An Alaska cruise from Seattle is almost always a seven-night round trip: you board at Pier 91 or Pier 66, sail north to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, spend a day at a glacier, and stop in Victoria, British Columbia, on the way home. In 2027 you can sail from Seattle with Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, MSC and Virgin Voyages, and it’s the easiest Alaska cruise for most Americans: a domestic flight or a drive, a round-trip ticket, and simpler documents than a cruise from Canada.
This guide is for travelers planning a Seattle round trip, from choosing the line and the terminal to getting from the airport, parking, luggage and the night before. The caveat: Seattle has two cruise terminals about two miles apart, and the Canada stop that the law requires on these cruises is often an evening call in Victoria, so check both details before you book. Last updated October 3, 2026. Every price, fee and schedule below is dated, and the sources are listed at the end.
Alaska Cruise From Seattle at a Glance
| Question | Answer (as of September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Terminals | Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, in Interbay) and Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal, downtown), about 2 miles apart. There is no third terminal; the Terminal 46 project was canceled in 2020. |
| Which line uses which | Norwegian at Pier 66; most other big lines at Pier 91 (check your documents) |
| Season | Late April to late September; the 2026 season opened April 17 |
| Size | A record 330 ship calls and 2.1 million revenue passengers forecast for 2026, with 16 homeport ships |
| From SeaTac airport | About 30 to 45 minutes by car; or Link light rail to downtown (about 40 minutes, $3 flat adult fare reported), then a short ride to the pier |
| Parking | Pier 91 from $27 a day including fees, taxes and a shuttle; Pier 66 $30 a day plus tax |
| Luggage to your flight | Port Valet transfers bags free from the ship to participating airlines for same-day flights |
| Canada stop | Required by law on these round trips; usually Victoria, often in the evening |
| Documents for US citizens | A passport is best; closed-loop rules also allow a government photo ID plus proof of citizenship |
What’s Changed for 2027
- Princess brings Star Princess. The first Sphere-class ship in Alaska sails weekly seven-day round trips from Seattle every Sunday, and Royal Princess sails a Seattle round trip that includes Glacier Bay.
- Holland America adds long voyages. Its 14-day Great Alaska Explorer and the 28-day Legendary Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice, leaving June 6, 2027, are both Seattle round trips on Noordam.
- Carnival and the newcomers return. Carnival Legend starts its Seattle season on April 20 and Carnival Spirit on April 29. MSC Poesia is reported to sail Mondays from April 26, and Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady returns.
- More shore power. Eleven homeport ships were set to plug into shore power in 2026, and additional connections at Pier 91 launch in 2027. In 2025, 87% of the shore-power-capable ships calling at Seattle connected, avoiding 6,444 metric tons of CO2, according to the Port.
- Tracy Arm is provisional. Several Seattle routes still list Tracy Arm, including Carnival’s, but after the August 2025 landslide lines used Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier instead in 2026. Expect the substitute.
The 2027 Lines Sailing Alaska From Seattle
These are the big lines with Seattle round trips in 2027, from their announcements. Terminal assignments come from 2026 port guides and can change, so confirm yours in your cruise documents.
1. Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian is Seattle’s busiest line. In 2027 Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy leave Pier 66 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from late April on seven-day voyages, with some 9- and 10-day sailings on Joy from mid-May to mid-June and from late August. The routes include scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay, depending on the sailing.
What sets Norwegian apart from Seattle is choice of day and a modern fleet. All three ships are among the largest in Alaska, with forward-facing observation lounges that are among the best indoor glacier seats on any big ship, and Norwegian’s flexible dining suits families who don’t want a fixed dinner time. The service charge is on the high side, and the ships are busy, so book shore excursions early.
2. Princess Cruises
Princess sends Star Princess, its newest design, on seven-day round trips every Sunday, and Royal Princess on a seven-day route that includes Glacier Bay. Princess also offers 9- and 10-day Inside Passage sailings on several ships. Its Seattle ships use Pier 91, according to port guides.
Star Princess is the draw for 2027. It’s the first of Princess’s Sphere-class ships to sail in Alaska, and a Sunday departure every week makes it easy to fit around a weekend flight. Royal Princess’s route is the one to pick from Seattle if you want Glacier Bay, since only a few lines hold park permits and not every sailing goes in.
