Seattle cruise port has 2 separate terminals. Picking the wrong one costs real time on embarkation day in Seattle. Pier 91 and Pier 66 are 3-4 miles apart, each with its own parking, cruise lines, and airport distance. This guide sorts out which terminal you need, current parking costs, and the fastest way in.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details. The commission doesn’t decide our choices. See how we research and maintain our editorial standards.
Which Seattle Cruise Terminal Does Your Ship Use?
Seattle runs 2 working cruise terminals on Elliott Bay. They aren’t interchangeable.
| Your Cruise Line | Terminal | Address |
| Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages | Pier 91, Smith Cove Cruise Terminal | 2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises | Pier 66, Bell Street Cruise Terminal | 2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121 |
Your exact terminal is printed on your cruise documents. Confirm it before you arrange a ride. Because a trip between them in heavy cruise traffic can take 15 to 30 minutes or more. A driver defaulting to just “the cruise port” can easily guess wrong.
Seattle Cruise Port Guide at a Glance
- 2 terminals, Pier 91 and Pier 66, about 3-4 miles apart
- Pier 91 homeports Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Virgin Voyages
- Pier 66 homeports Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises
- Both terminals are 30 to 40 minutes from Sea-Tac Airport
- Neither terminal has a direct light rail or bus connection
- Pier 91 parking starts around $27 a day
- Pier 66 parking starts around $33 a day
- The Alaska cruise season generally runs late April through early October
- Rates and contacts change often, so treat figures here as a starting point
Pier 91 vs. Pier 66, How the Two Terminals Compare
Pier 91, the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, is in Magnolia and Interbay. It’s north of downtown and is Seattle’s larger embarkation terminal. It serves most Alaska sailings on the West Coast, offering a high-capacity facility with an efficient terminal setup.
Pier 66, also known as the Bell Street Cruise Terminal, is located at 2225 Alaskan Way on the central downtown waterfront of Seattle, Washington. It puts you within walking distance of Pike Place Market before you even board.
| Pier 91, Smith Cove | Pier 66, Bell Street | |
| Cruise lines | Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages | Norwegian, Oceania |
| Distance to downtown | About 10 minutes by car | 5 minutes by car, walkable |
| Walk to Pike Place Market | Not walkable, 10 to 15 minutes by taxi | About 10 to 15 minutes on foot, uphill |
| Airport distance | 30 to 40 minutes | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Parking | 800 spaces, open air, from $27 a day | 1,700 covered spaces, from $33 a day |
| Public transit | None direct | None direct |
If your ship sails from Pier 66, a downtown stay lets you walk over with your bags. If it sails from Pier 91, plan on a taxi or rideshare no matter where you stay. The best hotels near Seattle cruise port break this decision down by terminal.
The split between the two piers comes down to a long-term lease, not chance. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings signed a 15-year agreement with the Port of Seattle for Pier 66. That deal covers Norwegian Cruise Line and its sister brand, Oceania Cruises.
Every other major line berths at Pier 91 instead, since it’s the larger, general-use terminal. Cruise activity through both terminals now generates close to $900 million a year for the region. That figure comes from the Port of Seattle.
Dining differs sharply between the two piers as well. Pier 66 has Anthony’s Pier 66 on-site, plus cafes within a short walk. Pier 91 has no restaurants nearby, so eat downtown before you head north.
How the Seattle Cruise Port Fits Together
Sea-Tac Airport is south of the city. Downtown Seattle, and Pier 66 with it, is the first stop heading north on I-5. Pier 91 is a few minutes further north. It’s behind the Magnolia Bridge in an industrial stretch of Interbay.
The 2 terminals are close on a map but far apart on foot.
Walking between them takes close to an hour. Treat them as 2 separate destinations, not one waterfront stroll. The Port of Seattle publishes official maps for both Bell Harbor and Smith Cove. Neither map shows a shortcut between the two piers, since none exists on foot.
Seattle Cruise Port Parking Guide
Parking is one of the most searched topics tied to the Seattle cruise port. The two official lots work differently, and neither one comes cheap.
Parking at Pier 91, Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
The official Pier 91 lot has about 800 open-air spaces on-site. General parking starts around $27 a day. Premium spots closer to the shuttle stop cost more. Oversized vehicles and RVs pay about $40 to $47 a day.
There is no height restriction, since the lot is uncovered.
A free shuttle covers the short distance to the terminal entrance. Staff help load and unload luggage at the pickup point. The lot runs from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on cruise days. You can explore the hotel Seattle cruise port with shuttles here.
Parking at Pier 66, Bell Street Cruise Terminal
Pier 66 parking is a covered garage across Alaskan Way from the terminal. A sky bridge connects the two, and it works fine on foot or by wheelchair. The garage holds about 1,700 spaces, including 25 accessible stalls.
Those accessible stalls need advance booking. General parking runs about $33 a day. The garage has a strict height limit of 6 feet 6 inches. Taller SUVs and any RV need to use Pier 91 instead. Hours run roughly 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, later on weekends.
