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There is no direct mass transit option from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66. The Port is accessible only during late spring (April), summer months and early fall (late September, early October). Cruise ships usually arrive in Seattle in the early morning (at 6, 7 or 8 am) and depart from Seattle in the late afternoon (4 or 5 pm). Since 2019, Terminal 46 is no longer used for international container shipping.
Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal)
Still, for those that don’t have an account with a rideshare company, getting a cab can be more convenient than having to download an app and start an account when you want a ride. Unlike ports in Florida that might attract a lot of locals, most passengers sailing from Seattle are from out of town and unfamiliar with the port and what it offers. For those, we’ve created this complete guide to cruising from the Port of Seattle. Addressing these common concerns can help ensure that your cruise experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Always check with your cruise line for the most current information and guidelines. By following these practical tips and tricks, you’ll be well-prepared to kick off your Seattle cruise experience with confidence and ease.
Seattle’s Great Wheel

The station is a 10-minute drive to the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and a 20-minute drive to the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91. 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. There are no cell phone waiting areas at the Bell Street/Pier 66 terminal, but there is one at the Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 for anyone waiting to pick up disembarking passengers. If you intend on taking your car to the Port of Seattle, below are driving directions to both terminals.
Hotels With Cruise Shuttles For Every Major Port in America
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal is close to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (~20-25 min drive) and to downtown (~10 min drive). The terminal is located on Pier #90 and Pier #91, at approx 2 mi (3 km) from downtown in northwestern direction. This port used to serve as an industrial port and a resupply base and still looks a kind of industrial. The Smith Cove terminal offers car rental desk, concierge, luggage handling, retail kiosks, check-in and customs.
Bell Street Pier 66 cruise terminal
The cruise port of Seattle was established on September 5, 1911, with the votes of King County, WA, confirmed by Port District Act and run by an elected 5-member commission. This port district runs both the airport and the seaport of Seattle. In late-November 2018, Port Seattle's Terminal 18 (operated by SSA Marine Inc) surpassed the 1 million TEU-container volume.
HAL-Holland America elevates Alaska cruising experience with 'Glacier Day' and enhanced programming
Restaurants and mini-mart with ATM are located onsite as well as wheelchair, scooter and oxygen rentals which can be delivered directly to your cabin. The Port of Seattle is already halfway through its 2021 cruise season, with more than 40 remaining sailings as of September 1. The seaport of Washington State is nicknamed ”The Emerald City“. It currently has 2 passenger terminals - "Terminal 91" and "Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal" (aka "Pier 66"), plus 1 new/planned (Pier 46). Fishermen's Terminal (on Salmon Bay) is the homeport (dock) for Washington state's North Pacific Fishing Fleet (commercial fishing vessels). The new facility (abbrev Northwest Seaport Alliance) is a container ship terminal fitted with 5x super-large STS cranes (ship-to-shore/rail-mounted gantry cranes).
Long-Term Cruise Terminal Parking
While it’s shorter than observation towers like the CN Tower, it still offers impressive views. This museum isn’t just about viewing glass art; it’s an immersive experience suitable for all ages. Further up the street, at 1124 Pike Street, you can visit another Starbucks called the Seattle Roastery. Here, you can book a tour and see how the coffee chain roasts its beans. The shop draws big crowds daily, some to listen to the summer street performers and others to say they enjoyed a brew at the iconic location.
Port of Seattle touts record-breaking 2023 cruise ship season - Eatonville Dispatch
Port of Seattle touts record-breaking 2023 cruise ship season.
Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Each homeported ship's visit generates USD 4+ million for Washington State's economy, with annual regional revenue USD 0,9+ billion. The city's best-known landmark is The Space Needle observation tower in downtown (height 184 m / 604 ft), having 6 floors (top floor heigth 158 m / 518 ft) and 3 lifts. Also, the cruise season in Seattle is busiest during the summer months so parking lots lie empty in winter. In order to be profitable, they need to charge higher rates than cruise parking lots that operate year-round. 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.
On August 12, 2015, the seaport signed a 15-year lease deal with NCLH (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings). The deal secured all NCLH ships (NCL, Oceania and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas) in Port Seattle for the full term of the lease of Bell Street Terminal (Pier 66). The guaranteed passenger volume was estimated to bring ~USD 73 million of revenue to the cruise port.
Pier 91 (Smith Cove Terminal) is just about three miles up the waterfront. Seattle’s cruise port is a hub for various prestigious cruise lines, offering a plethora of destinations that cater to diverse tastes. The history of Seattle’s cruise port is inextricably linked to the city’s maritime heritage, which dates back to the 19th century. Transportation from the cruise port to downtown areas has improved, but is still cumbersome.
Below we have your main options for parking at the Port of Seattle. As mentioned, the Port of Seattle has two cruise terminals, Pier 66 and Pier 91. 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. Both terminals are about 15 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Most commonly, cruises from Seattle go to exciting destinations such as Transatlantic, Alaska, Asia, Hawaii, and Panama Canal & Central America. The ride lasts about 12 minutes and provides excellent views of the city. During our spin, we saw the Norwegian Bliss docked at Pier 66. The wheel features 41 gondolas, each holding up to 8 people, or you can opt for a private cabin with VIP tickets. When it’s not busy, you can enjoy a gondola to yourselves as we did. Below the fresh market, you’ll find a rabbit hole of tunnels and walkways leading to shops selling vintage goods, paper items, and clothing.
See our complete list of Seattle hotels with cruise shuttles here. Travel is back and visitors will soon arrive in the region to begin their cruise vacation to Alaska. That means hundreds of seasonal jobs at the airport and at the Port's two cruise terminals. With 1.43 million passengers expected to cruise out of the Seattle Cruise Port in 2023, it is also one of the busiest cruise ports in the Pacific Northwest.
This service is possible as Sea-Tac Airport and the Port of Seattle are run by the same authority. Must know things about each Seattle cruise terminal with travel tips for your cruise vacation from the state of Washington. The staff then picks them up and they are sent to the airport and loaded on the plane. That way you can explore the city for the day or simply head to the airport without worrying about your luggage.
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