Once Inside Your Cruise Terminal
To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 among onboard passengers and crew and onshore to communities, each cruise ship sailing from the Seattle cruise terminals is required to achieve CDC Certification. Terminals have been enhanced with an additional layer of health measures including touchless technology, safety barriers, and social distancing.
All cruise lines operating must meet or exceed the CDCs cruise resumption guidelines which may include an assigned arrival window, COVID-19 screening and testing, and proof of vaccination. Please check with your cruise line for instructions about vaccination requirements and testing procedures before arrival.
Your cruise lines terminal operations will include helpful signage to remind everyone about healthy protocols and social distancing and to clearly guide cruise passengers through the check-in process in a safe and orderly way.
- If you are unsure about your embarkation and disembarkation requirements and procedures, please contact your cruise line
- Read our Cruise Healthy page for the status of Port of Seattle cruise terminal preparations
Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown
- 110 6th Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109
- The areas top-listed option for family-friendly lodging, the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown still requires transportation for the two-mile journey to Pier 91. However, with a rating of 4.3/ 5-stars, and over 160 rooms, the convenience of this location might outweigh the trouble of an extra trip
- Contact at 888-675-8872
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Car Rentals In Seattle
There is a new car rental facility at the Sea-Tac Airport. Free shuttle buses pick passengers up outside the baggage claim areas and take you directly to the rental facility offering most major rental companies including Avis.
The car rental agencies located closest to the port are: Budget Get up to 35% off!
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I Want To Come Early And Stay Late After My Cruise What Are Fun Things To Do And How Much Time Do I Need
Before and after your cruise is a great time explore the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to add in a few extra days around your cruise to make the most out of your vacation. By staying in Seattle Southside you are conveniently located near the Seattle airport as well as the top tourist attractions. Best things to do near the cruise terminals:
- Visit the Space Needle at Seattle Center
- Enjoy the Seattle Art Museum
Best things to do near Seattle Southside hotels:
Spend some time at the Museum of Flight, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, Des Moines Waterfront, Westfield Southcenter Mall, and/or watch the Seattle Seawolves, the championship MLR rugby team, play at Starfire Sports Stadium.
If you have more than one day, consider package deals such as the City Pass, which will allow you to see Seattle’s top attractions at a significant discounted price. Be sure to download the free Do More Save More Passport for discounts on area restaurants, attractions and shopping.
A day trip is a great option to explore Mount Rainier, the Hoh Rainforest, the San Juan Islands, Victoria, Canada via the Clipper, or Leavenworth. All of these sites are less than 3 hours away, and they each have their own breathtaking scenery and exciting adventures.
Best Things To Do Right Near The Cruise Port In Seattle
Seattle made its mark in the cruise industry decades ago as the prime embarkation port for voyages to Alaska. But the Emerald City should not be regarded as merely a place to meet your ship.In fact, if you dont make sure to spend some quality time in Seattle before your Alaska cruise, you are definitely missing out.
The neighborhoods right by the cruise terminals are filled with things to do. So, you can book a hotel near your ship, spend a day exploring and then hop onboard for your journey to Alaska. Note: Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 is right by most of these attractions, and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 is located between two and three miles away.
Here are the seven best things to do right near the cruise port in Seattle.
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Town Car & Limousine Service Rates From Seatac To Pier 66
Our Seattle cruise transfer services can accommodate more passengers and luggage than your standard taxi, with the additional benefit of a seamless and stress-free airport pickupmeaning you dont have to wait around in long taxi lines. View our rates below:
| Vehicle Type | |
| Van service up to 11 passengers | $165-185 |
These rates do not include 20% gratuity.
If you are traveling with a group of three, the cost of a Starline town car is approximately $19 per person thats just $2 more per passenger than taxi.
Does your group include small children? Starline can provide safety seats for your small children, just be sure to make your request at the time of your booking.
Fun Things To Do Near The Seattle Cruise Port
So youve booked your Alaska cruise from Seattle. Now its time to figure out what to do around the cruise port!
First, get your bearings. Most cruise ships set sail from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, located at the north end of Elliott Bay . Two cruise lines sail out of the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, near the midpoint of the downtown waterfront and within walking distance to some top attractions.
Regardless of which cruise terminal youre using, there are plenty of fun things to do near the cruise ports, and most of them are just a short taxi or Uber ride away. Here are our picks for the best things to do before or after a Seattle cruise. -571503″ rel=”nofollow”> 5 Seattle Restaurants Worth a Stop or the AAA Seattle Travel Guide .)
