While Seattle may be more famous for its coffee culture and bustling tech industry, this seaport city also serves as an important embarkation point for many leading cruise lines, especially cruises to Alaska.
Whether you are planning an Alaskan cruise that departs from the Emerald City or embarking on a completely different itinerary, you will want to familiarize yourself with the Port of Seattle and its two cruise ship terminals.
In This Article:
- Seattle Cruise Port Locations
- All About Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal)
- Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal)
- Distance From Seattle Cruise Ports to the AirportÂ
- Transportation Options from the Airport to Seattle Cruise Ports
- Differences Between the Two TerminalsÂ
- Relationship Between the Port and Alaska’s Cruise IndustryÂ
- Nearby Amenities
Seattle Cruise Port Locations
The Port of Seattle operates two dedicated cruise terminals—Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 along the waterfront near the city’s downtown core and Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, just northwest of it. Given that the two terminals are located several miles apart, it’s important to double-check where your ship is departing from before you set off.Â
If your cruise departs from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, you will need to follow directions to 2225 Alaskan Way, South Seattle, Washington 98121.
On the other hand, to get to a cruise ship docked at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, you will follow directions to 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, Washington 98119.
All About Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal)
Pier 91 (Smith Cove) is the main cruise terminal in the Port of Seattle. It currently serves Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Royal Caribbean and offers two berths.
It is located at the north end of Seattle’s waterfront and is about 3 miles from the city center. The terminal address is Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, WA 98119.
On arrival, cruise passengers may be offered soft drinks while waiting to board, but there are no cafes actually at the cruise terminal. However, there is plenty of seating with a great waterfront view and restrooms are available. There is also an ATM for passengers to use at the terminal.
Passenger services at Pier 91 include a rental car kiosk onsite, a drop-off point for cruise passengers and a ground transportation hub for buses and taxis.
Porters are available to help with luggage and can be easily spotted by their red caps. The cruise terminal offers baggage storage to keep your bags secure before and after your cruise.
On arrival at Pier 91 cruise terminal, all passengers are serviced at one general check-in desk. There is no separate entrance or line for cruise passengers booking a suite, unlike Pier 66.
Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal)
The Pier 66 Bell Street 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. It is about 15 miles north of Sea-Tac Airport. The facility can cater for two cruise ships at the same time.
The terminal address is: Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98121
After baggage drop, security, and check-in at Pier 66, cruise passengers may be asked to wait for boarding, especially if they arrive ahead of time. There is a separate area for VIP and suite passengers as well as a general waiting area.
Passengers may be offered soft drinks while waiting to board, but there are no cafes actually at the cruise terminal. There is plenty of seating with a great waterfront view, and restrooms are available.
Porters are available to assist with luggage and can easily be spotted with their red caps. There is a baggage storage service at the cruise terminal for luggage storage before and after your cruise. However, all bags must be reclaimed the same day before 3.30 pm.
Distance From Seattle Cruise Ports to the Airport
Both of the Port of Seattle’s main cruise piers are within a fairly convenient distance of Seattle’s airport, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For those flying into Seattle prior to their cruise, the amount of time it will take will depend on which of the two piers your ship is departing from and traffic conditions when you arrive.
On average, you can expect a 25-minute drive to downtown’s Bell Street Cruise Terminal or a 30 to 35-minute commute to the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.
Read Also: Must-Know Transportation Tips from Seattle Airport to Cruise Port
With that said, traffic into downtown Seattle can be pretty congested if you arrive during rush hour, so you should give yourself extra time if you are hoping to drive from Seattle’s airport to either pier between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., especially on a workday.
Directions:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 (14.1 miles):
- Get on WA-518 W from Airport Expressway (drive for 2.3 miles)
- Take WA-509 N and Highway 99 N to Alaskan Way S. Once on Alaskan Way S., continue for 1.8 miles. Watch for signs for the Bell Street Cruise Terminal and exit left when you see it. The terminal entrance will be on the right.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (19 miles):
- Get on WA-518 from Airport Expressway (drive for 2.3 miles)
- Take WA-509 N to Dexter Ave N (after 12.2 miles, take the exit towards Mercer Street)
- Drive along Mercer Street before turning left onto Elliot Ave. Follow signs for the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
Transportation Options from the Airport to Seattle Cruise Ports
For those flying into Seattle, rather than driving directly to their respective cruise terminal, numerous options make it easy to get from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Several low-cost shuttle services link the airport and the Port of Seattle. With well-marked pick-up and drop-off points at each terminal, this is a good option for those looking to cut down on transportation costs.
If you prefer to travel directly to your designated departure point, taxis are readily available outside the airport terminals. Not only is getting a cab easy, but all of Seattle’s major taxi companies offer flat rates between the airport and the two cruise terminals.
Given Seattle’s reputation as one of the major tech hubs in the United States, you won’t be surprised to learn that rideshare services, including Uber and Lyft, are also plentiful and easy to reach.
In fact, you will even pass by one of Uber’s main engineering offices on your way to either cruise port, which explains why so many drivers are available. While these can be affordable, ensure you avoid surge rates if you arrive during rush hour, as it can cost more than a taxi.
