Best Hotels near Seattle Cruise Ports & Terminals

See Also

• Premium Hotels in Seattle
• Where to Remain in Seattle
• Seattle airport lodging
• Visual guides of Seattle

Seattle’s Cruise Ship Terminals

Seattle has two busy cruise ship terminals, and over one million passengers annually embark from the Puget Sound waterfront for 7-10 day cruises to Alaska. Seattle’s cruise season runs from late April through early October. Seattle is a home port for Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Princess, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines, and a stop on some Crystal and Seabourn cruise line itineraries.

The Port of Seattle operates two cruise ship terminals. Both terminals provide services like airline check-in and baggage transfer, concierge and luggage storage, long-term parking, complimentary shuttles, and rental car kiosks.

• Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66 is situated on Seattle’s downtown waterfront, within easy walking distance of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Seattle Great Wheel. There are two eating establishments on location, Anthony’s Pier 66 and the Bell Street Diner,Anthony’s Fish Bar, and other eateries located near.The Bell Street Terminal is home to Norwegian and Oceania cruise lines. The Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront hotels are both within convenient walking distance of the pier.

The Starland District is home to emerging culinary stars such as the contemporary Southern cuisine at Ardsley Station, fine dining at Elizabeth on 37th and La Scala, and authentic pizzas at Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana inside Starland Yard food truck courtyard. We also enjoy the bagels at Big Bon Bodega and the popular pastries at Back in the Day Bakery.

Transportation Between SeaTac Airport and Seattle’s Cruise Terminals

Seattle’s SeaTac Airport lies 15 miles south of downtown Seattle and the cruise ship piers. The simplest way from the airport to the cruise terminal is to arrange for private car, limousine, or SUV pick-up. Seattle Town Car are reliable, do not cost much more than a taxi or a ride app, offer child and infant car seats, and curbside pick up will save you the trip to the taxi/rideshare zone with all of your luggage.

Shuttle Express provides transportation service directly to the pier for $44/person, or in a combination hotel/pier transportation package for an additional $10 each. Due to the per person fare, if you’re traveling with a large group of adults, it will be cost-effective to choose a town car – kids travel free on a shuttle, one per adult.

Taxis can easily be found as they are typically plenteous at SeaTac airport, situated on the third level of the airport parking garage. After gathering your luggage, travel up one level using the skybridge over to the garage, then take the elevator or escalator down one floor to the third level. Clear signs along the way provide guidance to help reach this destination.

Shared transportation apps like Uber and Lyft now permit pickup at SeaTac, as well – with an additional $5 airport charge. The shared transportation pickup zone is located on the third floor of the parking structure, near the taxi stand (just comply with the signs, it’s rather straightforward to find).

Access to downtown from SeaTac Airport can be obtained at the very low fee of $3 through taking the light rail system. The station is situated on the 4th level of the airport parking lot, with trains departing every 10 minutes or so. Travelers will exit downtown at Westlake Center. If your cruise is leaving from the Bell Street Terminal at Pier 66, it is about a 15-minute stroll from the railway station. Riding a taxi or utilizing Uber may be advisable if journeying with luggage – it would be an affordable ride for the short distance to the waterfront. Traveling to Smith Cove at Pier 91 would unquestionably necessitate an alternate mode of transport – the distance from Westlake Center to that terminal is roughly 15 minutes by car.

Where to Park During a Seattle Cruise

Seattle cruise terminals offer secured long-term parking at a rate of $20-25/day – roughly half of what you would pay for hotel parking downtown. You will want to book online in advance, as the parking areas frequently fill up. Alternatively, parking at the SeaTac airport garage costs around the same price, and taking light rail or another mode of transportation will get you into the city.

Where to Stay Before or After a Seattle Cruise

If you’re arriving at the SeaTac airport late and not expecting to do much sightseeing around Seattle, staying at one of the hotels near the airport is a good choice, as it will be less expensive than staying downtown. The top hotel near SeaTac airport is Cedarbrook Lodge – they have an incredible spa and award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. Other good options are the SeaTac Crowne Plaza and Hilton – both provide cruise packages with complimentary shuttle service to the cruise terminals.

Opting to stay in downtown Seattle will provide the best chance to explore the city, and offers convenient access to Seattle’s top attractions. Hotel rates are at their highest during cruise season, however reduced options can be anticipated. Some hotels offer cruise plans that incorporate transport to the terminal, but these generally do not save much money, as taxi or Uber fare to the pier is quite affordable and Shuttle Express provides scheduled transport from many downtown hotels to the cruise terminals at a cost of just $12 per person.

If you’re sailing on a Norwegian or Oceana cruise that departs from the Bell Street Terminal (Pier 66), The Edgewater and Marriott Waterfront are both within a short walking distance of the pier.

If you’re sailing with Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, or Royal Caribbean International then you’ll be utilizing the Smith Cove Terminal (Pier 91) 3 miles northwest of downtown Seattle. There isn`t much nearby Smith Cove Terminal. The nearest hotel is the good-value Homewood Suites by Hilton, located about half-way between the Smith Cove Terminal and downtown Seattle.

Good Seattle Hotels for Cruise Passengers

• • The Edgewater ‧ Area ‧ Hostel contact number: (206) 728-7000
  • Marriott Waterfront with location and phone number: (206) 443-5000
  • Four Seasons • Location • Hotel phone: (206) 749 7000
  • Inn at the Center • Situation • Lodging phone: (206) 443 3600
  • Thompson • Location • Hotel phone: (206) 623-4600
  • Hotel Max • Location • Hotel phone number: (206) 728 6299
  • The Fira to Oia Hike Tour provides insightful info and guidance along the way. While not required, taking the tour offers an enriching experience for the walk between the two towns.
  • The Westin • Location • Hotel phone: (206) 728 1000

The hotel website and prices on booking.com for the Grand Hotel Central

• Homewood Suites by Hilton • whereabouts • telephone number for the hotel: (206) 281-9393

The Best Seattle Tours for Cruise Travelers

Those wanting to see Seattle in a short span of time just before or after a cruise will find a guided trip to be a hassle-free and efficient alternative. Tours intended for cruise travelers will transport your baggage, and pick-up and drop-offs are scheduled to accommodate ship departures and arrivals.

Tours Northwest’s Sightseeing and Cruise Transportation Tours undertake excursions whenever a cruise ship is docked, selecting up and dropping off at downtown and SeaTac area lodgings, along with the two cruise ship ports. This three hour drive covers fifty miles, going to Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the Stadium and International Districts, Seattle Center (like the Space Needle and MoPOP), the Ballard Locks, Discovery Park, Fisherman’s Terminal, Lake Union, and additional places.

If you’re staying close to the airport in SeaTac, Show Me Seattle is your best choice. They offer pick up at SeaTac hotels and both cruise ship terminals, and will drop-off at SeaTac Airport, SeaTac area hotels, and the Seattle cruise terminals. Tours last three hours and cover the downtown Seattle area, historic Pioneer Square, the International and Stadium districts, Seattle Center and the Space Needle, the Queen Anne and Fremont neighborhoods, and the Ballard Locks. These cruises run on ship departure days only.

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