Seattle cruise port: A guide to cruising from Washington state

10.06.2024 - 19:55 / thepointsguy.com / Royal Caribbean / Holland America

If you're embarking on a round-trip Alaska cruise, you will likely be departing from the Port of Seattle. In 2023, seven cruise lines based ships in Seattle, Washington, with 291 departures. Although most ships were headed to Alaska, cruises from Seattle also sailed to destinations like Asia, Hawaii and the Panama Canal.

Seattle is home to two cruise terminals. Both are easy to reach from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) or Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE). Once you arrive, dozens of points hotels are available to welcome you for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

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If you're cruising in and out of Seattle, here's what you need to know.

The Seattle port has two cruise terminals, located nearly 3 miles apart. Each terminal has two berths.

Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66

2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91

2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, WA 98119

Wheelchairs are available to assist passengers in getting on and off the ships at both terminals.

Complimentary valet service is available for your luggage through the Port of Seattle for passengers scheduled to depart from SEA on the last day of their cruise. Simply attach the provided tags and leave your luggage outside your cabin on the final evening, and your bags will be collected and delivered directly to the airport.

Participating cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Participating airlines include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Horizon Air, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Enroll online or via the paperwork in your cruise ship cabin to take advantage of this service.

Same-day luggage storage is available at both terminals for $5 a bag. Late fees apply to luggage retrieved after 3 p.m.

Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is located 14 miles from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 (a 30-minute drive, traffic-depending) and 17.4 miles from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (a 35-minute drive).

SEA is the largest airport in the Seattle metro area and is served by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines.

Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) in Everett is 24 miles from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 (40 minutes, depending on traffic) and 25 miles from the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 (42 minutes).

The airport has only two gates, and Alaska Airlines is the only operator. Most of the