3. Holland America Line
Holland America’s seven-day Alaska Explorer sails from Seattle on Eurodam and Noordam, calling at Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka; Eurodam adds Icy Strait Point and Glacier Bay, and Noordam visits Dawes Glacier. Noordam also sails the 14-day Great Alaska Explorer to Kodiak and Valdez and the 28-day Arctic Circle voyage. Some of its seven-day cruises run one way from Vancouver to Seattle. Holland America uses Pier 91.
Holland America’s ships are mid-size and calmer than the big-resort ships, and its Seattle program has the most variety of any line, from a week to a month. If you want a long Alaska voyage without flying to Anchorage, the 14-day Great Alaska Explorer from Seattle is one of the few ways to reach the Gulf of Alaska and come home to the same port.
4. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean runs two Seattle ships in 2027: Quantum of the Seas on seven-night round trips to Sitka, Juneau and Skagway, and Voyager of the Seas to Juneau, Skagway, and Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Neither route includes Glacier Bay. Royal Caribbean uses Pier 91.
Quantum of the Seas has the North Star observation capsule and the most activities for teenagers of any ship in Seattle, while Voyager of the Seas is older but family-friendly. Royal Caribbean guarantees the ship will wait if a tour it sold you runs late, which is worth knowing on a tight port day.
5. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity’s 2027 Alaska ships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Summit, sail from Vancouver, Seattle and Seward, with routes featuring Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm and Icy Strait Point. Check which ship sails from Seattle on your dates. Celebrity uses Pier 91.
6. Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Legend starts its 2027 season on April 20 with 22 seven-day Seattle round trips to Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm and Victoria, and Carnival Spirit starts on April 29 with 20 seven-day cruises plus one nine-day cruise that adds Sitka. Carnival is usually the lowest fare from Seattle. It uses Pier 91.
Carnival Legend and Carnival Spirit are older, mid-size ships with a casual atmosphere, and the fares reflect it. The routes are the classic big three ports plus a fjord day, and Carnival’s gratuities were reported at $17 per person per day in standard cabins from April 2026, among the lowest of the big mainstream lines.
7. MSC Cruises
MSC made its Alaska debut from Seattle in 2026, with MSC Poesia sailing Mondays from Pier 91. For 2027 the line’s announcement, as reported, has Poesia sailing every Monday from April 26 through September to Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Victoria, with Tracy Arm listed for scenic cruising. The Monday start is handy if you’d rather avoid the weekend crowds at the terminals.
8. Virgin Voyages
Virgin’s adults-only Brilliant Lady returns to Alaska in 2027, mostly on seven-night Seattle round trips to Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which serves as the Canada stop instead of Victoria, according to a summary of Virgin’s schedule. Port guides place Virgin at Pier 91.
Virgin builds crew tips into its fares and takes only guests 18 and over, so it suits couples and groups of friends who want a livelier ship. Prince Rupert is a quieter Canadian stop than Victoria, and a daytime one on many itineraries.
Choosing among them is a bigger question than homeport, and our Alaska cruise itinerary guide compares the routes, glacier days and ports side by side.
Glacier Days and Ports on Seattle Round Trips
Seattle round trips differ most in their glacier day and their fourth port. These are the 2027 patterns from the lines’ announcements.
| Glacier day | Seattle sailings that include it |
|---|---|
| Glacier Bay National Park | Royal Princess; Holland America’s Eurodam; some Norwegian sailings |
| Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier | Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas; Holland America’s Noordam |
| Hubbard Glacier | Some Norwegian sailings; Holland America’s 14-day Great Alaska Explorer |
| Tracy Arm (listed; expect Endicott Arm) | Carnival Legend and Spirit; MSC Poesia; Virgin’s Brilliant Lady |
| Port | Seattle sailings that call there |
|---|---|
| Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway | Most seven-night routes include two or three of them |
| Sitka | Royal Caribbean’s Quantum, Holland America’s Alaska Explorer, Carnival Spirit’s 9-day, Virgin |
| Icy Strait Point | Holland America’s Eurodam, MSC Poesia |
| Victoria, BC | Most Seattle round trips (often in the evening) |
| Prince Rupert, BC | Virgin’s Brilliant Lady and Holland America’s 14-day route |
Verdict: From Seattle, the strongest seven-night routes combine Glacier Bay with Sitka or Icy Strait Point. If your chosen ship lists Tracy Arm, plan on Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, which is still an excellent fjord day.
