Seattle lets you start an Alaska cruise from a U.S. city with a big airport and no border crossing before you board. The Port of Seattle expected 15 cruise lines and 26 ships for its 2026 season, from Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess and Holland America to Celebrity, MSC, Virgin Voyages (new in 2026 with Brilliant Lady), Cunard and Oceania. Every berth has shore power, so ships can plug into the city grid while docked.
Nearly every sailing is a round-trip Alaska Inside Passage cruise of about seven nights, typically visiting ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway plus a glacier day. Because U.S. cabotage law requires foreign-flagged ships to stop at a foreign port, round trips from Seattle usually include Victoria or another Canadian stop near the end.
The two terminals feel different. Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 is right on the downtown waterfront, walking distance from Pike Place Market. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 is about 10 minutes north of downtown, handles most of the big ships across two berths, and has a dedicated rideshare lot. Know your pier before you plan transfers.
Where cruises from Seattle go
- Alaska Glaciers, fjords, wildlife and frontier towns on a summer-only season through the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.
Cruise lines sailing from Seattle
- Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle cruising: no fixed dinner times, no formal dress rules, lots of restaurants.
- Royal Caribbean International Giant resort ships where the ship itself is the destination.
- Carnival Cruise Line Casual, affordable Fun Ships sailing from more US ports than almost anyone.
- Princess Cruises Classic, comfortable cruising with tech-smart service and an Alaska specialty.
- Holland America Line Mid-size ships, classic service and long, port-rich voyages, with deep roots in Alaska.
- Celebrity Cruises Modern premium cruising with design-led ships and a serious food focus.
- MSC Cruises European-style big ships with a private-island Bahamas habit and a luxury enclave on board.
- Virgin Voyages Adults-only, design-forward cruising with every restaurant included.
- Cunard Line British ocean-liner tradition, ballroom evenings and the last scheduled transatlantic service.
- Oceania Cruises Food-first, mid-size ships on port-rich itineraries, with specialty dining included.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from Seattle on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 One berth on the downtown waterfront near Pike Place Market. Parking by Republic Parking. | NCL, Oceania, Cunard |
| Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 Two berths about 10 minutes north of downtown, with a dedicated app-based rideshare lot. Parking by USP Parking. | Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, MSC, Celebrity, Virgin, Cunard |
Getting there
The Port says it is about 35 minutes from SEA to the cruise terminals and downtown hotels. Link light rail runs from the airport to downtown; from there Pier 66 is a short taxi ride (or a walk downhill with light bags), while Pier 91 needs a taxi, rideshare or shuttle. Many lines sell airport transfers. At the end of the cruise, the Port's free Port Valet service can send participating guests' luggage from the ship straight to the airport.
- SEA Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: about 15 miles to Pier 66, about 18 miles to Pier 91
Parking
Each terminal has its own operator. Bell Street (Pier 66) parking is run by Republic Parking (rpnw.com/cruise-parking), and Smith Cove (Pier 91) parking is run by USP Parking (seattleportparking.com). Reserve ahead in summer, when weekend turnaround days are crowded.
Where to stay the night before
For Pier 66, downtown, Belltown and the Pike Place Market area are walking distance. For Pier 91, Lower Queen Anne and Seattle Center hotels are closest. Airport hotels work for late arrivals but add the full transfer on sailing day.
Season: April through October. The Port's 2026 season ran from April through October, and summer is the busiest stretch.
Embarkation-day tips
- Check whether you sail from Pier 66 or Pier 91 before booking hotels; they are a few miles apart.
- Ask your line about Port Valet, which can check your bags through to your flight at the end of the cruise.
- On a round trip from Seattle, U.S. citizens can generally sail with a birth certificate and government photo ID, but a passport is the safer choice in case you need to fly home from Canada or Alaska.
- Pack layers and rain gear; Alaska summer weather changes quickly.
- Book early for June through August, when most families travel.
Cruising from Seattle: questions
Which Seattle cruise terminal does my line use?
In 2026, Norwegian, Oceania and some Cunard sailings used Bell Street at Pier 66, while Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America, MSC, Celebrity and Virgin Voyages used Smith Cove at Pier 91. Confirm in your booking, since assignments can change.
When is Alaska cruise season in Seattle?
Roughly April through October. Summer is the busiest and usually the warmest stretch, while May and September sailings tend to be quieter.
Why do Alaska cruises from Seattle stop in Canada?
U.S. law (the Passenger Vessel Services Act) requires foreign-flagged ships sailing round trip from a U.S. port to call at a foreign port, so most itineraries include Victoria or another Canadian stop.
How do I get from Sea-Tac Airport to the cruise terminal?
Take a taxi, rideshare or your line's transfer (about 35 minutes), or ride Link light rail downtown and take a short cab ride to the pier. Pier 91 is not on the light rail line.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
