Smooth Sailing Guide between SEA Airport and the Seattle Cruise Terminals

You’ve planned every step of your perfect Alaska cruise, from thrilling excursions to relaxing sea days. Your packing game is on point: swimsuit for poolside cocktails, binoculars for whale watching, layers for the ever-changing weather, and sturdy shoes for glacier treks and strolls through postcard-worthy towns.

Before your adventure begins, there’s one more thing to check off your list — figuring out the journey between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and the Seattle cruise port. This guide walks you through every step, with stress-free options for transportation, tips to streamline your journey, and even ways to squeeze in a little extra fun in Seattle if you have the time. Let’s get you to that ship — adventure awaits!

Step 1: Touch down at SEA Airport

You’ve just landed in Seattle. If you checked a bag, follow the signs to the Baggage Claim. If you’ve flown from another country, you’ll go through Customs and Immigration and connect with your bags there. Don’t forget to tag @flysea!

• Learn about the international arrivals process at SEA 

Step 2: Find transportation to the cruise terminal 

You’ve got several options to get from SEA to your cruise terminal, depending on your preferences and whether you've pre-booked transfers. Seattle’s cruise terminals are about a 30- to 45-minute drive from the airport depending on traffic.

If you are staying at a hotel before your cruise, check with your hotel for shuttle options (if near the airport) or use the rideshare, taxi, or light rail options listed below.

Use the interactive map to navigate to cruise transportation.

• Cruise line transfers: If your cruise line offers a motorcoach transfer service and you’ve booked it, head to the Baggage Claim level at SEA. Look for signs directing you to the cruise bus pick-up area. Cruise reps will be on site to help direct you to your ride
   
• Rideshare: Follow signs to the rideshare pickup zone in the middle of the third floor of the SEA parking garage
   
• Taxi: Follow signs to the third floor of the parking garage. Pick up is located on the north and south curb
   
• Family and friends pickup: Your ride can pick you up right on the Arrivals drive
   
• Airport shuttles: Make your way to the third floor of the parking garage or on the Arrivals drive. Learn how to locate shuttle services at SEA
   
• Light rail + taxi/ride-share: Want to skip traffic? Take the Link light rail to the downtown Westlake Station (about 40 minutes), then grab a quick cab or rideshare to your cruise terminal:
  • Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier): About six minutes by car or a 20-minute walk
  • Pier 91 (Smith Cove): About 15 minutes by car

Step 3. Arrive at the cruise terminal

Both terminals offer easy drop-off zones but try to avoid the 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. peak window unless it’s your scheduled time. Not sure where your ship is docked? 
Use this handy tool to find your ship→

Pier 66 — Bell Street Cruise Terminal

• Serves: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises
   
• Located downtown near Pike Place Market:
  2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
   
• Parking: $33/day via Republic Parking (Book on SpotHero).
  • Located at 9 Wall Street. Entrances on Wall Street and Alaskan Way or Elliott Avenue
     
• On-site same day luggage storage is available for $5 per bag. Luggage must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. to avoid a late fee. Luggage storage location is in the Crew Center at the south end of the cruise terminal building (as you face the water, south is to the left)

Pier 91 – Smith Cove Cruise Terminal

• Serves: Holland America, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Cunard (new in 2025)
   
• Located north of downtown: 2001 West Garfield Street, Seattle, WA 98119
   
• Parking: Starts at $27 per day with free shuttle from the onsite parking lot to the terminal, luggage assistance, and more (Reserve with Platinum Parking)
   
• Your friends and family can drop you off or pick you up at the free on-site cell phone lot
   
• Rideshares drop you off about a 10-minute walk from the terminal (free shuttle to the terminal available). Taxis take you right to the terminal entrance
   
• On-site same day luggage storage is available for $5 per bag. Luggage must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. to avoid a late fee. Luggage storage location is in the Crew Center at the north of the Ground Transportation Center (With your back facing the cruise terminal, the Crew Center is located to your right)

Step 4. Check in and board your cruise 

Leaving for your cruise:

• Drop off your luggage with porters
   
• Go through security screening
   
• Complete check in with your cruise documents
   
• Board the ship when your group is called

Step 5. Have a great trip!

Enjoy the beautiful natural wonders and tag @portofseattle when you return. 

Step 6. Return from your cruise

Are you heading directly to SEA Airport or visiting Seattle after your cruise? 