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Getting There From The Airport
Passengers on cruises departing from Seattle usually fly into Seattle-Tacoma, known as SeaTac. You can usually prearrange a shuttle van or bus from the airport to your ship through your cruise line or travel agent.
Shuttle Express offers both airport-to-pier round trip service and a package that includes rides from the airport to a downtown hotel, from the hotel to either pier and from the piers back to the airport.
Seattle can also be reached via taxi/rideshare or Link Light Rail. Traffic can be unwieldy at times, and parking equally difficult — therefore, we wouldn’t recommend renting a car to access the port, unless you have additional time before your cruise and fancy a day trip to Mt. Ranier National Park, for example .
Taxis are readily available at SeaTac taxi stands in the North and South Parking Garages. With tip, it can cost roughly $50 to take a cab from the airport to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and at least $60 to Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. Prices may be higher during heavy traffic.
Tips For Cruises From Seattle
There is agood choice of hotels in downtown Seattle. Some are just a short walk from Pier 66 making it very easy to enjoy a pre- or post-cruise stay and enjoy the sights of downtown Seattle including the Space Needle Observation Tower, Pike Place Market and Pike Place, home of the original Starbucks.
There are fewer hotels around Pier 91 but it is only about three miles from downtown. A good tip is to stay in a hotel close to Pier 66 and enjoy the shops, restaurants and downtown attractions during your stay. When its time to depart on your cruise, it is a short taxi or Uber drive to Pier 91.
Cruise parking is surprisingly expensive around Seattle cruise port. This is due to the port being in a prime downtown location where land is highly valued.
Also, the cruise season in Seattle is busiest during the summer months so parking lots lie empty in winter. In order to be profitable, they need to charge higher rates than cruise parking lots that operate year-round.
Seattle Yellow Cabs from the airport to Pier 66 charge between $40 and $60. Taxis to Pier 91 are three miles further and are charged at the regular metered rate, depending on traffic.
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Inexpensive Hotels Near Seattle Cruise Port
Ace HotelIf youre like us, then you may not want to spend a ton of money just to get a spot near the port. Thats where places like Ace Hotel come in. The minimalist hotels location is just about five blocks from the port. Its unique in that it offer standard rooms with a shared bath . If you dont want to share a bathroom, deluxe rooms with private facilities are also available.
Moore HotelStaying at a budget hotel doesnt mean your hotel has to sacrifice being trendy and hip. The Moore Hotel sits in a historic building and has been updated with a clean, minimalist design. It offers a great location, just a few minutes walk from Pike Place and the port. One thing it doesnt have is air-conditioning, but most of the weather in Seattle is cool anyway.
- Distance to Port: 0.5 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Where Can I Store My Bags If I Want To Explore The City
The Port of Seattle’s Port Valet program offers complimentary luggage transfer from the ship to your airline. You can sign up for the program by filling out the enrollment form in your stateroom. This complimentary service gives you plenty of time to explore the Greater Seattle Area luggage free!
Both cruise terminals provide luggage storage before and after cruises as well as onboard airline check-in and luggage handling. The cost is $3.00 per bag and bags must be reclaimed by 3:30 p.m. Cruise days only, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
If you want to store your luggage at Sea-Tac Airport, contact Smarte Carte at 206-431-0844 for assistance. They are located inside the airport, on the Baggage Claim level.
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Independent Shuttles & Private Car Services: $80
A few shuttle services have popped up in recent years to help you get from the airport to the cruise port. These services offer either private or shared service.
Shuttle Express: Offers dedicated service between the airport and cruise port. Prices per person vary based on the number of people riding. For instance, in our search a private sedan was around $90 total each way, but an SUV (which can carry more passengers was $110. If traveling with a larger group, this may be one of the more affordable options to get back and forth. If you are staying at a hotel in the area, you can also arrange them to give you a ride there instead.
Capital Aeroporter: Has private service that costs $98 one-way between the airport and cruise port. While that seems expensive, the price is good for up to five adult passengers. So if traveling with more people, this may be a good option. A sixth passenger increases the price $13.50.
Aces Town Car Service: While not necessarily focused on the cruise niche, Aces offers service from the airport to anywhere in town. Rates run about $80 each way for trips to the ports, for a ride in a private luxury sedan. More passengers bumps up the price slightly.
Seattle Shuttle: Family-owned and operated shuttle service offering passenger van transportation to the cruise ports or Seattle hotels. If traveling with more people, this might be an option.
Smith Cove Pier 91 Cruise Terminal
- address Cruise Terminal 91 , 2001 West Garfield St., Seattle, Washington 98119
- GPS coordinates pending
- Pier 91 terminal serves the ships of Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, Disney and Royal Caribbean.