Pier 91 or Pier 66? Seattle’s Two Cruise Terminals
| Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) | Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Interbay, north of downtown between Magnolia and Queen Anne | Downtown waterfront, near Pike Place Market |
| Lines (2026 guides) | Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, MSC, Virgin | Norwegian, Oceania |
| From downtown Westlake | About 15 minutes by car | About 6 minutes by car, or a 20-minute walk |
| Parking (2026) | From $27 a day, including fees, taxes, a shuttle to the ship and luggage help | $30 a day plus tax |
| Rideshare | Drop-off about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, with a free shuttle | At the terminal on the waterfront |
| Walk to sights | No | Yes: Pike Place Market and the waterfront |
Pier 66 is the more convenient terminal if you want to explore downtown before or after the cruise; Pier 91 is bigger and handles most of the ships. Seattle has only these two: the Port canceled its plan for a third terminal at Terminal 46 in July 2020, and no replacement has a published timeline. Our guides to the Seattle cruise terminal, Pier 91 Seattle and Pier 66 Seattle cover each in detail.
Sailing Day in Seattle, Step by Step
Boarding day at a big Seattle terminal runs smoothly if you know the sequence. Your line assigns a boarding window when you check in online, usually in the late morning or early afternoon, and arriving at that time keeps lines short.
- Arrive at the terminal. Drop your checked bags with the porters at the curb, with your line’s luggage tags attached; a small tip is customary.
- Security and check-in. Have your boarding pass and documents ready: passport, or photo ID plus proof of citizenship for US citizens on a closed-loop sailing.
- Board. Carry a day bag with medications, documents, a change of clothes and chargers, since checked luggage can take hours to reach your cabin.
- Muster drill. Every ship runs a mandatory safety briefing before departure.
- Sail-away. Be on deck as the ship leaves Elliott Bay in the late afternoon. On a clear day, Mount Rainier rises behind the city and the Olympic Mountains line the west.
The Last Morning: Leaving the Ship
Ships return to Seattle early on the last morning, and getting everyone off usually runs from shortly after docking until late morning. You’ll either carry your own bags off early or put them outside your cabin the night before to collect in the terminal. If you’re flying home the same day, Port Valet can check your bags straight through to participating airlines, so you leave the ship with only a carry-on. Allow plenty of time for the ride to SeaTac and airport security: an afternoon flight is safer than a late-morning one. If you’re driving, the Pier 91 lots are a short shuttle ride from the terminal.
Getting From SeaTac to the Cruise Terminal
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, known as SeaTac or SEA, is about 30 to 45 minutes by car from both terminals, depending on traffic. You have four realistic options.
- Taxi or rideshare: the simplest door-to-door option, about 30 to 45 minutes. At Pier 91 the rideshare drop-off is about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, with a free shuttle.
- Link light rail plus a short ride: the train runs from the airport to Westlake Station downtown in about 40 minutes, with a flat adult fare reported at $3 and free rides for those 18 and under. From Westlake, Pier 66 is about a 6-minute drive or a 20-minute walk, and Pier 91 about 15 minutes by car. It’s the cheapest option but awkward with big suitcases.
- Cruise line transfers: the lines sell airport-to-ship buses, convenient but usually pricier than a shared taxi for two.
- Hotel shuttles: some airport and downtown hotels run cruise shuttles on sailing days; ask when you book.
Whatever you choose, fly in the day before. A delayed flight on sailing day is the one Seattle problem that can end your cruise before it starts. Our SeaTac to Seattle cruise terminal guide compares the options in detail.
Seattle Cruise Parking
If you drive, the Port’s own lots are the easiest choice. At Pier 91, parking starts at $27 a day and includes service fees, taxes, a shuttle to the ship and luggage help, with RV and over-height zones available. At Pier 66, Republic Parking operates the garage at $30 a day plus taxes. For a seven-night cruise, that’s roughly $190 to $240 depending on the pier and how the days are counted, which is often less than a second airfare. Private lots with shuttles operate nearby too. Our Seattle cruise parking guide compares them.
Port Valet and Your Luggage
On the last morning, Port Valet lets you check your bags from the ship directly to your flight home, free, on participating airlines (Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, Southwest, United and JetBlue) for same-day flights. You walk off the ship with only a carry-on, which makes a morning in Seattle before an afternoon flight far easier. Arrange it with your cruise line during the voyage. Our Seattle cruise luggage valet guide explains the details.
