First Alaska cruise from Seattle: common questions

Which pier am I sailing from?

Seattle has two cruise terminals, and they are in different parts of the waterfront. On the port's 2027 schedule, Norwegian, Oceania and Silversea sail from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, downtown at 2225 Alaskan Way. Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, MSC, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages use the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, 2001 West Garfield Street, at the north end of the waterfront. For Norwegian Jade's September 2027 sailings, the port's 2027 schedule says Pier 91, so check your documents.

Your cruise documents are the final word. The terminal guide has directions to both.

How early should I get to the terminal?

Follow the arrival time or window your line gives you when you check in online. Norwegian asks guests not to arrive more than an hour before the embarkation time in their documents, and recommends arriving after noon and at least two hours before departure. Holland America says boarding starts at noon. The terminal guide lists what each line says.

If you arrive in the morning with time to kill, both terminals store bags for the day at $6 a bag, which the port listed on 23 October 2026. Collect them by 3pm.

Should I fly in the day before?

The lines that say anything about it say yes. Princess "strongly" recommends arriving at least one day before your cruise, and Virgin Voyages' Seattle guide says to fly in at least a day early. Carnival's own airport transfer only takes passengers whose flight lands by noon on sailing day.

The port puts both terminals 30 to 40 minutes from Sea-Tac by road, so a morning flight can work, but a delayed one leaves you little room. The airport guide has the options.

Does my cruise really go to Canada?

Yes. Every round trip on the schedule stops in British Columbia, almost always at Victoria as the last stop before Seattle. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reminds Seattle passengers that this stop "constitutes foreign travel". That is why documents matter even though you start and finish in Seattle. The documents guide covers what to bring.

The same rule means you can't leave the ship for good in Alaska. A round trip from Seattle ends in Seattle.

What does "scenic cruising" mean in an itinerary?

It marks a day the ship spends sailing past glaciers or through a fjord, such as Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Endicott Arm or Tracy Arm, without docking. Nobody goes ashore that day. The destination pages group the sailings by which glacier they visit.

How cold will it be?

Cooler than Seattle. NOAA's climate normals put average summer highs in Juneau and Ketchikan in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit, and rain builds through the season. The best time to go guide has the month-by-month figures.

How do I get my bags to the airport at the end?

The Port of Seattle offers a free service called Port Valet that takes your luggage from the ship to your airline, according to Holland America and Virgin Voyages. Virgin says it is for flights leaving Sea-Tac at noon or later on disembarkation day. You have to enroll in advance, and the deadline depends on the line: Holland America says "typically three days" before the end of the cruise, Virgin says 48 hours before you disembark.

Can I bring children?

Virgin Voyages describes its Seattle cruises as kid-free sailings, so it isn't an option for a family. If children are traveling with only one adult, Holland America and Princess both require a valid passport for everyone in the party, even on a round trip where birth certificates would otherwise do.

Where should I park?

At the terminal you sail from. Republic Parking runs the garage across from Pier 66, and USP Parking runs the lot at Pier 91. The parking guide has the prices. If someone is collecting you, Pier 91 has a free cell phone waiting lot.