- Pier 91 cruise terminal was opened in 2009. It has mechanized gangway for embarkation/disembarkation from floor 2 .
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and to downtown . The terminal is located on Pier #90 and Pier #91, at approx 2 mi from downtown in northwestern direction. This port used to serve as an industrial port and a resupply base and still looks a kind of industrial. The Smith Cove terminal offers car rental desk, concierge, luggage handling, retail kiosks, check-in and customs. Close there is a parking and shuttle minibus service which is free. The passengers can pick up a cell phone car lot. It has two cruise ship moorings.
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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.
Where Is My Cruise Ship
Passengers cruising with Oceania Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Lines will embark/disembark from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, located directly on our central waterfront. At this cruise terminal, you are within walking distance of Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Great Wheel, and Olympic Sculpture Park. Seattle Center and the Space Needle are also nearby.
Passengers cruising aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean Cruises will embark/disembark from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91. Smith Cove is located at the north end of the Elliott Bay waterfront, at the base of the beautiful Magnolia neighborhood, just 10-minutes from the citys retail core. This is one of the worlds only facilities where ships can connect to the citys power grid, greatly reducing air emissions.
For more information on the cruise terminals, reference the Port of Seattles Cruise Passenger Information page.
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Last Minute Cruises Can Sometimes Be The Cheapest Cruise Deal
Sometimes, but not always, the cheapest cruise deal is a Last Minute Cruise. You won’t get a wide selection of stateroom categories or a chance to select your stateroom location but if your schedule is flexible you just might find a cheap cruise price on a last minute cruise. Last minute cruises are cruises leaving in the next 90 days. The cruise line really wants to fill those last few staterooms and sometimes will offer them at a discount cruise price in exchange for you giving up your right to a full selection of cabin categories or deck locations. CruiseExperts.com makes it easy for you to poke around and see what’s available in last minute cruise deals. View our Last Minute Cruise Deals by clicking here and give it a try. This is one of our most popular website features.
Top Activities In Seattle
For everyone: Seattle Aquarium Housed within Pier 59 on the Seattle Waterfront, this attraction offers an approachable yet detailed introduction to the marine life of the Pacific Northwest. The Window on Washington Waters exhibit is home to a 120,000-gallon viewing tank with more than 800 fish and invertebrates indigenous to Puget Sound. Another dont-miss: Daily feedings in an underwater dome are a huge hit with visitors young and old.
For couples: Olympic Sculpture Park City officials scored a major victory when they repurposed a 9-acre industrial site into an indoor/outdoor sculpture park over a decade ago. Today, a Z-shaped path leads visitors past works by Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, and others. The park also looks out on natures sculptures: the Olympic Mountains to the west.
For families: Soundbridge This interactive music center, which is part of Benaroya Hall, offers childrens classes that emphasize exploration and immersion. The center even offers Sensory Friendly Concerts hosted by a board-certified music therapist for kids with autism and other disabilities.
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Seattle Hotels With Cruise Shuttles
Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Seattle CenterIf you want to stay in a great location near the cruise ports and all the cool things that Seattle has to offer, this hotel is a great option. It features a shuttle for $8 per person to the cruise terminals. You simply let them know when you check in. The schedule is flexible to meet your needs.
- Distance to Port: 15 miles
- Review Rating: 4 out of 5
Transportation Between Seatac Airport And Seattles Cruise Terminals
Seattles SeaTac Airport is 15 miles south of downtown Seattle and the cruise ship terminals. The easiest way from the airport to the cruise terminal is to arrange for town car, limo, or SUV pickup. Seattle Town Car are reliable, dont cost much more than a cab or a ride app, offer child and infant car seats, and curbside pick up will save you the trek to the taxi/rideshare zone with all of your luggage.
Shuttle Express provides shuttle service straight to the pier for $44/person, or in a combination hotel/pier shuttle transport package for an additional $10 each. Due to the per person fare, if youre traveling with a lot of adults, it will be cost-effective to choose a town car kids travel free on a shuttle, one per adult.
Taxis are easy to find and generally plentiful at SeaTac airport, located on the third floor of the airport parking garage. After collecting your luggage, go up one level, take the skybridge across to the parking garage, and then the elevator/escalator down one level to 3. There are clearly marked signs along the way to help you get there.
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are now allowed to pick up at SeaTac, as well with the addition of a $5 airport fee. The rideshare pickup zone is located on the third floor of the parking garage, near the taxi stand .
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