Seattle has two cruise terminals: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, at the north end of the waterfront, and Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, downtown. Your cruise line’s documents tell you which pier you sail from. Both terminals have taxi access, airport shuttles and a private vehicle drop-off area, so a pre-booked car can take you straight from Sea-Tac or your hotel to the right pier with your luggage.
Most Seattle cruises sail to Alaska. The Port of Seattle’s 2026 fact sheet lists a May-to-October season with 330 port calls. Here’s how to plan the ride to and from the ship.
Which Seattle cruise terminal is your ship using?
Check your cruise confirmation or boarding documents. The terminal is listed there, and it can change from season to season. According to the Port of Seattle:
- Pier 91 (Smith Cove Cruise Terminal) has two berths on historic Smith Cove, about 10 minutes from the city’s retail core. It has bus parking, taxis, airport shuttles, a private vehicle drop-off area and a dedicated rideshare lot.
- Pier 66 (Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal) has one berth on the downtown waterfront, within walking distance of Pike Place Market. It has bus parking, taxis, airport shuttles, private vehicle drop-off and a rideshare zone at the terminal entrance.
Give the exact pier when you book a transfer. Pier 91 and Pier 66 are in different parts of the waterfront, and the wrong one costs you time on embarkation day.
How do you get from Sea-Tac to the cruise terminal?
Most cruise passengers fly in. The Port says 82% of cruise visitors arrive by air. Your main options are:
- Private car. A chauffeur meets you at Sea-Tac and drives you straight to the drop-off area at your pier, luggage included. It’s the simplest option for families and groups.
- Cruise line or airport shuttles. These are scheduled, shared services. Check timing and luggage rules with the provider.
- Taxi or rideshare. They’re available from the airport garage’s 3rd floor, but you’ll need to fit your group and luggage into whatever vehicle shows up.
- Light rail plus a transfer. Possible for light packers, but awkward with big cruise suitcases.
Booking Sea-Tac to the pier with Kamo Limo works like any airport transfer. Your flight is tracked from three hours out, and dispatch works from your actual landing time. That matters when you have a boarding window to meet.
Should you arrive in Seattle the day before your cruise?
Many cruisers fly in a day early so a delayed or canceled flight doesn’t cost them the sailing. If you do, you’ll need two rides: Sea-Tac to your hotel, then the hotel to the pier on sailing day. Both can be booked together.
A day in Seattle before sailing is also a chance to see the city. Pier 66 is within walking distance of Pike Place Market, and a few hours of hourly car service can cover the waterfront, Kerry Park and the Space Needle area before you check in.
What vehicle do you need for cruise luggage?
Cruise luggage is heavier than a typical trip’s: big suitcases, garment bags and sometimes carry-ons for each traveler. Size the vehicle for the luggage, not just the passengers:
- Sedan (up to 3 passengers): fits up to 2 checked bags and 2 carry-ons. Good for a couple packing moderately.
- SUV (up to 6 passengers): the usual choice for families or two couples with full-size cruise luggage.
- Sprinter van (up to 14 passengers): for multi-family groups and reunions. With every seat filled, plan for about one checked bag and a carry-on per person, or add a second vehicle for luggage.
Traveling with kids? Child seats can be requested and arrive installed.
How do you get from the cruise ship back to the airport?
Disembarkation morning is the busiest part of the trip. Thousands of passengers leave at the same time, and the curbs at the terminal fill quickly. A few tips:
- Book your return before you sail. Give your disembarkation date, pier and the time you expect to be off the ship.
- Leave a buffer for your flight. Customs, luggage collection and morning traffic all take time.
- Consider the Port Valet program. The Port of Seattle offers a service that moves your luggage from the ship directly to Sea-Tac, so you can go straight to your gate without checking bags. Check eligibility with your cruise line and airline.
- Stay reachable. Keep your phone on so your chauffeur can share the pickup point.
What should you tell your chauffeur on embarkation day?
- Your pier: Pier 91 (Smith Cove) or Pier 66 (Bell Street).
- Your boarding window from the cruise line, so the pickup time can be planned around it.
- Your flight number, if you’re coming straight from Sea-Tac.
- Your passenger and bag count, including garment bags and carry-ons.
- Any child seats you need installed.
- Any stops on the way, such as a hotel for other travelers or a grocery stop for last-minute items.
Keeping these details in one message avoids surprises at the curb. Accurate bag counts matter most, because they decide whether one vehicle is enough.
When should you book cruise transfers for the 2027 season?
Weekend embarkation days in the peak summer months are the busiest, so book your transfer as soon as your cruise and flights are confirmed. Request it through our cruise transfer quote form, which lets you choose Pier 66 or Pier 91 for pickup or drop-off and add a return trip.
Can you combine a cruise transfer with a Seattle tour?
Yes. If your ship sails in the afternoon, or you disembark early and fly out late, a few hours of hourly service can turn the gap into a short tour. Load the luggage once, visit Pike Place Market, the waterfront or Kerry Park, and finish at the pier or the airport. Share your timing when you request a quote so the hours match your schedule.
Ready to plan your cruise transfer?
Tell us your flight, your pier and your group size, and we’ll confirm a written quote before you book. Request your Seattle cruise transfer quote, or call reservations at (206) 333-9605. Dispatch is staffed 24 hours.