An Off-Site Lot That Works for Either Terminal
Seattle CruisePark is an independent lot at 1601 W Armory Way. It charges a flat rate instead of a daily one. A typical 7-night cruise runs about $199, tax and shuttle included.
The lot serves both terminals with its own shuttle fleet. That ride runs about 3 minutes to Pier 91 and roughly 8 minutes to Pier 66. Staff park every vehicle rather than letting guests self-park. There are no marked accessible stalls as a result.
The operator arranges an accessible taxi instead, at no extra cost. RV parking was not offered there for the 2026 season.
| Option | 7-night total | Shuttle | Serves |
| Pier 91 official lot | About $189 | About 3 minutes | Pier 91 only |
| Pier 66 official garage | About $231 | Walk via sky bridge | Pier 66 only |
| Off-site flat rate lot | About $199 | 3 to 8 minutes | Either terminal |
For a standard 7-night sailing, Pier 91 runs close to $189 before taxes. Pier 66 runs closer to $231 for the same week. The $199 flat-rate lot lands right between the two, and it beats Pier 66 by a wide margin. Run the same math for your own cruise length before you book.
Renting a car for your trip changes this math further. Pier 66 has a rental car kiosk right on-site, which simplifies a drop-off before you board. Pier 91 has no rental counter, so plan a short taxi ride from a downtown or airport location instead.
Either way, return the car before your boarding window rather than after you’ve already checked bags.
Getting to the Seattle Cruise Port From the Airport
Sound Transit’s 1 Line light rail links Sea-Tac Airport to Westlake Station. The ride takes about 35 to 40 minutes for a flat $3 fare. That’s the cheapest way into the city, but it skips both cruise terminals.
From Westlake Station, Pier 66 is a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride. Pier 91 still needs a taxi or rideshare for the final few miles.
Most travelers go straight from the airport by taxi or rideshare instead. That trip takes 30 to 40 minutes to either terminal, depending on traffic.
Pickup for both is on the third floor of the Sea-Tac parking garage. Rideshare fares change with demand, so a Friday morning surge can double a normal fare. A metered taxi costs more upfront but stays predictable regardless of that day’s app pricing.
Some cruise lines and travel agents also sell motor coach transfers from the airport. These usually cost more than a solo rideshare, but less per person for a group.
A few independent shuttle operators run scheduled vans to both terminals as well. Their flat per-person fare can beat a solo rideshare for couples traveling light.
| Option | Best for | Price behavior |
| Link light rail plus taxi | Downtown hotel stays | Lowest total cost |
| Rideshare | Couples, solo travelers | Changes with demand |
| Taxi | Predictable point-to-point trips | Metered, steady |
| Independent shuttle | Budget travelers, shared rides | Flat per-person rate |
| Cruise line motor coach | Groups, hands-off planning | Fixed per person |
Traffic, luggage, and group size all shift which option wins on a given day. Building in extra time matters more than chasing the cheapest fare.
Where to Stay Before a Seattle Cruise in 2026
An overnight stay near your terminal removes the biggest embarkation risk, a delayed flight with no buffer left. Where you stay in Seattle before cruise depends entirely on which pier your ship uses.
This guide to staying in Seattle covers the citywide picture beyond cruise trips specifically.
Pier 66 sailings work well with a downtown or waterfront hotel. The Edgewater Hotel is a standout pick, built out over Elliott Bay a short walk from the terminal.
Several more properties put you within walking distance of Pier 66, covering a wider range of budgets. Pier 91 sailings have more flexibility, since almost every option needs a short ride anyway. The best picks near Smith Cove cover that tradeoff in detail.
If your flight lands late the day before, an airport hotel can help. It beats fighting downtown traffic in the dark with a rental car. Hotels near Sea-Tac with a free airport shuttle cut that leg down to a short ride the next morning.
Some downtown properties run their own cruise-day shuttle instead of an airport pickup. The properties with a genuine cruise terminal shuttle are worth checking before you book a taxi out of habit.
Luggage, Port Valet, and Embarkation Day in Seattle
Both terminals offer same-day luggage storage for early arrivals. It runs around $6 a bag, with pickup required by 3 p.m. Seattle’s real advantage is Port Valet, a free Port of Seattle program. It only works for passengers flying out the same day they disembark.
You set tagged bags outside your cabin the night before. They travel straight from the ship to your airline counter at Sea-Tac. You never touch them again until your home airport.
Port Valet currently works with Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean take part too. Cunard, MSC, and Virgin Voyages don’t currently participate in the program.
Passengers on those lines carry their own bags off the ship. Enroll early in your cruise through guest services or your stateroom form. The cutoff comes before your last full day onboard.
Boarding windows and an all-aboard time print right on your cruise documents. Arrive inside your assigned window rather than right when the doors open.
