Departure port · Port of Seattle · Washington
Cruises from Seattle
Seattle is the leading US port for Alaska cruises, with seven-night Inside Passage round trips from about mid-April to mid-October visiting Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, a glacier such as Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm or Hubbard, and Victoria, British Columbia. More than a dozen lines base ships at two terminals, Pier 66 downtown and Pier 91 at Smith Cove, so it offers the biggest choice of Alaska sailings in the Lower 48.
- Alaska
- Pacific Coastal
- Hawaii
Photo: Vmenkov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Cruise port
- Port of Seattle
- Location
- Seattle, Washington
- Main destinations
- Alaska, Pacific Coastal, Hawaii
- Cruise lines
- 11 lines sail from here
Sailing from Seattle
The Port of Seattle has grown into one of the two great Alaska gateways, alongside Vancouver, with ships from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Carnival, MSC and other lines turning around here every week of the summer. Most sailings are round trips, which means you fly in and out of the same airport and skip the one-way fares and border crossings that come with Vancouver.
A typical week runs north through Canada’s Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, with a day of scenic glacier cruising and sometimes Sitka or Icy Strait Point. US law requires foreign-flagged ships on round trips from a US port to visit a foreign port, so nearly every Seattle cruise stops in Victoria, often for an evening, on the way home. Expect two sea days, one at each end, as ships cover the distance to Alaska.
Seattle suits anyone who wants Alaska without the logistics of a one-way trip, and it’s easy to add a few days in the city before or after. The trade-off is that Seattle round trips can’t reach the Gulf of Alaska glaciers near Anchorage or link up with a Denali land tour; for that, look at one-way cruises from Vancouver to Seward or Whittier.
Where cruises from Seattle go
Alaska cruises
Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.
Pacific Coastal cruises
Mainly April to May and September to October; some California coast sailings in winter.
Hawaii cruises
Year-round; humpback whales December to April. Best weather-and-value months April to May and September to October.
Cruise lines sailing from Seattle
Port of Seattle cruise terminals
Seattle has two cruise terminals about 3 miles (5 km) apart, so check which one your ship uses. The Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 sits on the downtown waterfront, a short walk from Pike Place Market; Norwegian is its main user. The Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, north of downtown between the Magnolia and Queen Anne neighborhoods, handles most other lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America and Carnival. Pier 91 is in a working industrial area, so you’ll need a taxi, rideshare or shuttle to reach it. At both, porters take checked bags at the curb before security and check-in. Arrive in your assigned window; ships typically sail in the late afternoon.
Getting to the port
Flying in
Seattle–Tacoma International (SEA) is about 14 miles (23 km) south of downtown, typically 25 to 45 minutes to either terminal by car depending on traffic. Cruise lines run transfers, and taxis and rideshare are plentiful. On a budget, Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown in about 40 minutes; from Westlake station it’s a short cab to Pier 66 or a longer one to Pier 91.
Driving
From I-5, follow signs for downtown and the waterfront; Pier 66 is on Alaskan Way at Bell Street. For Pier 91, take Elliott Avenue West north from downtown toward the Magnolia area and follow the cruise terminal signs. Weekday rush hour on I-5 is slow, and summer weekends bring heavy traffic around the waterfront.
Parking
Both terminals have port-operated parking: a garage across Alaskan Way from Pier 66 and on-site lots at Pier 91, charged per day. Reserve ahead for peak summer weekends. Many hotels near the airport sell park-and-cruise packages with a shuttle, and some off-site lots run their own transfers, which often cost less for a week.
Where to stay before a cruise from Seattle
Downtown and Belltown hotels are closest to Pier 66 and put you within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the waterfront and the Seattle Aquarium. For Pier 91, Queen Anne and the Seattle Center area, near the Space Needle, are about 10 minutes away. South Lake Union has newer hotels between the two. Hotels near Sea–Tac airport are cheaper and convenient for late arrivals, and many include cruise parking. Book early: summer weekends in Seattle sell out.
Things to do in Seattle before or after your cruise
- 1
Pike Place Market
food
Seattle’s century-old public market sprawls over several levels above the waterfront, with fishmongers tossing salmon, produce stalls, flower sellers, craft vendors and tiny restaurants. Look for piroshky, chowder and fresh Dungeness crab, and the original Starbucks storefront. It’s a 10-minute walk from Pier 66 and best early in the morning.
