What Time Should I Schedule My Pickup For The Shuttle Back To The Airport/hotel
Passenger disembark usually begins at 7:30 a.m. at the earliest. After baggage retrieval, passengers begin exiting the cruise terminal approximately 10 15 minutes later. Debark is over around 10:30 a.m. when the last passenger is off the vessel. The number of passengers varies from vessel to vessel, making debark end time a variable. A cell phone will become handy during disembark. The shuttle drivers are very experienced with cruise pickups and should be able to tell you the best time.
Relax On Decadent Alaska Cruises From Seattle By Oceania Cruises
Alaskan cruises offered by Oceania Cruises are premium experiences. Aboard one of Oceania Cruises ships, you will be staying in luxurious suites and rooms that are furnished in the neoclassical style.
Besides having some of the finest accommodations, Oceania Cruises Alaska cruises feature lounges, bars, casinos, spa centers, stylish restaurants, and more. Not to mention exciting shore excursions and wildlife viewing.
Oceania Cruises offers both 7 and 10-night cruises from Seattle to Alaska.
The 7-night Alaska cruise includes highlights such as:
The 10-night cruise includes the following highlights:
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West Coast Cruises From Seattle
Seattle is also a great place for so-called mini-cruises. These sailings are typically between one and five days long and typically take in the coastline north of Seattle, in British Columbia. For a quick cruise experience, the 1-day Pacific Coastal Cruise from Holland America travels from Seattle to Vancouver.
Southbound cruises from Seattle are longer, usually about 7 days, and sail along the gorgeous Oregon and California coastlines.
If youre after a much longer cruise, the 20-day Seattle to Miami Colorful Caribbean Cruise from Oceania is definitely worth looking into. This amazing one-way voyage takes in the entire west coast of the United States and Central America, crossing the Panama Canal and sailing through the Caribbean.
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Small Ship Alaska Cruises From Seattle
At this time, AAA does not offer 3-day Alaska cruises from Seattle, small boutique cruises from Seattle to Alaska, or cruises from Seattle to Alaska one way.
Please contact one of our travel agents with any questions you may have about our Alaska cruises leaving from Seattle.
We hope to see you soon on one of our cruises!
Where To Stay The Night Before Your Cruise
Seattle is a dynamic city, combining urban life with picturesque scenery in every direction. While we always recommend arriving in your cruise departure port the day before your cruise, this is especially true in Seattle.
Arriving the day before your cruise provides ample time in case of any travel delays, but it also gives more time to visit Seattles attractions including the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.
We recommend staying at a hotel in downtown Seattle before your cruise. Staying in the area between downtown and the Space Needle is convenient for sightseeing.
Royal Caribbean Blog readers have suggested the following hotels on our message boards:
- Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle Center
- The Edgewater Hotel
Seattle is currently the only cruise port to offer Luggage Valet. This is a service offered onboard Royal Caribbean ships in which guests can bypass the check-in process at Seattles airport.
Through the Luggage Valet program, guests receive the following benefits:
- Check-in for flights onboard
- Airline boarding passes and luggage tags delivered to stateroom
- Luggage transported directly from stateroom to the airport and onto the flight
Through Luggage Valet, travelers can save time by avoiding long lines to check in at the airport.
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How Far Is The Seattle Airport From The Cruise Port
The Seattle Cruise Port is approximately a 20-35 minute car ride depending on traffic levels and time of day. Due to the popularity of Seattle cruises, you will often find that most cruise lines offer a round-trip transfer service for those looking to fly in and out of the city. Otherwise you can take an Uber or other ridesharing alternatives which will cost around $40USD depending on time of day.
Alaska Cruise Itinerary From Seattle
All seven-day Alaska cruises out of Seattle sail round-trip. They can cruise as far as Hubbard Glacier, although most cruise lines sail to Tracy Arm, Endicott Arm, and a select few to Glacier Bay National Park.
Cruises departing from Seattle have no option to add a land-based itinerary. Traditionally, all sailings from Seattle were seven days, but Norwegian and Oceania have recently added nine to eleven days options, although still round-trip.
Since Seattle is further south than Vancouver, it takes a half-day longer to get to its first stop in Alaska. If your first scheduled stop is Juneau, the capital, it will take 1-1/2 days to reach the Alaskan city.
So, instead of arriving at 9 am, vessels dock at noon or 1 pm instead. While this may not seem like a big deal, I have been to Juneau four times, and its a port that offers the most shore excursions.
Must-visit Mendenhall Glacier requires a shuttle to access it, and the last return bus leaves at 5:30 pm.
Other attractions like Roberts Tramway also close early. So, when arriving in Juneau later in the day, options for Alaska cruise excursions may be limited.
The first day and a half are sea days out of Seattle, and the last day generally ports in Victoria on Vancouver Island. Cruises leaving Seattle usually include one fjord or group of glaciers.
However, sometimes mega-ships may not include any glacier sightings since their size limits their itinerary options.
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Rideshare Services & Taxis
Uber and Lyft are both accessible from the Seattle airport. Expect to pay around $60 each way for an Uber or Lyft from the airport to port. If youre traveling from the airport to downtown, fares should cost around $50 each way.
