Alaska Cruise Roundtrip Seattle — Complete Guide to Departure and Return

Sailing to Alaska from Seattle offers a seamless blend of urban excitement and pristine wilderness. Since the gold rush era, Seattle has served as the primary gateway to the Last Frontier, a connection that continues today with thousands of cruisers embarking on roundtrip voyages each season. This guide provides everything you need to know for a smooth departure and return, ensuring your adventure starts and ends on a high note.

Most seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle include visits to classic Alaskan ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, often with a day of scenic glacier viewing and a final stop in Victoria, British Columbia, before returning.

Seattle’s Cruise Terminals: Know Before You Go

Seattle has two modern cruise terminals that serve as the homeport for Alaska-bound ships. It is crucial to confirm which pier your ship uses, as they are located about two miles apart.

• Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal): Located a couple of miles north of downtown, Pier 91 is the city’s primary cruise facility. It serves as the main hub for major lines including Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Carnival, and Celebrity. The address is 2001 W Garfield Street.
• Pier 66 (Bell Street Terminal): Situated right on the downtown waterfront, Pier 66 offers incredible convenience to city attractions. This terminal is primarily used by Celebrity Cruises and some Holland America Line sailings. The address is 2225 Alaskan Way.

Getting to the Port: Arrival & Transportation

Your journey begins at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). To ensure a stress-free start, plan to fly in the day before your cruise departs. This buffer protects you from potential flight delays and gives you a chance to experience the Emerald City.

From SEA, the drive to either cruise terminal is about 30-45 minutes, depending on Seattle’s notorious traffic.

• Rideshare (Lyft/Uber): This is the most popular and convenient option, with fares typically ranging from $40-$60.
• Taxi: Seattle Yellow Cab offers a flat rate of $45 to the downtown area, which includes Pier 66. Fares to Pier 91 will be higher.
• Public Transit: For the budget-conscious traveler, the Link light rail is an excellent choice. A 40-minute ride takes you from the airport to Westlake Station downtown. From there, Pier 66 is a short 6-minute car ride or a 20-minute walk, while Pier 91 is about a 15-minute car ride away.

If you’re driving to the port, long-term parking is available at both terminals, though it can be pricey at around $27-$35 per day. For most travelers, using a rideshare or shuttle is a more economical option.

Pre-Cruise Stay: Hotels and Seattle Exploration

Staying overnight transforms your embarkation day from a frantic rush into a relaxed prelude to your vacation.

Recommended Hotels:

• Near Pier 66: The iconic Edgewater Hotel sits directly on the waterfront, offering stunning views and a quintessential Seattle experience (expect rates of $350-500+ per night). The Seattle Marriott Waterfront is another excellent, highly convenient choice.
• Near Pier 91: While there are fewer hotels within walking distance, the downtown and Belltown neighborhoods are a short 15-20 minute rideshare away. Consider the Hotel Monaco for a central downtown location.

A Day in Seattle: With an afternoon and evening before your cruise, you have ample time to explore. From Pier 66, you are just steps away from world-famous Pike Place Market and the Seattle waterfront, home to the Seattle Great Wheel and the Seattle Aquarium. The Space Needle is about a 30-minute walk or a quick ride away. Dining options are plentiful downtown. If you are sailing from Pier 91, it’s best to explore and eat in the downtown core before taking a car to your hotel or the pier, as dining near that terminal is limited.

Embarkation Day: Boarding Your Ship

The big day has arrived. Cruise lines assign check-in times, typically between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with priority boarding often available for suite guests. Upon arriving at the terminal, you will first drop your tagged luggage with porters. From there, you’ll proceed inside for security screening and the check-in process, where you’ll present your documents and receive your stateroom key. The entire process, from curb to ship, can take about an hour or more, so patience is key. Ships generally depart between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Return to Seattle: Disembarkation & Post-Cruise Fun

Your ship will typically dock back in Seattle early in the morning, between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The night before, you will tag the luggage you want porters to take off the ship for you. On disembarkation morning, you will clear U.S. Customs and Immigration inside the terminal before collecting your bags. Expect to be fully off the ship and through the terminal process by noon at the latest.

Post-Cruise Exploration: Don’t rush straight to the airport if your flight isn’t until the evening. The Port of Seattle offers a fantastic free service called Port Valet. If you’re flying with a participating airline, you can enroll onboard, and your luggage will be securely transferred directly from the ship and checked onto your flight. This frees you up to explore Seattle unencumbered. Spend your last day discovering the historic charm of Pioneer Square, the vibrant culture of Capitol Hill, or the quirky shops in the Fremont neighborhood before heading to SEA for your flight home.