Seattle, Washington

Getting to Seattle is easy no matter where you’re traveling from. Most guests fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), about 13 miles south of downtown. Light rail connects the airport to the city center in roughly 40 minutes, and taxis, rideshare, and hotel shuttles are all readily available for the trip to either pier.

Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you’re building extra days into your trip to explore before or after your cruise. Paid parking is available at both terminals, though we strongly recommend reserving in advance since capacity is limited, particularly during peak Alaska season.

If you’d rather skip driving and parking altogether, several shuttle and car service companies run routes between SEA and both cruise terminals. Many track your flight in case of delays and offer flat rates, which takes one more thing off your plate on embarkation morning.

We always recommend arriving in Seattle at least the day before your cruise. It removes the risk of missing embarkation and gives you time to enjoy the city properly before heading north. Staying downtown puts you within easy reach of both piers.

A selection of our guests’ favorite hotels, grouped by category.

Seattle is built around a beautiful waterfront and framed by mountains and water on nearly every side. An extra night at the start or end of your trip is the perfect bookend to an Alaska adventure – here are a few of the places our guests love most.

Pike Place Market sits right on the downtown waterfront and has fed Seattle since 1907, making it essential first-day exploring for nearly every guest who sails from here. Come for the fish-throwing fishmongers, stalls of local produce and flowers, the original Starbucks, and the maze of shops tucked into the market’s ‘down under’ level. Plan for a morning, ideally before 9am, before the crowds arrive.

Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center, right beside the Space Needle, is a genuinely jaw-dropping stop for anyone who appreciates art, color, or simply a beautiful space. Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures fill both the indoor galleries and the garden beds outside, so plan for a couple of hours and book tickets in advance since it sells out. Afterward, wander the revitalized Elliott Bay waterfront past the Seattle Aquarium and the new Overlook Walk for an easy, scenic afternoon between other plans.

Foodie Experience
Savor Seattle Food Tours: “Seattle is one of America’s great food cities, and the best way to experience it is on foot with a local guide. Savor Seattle runs incredible walking tours centered on Pike Place Market. You’ll taste your way through artisan cheese, fresh Dungeness crab, chowder, and local pastries while learning the story of a market that has fed this city since 1907. My top pick for guests who want to eat their way into a destination.”

History and Culture
Seattle Underground Tour: “Head just south of Pike Place to Pioneer Square for a walk through the literal underground of old Seattle, the storefronts and sidewalks buried when the city rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1889. It’s funny, a little strange, and one of the best ways to understand how this city became what it is today.”

Seattle operates from two piers, so the single most important thing to know before you arrive is which terminal your line uses. Most lines – Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages – sail from Smith Cove Pier 91, about two miles north of downtown at 2001 W Garfield St. Norwegian and Oceania sail from Bell Street Pier 66, right on the downtown waterfront at 2209 Alaskan Way. Confirm your terminal with your cruise documents or your Harr Travel advisor before you leave your hotel, and have your travel documents ready at check-in: passport, cruise booking confirmation or barcode, and any required health forms.

Disembarkation in Seattle follows the same general rhythm as most major cruise ports. You’ll be assigned a disembarkation number or color and called off the ship in waves, typically starting mid-morning. Self-assist disembarkation, where you carry your own luggage off first, is usually available for guests who want an early flight or a day exploring the city. Both piers are a short taxi or rideshare ride from downtown hotels and about 40 to 60 minutes from Sea-Tac Airport, so build in extra time if you’re flying home the same day.