Cruising to Alaska out of Seattle?
Then you’ll likely be sailing from Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) — and the good news is…
👉 it’s one of the easiest, most seamless cruise ports you’ll go through.
This blog gives you the quick breakdown of what to expect, how to get there, and what it costs — but I highly recommend you:
✔️ Watch the full video below to see exactly how fast and simple the process is
✔️ Bookmark this page for reference on embarkation day
🎥 Watch the Full Pier 91 Walkthrough
👉 https://youtu.be/x3xU1ppGnOw
👉 Seeing the process visually will help you feel much more confident before embarkation day
📍 Where Is Seattle’s Pier 91 Cruise Port?
The terminal is located at:
- Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91
🚢 Cruise lines sailing from here:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Celebrity Cruises
- Virgin Voyages
- MSC Cruises
- Cunard
- Holland America Line
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
👉 This is one of Seattle’s main Alaska cruise departure ports
📍 Location Benefits
- ~10 minutes to downtown attractions like the Space Needle
- ~30–40 minutes from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport
👉 Translation: Easy logistics whether you fly in or stay overnight
🚗 Getting to Pier 91 (Your Options)
1. 🚐 Private Shuttle (What We Did)
We used:
- Airman Transportation
✔️ Reliable
✔️ Easy hotel pickup
✔️ Stress-free drop-off
👉 This is one of the smoothest options, especially with luggage.
2. 🚘 Driving & Parking
Pier 91 has on-site parking, which is a big plus.
💰 Cost:
- ~$29 per day
- Save ~$1/day if you prepay online
Click HERE to learn current rates and reserve your spot!
🅿️ Details:
- ~800 parking spaces
- Complimentary shuttle to terminal
👉 Ideal if you’re driving in from nearby cities.
3. 🚕 Rideshare / Uber
- Designated pickup & drop-off areas
- Clear signage at the port
👉 Good backup option, but timing can vary on busy cruise days.
🧳 Embarkation Process (Step-by-Step)
Here’s exactly how it went for us — and it was shockingly fast:
1. Drop-Off & Luggage
- Porter takes your bags immediately
- You head straight inside
2. Security Check
- Standard airport-style screening
3. Check-In
- Scan your cruise documents (we used Princess Medallion for our Princess Cruise)
- Show passport
4. Walk Onto Ship 🚢
- No long waits
- No confusion
👉 Total vibe: quick, organized, and stress-free
🛳️ Disembarkation Process (Even Easier)
After your Alaska cruise, here’s what happens:
1. Exit Ship
- Follow signage to baggage claim
2. Pick Up Luggage
- Clearly labeled sections
3. Go Through Customs
- Fast and straightforward
4. Transportation Pickup
- Shuttle, rideshare, or walking directions clearly marked
👉 We were picked up quickly and on our way — no chaos.
💡 Pro Tips for Pier 91
✔️ Arrive at your scheduled time for smoother boarding
✔️ Pre-book transportation (huge time saver)
✔️ Prepay parking if driving
✔️ Keep documents handy for quick processing
✔️ Watch the video to see exactly what to expect (this helps more than anything)
⏱️ How Long Does It Take?
- Embarkation: Often very quick (under 30 minutes once inside)
- Disembarkation: Typically fast and organized
👉 Compared to other major ports, this one is exceptionally efficient
🚢 Why This Matters for Your Alaska Cruise
Your embarkation day sets the tone for your entire trip.
At Pier 91:
- ✔️ Less stress
- ✔️ Easy navigation
- ✔️ Quick boarding
👉 Which means you start your cruise relaxed instead of overwhelmed
Pre – Cruise Hotel Suggestions
Selection of various hotels to choose from to help you choose the right one for your travel needs.
Near Space Needle
- Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown
- Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown
- Mediterranean Inn
- Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown/Seattle Center
- Hyatt Regency Seattle
Downtown
- Inn at the Market
- Paramount Hotel
- Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Near Seattle Airport
- Hampton Inn and Suites
- Seattle Airport Marriott
💬 Need Help Planning Your Alaska Cruise?
If you’re:
- Deciding which cruise line to choose
- Planning your Seattle pre-cruise stay (Check out my post on what my family did in Seattle)
- Figuring out logistics like this
👉 Reach out to me at Grab Your Bags Travel — I can help you put together a seamless trip from start to finish.
📌 Don’t Forget:
✔️ Watch the full video walkthrough
✔️ Bookmark this guide for embarkation day
✔️ Share it with your travel group
Happy cruising to Alaska! 🏔️🚢