Parking at Seattle Cruise Port
Overnight and temporary parking is available at both terminals. Bell Street Cruise Terminal has covered parking on the other side of the road from the terminal and a sky bridge connecting the parking garage to the terminal entrance. There are plenty of spaces, and overnight parking is available for $23 per day. We recommend booking your spot ahead of time.
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 also has on-site parking and a free shuttle that helps cruise passengers travel between the terminal entrance and the parking lot. Parking is a little bit more expensive at $29 per day, but you can save $2 per day if you book online ahead of time.
Traveling by Train to the Port of Seattle
Amtrak offers budget-friendly train routes connecting Seattle to other major American cities. If you prefer to take the scenic route to your cruise departure point, you can easily take the train to the King Street Amtrak Station, which is located in the city’s downtown core.
From the station, taxis take roughly 10 minutes to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal and about 20 minutes to the Smith Cove Terminal. Again, travel times can vary depending on traffic and downtown construction delays, so you may want to give yourself more time. After all, the last thing you want is to be late for your cruise!
Differences Between the Two Terminals
Apart from the fact that Bell Street Pier is located in the heart of downtown Seattle while Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is situated slightly north of it, near the city’s Magnolia neighborhood, the two terminals are relatively similar.
Both feature modern terminal facilities, including clean and wheelchair-friendly restrooms, numerous seating areas, and information booths. Unfortunately, neither terminal offers complimentary Wi-Fi, but it can be purchased for a small fee. Most cruise passengers find that their cell phone reception is pretty strong, which is rarely an issue for American travelers.
The Bell Street Terminal offers a VIP waiting area for passengers who have paid extra. While this isn’t necessary, it can be worthwhile if you plan to arrive early. If you have paid for a suite, you may even qualify for free access to the VIP area, so it is worth checking with your cruise line.
Where the two piers really differ is in size. The Bell Street Terminal caters more to smaller cruise ships and fewer cruise lines, so it is the smaller of the two terminals. For those traveling on a full-size cruise ship, it is more likely that you will depart from the larger Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91.
Accessibility
The terminal was designed to be highly accessible, so there are plenty of wheelchair ramps. Individual cruise lines also offer wheelchairs and attendants who can help passengers in need of assistance. If you require a wheelchair, it is a good idea to contact your cruise line ahead of time to ensure that they will have one waiting for your arrival.
Relationship Between the Port and Alaska’s Cruise Industry
The Port of Seattle is an essential embarkation and disembarkation point for cruises, with itineraries that take them to explore Alaska’s pristine coastline. Thanks to the strategic Pacific Northwest location of the two cruise terminals and Seattle’s world-class international airport, it is one of the preferred choices for some of the world’s most reputable cruise lines.
While San Francisco, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, both have port facilities that allow Alaska cruises to depart from them, without the Port of Seattle, the entire Alaskan cruise market would suffer. In 2023 alone, 251 cruise ships departed from Seattle on their way to Alaska. Industry forecasts anticipate this number will grow to at least 275 this year.
Not only does the port help hundreds of thousands of travelers explore Alaska’s rugged landscape and untamed wildlife, but it has been doing so for 25 years! This explains why the Port of Seattle is considered to be one of the main gateways to Alaska.
Nearby Amenities
With Seattle being a tourist destination in its own right, many cruise passengers departing from the Port of Seattle will give themselves a few days either before or after their cruise to explore the city. Luckily, there are plenty of amenities and points of interest located within a short distance of the two cruise ports:
Explore Downtown
While they may not necessarily be within walking distance of the downtown core, the two cruise terminals are located relatively close. Bell Street at Pier 66 is just over a mile away from downtown, so you could reach it with a 25-minute walk, but the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is over 3 miles away and would require walking along roads that are not overly pedestrian-friendly.
Whether you walk or take a cab, downtown Seattle is home to some truly iconic sights. We recommend going up the Space Needle for a 360° view of the city and the surrounding area. The Seattle Great Wheel also offers some stunning views of Seattle’s downtown waterfront, and tickets are less than $30.
Downtown Seattle is also a foodie’s playground; with restaurants, casual eateries, and countless coffee shops, it’s not difficult to treat your tastebuds while you walk around the downtown area.
Visit the Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium is roughly half a mile from Pier 66, so passengers could easily walk to it. For those departing from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, it would be about a 1-hour walk or 15-minute drive, but it is well worth visiting.
Located along the waterfront at Pier 59, visiting is a family-friendly activity. View sharks, rays, schools of fish, and a wide array of marine life that is local to the coastal waters of Washington State, as well as species from all over the world.
Walk Around Pike Place Market
Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market is just steps away from Seattle Aquarium, so travel times are almost identical. For over a century, the Pike Place Market has acted as the unofficial center of Seattle’s downtown and the heart and soul of the city’s unique culture.
With shops catering to tourists and locals, you’ll surely find something that catches your eye. As one of the oldest and largest continuously operating markets in the country, it’s not something you’ll want to miss.
