Seattle Cruise Port: Terminals, Transport and Things to Do
Seattle is one of my favorite Alaska embarkation cities, and it rewards an early arrival. You will sail from one of two waterfront terminals, with the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Puget Sound all within easy reach.
Last Visited: July 2017 aboard Norwegian Pearl. I sailed from here on a seven-night Alaska cruise that included Glacier Bay.
My quick take
Seattle is a genuinely fun place to start a cruise, and the walkable downtown makes a pre-cruise night worth it. If you are weighing Pacific Northwest departure cities, I compare the options in my West Coast cruise ports guide and the nearby Vancouver cruise port guide.
First cruise from here? My first-timer cruise ports guide covers the habits that keep embarkation day calm.
The quick facts
- Where you land: one of two Port of Seattle terminals on Elliott Bay. Pier 66, the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at 2225 Alaskan Way, is on the downtown waterfront and handles Norwegian and Oceania. Pier 91, the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at 2001 West Garfield Street, is about 3 miles north and handles Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages.
- Dock or tender: Both terminals are alongside berths in the sheltered water of Elliott Bay, so you walk on and off the ship.
- Into town: From Pier 66 you are already downtown, with Pike Place Market about a 10 minute walk and the Seattle Aquarium and Great Wheel closer still.
- Currency and language: US dollars and English. Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, but payment rules differ by transit service and business, so keep a physical card and a little cash as backup.
- Time zone: Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7) right through the May to September Alaska season, Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8) in winter.
- How often the call is missed: Low (under 1%): the sheltered berth is rarely limited by local weather.
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How I would confirm my own terminal
Line assignments are a useful starting point, but the port schedule and your cruise documents control. Check both before reserving parking or telling a driver where to go.
Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal)
Bell Street sits right on the downtown waterfront at 2225 Alaskan Way. The Port of Seattle lists Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises here.
This is the walkable option. Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Great Wheel are all a short stroll away.
Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal)
Smith Cove sits at the north end of the waterfront at 2001 West Garfield Street. The Port of Seattle lists Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages here.
One important note from the Port: public transit does not reach Pier 91, so plan on a taxi, rideshare, or a cruise-line transfer. It is about 10 minutes from downtown shopping and the Space Needle.
Getting around
From SEA airport by Link light rail
Sound Transit’s 1 Line runs from SeaTac/Airport Station to downtown Seattle. The airport platform is reached from the terminal through the parking garage, so factor the walk and luggage handling into the trip.
Buy or tap the fare accepted by Sound Transit and check its current trip planner before travel. From downtown you still need to walk or take a taxi or rideshare to Pier 66, and no public transit reaches Pier 91.
Light rail works best for a downtown hotel the day before sailing, especially if you pack light. With several bags or a Pier 91 departure, a direct car avoids a station transfer and the final curbside leg.
Taxis, rideshare, and transfers
The port estimates a direct airport-to-terminal ride at about 30 to 40 minutes, but that is driving time rather than a full baggage-claim-to-check-in estimate. Both terminals have designated ground-transportation areas, so follow staff signs instead of choosing an arbitrary curb.
Cruise-line motor coach transfers are also offered by many lines, which is the simplest option for Pier 91 given the lack of transit.
Parking and luggage
At Pier 66, the Bell Street Pier garage lists general cruise parking at $30 per day before tax and a 6-foot-6-inch height limit. At Pier 91, general parking starts at $27 per day with a complimentary terminal shuttle, while overheight vehicles, RVs, and trailers start at $47 per day.
Both terminals offer same-day luggage storage for $6 per bag, with pickup by 3 p.m. to avoid a late fee. That is useful after disembarkation, but do not confuse it with permission to leave bags overnight or ignore your cruise line’s embarkation instructions.
The stops I’d actually spend time on
Choose the waterfront for an easy Pier 66 day or Seattle Center for the Space Needle cluster. Trying to cover both before boarding adds hills, crowds, and transport risk.
- Pike Place Market: founded in 1907 and one of the country’s oldest and largest continuously operating public markets, with produce stalls, fishmongers, crafts, and prepared food. Go early for easier aisles, but remember individual vendors set their own hours.
- Space Needle: the 605-foot 1962 World’s Fair icon with 360-degree observation decks looking over the skyline, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier.
- Chihuly Garden and Glass: Dale Chihuly’s glass artwork in indoor galleries and an outdoor garden, sitting right below the Space Needle.
- Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): the Frank Gehry-designed museum of music, film, and pop culture at Seattle Center.
- Seattle Center: the 74-acre campus that ties together the Space Needle, Chihuly, MoPOP, and the Pacific Science Center in one walkable cluster.
- Pacific Science Center: a family-friendly science museum at Seattle Center, handy on a rainy afternoon.
- Seattle Aquarium: a multi-building waterfront attraction that includes the historic Pier 59 spaces and the newer Ocean Pavilion. It is easy to reach from Pier 66, but allow time to move between buildings.
- Seattle Great Wheel: the waterfront observation wheel a short stroll from Bell Street terminal.
- Pioneer Square: Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, with Victorian Romanesque architecture, galleries, and lively restaurants.
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park: the free Pioneer Square museum telling the story of Seattle’s role in the gold rush.
How I’d plan the day
Embarkation morning: leave bags with your hotel and enjoy one nearby stop before your assigned arrival window. Pier 66 offers an 8 a.m. early checked-bag drop only for embarking Norwegian Bliss, Joy, or Encore guests, who should return by 2 p.m.
The day before sailing: base yourself at Seattle Center for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass. Add MoPOP only if its hours and your pace leave enough time to enjoy it.
A full pre-cruise day: start at Pike Place Market, continue down to the Aquarium, then choose Seattle Center or Pioneer Square for the afternoon. This route gives each area real time instead of turning the day into a checklist.
A realistic word on accessibility
Both terminals have accessible facilities, but Seattle’s waterfront approaches can include grades and elevator detours. Pier 91 has a wheelchair transport zone in its parking area, while cruise-line staff should confirm curb assistance, mobility-equipment handling, and gangway support.
When to go, and the weather
Seattle’s Alaska cruise season generally runs from late spring through early fall, when Norwegian and Oceania sail weekly from Pier 66. Summer days tend to be the mildest and driest, but pack a light rain layer just in case.
Whatever month you sail, check the forecast the week before and dress in layers. Puget Sound weather shifts quickly.
Quick answers
Which Seattle terminal will I use: The port lists Norwegian and Oceania at Pier 66, with Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages at Pier 91. Confirm the current port schedule and your cruise documents because assignments can change.
Can I take light rail to the ship: The 1 Line serves downtown near Pier 66, but the Port confirms it does not reach Pier 91, so for Pier 91 you will want a taxi, rideshare, or cruise transfer.
How far is the airport: The port estimates 30 to 40 minutes for a direct road transfer, but traffic and airport pickup time can stretch the full journey. Light rail reaches downtown only, not either cruise terminal.
Cruising from elsewhere on the coast? See my Los Angeles cruise ports guide for another popular Alaska and Mexico gateway.
Sources
- Port of Seattle: Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66
- Port of Seattle: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91
- Sound Transit: SEA airport and the 1 Line
- Visit Seattle: Seattle’s major attractions
How this guide was researched: This guide uses official port, transit, government, tourism, and attraction information reviewed in September 2026. See our Editorial Policy and reconfirm time-sensitive details before travel.