Where to Stay Before Your Cruise
Stay the night before in one of three areas, depending on your terminal and your plans. Downtown and the waterfront put you near Pier 66, Pike Place Market and restaurants, and a short ride from Pier 91. Lower Queen Anne and the area near Seattle Center are closer to Pier 91 and handy for the Space Needle. Airport hotels near SeaTac suit late arrivals, though they add a 30- to 45-minute ride on sailing day. Summer is peak season, so book early; we don’t quote rates, because they swing widely by date. Our guide to Seattle cruise port hotels compares the areas.
Things to Do in Seattle Before a Cruise
If you arrive a day early, Seattle is an easy city to fill a few hours. Pike Place Market, the city’s historic public market, is a short walk from Pier 66 and packed with food stalls, fish sellers and craft stands. The waterfront below it has been rebuilt and is good for a stroll. Seattle Center, with the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, is a short ride north, closer to Pier 91. A round trip on a Washington State ferry across Puget Sound gives you water and mountain views without a cruise ship. Our guide to things to do in Seattle before a cruise has a fuller list.
Where to Eat Near the Terminals
Near Pier 66, Anthony’s Pier 66 serves Northwest seafood with views of Elliott Bay, and the same company runs the casual Bell Street Diner and a take-out Fish Bar on the waterfront, according to 2026 listings. Elliott’s Oyster House is another long-standing waterfront seafood restaurant, and Pike Place Market’s stalls and counters are the best choice for a quick, cheap lunch. Pier 91 has less within walking distance, so eat downtown or at your hotel before heading to the terminal.
What a Seattle Round Trip Looks Like
| Day | Where | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | Board around midday; sail in the late afternoon through Puget Sound |
| 2 | At sea | A full day north along the outer coast of Vancouver Island |
| 3 to 6 | Alaska | Three ports, usually Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan (or Sitka or Icy Strait Point), plus a glacier day |
| 7 | Victoria (or Prince Rupert) | The legally required Canada stop, often an evening call |
| 8 | Seattle | Off the ship in the morning |
Why the Canada stop? Most big cruise ships are foreign-flagged, and under the Passenger Vessel Services Act a foreign-flag ship that sails from a US port must call at a foreign port before returning to that same US port. A one-way trip between Seattle and an Alaska port would need a distant foreign port outside North America, which is why one-way Alaska cruises start in Vancouver instead. The Seattle route also spends more time on the open Pacific than a Vancouver sailing, which sails north through sheltered channels, so it’s slightly more likely to feel the ship move.
The Victoria Stop
On most Seattle round trips the Canada stop is Victoria’s Ogden Point, and it’s often in the evening. In 2026, for example, the Victoria port schedule had Norwegian Bliss due from 7:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on September 25. That’s enough for a walk around the Inner Harbour, the Parliament Buildings lit up at night and dinner, but not much more. If you want Butchart Gardens, about 13.5 miles away, allow about an hour and 15 minutes to get there, and check the gates: in summer 2026 they closed at 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and daily after September 15. Our Victoria BC cruise port guide covers the options.
Documents for a Seattle Round Trip
A Seattle round trip is a closed-loop cruise, starting and ending at the same US port, so US citizens can re-enter with a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. CBP notes that almost all Alaska cruises from Seattle stop in Victoria, so they count as foreign travel. A passport is still the wiser choice: if you miss the ship in Canada or need to fly home in an emergency, you’ll need one. Canada also treats impaired-driving convictions as serious criminality for entry, so anyone with a DUI on their record should check Canada’s admissibility rules before sailing.
Choosing the Right Seattle Sailing: A Checklist
- The glacier day. Glacier Bay is the prize; Endicott Arm and Hubbard Glacier are good substitutes; a listed Tracy Arm day will probably become Endicott Arm.
- The fourth port. Sitka or Icy Strait Point makes a route better than one that only visits Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.
- The Canada stop time. A daytime Victoria or Prince Rupert call is a bonus; a 7:30 p.m. arrival is a formality.
- The terminal. Pier 66 if you want to walk to Pike Place Market; Pier 91 if you’re driving and parking.
- The day of the week. Weekend departures are busiest; Monday and midweek sailings are calmer at the terminal.
- The ship. Big resort ships for families and sea-day activities; mid-size ships for quieter decks at the glacier.
Common Mistakes on a Seattle Departure
- Going to the wrong pier. Pier 91 and Pier 66 are about 2 miles apart, and taxi drivers need to know which.
