Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Seattle Cruise Port Guide: Gateway to the Pacific Northwest

seattle cruise terminal

Seattle is a walkable city with many major attractions near the waterfront. The city and its cruise services cater to a wide demographic, including families, solo travelers, and couples. There are activities and experiences for all age groups, making it a universally appealing cruise port. The story of Seattle’s emergence as a major cruise port is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting the city’s growth and its evolving relationship with the sea. The second key terminal is the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, situated in the heart of downtown Seattle.

seattle cruise terminal

Bell Street Terminal

It’s an efficient way to dive into the city’s key sights and sounds. City tours are invaluable in any new city, offering insights, history, and local tips that enhance your understanding and experience. Exploring the market could take hours, as it’s packed with more experiences than one can cover in a short visit.

Quantum of the Seas 7-Day Alaska

This service is great for those headed to the airport, but who don’t want to deal with lugging bags around. You simply put a tag on your bags the night before your cruise ends and set them outside your room. Seattle WaterfrontThe waterfront right near Pier 66 and downtown Seattle is walkable with a large number of things to do. There is the Seattle Aquarium, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, the Great Wheel and more.

Find My Ship and Terminal

Whether you’re seeking the rugged beauty of Alaska, the charm of the Pacific Coast, or an epic journey through the Panama Canal, the options are as diverse as they are abundant. These hotel options in Seattle cater to a range of tastes and budgets, ensuring a comfortable and convenient start to your cruise journey. The city and its cruise partners are committed to environmentally friendly practices, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious travelers.

HAL-Holland America unveils Panama Canal and Hawaii cruises for 2025-2026 season

When staying near this port or stopping here on a Pacific Northwest cruise, you’re within walking distance of popular Seattle attractions. You can easily reach Pioneer Square, Seattle Great Wheel, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Aquarium on foot. The Seattle Cruise Terminal, with two locations, serves as a critical gateway for Alaskan cruises. Many cruise guests who live in the United States prefer embarking at a Seattle port, eliminating the need for an international flight. Addressing these common concerns can help ensure that your cruise experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Meet Oscar, SEA Airport and Seattle Cruise Terminal's New AI Trash Waste Sorter - portseattle.org

Meet Oscar, SEA Airport and Seattle Cruise Terminal's New AI Trash Waste Sorter.

Posted: Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Port Adopts SEA Airport Land Stewardship Strategies

When restarted, the new facility will be operated by a private company (TBA) which is due to be responsible for 50% of all development costs (~USD 100 million). Berth's northern portion serves as cruise dock (land area 29 acres / 117,360 m2), while its south end is for docking of breakbulk cargo ships. 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 it’s time to depart on your cruise, it is a short taxi or Uber drive to Pier 91. Seattle’s well-connected transportation network makes it an accessible cruise port.

Tips for Cruises from Seattle

Passengers arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) should anticipate a 25-minute drive to downtown's Pier 66 or a 35-minute drive to Pier 91. There are no cell phone waiting areas at the Bell Street/Pier 66 terminal, but there is one at the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 for anyone waiting to pick up disembarking passengers. A Security Officer will be located on Alaskan Way to direct traffic and assist passenger drop off.

seattle cruise terminal

Ships at Pier 91

Cruisers who are being picked up from Pier 66 Bell Street Pier after their cruise should advise family and friends to use the parking garage across the street from the pier. The covered garage has 1700 spaces and charges $24 per day for cars. Reserved parking is recommended through Republic Parking Northwest and the cost is $23 per day when booked in advance. There is no capacity for RVs or larger vehicles to park as the garage has a maximum height of 6’6”. The cruise terminal concierge will provide any local city information regarding restaurants and attractions nearby.

This terminal is more centrally located and offers easy access to the city’s numerous attractions, including the iconic Space Needle and vibrant Pike Place Market. During our stay, we chose the Grand Hyatt Seattle, conveniently located within walking distance of key attractions. This proves that you don’t need to be adjacent to the cruise port to enjoy downtown. Parking directly at your designated cruise terminal simplifies check-in and allows easy walk-in access. However, during peak cruise season, parking spots are limited, so you must book a spot in advance. Space Needle ComplexOf course, the most famous landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle.

Take exit 164A and follow the signs to Madison Street and Alaskan Way to reach Pier 66 cruise terminal. Follow the signs to Madison Street and Garfield Street to reach Pier 91 Smith Cove cruise terminal. On the final night of your cruise, your airline boarding pass and luggage tags will be delivered to your stateroom.

Pier 66 currently serves Oceania Cruises and Norwegian Cruise lines. The terminal is part of an 11-acre complex right on Seattle’s waterfront close to Pike Place Market, the Big Wheel, Seattle Aquarium and the downtown district. Older guests will not have to struggle with heavy bags or look for porters to assist.

However, this convenience doesn’t extend to departures from Pier 91. Neither terminal has complimentary Wi-Fi, but cell phone reception is generally sufficient. If you intend on taking your car to the Port of Seattle, below are driving directions to both terminals. Contact your cruise line for official information about what to expect for your 2023 Alaska cruise preparations, boarding and on-board experiences. In 2019, the US company Vigor Industrial opened a new drydock facility in Port Seattle, with capacity to handle mega-yachts and mid-sized cruise liners. New drydock's operations started with the 3-week long refurbishment of Oceania Regatta.

Be sure to allow ample travel time for heavy traffic due to downtown construction, sporting events and weekday business commute times. Public transit between Seattle's airport and the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 is not convenient due to lengthy transfers. Instead, air travelers en route to Pier 66 may use the Link Light Rail to reach a central downtown location near hotels. The seaport of Washington State is nicknamed ”The Emerald City“. It currently has 2 passenger terminals - "Terminal 91" and "Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal" (aka "Pier 66"), plus 1 new/planned (Pier 46). Fishermen's Terminal (on Salmon Bay) is the homeport (dock) for Washington state's North Pacific Fishing Fleet (commercial fishing vessels).

Should you get onboard, it’s advisable not to disembark in Victoria, drive from Skagway to the Yukon, or take the White Pass Railroad. I found the Quick Shuttle comfortable and convenient, and I liked that I didn’t need a taxi to reach the cruise terminal. However, the bus takes an hour longer than the train due to the number of pick-up and stopping points. Amtrak Cascades takes 3-1/2 hours, leaving from Pacific Central Station in Vancouver. There are usually two daily departures, and the train journey is quite scenic. You may need a hotel stay and additional transportation to your embarkation port.

To go a little further, perhaps to explore the Fremont, you can grab an Uber, Lyft, or a taxi. There will typically be taxis waiting at the terminal, especially during peak embarkation and disembarkation times but if not you can give one of our recommendations a call. Seattle is a pretty walkable city, especially if you cruising from Pier 66 which is close to the downtown area.

No comments:

Post a Comment

‎Your Daily Prayer: A Prayer When a Situation Seems Impossible on Apple Podcasts

Table Of Content God’s House Is a Place of Racial and Cultural Unity (Church of God in Christ church in Los Angeles, CA) WORSHIP SERVICE TIM...