Pier 91, good food, slightly cheaper | Less atmospheric than the waterfront |
| Sea-Tac airport area | $150 to $250 | Cheapest, park and cruise packages, shuttle to airport | Nothing to do, 30 to 50 minutes from the port |
| Pioneer Square and SoDo | $180 to $300 | Historic, good value | Quieter at night, mixed street feel |
Embarkation day, hour by hour
Step 1
Check your assigned boarding time
Most lines now allocate arrival windows through their app. Arriving hours early no longer gets you aboard sooner and usually means standing in a queue outside.
Step 2
Have documents ready before you reach the terminal
Boarding pass, identification, and any health or immigration forms. Having these on paper as well as on a phone removes a whole category of problem.
Step 3
Drop checked luggage with the porters outside
Tag your bags with the cabin number before you arrive. Carry medication, travel documents, a change of clothes and anything valuable in your hand luggage, because checked bags can take several hours to reach the cabin.
Step 4
Security and check in take 20 to 60 minutes
Peak congestion at Pier 91 is roughly 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Arriving at 1:30 pm is usually faster than arriving at 11:00 am.
Step 5
Go straight to the muster station location
Most lines now run electronic muster: you watch a safety video in the app and visit your assigned station briefly. Doing it immediately means you are not chased later.
Step 6
Book what needs booking
Specialty dining, spa appointments and any activity with capacity limits should be booked in the first hour. On Royal Caribbean specifically, book North Star immediately.
What to do with a day in Seattle
- Pike Place Market is the obvious choice and is genuinely good early in the morning before the crowds, from about 8:00 am.
- Museum of Pop Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass are both at Seattle Center, a fifteen minute drive from Pier 91 and a sensible pairing.
- A ferry to Bainbridge Island takes 35 minutes each way and gives you the best view of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound for the price of a walk on ticket.
- The Seattle Great Wheel on the waterfront is a twenty minute diversion right beside Pier 66.
- Discovery Park in Magnolia is close to Pier 91 and is the best place in the city for a walk if you have arrived with a hire car.
- Underground Tour in Pioneer Square is an hour and works well in rain, which Seattle also has.
Frequently asked questions
Which Seattle terminal does my Alaska cruise leave from?
How much is parking at the Seattle cruise port?
How far is Sea-Tac Airport from the Seattle cruise terminals?
Do I need a passport for a Seattle round trip Alaska cruise?
Why does my Seattle cruise stop in Victoria?
Should I arrive in Seattle the day before?
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