Taxi service is also available, with fares priced at $40 from Sea-Tac airport to downtown Seattle. If traveling directly from the airport to Pier 91, expect to pay around $60 one way.
Rideshare and taxi services are priced per ride, not per person, so they can be an economical way to travel to the Seattle cruise port if with a larger group.
Cruises Leaving From Seattle
Seattle is a delightful departure point for a cruise it’s home to two cruise ports served by seven major cruise lines and used by over 1 million passengers a year. The city’s setting in the beautiful Pacific Northwest means cruise ships can set a straight, scenic course north for Alaska, down the west coast of the continent, or even on epic voyages across the Pacific. Furthermore, both of the cruise ports are close enough to many of Seattle’s top attractions to make a day exploring the city pre- or post-cruise an easy and worthwhile addition to your vacation.
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How Do I Find Seattle Express At The Cruise Terminals
Bell Street Pier / Pier 66: After leaving the Customs Inspection area, turn right and proceed south, past the bus area, to the sidewalk along the street. Look overhead for the Skybridge. The Coordinator will be located below the Skybridge, holding a bright ORANGE clipboard.
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal / Pier 91: As you leave the Customs Inspection area, proceed outside the terminal to Bus Lane R. Coordinator, Kathy, wearing a Seattle Express shirt, will be there to check you in.
Benefits Of Doing An Alaska Cruise From Seattle
Alaska cruises are great fun for cruisers of all ages. Some of the things we hear people praise the most about doing a cruise from Seattle to Alaska are:
- Alaska cruises are surprisingly cost-effective, especially during shoulder seasons.
- You can enjoy some of Mother Natures greatest artwork
- Alaska cruises offer a variety of different types of excursions to appeal to all guests.
- Taking an Alaskan cruise gives you the chance to make forever memories with your friends or family.
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Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier
Cruise through Endicott Arm Fjord, where youll be awestruck by the ice-blue and stark-white beauty of the fjord, floating icebergs, waterfalls, and wildlife all around.
Keep your eyes peeled for brown bears on the shore, harbor seals in the water, and bald eagles soaring overhead. When your ship sails close to the 600-foot tall Dawes Glacier, one of the best glaciers in Alaska, youll get eye-popping views of active calving as your ship makes a complete turn for optimum viewing.
Life Onboard Norwegian Sun
Well appointed, newly refurbished, and ready to whisk you away on a holiday of a lifetime. Read more
Enjoy Freestyle Cruising without set dining times or pre-assigned seating. Your holiday, your way. Read more
Recharge your body and your mind on Norwegian Sun with a rewarding work out or a relaxing wind down. Read more
Dine inside or oceanside. Formal or casual. Perhaps even start with dessert. Dining on board Norwegian Sun is all about choice. Read more
Discover a wide range of activities to fill every minute of your journey aboard Norwegian Sun. Read more
Enjoy sensational soundtracks and thrilling performances with a host of entertainment choices on board Norwegian Sun. Read more
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Pacific Coast Cruises From Seattle
Cruises up the coast from Seattle to British Columbia, Canada, or down to Oregon, California, start at two to five days in duration. These mini-cruises offered by Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Princess visit Vancouver and Victoria, two intriguing coastal cities in British Columbia, Canada. Royal Caribbean has a four-night round trip that calls at Victoria and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Southbound voyages are mostly seven-day cruises to Astoria, Oregon, San Francisco, California and often Victoria, BC, as well. Princess’ California Coast Cruise also calls at Monterey, California.
Holland America Cruises Things To Do
- The refined atmosphere of Holland America Line ships draws interest from older cruise travelers who can also afford to pay the cruise lines higher prices. When you set sail on a HAL ship, you will enjoy a more traditional cruise experience. Therefore, guests onboard like the afternoon tea service and activities that feature ballroom dancing. However, that does not mean the cruise line does not attract families. KId-friendly programs are available online for the younger crowd, 3 to 17 years old. Nevertheless, if you are seeking a more family-friendly adventure, you may want to set your sights on a cruise provider, such as Disney or Carnival. Most families take a HAL cruise during the summer when the kids are on summer vacation from school. Older travelers, who have retired, like to take the world cruises as well as longer excursions. Because the cruise line features life enrichment programs, it draws people who have both creative and intellectual interests and goals.
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Find The Best Cruise From Seattle
What are the best cruises from Seattle?
Seattle is a popular cruise port and is surrounded by rugged natural beauty. Norwegian Encore offers one of the best cruises from Seattle. It ranks highly based on health ratings and reviews. The ship accommodates 3,998 guests and 1,735 crew members and is one of Norwegian’s newer additions to the industry. Other top-ranked cruise ships from Seattle are Ovation of the Seas, Celebrity Solstice, Princess Cruises, Royal Princess, Norwegian Bliss, and Eurodam.
How can I find a cheap Seattle cruise?
Expedia cruise experts can help you plan your next cruise vacation on a budget. If you want to save, set filters for any budget limitations you may have in your search. You can sort cruise deals from Seattle by price to automatically display the cheapest options at the top of your search results. We have several great deals for cruises from Seattle and expert advice for cheap Seattle cruises. A simplistic experience is generally cheaper. For example, booking a cruise from Seattle with a smaller cabin or no ocean view could be appropriate for a guest looking for a great value voyage.
