Friday, April 12, 2024

Seattle Cruise Port Guide: Gateway to the Pacific Northwest

cruise terminal in seattle

By following these practical tips and tricks, you’ll be well-prepared to kick off your Seattle cruise experience with confidence and ease. Whether you’re looking for luxury, affordability, or a unique boutique experience, you’ll find suitable accommodations in this vibrant city. The city also offers diverse shopping options, from high-end boutiques to unique local markets.

Port Seattle starts 2024 Alaskan cruise season with Norwegian Bliss ship

Milestones in Seattle Cruise History - portseattle.org

Milestones in Seattle Cruise History.

Posted: Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Pier 66 passengers may park at the Bell Street Garage across from the terminal. This covered garage has a sky bridge connecting the garage to the terminal. Cruise parking is surprisingly expensive around Seattle cruise port.

Restaurants Near the Port of Seattle (Plus Shopping and Other Services)

During season 2019 (April-October), the cruise port handled 211 ship calls and ~1,2 million passengers (1,114 million were handled in 2018). For 2020 was forecasted a record year with scheduled 225 ship calls and estimated ~1,4 million passengers. In early-April 2016, Port Seattle announced plans to ease flight-cruise passengers at Sea-Tac Airport by temporarily replacing TSA security staff with contractors.

Norwegian Jewel 9-Day Alaska

Port Seattle's North and South harbor container terminals can handle ships with max capacity 14,000 TEUs. In 2023 (April-October) the Port received 291 ship calls and 1,778 million passengers. Since 2024, Pier 66's dock provides shore power connectivity/cold ironing. Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 (July 19 thru Oct 23) Port Seattle handled 83 cruise ship calls and ~230,000 passengers.

Getting to Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal

Near the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, however, shopping and dining abounds with the downtown waterfront peppered by independent cafes and quick-serve restaurants. There are plenty of souvenir shops, top attractions and convenient stores within walking distance, too. 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.

Porters and Red Caps at the Port of Seattle

Since entering another country, you must clear customs and immigration at the Seattle cruise port even if you don’t intend to get off in Victoria. Passengers must disembark at the border, show passports, and go through security. Quick Shuttle or Amtrak are great options if you’re embarking in Seattle but ending in Vancouver or vice-versa. If you are flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or coming from Vancouver, British Columbia, here are your transportation options. There is a long, covered walkway to the check-in area, ideal if it’s busy and raining. You might have heard about the Port Valet service from the Port of Seattle.

cruise terminal in seattle

FAQs about Cruise Ship Emissions

cruise terminal in seattle

The pier is walking distance to many of the city’s most popular tourism attractions. Both cruise terminals provide seating for passengers in the embarkation halls. The Bell St. Terminal at Pier 66 has about 250 chairs, while the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 provides seating for about 500 people.

Most itineraries arrive in Juneau in the afternoon due to the longer travel time. If the train schedule doesn’t work for you, several bus companies offer inexpensive transportation. Cruise passengers arriving in Seattle for the day need a shuttle to reach downtown.

Be sure to pack some rain gear as the winds can get pretty chilly during the colder months, and there is always a bit of rain. Restrooms are located both before and after security, in the ticket halls and in the disembarkation areas inside both terminals. Porters are available at both terminals to assist with luggage. Cruisers who are being picked up from Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal) after their cruise should advise family and friends to use the cell phone waiting lot. If you have time, you can enjoy a 3-hour Seattle City Tour by bus and see all the sights including the Space Needle.

Located near the large Penny Pig at the entrance, which collects money for people in need, it’s a must-visit to see the flying fish in action. Below the fresh market, you’ll find a rabbit hole of tunnels and walkways leading to shops selling vintage goods, paper items, and clothing. If you love to browse, you can easily spend a few hours in your element.

The port serves as a jumping off point for Alaskan cruises, most of them lasting a week. Over the past decade or so Alaskan cruises have boomed in popularity, and with that so has traffic at the Port of Seattle. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a fine dining experience, or unique shopping finds, you’ll find plenty of options. With the right preparation, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable Seattle cruise experience. Remember, space in cruise cabins can be limited, so it’s wise to pack efficiently. Prioritize items based on the length of your cruise, the destinations you’ll be visiting, and the activities you plan to partake in.

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”.

Today the two terminals (with a third on the way) serve more than 1.2 million passengers in a typical year — most of that during the busy summer Alaskan cruise season. Seattle is a haven for foodies and shoppers, offering a diverse range of dining and shopping experiences near its cruise ports. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Seattle Washington cruise ports, your starting point for an unforgettable journey. Whether you have a few hours or a few days to explore, Seattle is packed with exciting experiences and attractions. An award-winning cruise destination, there’s truly something for everyone – culture-lovers, foodies, shoppers, adventurers – to enjoy. Passengers heading to the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 should shop for necessities downtown prior to arrival.

However, this convenience doesn’t extend to departures from Pier 91.

Cruise season in Seattle starts with a rally against pollution - The Seattle Times

Cruise season in Seattle starts with a rally against pollution.

Posted: Sun, 07 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This way if anything goes awry with your flights — equipment delays, weather, computer issues, etc. — then you still have plenty of time to get to the port on cruise day. The open-air market features all sorts of specialty shopping and it one of the most visited spots in the city. It’s a short 10-minute walk from Pier 66, but you’ll need a ride from Pier 91. There are also a number of hotels nearby if you want to stay in downtown Seattle.

The area also boasts a rich food and coffee scene, with Pike Place Market offering a historic and delicious experience. Eager for a return visit, we look forward to diving deeper into what this vibrant city offers. In 2024, the cruise port reported a total of 275 booked berthings with estimated 800,000+ passengers. In 2017, Holland America Line started an ad campaign on 3 commuter trains running on Seattle's Sound Transit Light Rail System.

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