Seattle Cruise Port Guide: Parking, Piers & Best Hotels for Cruisers

By Melissa Newman

Published September 2025 | Updated June 2026

The Seattle cruise port, officially the Port of Seattle, is known most as the launching pad for popular Alaskan cruises, although it sometimes also serves as homeport to more exotic itineraries, like Transpacific sailings to Japan and Hawaiian sailings.

Regardless of your itinerary or destination, though, consider yourself lucky if you're taking a cruise from Seattle, because this port has a lot to offer.

Situated off the northwest coast of Washington State along the edge of Elliott Bay on Puget Sound, not only are the cruises from the Seattle cruise port bound for destinations that sit at the top of many cruisers' bucket lists, but this is a city that's fun to visit and invest some time exploring both before and/or after your cruise.

The Seattle cruise port season typically runs from late April through early October, when ships head north to Alaska. Almost all Alaska itineraries include a stop in Canada, usually Vancouver or Victoria, because U.S. maritime law (the Passenger Vessel Services Act, or PVSA) requires foreign-flagged ships to call on a foreign port.

This means you’ll need a valid passport, and it’s critical to note that cruisers with felony convictions can be denied entry to Canada, which can prevent boarding or cause issues mid-itinerary.

Seattle Cruise Port Parking

If you’re driving to your cruise out of Seattle, parking is pretty straightforward, but varies a bit depending on which terminal you’re sailing from.

Pier 91 Parking at the Seattle Cruise Port

At Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal), the official parking service is available right on-site in Lot D, located at 2001 W Garfield Street. This is a secure, gated lot with 24/7 security patrol, and it’s set up specifically for cruise passengers.

The lot is adjacent to the terminal, and while it's technically walkable, there’s a complimentary shuttle that runs continuously between the parking area and the embarkation point. It’s known to be well-organized, reliable, and easy to navigate, even if you’re juggling luggage or traveling with kids.

Rates here depend on the level of parking you choose. Economy starts at around $27 per day, standard parking is about $31 per day, and premium spots run closer to $47 daily. RV and oversized vehicle parking is also available at similar premium rates.

For a typical 7-day cruise, you’re looking at $187 to $329 total, depending on the tier. If you’re driving a taller vehicle or need accessible parking or luggage assistance, this is the terminal that will accommodate those needs best.

The lot is large and open-air, so make note of exactly where you parked, as cruisers have reported post-cruise confusion trying to relocate their cars. While the shuttle service is nice, and is generally an efficient operation, note that the shuttles themselves are small, seating around 14 people, so during peak times you may wait a few rounds to board.

There’s no valet option, so you’ll be handling your own luggage curbside, and if you opt for the economy tier, expect a slightly longer walk to the shuttle stop. Prepaying online can save you time and a few bucks.

Pier 66 Parking at the Seattle Cruise Port

At Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal), parking is even more convenient. If your ship is docked here, you’ll be using the Bell Street Parking Garage at 9 Wall Street. This is a covered parking structure located directly across from the terminal and connected by a skybridge, meaning you can walk straight from your car to the ship without crossing any streets.

Parking here runs around $33 per day, or roughly $230 for a 7-day sailing. It’s a secure facility with about 1,700 spaces and 25 designated accessible stalls. One important thing to note: the garage has a maximum vehicle height of 6 feet 6 inches. If your vehicle is taller than that, you’ll need to park at Pier 91 and then catch a cab or rideshare to the Bell Street terminal.

While parking at Pier 66 is incredibly convenient, there are a few things to keep in mind. The garage has a strict 6-foot-6 height limit, so oversized vehicles or taller SUVs won't fit, and there's no on-site alternative, which means you'll have to park at Pier 91 and find your own way back.

The garage also fills up quickly during peak season, so booking in advance is a smart move. And while it's secure and covered, there’s no valet option, so plan to handle your own luggage from the garage to the terminal, which may be an important consideration for cruisers with mobility limitations.

Both terminals offer official Seattle cruise port maps online to help you locate the correct lot and navigate drop-offs.

The systems in place for the Seattle cruise port, especially at Pier 91, are well-run and easy to use, and this is known as an efficient homeport.

Getting to the Seattle Cruise Port

The cruise terminals of the Seattle cruise port are located just a few miles from the downtown core, and about 15 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Depending on traffic, it’s typically a 25 to 35-minute drive from the airport to either Pier 91 or Pier 66.