- 2
Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass
scenery
The 605-foot Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair, has a revolving glass floor and open-air viewing decks with views of the city, Puget Sound and, on clear days, Mount Rainier. Next door, Chihuly Garden and Glass shows Dale Chihuly’s colorful blown-glass sculptures indoors and in a garden setting.
- 3
Seattle waterfront and aquarium
family
The rebuilt central waterfront along Alaskan Way has a long promenade, piers with seafood shacks, the Seattle Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium, where sea otters and harbor seals are favorites. An elevated walkway and stairs link the waterfront with Pike Place Market above.
- 4
Ferry to Bainbridge Island
scenery
Washington State Ferries leave from the downtown terminal at Colman Dock for a roughly 35-minute crossing to Bainbridge Island. The ride gives classic views back at the skyline and, on clear days, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. Winslow, the island’s walkable town, has wine-tasting rooms, cafés and shops near the ferry dock.
- 5
Ballard Locks
nature
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks lift boats between Puget Sound and Lake Union, and you can watch from the walkways as everything from kayaks to fishing boats pass through. An underground viewing room overlooks the fish ladder, where salmon swim upstream in summer and early fall. It’s about 10 minutes from Pier 91.
- 6
Mount Rainier National Park
nature
The 14,410-foot volcano that dominates the city’s skyline is about two hours’ drive away. The Paradise area offers wildflower meadows in July and August, glacier views and short trails. It’s a full-day trip, best done on a pre-cruise day, and many tour companies run guided trips from downtown.
When cruises sail from Seattle
Alaska cruises from Seattle run from about mid-April to mid-October, with the most ships from May through September. June to August brings the warmest weather, about 18 hours of daylight in Juneau around the solstice and the highest fares. May and September are cheaper and quieter; September adds fall color and better odds of the northern lights. Before and after the season, a few ships sail Pacific coastal cruises to Vancouver, San Francisco or Los Angeles, or repositioning trips to Hawaii.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 478 | 479 | 5312 | 5814 | 6619 | 7021 | 7624 | 7725 | 7021 | 6116 | 5111 | 457 |
| Low °F (°C) | 373 | 373 | 394 | 436 | 499 | 5312 | 5814 | 5815 | 5312 | 478 | 415 | 373 |
| Rain in (mm) | 7.3186 | 5.4138 | 4.6116 | 3.793 | 2.461 | 2.255 | 0.614 | 0.922 | 2.358 | 5.3135 | 7.6193 | 8.0202 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 8 |
Embarkation day tips
- Weekends are the busiest days. Several big ships often turn around at both terminals on Saturdays and Sundays, so allow extra time for airport traffic and dock lines.
- Fly in the day before. A cancelled or delayed flight is the most common way to miss an Alaska sailing, and Seattle is an easy city to spend an extra evening in.
- Layers matter more than heavy coats. Pack a waterproof jacket, a warm fleece, a hat and gloves for glacier days, even in July.
- Bring your passport even though you may not strictly need it. Every Seattle sailing visits Canada, and a passport makes it much easier to fly home if you have to leave the cruise early.
- Book Alaska shore excursions such as floatplane trips, whale watching and the White Pass railway early; the most popular ones sell out months ahead.
Cruises from Seattle: FAQs
Which pier does my Seattle cruise leave from?
Check your boarding documents. Norwegian generally uses Pier 66, the Bell Street Cruise Terminal downtown, and most other lines, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America and Carnival, use Pier 91 at Smith Cove. The two are about 3 miles apart.
How far is Seattle airport from the cruise terminals?
About 25 to 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic and which terminal you need. Pier 91 is a little farther than Pier 66. Taxis, rideshare and cruise line transfers are all easy, and light rail can take you downtown for less.
Do I need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Not strictly, for US citizens on a round trip. Because the cruise starts and ends in Seattle, a birth certificate plus government-issued photo ID is usually accepted. A passport is still strongly recommended because every itinerary calls in Canada.
Why does my Alaska cruise from Seattle stop in Victoria, BC?
Because of US cabotage law. The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires foreign-flagged ships sailing round trip from a US port to call at a foreign port. Victoria, British Columbia, is the closest convenient one, so most itineraries stop there on the way back.
When is the Alaska cruise season from Seattle?
About mid-April to mid-October. June, July and August are the warmest and busiest months, while May and September offer lower fares, fewer crowds and still-good wildlife viewing.
Is it better to cruise to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver?
Seattle is better for simple round trips without a border crossing on the way in. Vancouver is better for one-way Gulf of Alaska cruises to Seward or Whittier, which reach more glaciers and pair easily with a Denali land tour.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.