- Flying in on sailing day. One delayed flight and the ship leaves without you.
- Booking a morning flight home. Getting off the ship and to SeaTac takes longer than you expect; aim for the afternoon.
- Leaving the passport at home because the rules allow it. If you miss the ship in Canada, or have to fly home early, you’ll wish you had it.
- Planning Butchart Gardens for an evening Victoria call. Check the gate hours and your ship’s arrival time first.
- Underestimating traffic. Weekend mornings bring several ships’ worth of passengers to the waterfront at once.
Seattle or a California Departure?
Seattle isn’t the only US port with Alaska cruises. For 2027, Princess sails Ruby Princess on a 10-day route from San Francisco and Emerald Princess on two 16-day round trips from Los Angeles, and Carnival Luminosa sails 10-day cruises from San Francisco from May 3, calling at Prince Rupert as its Canada stop. Those longer routes add several days on the open Pacific to reach roughly the same Alaska ports as a seven-night Seattle round trip. For most travelers, flying to Seattle and taking the seven-night cruise is the better use of a week; the California routes suit people who live nearby and would rather not fly at all.
A Seattle Round Trip or a One-Way From Vancouver?
| Seattle round trip | One-way from Vancouver | |
|---|---|---|
| Flights for Americans | Round trip, domestic | Open-jaw: into Vancouver, home from Anchorage (or reverse) |
| Documents | Closed-loop rules apply | Passport book |
| Canada stop | Required, often Victoria in the evening | Not needed |
| Glacier days | Usually one | Usually two |
| Denali add-on | Awkward | Easy |
| Driving option | Yes, with pier parking | No |
Verdict: A Seattle round trip for simplicity and value; a one-way from Vancouver if you want two glacier days or a land tour to Denali.
Seattle or Vancouver?
Seattle wins on convenience for most Americans: domestic flights or a drive, closed-loop documents, and two terminals close to downtown. Vancouver wins on scenery, since its round trips sail through the sheltered Inside Passage without a Canada detour, and it’s the starting point for one-way cruises to Seward and Whittier. If you’re weighing the two, our Alaska cruise from Vancouver guide covers Canada Place and the airport transfer.
Arriving by Car or Train
Many cruisers from the Pacific Northwest never fly at all. Seattle sits on Interstate 5, and both terminals are a short drive from it, with the Port’s own parking at each pier. Amtrak Cascades trains from Portland and from Vancouver, British Columbia, arrive at King Street Station at the south end of downtown, a short taxi or rideshare ride from either pier. From farther away, a long drive plus parking is often cheaper than two airfares for a couple, and it lets you bring as much luggage as you like.
Accessibility at the Seattle Terminals
Both terminals are set up for passengers with limited mobility. Ask your cruise line for wheelchair assistance at boarding when you book, and it will arrange a porter at the terminal. At Pier 91, the rideshare drop-off is about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, but a free shuttle covers the distance, and the Port’s parking includes a shuttle to the ship and luggage help. Pier 66 is right on the waterfront, with the drop-off at the terminal. On the ship, request an accessible cabin early, since they sell out first on popular Alaska sailings.
Tips for Families Sailing From Seattle
Seattle is an easy start for a family cruise. Driving and parking at the pier avoids airfare for four; a Link light rail ride is free for children 18 and under; and a morning at Seattle Center or Pike Place Market before boarding burns off some energy. For school-age children, book a line with a strong kids’ program, such as Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, and pack a day bag with snacks and entertainment for the boarding process, which can take an hour or two on a busy Saturday.
Pre- and Post-Cruise Ideas
With an extra day before or after the cruise, you can see more of the Pacific Northwest. A day in the city covers Pike Place Market, the waterfront and Seattle Center. With a car, Mount Rainier National Park makes a long day trip, weather permitting, and ferries across Puget Sound reach the islands and the Olympic Peninsula. If you’d rather keep it simple, stay near your terminal, eat seafood on the waterfront and watch the ships come and go.
What an Alaska Cruise From Seattle Costs
Beyond the fare, the Seattle-specific costs are modest: a domestic flight (or parking at $27 to $30 a day), a hotel night before, and the ride to the pier. Taxes and fees on a typical seven-day Seattle round trip are reported at about $150 to $250 per person. For the full budget, including gratuities, excursions and sample totals, see our Alaska cruise cost guide.
