By: Lindsey Brown, Travel Advisor
March 31, 2026

An Alaska cruise is one of those trips you will remember forever. Knowing a few important details before embarkation can help start your vacation off on the right foot and give you peace of mind as you prepare for your trip.

If you are flying into Seattle, you will arrive at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA). From there, you can take an Uber or taxi to your hotel, which typically costs between $40 and $60 depending on traffic and location.

Seattle’s Light Rail is another inexpensive option that connects the airport to downtown Seattle. One-way tickets are usually less than $5, making it a budget-friendly way to reach the city. However, the light rail does not travel to the cruise pier, so you will still need alternate transportation to the terminal on embarkation day.

Two areas that are conveniently located near the cruise ports are Queen Anne (Seattle Center) and Belltown, both of which offer hotel options ranging from economy to luxury.

As a travel advisor, I always recommend arriving at least one day before your cruise departs. This gives you extra flexibility in case of flight delays and allows you to start your vacation feeling relaxed instead of rushed.

Seattle’s Two Cruise Piers

There are two cruise terminals located along the northern shores of Seattle:

Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91

Pier 66 primarily hosts Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania, while Pier 91 is the larger terminal and is used by several major cruise lines sailing to Alaska, including:

Royal Caribbean
Carnival Cruise Line
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Princess Cruises

The two terminals are only about 10 minutes apart, so the commute from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is roughly the same for either location—usually about 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Parking and Drop-Off at Pier 91

If you are driving to the port, on-site parking is available. At the time of my visit, the 7-night parking rate was $199, and the lot offers:

Complimentary shuttles to the terminal
Luggage assistance

Ride-share services also have a designated drop-off area. However, you can always ask your driver if they are willing to drop you closer to the building to avoid the longer walk. Our driver was very friendly and happy to do this for us.

Porters are available to assist with your luggage once you arrive. Be sure your luggage tags are securely attached before handing over your bags—and don’t forget to tip the porters.

I highly recommend using luggage tag holders to protect your cruise tags from tearing or getting wet during travel.

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal Address

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91
2001 West Garfield Street
Seattle, WA 98119

Embarkation Day

Once inside the terminal, the process is very smooth. Signs are clearly posted to guide you through each step of the process.

During my experience, it took less than 30 minutes to go through security and board the ship.

Before leaving home, be sure to check with your cruise line to confirm that you have all the required travel documents and identification needed for check-in.

Disembarkation Day

Disembarking the ship was just as simple. After exiting the ship, you will follow signs to the baggage claim area.

One tip: make your suitcase easy to identify. A plain black suitcase in a sea of black luggage can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Adding a luggage tag, ribbon, or bright luggage strap can make spotting your bag much easier.

A Helpful Tip: Port Valet

If your flight doesn’t leave until later in the day and you plan to explore Seattle, consider taking advantage of Port Valet, a complimentary service offered at the port.

With Port Valet:

Your boarding passes and airline luggage tags are delivered to your stateroom the night before disembarkation.
You place your tagged luggage outside your stateroom the final evening.
Your bags are checked directly through to your home airport.

This allows you to enjoy Seattle without dragging your luggage around all day.

To use Port Valet, you must enroll in advance, and your flight must depart the same day as your cruise disembarkation. Enrollment can even be completed once you are onboard the ship.

If you choose not to use Port Valet, luggage storage is available at the port for $6 per bag until 3:00 PM on the day you disembark.

Overall, my experience at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 was quick, easy, and well organized—something I always appreciate when traveling.

If you are planning an Alaska cruise from Seattle, I would love to help you get started and make the process even smoother.

And be sure to watch for my other Alaska blog posts as I share more tips and experiences from exploring The Last Frontier.

Disclaimer: The rate I paid for the cruise discussed in this blog was the same rate available to the general public. I do not receive a commission from the link referenced for luggage tags.

Navigating Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 in Seattle