Hi there!
There are 2 cruise terminals in Seattle, and they are not located near each other. So you want to make sure you know specifically which one you need to be at to start your cruise! I’ve started and ended cruises from both Seattle cruise ports.
Generally speaking…
If you are going on a cruise from Seattle with NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) or Oceania, your cruise ship will dock in downtown Seattle at Pier 66. (This is an area where you can do some easy walking along the Seattle waterfront, no matter your cruise line!)
If you are on any other cruise line, then your cruise ship will dock at Smith Cove (Pier 91), which is around a 10 to 15 minute drive from downtown. This includes the cruise lines of Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, and Cunard.
This is how it is for the vast majority of cruises. Below I will show you how you can confirm for your specific cruise, along with Seattle cruise shuttle information.
An interactive Seattle cruise port map that I created is below! This includes Pier 66, Pier 91, and things to do before your cruise from Seattle… or after!
There are partner websites that are included below.
You can get to both Pier 66 and Pier 91 by taxi, uber, public transportation, and shuttle. It’s a personal choice, really.
Or, in the case of Pier 66 (NCL), you can even walk if you’re staying downtown and you don’t mind walking with luggage!
There are also shuttles, including a shuttle before your cruise from airport hotels to the cruise port, and in the opposite direction after your cruise from the cruise port to the airport.
Some people stay at a hotel near the airport to save money. I’ve stayed at the Red Roof Inn and Country Inn and Suites, which both offer free airport shuttles.
For downtown hotels, popular among cruisers is the Edgewater, which is a boutique waterfront hotel right near the Pier 66 (NCL) Seattle cruise port.
It’s easy to take the train (light rail) from the airport to downtown Seattle. (Again, as long you don’t mind carrying around your luggage!) There is an airport station and downtown station, so it’s direct. (The train does not go to near the further away Pier 91 Smith Cove cruise port, but a bus does get close enough.)
Use google maps to navigate public transportation in Seattle! I’ve been around Seattle a bunch by public transportation, and google maps makes it easy! I got an orca card which makes it easy to pay for the train and bus. It’s basically a cash card. You can get it at any train station. There’s a digital version too.
I’ve started a cruise from both Pier 66 and Pier 91. I’ve taken public transportation and/or walked to get to both, so yes, it’s possible!
Seattle cruise shuttle
One of the popular ways to get to and from the Seattle cruise port is by shuttle. Seattle Express offers shuttles between the airport and cruise port, as well as between airport hotels and the cruise port.
- Before a cruise from Seattle:
- airport to cruise port shuttle
- Read the reviews
- airport HOTELS to cruise port shuttle
- Read the reviews
- airport to cruise port shuttle
- After a cruise to Seattle:
The Seattle airport is SEATAC. (Seattle-Tacoma)
I tend to compare flights at kayak.com to see what my options are on different airlines (cost and timing), and then book direct.
Port of Seattle cruise ship schedule
The best way to confirm your cruise will dock at your cruise line’s normal pier is by checking the Port of Seattle cruise ship schedule. You will find this at the Port of Seattle website. Look for “view the 2025 cruise schedule”!
Official information:
- Ball Street Pier 66 cruise port (NCL)
- Smith Cove Pier 91 cruise port (Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival)
See my picks for activities to choose to have so-very-Alaska experiences!
👆 Seattle cruise port schedule in 2025 for April and May. See the Port of Seattle website for the most updated schedule!
👆 Seattle cruise port schedule in 2025 for May, June, and July.
👆 Seattle cruise port schedule in 2025 for July and August.
👆 Seattle cruise port schedule in 2025 for August, September, and October.
If you have an evening flight after your cruise, you may also be interested in the FREE luggage transfer from cruise ship to airport.
This luggage transfer is available to the cruise lines of Princess, Holland America, NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity, if you are flying out on the airlines of Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, Jetblue, Southwest, Spirit, or United. See official info for updated information.
Seattle cruise port map
Now here is the map I created. It includes Pier 66 (NCL), Pier 91 at Smith Cove (most other cruise lines), and some of the best things to do in Seattle without a car that I think you should consider doing!
Another thing you’ll want to consider is a day trip to Mount Rainier National Park! You can go on your own by renting a car from the airport or you can go through a Mount Rainier tour from Seattle. If you want to go on your own, read up on reservation requirements.
👆 How to use this map: Click on the top left icon for a list of what’s on the map! Or, just start clicking the icons on the map! Each icon has more details, so click to expand! If the map isn’t loading well for you, you can also open it directly in google maps.
👆 Where do Norwegian cruise ships dock in Seattle? NCL Alaska cruises from Seattle leave from downtown Seattle at Pier 66. I stayed in downtown Seattle before my Alaska cruise on a Norwegian cruise ship, and I walked to the cruise port. From where I was staying it was a 15 minute walk or so. On the morning of your cruise, you can also drop off luggage at the cruise port and then walk the waterfront! See my post about Seattle waterfront walking. These are nice things to do if you’re staying downtown no matter your cruise line!
👆 Where do most other cruise lines dock in Seattle? Most major cruise lines that have Alaska cruises from Seattle leave from Pier 91 at Smith Cove, which is 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Seattle by car. I stayed downtown when I had a cruise from Seattle on a Princess cruise ship, and I took the bus to get to the cruise port… and from the cruise port after the cruise.
👆 You can get to Pier 91 Smith Cove cruise port by bus.
👆 You can get to your Seattle cruise port by taxi.
👆 You can get to your Seattle cruise port by shuttle!
More for your Seattle cruise planning:
- Things to do in Seattle before a cruise
- Things to do in Victoria
- Ketchikan cruise port map
- Juneau cruise port map
- Skagway cruise port map
Happy cruising from Seattle cruise port!
👉 Read: Alaska cruise excursions you need to know about
I've picked out a theme for each port so you can experience different aspects of Alaska!
👉 Or go straight to my picks for booking tours independently in Alaska cruise ports!
Explore Alaska cruise ports:
Juneau | Ketchikan | Skagway | Icy Strait Point | Sitka | Victoria
Seattle | Vancouver
Whittier | Seward
Things to know: Mendenhall Glacier on your own vs shuttle
👉 PACKING LIST: waterproof shoes | rain jacket or poncho | puffer jacket
👉 Before you book: First-timer's guide to Alaska cruises
There are partner websites that are included on this blog. I may earn a commission.