Seattle Cruise Ship Schedule and Busy Days
Seattle’s season runs from mid-to-late April to late September, and weekends are the busiest days at the terminals, when Norwegian’s three ships and Princess’s Sunday departure turn over thousands of passengers. If you’re flexible, a Monday or midweek departure means shorter lines at check-in and quieter roads. The Port publishes the full sailing calendar each season; our Seattle cruise ship schedule guide explains how to read it.
Sailing From Seattle, Month by Month
Seattle’s Alaska season starts in mid-to-late April and runs to late September. In 2026 it opened on April 17; for 2027, Carnival Legend’s season starts on April 20, MSC’s Mondays are reported to begin April 26 and Carnival Spirit starts April 29, with Norwegian’s weekend departures from late April. May and September sailings are cheaper and quieter, with more rain in Alaska by September; June and July bring the longest days and the most families; August is the peak of the salmon and bear season in the ports. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to cruise Alaska covers the trade-offs in detail.
Ways to Save on a Seattle Departure
- Drive and park if you can. A week of pier parking costs roughly $190 to $240, often less than one extra airfare.
- Take the light rail. The $3 flat fare (reported) from the airport to downtown beats a taxi for solo travelers with light bags.
- Sail midweek or on a Monday. Weekend departures are the busiest; a Monday MSC sailing or a midweek ship can be quieter and sometimes cheaper.
- Choose May or September. The shoulder months are cheaper for the cruise and for Seattle hotels.
- Stay near the airport if you arrive late. It can cost less than downtown, though you’ll pay for the ride to the pier in the morning.
What to Pack for a Seattle Round Trip
A Seattle round trip spans two climates: mild summer weather in Seattle and cooler, wetter days in Southeast Alaska, where Juneau averages 5.14 inches of rain in July and Ketchikan more than 7. Pack for Alaska, not for Seattle: a waterproof jacket, warm layers, a hat and gloves for the glacier day, and shoes that can take wet boardwalks. Keep your documents, medications and a change of clothes in your carry-on for sailing day, and bring a small day pack for port calls.
Seattle’s Cruise Port by the Numbers
Seattle has become the biggest Alaska homeport in the United States, and the numbers keep climbing. The Port handled about 1.9 million cruise passengers on 298 vessel calls in 2025, then forecast a record 330 calls and 2.1 million revenue passengers for 2026, with 16 ships homeported for the season. The Port puts the cruise business’s value at about $1.2 billion in regional business revenue a year, supporting more than 5,120 jobs. It’s also one of the cleaner homeports: in 2025, 87% of shore-power-capable ships connected to shore power while docked, and more connections at Pier 91 come online in 2027. For travelers, the practical meaning is simple: big, busy weekends, efficient terminals and a wide choice of ships and dates.
Luxury Ships From Seattle
Not every Seattle sailing is a big-ship round trip. Port guides place Oceania at Pier 66 alongside Norwegian, and other luxury and premium lines call at Seattle during the season, some on longer or one-way voyages. They carry far fewer passengers and include more in the fare, so boarding is quicker and the terminal feels calmer. If you’re considering one, check where it docks and whether its route is a closed-loop round trip, since one-way voyages change the document rules.
Ten Tips for Sailing From Seattle
- Check your pier. Pier 91 and Pier 66 are about 2 miles apart.
- Fly in the day before. Always.
- Use your boarding window. Arriving at your assigned time keeps check-in quick.
- Pack a day bag. Your checked luggage may reach your cabin hours after you do.
- Book parking early for summer weekends.
- Bring a passport even though the rules don’t require one.
- Look at the Victoria call time before planning a Butchart visit.
- Book Port Valet on board if you’re flying home the same day.
- Be ready for some motion on the first sea day. The route north often runs along the open coast.
- Explore Pike Place Market if you sail from Pier 66. It’s a short walk from the terminal.
Alaska Cruise From Seattle FAQ
Which cruise lines sail to Alaska from Seattle?
In 2027, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, MSC and Virgin Voyages all have Seattle round trips. Norwegian sails three ships every weekend from Pier 66; most other big lines use Pier 91. Holland America also runs 14- and 28-day voyages from Seattle.
How long is an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Most are seven nights, round trip, with three Alaska ports, a glacier day and a Canada stop. Some lines offer 9- or 10-day routes, Holland America has a 14-day Great Alaska Explorer to Kodiak and Valdez, and its 28-day Arctic Circle voyage leaves Seattle on June 6, 2027.