Because I love to ball on a budget, I often like to look at other nearby airport options, as this can sometimes save quite a bit of money (like flying to FLL for a cruise out of Port Miami, for example).

When cruising from Seattle, the primary option is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). However, there are a few alternatives worth considering. Paine Field (PAE) in Everett is about 25 miles north of downtown Seattle and is served by Alaska and Frontier Airlines. Another alternate option is Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia. Not only is Vancouver a fantastic city to visit, but the train ride down to Seattle is scenic and enjoyable.

Portland (PDX) is also technically an option, but it’s unfortunately over 3 hours away by car and not practical for cruise-only itineraries (though fine if you want to add a land-based segment before or after your cruise). So your best bet is still to fly into SEA and arrange ground transportation from there. Here are the best options to get from Sea-Tac Airport to the Seattle cruise terminals:

Cruise Line Transfer

Most major cruise lines offer transfer service to both Pier 91 and Pier 66 of the Seattle cruise port. For example, Holland America charges around $29 per person one-way from SEA. These are booked directly through your cruise line and usually involve group shuttle transport.

There are also a number of independent transfer service providers that offer more affordable options than the cruise lines.

Hotel Shuttle

A few Seattle hotels offer shuttle service to the cruise terminals, but these are rare and often require pre-booking or an additional fee. Don't count on it unless your hotel specifically advertises it as part of a cruise package. Also note that sometimes hotels near cruise ports will offer a "free shuttle," but jack up prices; in which case you're often better off booking somewhere else and just paying for transportation to the port.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft operate reliably from Sea-Tac to both piers. Expect to pay $50 to $75 for a standard UberX depending on time of day, terminal, and demand. UberXL and Comfort options are also available and ideal for cruisers with extra luggage.

Private Driver

My preferred way to get around in Seattle is to use a private driver, and my go-to guy here is Tulu. He drives a premium vehicle that's ideal for families, larger groups, or anyone with more than two suitcases. His black car service offers comfort, reliability, and a pre-scheduled pickup that feels fancy.

In some cases, it's even cheaper than an UberXL and way more comfortable. To check pricing and book Tulu, use my private driver request form, and I'll get you in touch with him.

Light Rail

For budget-minded cruisers, Seattle’s Link Light Rail is a convenient way to travel between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown. The ride takes about 45 minutes, costs just over $3 each way, and runs frequently throughout the day. While the train doesn’t stop directly at the cruise terminals, it’s an easy connection to downtown hotels or attractions, and from there you can grab a quick taxi or rideshare to Pier 66 or Pier 91.

Embarkation in Seattle

Embarkation day at the Seattle cruise port can be busy, especially during peak Alaska season when multiple ships are in port, particularly since the terminals are significantly smaller than other, busier cruise homeport locations like Port Canaveral.

Expect longer-than-average security and check-in lines, and budget extra time for traffic and luggage drop. There also aren't as many porters here as some of the other, busier cruise homeports.

Most cruise lines assign boarding windows, but many passengers still arrive early, which can create bottlenecks. A good approach is to plan your arrival for about 30 minutes after your assigned time, when the first surge has cleared, and to allow at least 45–60 minutes from curb to ship during busy weekends.

Seattle Luggage Storage Options After a Cruise

If your cruise returns to Seattle and you have a late flight out of SEA, one of the smartest ways to avoid sitting around with your luggage (or killing time in a crowded airport) is by booking a day room.

This is especially beneficial if you're like me and live in a part of the country where most return flight options from Seattle are the dreaded red eyes.

A day room gives you access to a hotel room and amenities (think showers, a pool, space to relax, and even a place to nap) without booking an overnight stay.

🎥 Watch my video about day rooms and what to expect
🛏️ Check availability and book a day room here

It’s one of my favorite post-cruise hacks to chill in a place much more comfortable than an airport and reset before the flight home. It also provides a secure place to store your luggage, allowing you to explore Seattle's many amazing sites before returning home.

Just note, though, that while suburban areas around major airports typically have lots of things to do, namely shopping and restaurants, this is NOT the case in Seattle. The area around SEA is pretty desolate and boring, in my opinion, so if you book a day room in the immediate vicinity of the airport, note that there's not much to do other than chill in your room.