What cruise lines operate from Seattle?
Several major cruise lines sail from Seattle. These include Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland American Line. No matter which itinerary you select, Seattle now offers an abundance of cruise experiences and options.
Can I cancel my cruise booking?
How Do I Get To My Ship
Seattle Express can take you to/from your hotel and the cruise terminal. The ride is only $12/person, each way. For inquiries and reservations, call .
Shuttle Express also offers transportation to the cruise terminals. For inquiries and reservations call 425-981-7000 / 1-800-324-9277.Tours Northwest provides pre and post cruise tours with pick up from the ship and airport drop-off, following the tour. The Premier 3-hour Seattle City Tour includes luggage handling and transportation to or from your trip.
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Day 3icy Strait Alaska
Icy Strait Point is a privately owned tourist destination just outside the small village of Hoonah, the largest native Tlingit Indian settlement in Alaska. As one of the best places in the world to see whales, and a darn good spot to view bears, Icy Strait/Hoonah is among Alaska’s most beloved destinations for wildlife enthusiasts.
How To Get To The Port Of Seattle
If traveling by air, youll want to book a flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport , otherwise known as Sea-Tac.
Seattle’s airport is a major US airport, offering direct flights to 91 domestic and 28 international destinations. The airport serves as a hub airport for both Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines, but all major US carriers offer flights to Seattle.
If arriving via car, you can follow the driving directions on Royal Caribbeans website here.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is located 30 minutes by car from the Pier 91 cruise terminal. There are many ways to travel from the airport to the cruise port, from rideshare services to taxis and the light rail.
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Which Royal Caribbean Ships Sail From Seattle
Two Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, sail from the Port of Seattle. They sail only during the Alaska cruise season, which runs from April to September.
Quantum of the Seas departs the Port of Seattle each Monday whereas Ovation of the Seas offers cruises starting on Fridays. Both sail roundtrip 7-night cruises to Alaskaeach week, with destinations including Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria.
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These two ships are both in the Quantum Class, which are some of the largest, most modern vessels in Royal Caribbeans fleet. Highlights of the Quantum Class include an indoor SeaPlex sports arena, Two70 lounge and entertainment space, indoor skydiving, and more. These ships make great choices for families and passengers of all ages.
Alaska Cruise Itinerary From Vancouver
An Alaska cruise from Vancouver has many options. The seven-day itineraries sail either round-trip or one-way. One-way cruises to and from Whittier and Seward have the option to add on a land-based itinerary to Denali National Park.
Staying in a lodge at Denali increases the chance of seeing the big five. The big five include moose, grizzly bears, grey wolves, caribou, and Dall sheep.
These cruise and land itineraries end or start in either Anchorage or Fairbanks for easy access to an airport. The one-way itineraries, either northbound or southbound, include cruising through College Fjord.
Located in Prince William Sound, the fjord contains multiple tidewater and valley glaciers named for famous colleges. Booking a back-to-back gives the cruiser multiple glacier viewings.
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Pier 46 Cruise Terminal
In mid-November 2018, Port Seattle Commission unveiled plans for a USD 348 million project for waterfront upgrades and building a new cruise terminal.
- Citys new seaport levy growth brings in USD 74,2 million per year and helped paying for the new projects. It also funded environmental programs. It is expected to be approved a 3% property tax increase, which means the owner of USD 590,000 property would pay around $70 in 2019, and $79 in 2023.
- Ports capital improvement plan includes upgraded to Fishermens Terminal, new light industrial space in Interbay , modernization of Bell Harbors conference center, new cruise terminal .
Construction works on the new Pier 46 Terminal started on March 13, 2019. The new Terminal 5 can handle ULCV , supports ~6600 direct jobs and generates USD 2+ billion in annual business activities. From the US$ 340M, the private company SSA Terminals contributed US$ 160M. The 185-acre terminal will be open in 2 phases one berth in 2021-Q1, and the other in 2023. Terminal 5 can handle simultaneously 2 large boxships . Port Seattles North and South harbor container terminals can handle ships with max capacity 14,000 TEUs.
Since 2019, Terminal 46 is no longer used for international container shipping. Cruise terminals completion is scheduled for 2020. The new facility will also have shoreside power capabilities.
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Seattle Vs Vancouver: Where Should You Start Your Alaska Cruise
Seattle and Vancouver are two of the most popular embarkation ports for Alaska cruises. Both are incredible cities with major airports and plenty to explore on pre- or post-cruise stays. So how do you decide which port is better for starting out on your Alaska cruise? Take a look at what’s offered from each homeport to help you decide.
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Repositioning Cruises Seattle 2022
In the table below we list all Alaska cruise ships departing from Seattle WA during the summer of 2022 and 2023. You can compare departure dates and itineraries. For more reposition cruise offers and cruise prices comparison follow our line-links at page right. We will add more itineraries as soon as the Alaskan cruise lines leaving out of Seattle announce their dates officially.
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