Do you need a passport for an Alaska cruise from Seattle?
Not strictly. Seattle round trips are closed-loop cruises, so US citizens can use a government photo ID plus proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate. A passport is still recommended in case you need to fly home from Canada or leave the cruise early.
Why do Alaska cruises from Seattle stop in Victoria?
Because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act. A foreign-flag ship on a round trip from a US port must call at a foreign port, so Seattle sailings stop in Victoria, or occasionally Prince Rupert. The Victoria call is often in the evening.
Which Seattle cruise terminal is my ship at?
Your cruise documents will say. In 2026 port guides placed Norwegian and Oceania at Pier 66 (Bell Street, downtown) and Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, MSC and Virgin at Pier 91 (Smith Cove, Interbay). The two are about 2 miles apart.
How much is parking for an Alaska cruise in Seattle?
In 2026, Pier 91 parking started at $27 a day including fees, taxes, a shuttle and luggage help, and Pier 66 parking cost $30 a day plus tax. That’s roughly $190 to $240 for a seven-night cruise, depending on the pier.
How do I get from SeaTac to the cruise terminal?
By taxi or rideshare (about 30 to 45 minutes), by Link light rail to Westlake downtown (about 40 minutes, $3 flat adult fare reported) plus a short ride to the pier, or by a cruise line transfer. With heavy luggage, a taxi or rideshare is simplest.
Is Seattle or Vancouver better for an Alaska cruise?
Seattle is easier for most Americans: domestic flights, closed-loop documents and two terminals near downtown. Vancouver offers more sheltered Inside Passage scenery, no Canada detour and one-way cruises to Seward or Whittier. Pick by where you live and by your passport situation.
Related Alaska Cruise Guides
- Alaska Cruise Itineraries: Every Route, Port Combination and Length Compared
- How Much Does an Alaska Cruise Cost? 2027 Prices, Budgets and Hidden Fees
Sources and How We Checked
We checked the prices, rules, schedules and ship deployments in this guide against the sources below on September 24, 2026, and we log each one in our research database with the date it was checked. Cruise lines change ships, fares and fees every season, so confirm anything that affects your booking with the line or the agency concerned. Alaska Cruise Guide (AlaskaCruise.org) is an independent publication. It is not affiliated with any cruise line, port, tour operator or tourism office, and no one paid to be included.
- 19 CFR 4.80a (Legal Information Institute): PVSA
- Alaska Public Media: Tracy Arm 2026 itineraries
- anthonys.com: Seattle restaurants
- Carnival Cruise Line news: Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises
- deeparrival.com: Seattle cruise terminals
- Government of Canada: Canada entry – DUI
- Greater Victoria Harbour Authority: Victoria Ogden Point
- help.carnival.com: gratuities – Carnival
- Holland America Line: Holland America Line
- mscpressarea.com: MSC Cruises
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: Juneau weather
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: Ketchikan weather
- Norwegian Cruise Line: Seattle Pier 66, Norwegian Cruise Line
- Port of Seattle: Seattle SEA airport
- Port of Seattle: Seattle Pier 91, Seattle Pier 66
- Port of Seattle: Seattle cruise port
- Port of Seattle: Seattle Terminal 46
- PR Newswire (line press release): Royal Caribbean
- Princess Cruises: Princess Cruises, San Francisco / Los Angeles
- Royal Caribbean: shore excursions
- seattlecruisetips.com: taxes and fees
- soundtransit.org: Seattle SEA airport
- The Butchart Gardens: Butchart Gardens
- The Butchart Gardens: Butchart Gardens
- The Maritime Executive: Seattle cruise port
- travelpulse.com: MSC Cruises
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: passport rules
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: passport rules
- virginvoyages.com: Virgin Voyages
Photo Credits
- Cruise ship and Space Needle, Seattle: photo by Daniel Ramirez from Honolulu, USA, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Pier 66, Seattle: photo by Chris Light, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Link light rail at SeaTac Airport Station: photo by Andrew Nash from Vienna, Austria, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Seattle from the Space Needle: photo by King of Hearts, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Pike Place Market, Seattle: photo by Julian Lupyan, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
- Norwegian Encore leaving Victoria: photo by Gordon Leggett, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
- Alaska cruise region map: map by Kmusser, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); ferry routes removed; cruise ports, glacier-viewing areas and Denali added by Alaska Cruise Guide