Plan to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Airlines can’t check bags more than two to four hours before your departure. Check with your airline for confirmation. 

Option 1: Explore Seattle luggage-free with Port Valet

If you’re hanging out in Seattle for a few hours after your cruise, you’ll love Port Valet — a free luggage transfer service that checks your bags directly to your airline from the ship. You can even track your bag! That means you go straight to TSA security and don’t need to check in at the airline counter. This complimentary service is provided by the Port of Seattle, and allows you to spend a few more precious hours in the city before your journey home.

Who can use Port Valet?

You can use Port Valet if you are flying home the day you disembark with these participating airlines:

• Alaska
• American
• Delta
• Horizon
• Southwest
• United
• Jet Blue

Note: Port Valet is only available for flights departing after 11:00 a.m. on disembarkation day and before 1:30 a.m. the following day. 

Here’s how Port Valet works:

1.  Sign up onboard your cruise

• Complete the enrollment form found in your stateroom during your cruise. Check with the guest services team on your cruise line for specific details

2.  The night before disembarkation, you’ll get your airline boarding passes and special luggage tags

3.  Set your bags outside your cabin the night before — they will be securely transferred directly from the cruise ship and checked in with your airline all the way to your destination airport. You don’t have to do a thing!

4.  Enjoy Seattle — Take advantage of your freedom and spend the day exploring Seattle in its most beautiful season

• Create your own personalized itinerary at Visit Seattle
   
• Or use our list of things to do in Seattle instead of dragging your luggage around

5. Skip check-in at the airport: When you arrive at SEA Airport, proceed directly to security. You received your boarding pass onboard your cruise ship and your luggage will be checked to your final destination!

• Learn more about Port Valet→

Worried about leaving your luggage?

• Pack a daytrip bag and fill it with whatever you need for your day in Seattle before handing over checked luggage
   
• Always know where your bags are! Track your luggage via the Port Valet website. Or use your own Apple Airtag or other tracking device to keep an eye on your stuff

Option 2: Heading straight to SEA Airport from your Alaska cruise?

Here’s what to do:

• Retrieve your luggage at the cruise terminal
• Pass through U.S. Customs
• Follow ground transportation signs to get to SEA Airport via:
  • Cruise line shuttle (if booked)
  • Taxi or rideshare (drop-off on the Departures drive)
  • Light Rail (take a cab or rideshare to Westlake Station)

If you can’t use Port Valet, you can still explore the city luggage free. Stash your bags at Pier 91 and Pier 66's luggage storage until 3:00 p.m. or opt for downtown luggage options like Bounce or Luggage Hero.

Step 7: Check in at SEA Airport

If you didn’t use Port Valet:

• Check in for your flight (up to 24 hours in advance on your mobile device or at the ticket counter) and check your bags 

Note: Ticket counter, baggage check, and security checkpoints are open three to four hours before your flight. If you arrive too early, you’ll find very limited seating and dining options before security.

Arrive too early to check your bags at SEA? Use Smarte Carte’s first-come, first-served Baggage Storage near Carousels 9 and 10, then explore Seattle Southside before your flight.

• Go through TSA security screening (Tip: Reserve a spot in the line up to five days ahead via SEA Spot Saver or use a Trusted Travel Program)
• Plan ahead if you need extra assistance
  • Learn about accessible travel services
     
  • Contact your airline for wheelchair services from check in to gate
     
  • Use complimentary wheelchair service through Prospect Airport Services from the drive to the ticket counter. Call Prospect at (206) 246-1550
    • Work with your airline for wheelchair service from the ticket counter to your gate
    • Plan your wheelchair assistance 

Step 8: Relax and have a great flight!

Grab a bite, shop for souvenirs, or just kick back until your flight. Research the restaurants and boutiques and things to do at SEA Airport. 

Planning to explore before or after your cruise?

Seattle is just the gateway to the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. If you’re planning extra adventures before or after your cruise, check out these travel tips and inspiration:

• Take the Pacific Northwest ultimate fly/drive/cruise tour
   
• Plan your next great Pacific Northwest adventure
   
• Central District Neighborhood Travel Guide
   
• Local’s Guide to Five Seattle Neighborhoods
   
• Six Superlatives About Travel in Washington State
   
• Wine Down Washington
   
• Washington’s Island Escape 

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