Seattle Cruise Port
Seattle, United States · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Pier 91 — Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, Seattle.
Two-terminal cruise port: Pier 66 walks into downtown; Pier 91 needs a 10–15 min taxi or shuttle.
At a glance
Port summary
Seattle is one of the two main Alaska cruise home ports. Pier 66 (Bell Street) sits on the downtown waterfront and you can walk straight to Pike Place Market. Pier 91 (Smith Cove) is ~5 km north of downtown in an industrial area — you cannot walk into the city from there. Always confirm your terminal before planning the day.
Cruise docks
🚢 Pier 91 — Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
The main Seattle cruise berth in the Smith Cove industrial area ~5 km north of downtown. Hosts most large Alaska-bound ships (Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean). Not walkable to downtown — taxi or shuttle required.
📍 Latitude: 47.628056, Longitude: -122.383754
See dock on port map →🚢 Pier 66 — Bell Street Cruise Terminal
The downtown Seattle cruise berth on the waterfront at the foot of Bell Street. Hosts Holland America and Oceania calls. Walkable to Pike Place Market and the Aquarium.
📍 Latitude: 47.611318, Longitude: -122.35061
See dock on port map →Getting to Seattle
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Cruise lines run free or paid shuttles between Pier 91 and downtown on call days — confirm with your line
📍 Pier 91 staging area outside the terminal
All Seattle taxis take cards; meter rates apply (~$25 from Pier 91 to downtown)
📍 Taxi rank outside both Pier 91 and Pier 66
Uber and Lyft both operate citywide — usually faster than taxi at Pier 91
📍 Designated rideshare zones at Pier 91 and Pier 66
Pier 66 is walkable to downtown; Pier 91 is NOT — do not attempt to walk from Pier 91
📍 Pier 66 only — exit onto Bell Street and head to Pike Place
Metro buses serve both piers but routing is less obvious — Uber is usually faster for short trips
📍 RapidRide D Line stops near Pier 91; Route 99 along the waterfront for Pier 66
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards or phone work for everything; small USD cash only useful for tips
Things to do
Space Needle
⭐ Highlight
Seattle's 184 m signature observation tower with rotating glass floor and 360° city views.
🕐 Late afternoon for golden hour and clearest mountain views
Chihuly Garden and Glass
⭐ Highlight
Indoor-outdoor glass garden by Dale Chihuly — gallery, glasshouse and outdoor sculpture park.
🕐 Late afternoon for warm light through the glass
Seattle Aquarium
⭐ Highlight
Waterfront aquarium with sea otters, harbour seals, octopus and a Puget Sound underwater dome.
🕐 Opening time (9:30am) before school groups
Olympic Sculpture Park
Short stop🚶 Walk
Free outdoor sculpture park on the waterfront — closer to Pier 91 than to downtown.
🕐 Anytime — golden hour for photography
Pioneer Square Historic Walk
Short stop🚶 Walk
Red-brick historic district from Seattle's Klondike Gold Rush days — galleries, totems and cafés.
🕐 Daytime — quieter on weekday mornings
Pike Place Market
Short stop🛒 Market
Iconic public market with fish-throwing vendors, the original Starbucks and view of Mt. Rainier.
🕐 Mid-morning before the lunch rush
Bainbridge Island Ferry
🎯 Activity
35 min Washington State Ferry across Puget Sound to a walkable island village.
🕐 Mid-morning for relaxed timing back to ship
Bill Speidel's Underground Tour
🎯 Activity
75 min guided tour beneath the streets through Seattle's original 1890s storefronts.
🕐 Book the morning slot to combine with Pioneer Square walk
Museum of Pop Culture
🏛️ Museum
Frank Gehry's swirling pop culture museum with sci-fi, music and film exhibits.
🕐 Anytime — book a slot to skip the queue
Smith Tower Observatory
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
1914 office tower with the Chinese Room and a 35-story-high open-air observation deck.
🕐 Clear-weather days for the full Mount Rainier view
Seattle Great Wheel
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
53 m Ferris wheel at the end of Pier 57 — 12 min ride and great Elliott Bay views.
🕐 Late afternoon or evening for sunset over the Sound
Discovery Park Trails
🌿 Nature
534-acre park on the bluffs with West Point Lighthouse and unbeatable Sound views.
🕐 Morning before afternoon haze
Build your perfect day in Seattle
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Seattle?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Seattle, United States. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Seattle?
- Walking into Seattle from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Seattle centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), On foot, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Seattle?
- Plan for at least 3.5 hours ashore to see Seattle independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Seattle and are cards accepted?
- Seattle uses the US Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Seattle cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.