Early crowds tend to create longer lines than a staggered arrival does. Boarding generally continues until 60 to 90 minutes before departure. On the return trip, passengers clear US Customs and Border Protection inside the terminal.
That can take longer when several ships are in port. Avoid booking a flight before early afternoon on disembarkation day. The buffer covers customs and the drive back to the airport.
Accessibility at the Seattle Cruise Port
Both terminals offer step-free embarkation and elevator access throughout the building. Accessible restrooms are standard, and staff offer wheelchair assistance at check-in. Gangway steepness can shift with the tide and the ship in port.
Confirm boarding assistance with your cruise line well ahead of your sail date. Pier 66’s garage holds 25 accessible parking stalls that need advance booking. Its sky bridge to the terminal is fully wheelchair accessible as well.
Pier 91 offers a dedicated wheelchair transport zone in its parking area. Special Needs at Sea operates a rental counter at Pier 91 before departure. It delivers a wheelchair, scooter, or oxygen equipment right to your stateroom.
What to Do Before or After Your Cruise
Pier 66 puts you close to Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the waterfront. Olympic Sculpture Park is a short walk north along the same shoreline. You can fill a morning there without needing a car at all. Explore the best things to do near Seattle cruise port before or after your cruise here.
Pier 91 is in an industrial stretch with little nearby to see. A short taxi ride reaches the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass instead. Seattle’s better free attractions are worth planning for your downtown hours either way. A dedicated Seattle cruise activities guide is coming soon with a fuller breakdown.
Seattle Cruise Season and the 2026 Schedule
Seattle’s cruise season runs mostly from late April through early October. Alaska sailings drive nearly all of that activity from the Port of Seattle. Most Alaska itineraries from Seattle include a stop in Victoria or another Canadian port.
Each terminal building can also berth 2 ships at once. Multiple departures on the same day aren’t rare during peak weeks. That matters most for taxi and rideshare lines in July and August. The Port of Seattle publishes and updates the full 2026 schedule online.
That schedule can shift during the season, so check it close to your sail date.
Seattle Cruise Port Frequently Asked Questions
Now the FAQs time 🙂
Do you need a passport for a Seattle Alaska cruise?
Most Alaska cruises from Seattle stop in Victoria or another Canadian port. The Passenger Vessel Services Act requires foreign-flagged ships on round-trip US sailings to visit a foreign port.
That rule makes a valid passport the safest travel document for this route. Passport cards and enhanced licenses may work for some closed-loop sailings, but rules vary by cruise line and nationality. Confirm exact document requirements with your cruise line well before your sail date.
How much does parking cost at the Seattle cruise port?
Parking starts around $27 a day at Pier 91 and about $33 a day at Pier 66. Add up a full week and the gap grows to roughly $40 between the two. An off-site lot near both terminals charges a flat weekly rate instead of a daily one. That flat rate usually beats Pier 66 and lands close to Pier 91 once taxes are included.
Can you take Link light rail to the cruise terminal?
Link light rail connects Sea-Tac Airport to Westlake Station in about 35 to 40 minutes. The fare is a flat $3, but the train doesn’t reach either cruise terminal directly.
From Westlake Station, Pier 66 is close enough to walk or reach by a short taxi. Pier 91 needs a taxi, rideshare, or cruise line transfer for the final few miles. Budget extra time for that last leg on embarkation day.
How far is the Seattle cruise port from Sea-Tac Airport?
Sea-Tac Airport is about 30 to 40 minutes by road from either terminal. Traffic on I-5 and the Alaskan Way corridor can add time during peak hours. Pier 66 is slightly closer to downtown than Pier 91 is.
Neither terminal has a direct airport shuttle route besides cruise line transfers. Rideshare, taxi, and Link light rail into downtown remain the most common options.
What is Port Valet and how does it work?
Port Valet is a free Port of Seattle luggage program for same-day flights. You hand off tagged bags outside your cabin the night before disembarkation. Your bags travel straight from the ship to your airline at Sea-Tac.
Participating airlines currently include Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, and Royal Caribbean take part, but Cunard, MSC, and Virgin Voyages don’t yet.
How early should you arrive for embarkation day?
Cruise lines print a specific boarding window on your travel documents. Arrive within that window instead of at the doors when they first open. Early arrivals often wait longer, since lines build up fast at the start.
Boarding typically continues until 60 to 90 minutes before departure. Flying in the same morning leaves little room for delays, so book a hotel the night before instead.
Can you walk between Pier 66 and Pier 91?
The two terminals are about 2 miles apart along Seattle’s waterfront. Walking between them takes close to an hour without any luggage. That walk isn’t realistic on embarkation or disembarkation day. A taxi or rideshare covers the same distance in 6 to 12 minutes. Confirm your terminal in advance so you head to the right pier first.
Ready to lock in where you’ll sleep before or after you sail? The best hotels near Seattle cruise port break down every option by terminal, walking distance, and shuttle access. The Port of Seattle’s official cruise page stays current between our own review cycles. Sound Transit’s Link light rail page does too.
