Port of Seattle Cruise Port Guide
Seattle is the main U.S. homeport for Alaska cruises, sailing on a seasonal schedule (roughly May through September) from two terminals: Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal) on the downtown waterfront, and Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) in the Interbay/Magnolia area a few miles north. The two piers split by cruise line — Norwegian and Oceania use Pier 66, while Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Cunard use Pier 91 — so which pier you sail from determines where you park and where it makes sense to stay. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic, and the city's Link light rail connects the airport to downtown for part of the trip.
Last updated July 9, 2026
Seattle is the main U.S. homeport for Alaska cruises, sailing a seasonal schedule roughly May through September from two terminals that sit several miles apart: Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal) on the downtown waterfront, and Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) in the Interbay/Magnolia area to the north. Which pier your ship uses decides where you park and where it makes sense to stay, so confirming your terminal is the first step in planning.
This hub is a practical starting point, not a booking engine. Use it to size up the choices in a few minutes, then follow the deeper guides for parking, hotels, and the airport transfer. For authoritative terminal, schedule, and parking details, the Port of Seattle is the source to check before you travel.
How to think about it
- Which pier? Norwegian and Oceania sail from Pier 66 downtown; Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Cunard sail from Pier 91 in Smith Cove. Look up your line before booking parking or a hotel.
- Driving in? Reserve Pier 91 parking online ahead of time — it's booked through the port's parking provider and summer sailing dates fill up. Pier 66 parking is run separately by Republic Parking.
- Flying in? SEA is about 30-45 minutes from either terminal depending on traffic. Link light rail reaches downtown Westlake, not the pier itself, so budget for a short taxi or rideshare on top of the train.
- Arriving the night before? A downtown hotel keeps you central for either pier and removes same-day flight risk during the busy Alaska season.
We are an independent guide and are not affiliated with any cruise line, the Port of Seattle, or any airport. Always verify current terminal assignments, prices, and shuttle details with the Port of Seattle or your cruise line before you travel.
Plan your trip
Nearby airports
| Airport | Distance to port | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) | ~14 mi | The Port of Seattle describes the terminals as about a 30-45 minute drive from SEA depending on traffic. Rideshare and taxi pickup are on the 3rd floor of the airport parking garage; Link light rail reaches downtown Westlake in roughly 40 minutes, from which it's a short taxi or rideshare to either pier. |
Common timing mistakes
- Not confirming whether your ship sails from Pier 66 (Bell Street, downtown) or Pier 91 (Smith Cove, Interbay) — they're several miles apart with separate parking, and the lines split between them.
- Not reserving Pier 91 cruise parking online in advance — spaces are booked ahead through the port's parking provider and summer sailing dates fill up.
- Assuming Link light rail drops you at the cruise terminal — it reaches downtown Westlake Station, after which you still need a short taxi or rideshare to your pier.
- Flying in the same day you sail during the busy summer Alaska season, leaving no buffer for a delayed flight.
- Underestimating Seattle traffic — the 30-45 minute SEA-to-terminal drive can stretch at peak times.
Cruise terminals
- Pier 66 — Bell Street Cruise Terminal. On the downtown Seattle waterfront (Alaskan Way). Used by Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises; the more walkable of the two terminals from downtown hotels.
- Pier 91 — Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. In the Interbay/Magnolia area north of downtown (W Garfield St). Used by Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Cunard; larger ships typically sail from here.
Official source
Verify terminal, parking, and schedule details with the official source before you travel.