Before you set sail
Getting to your ship, made simple 👋
Whenever I book an Alaska cruise out of Seattle, these are the three questions I get every time: how much is parking, how do I do it, and where should I stay the night before? The key here is your terminal — Pier 91 and Pier 66 work a little differently — so let's start there.
What Parking Costs
Rates by pier & how you pay.
How to Park
Pier 91 vs Pier 66 & drop-off.
Where to Stay
The night-before hotel plan.
Question one
How Much Is Parking?
Seattle's parking is run by official operators at each pier, and the rate depends on which terminal your ship uses. Here's what each costs.
Pier 91 — Smith Cove Terminal
- Daily rate (from)$27 / day
- 7-night cruise~$187+
- Spaces800 (on-site)
- ShuttleFree to ship
Rate includes taxes, free shuttle, and luggage assistance. Reserve and prepay online in advance — don't just show up. RV/oversized zones available.
Pier 66 — Bell Street Terminal
- Daily rate~$30–$33 / day
- 7-night cruise~$210+
- Spaces1,700 (covered)
- AccessSkybridge
Covered garage with a skybridge right into the terminal. First-come, first-served but rarely fills. Booked online through Republic Parking.
Good to Know: Reservations & Payment
Both piers are credit card only. The big difference: Pier 91 requires an online reservation and prepayment — book before you go. Pier 66 is first-come, first-served and rarely fills, though you can still book online. Rates are set by the official operators and can change, so I'll confirm your pier's current rate when I book you.
Seattle's best-kept secret
Don't Miss: Port Valet 🌭
Seattle offers a free service most cruisers don't know about. With Port Valet, on your last morning you check your bags at the ship and don't see them again until they arrive at your home airport — the service tags them, gets your boarding passes, and transfers everything straight to your flight. You walk off the ship hands-free and skip baggage claim entirely.
It's free, but you must sign up onboard by the deadline (usually the first day or two) and it's available for participating airlines with flights after a certain time. I'll remind you to enroll — it's a game-changer for disembarkation day.
Question two
How Do I Park?
Everything starts with your terminal. Pier 91 and Pier 66 are about 3 miles apart and reached by different exits — your cruise line assigns which one. Match yours below.
Which Terminal Am I?
Both are on the waterfront, but they're distinct places with different parking. Here's how they compare.
Pier 91 · Smith Cove
- • 2001 W Garfield Way
- • Just outside the city center
- • From I-5, take the Mercer St exit
- • 800-space on-site lot + free shuttle to the ship
- • Reserve & prepay online
- • RV / oversized zones available
Pier 66 · Bell Street
- • On the downtown waterfront
- • Near Pike Place Market
- • From I-5, take the Seneca St exit
- • 1,700-space covered garage
- • Skybridge straight into the terminal
- • First-come; ~6'6" height limit
The Drive-In, Step by Step
- 1
Confirm your terminal & book parking if needed. Pier 91 needs a prepaid online reservation — do this before you leave home. Pier 66 you can book or just arrive.
- 2
Take the right exit off I-5. Mercer St for Pier 91, Seneca St for Pier 66. For Pier 91, make sure your GPS points to 2001 W Garfield Way.
- 3
Drop your bags at the terminal. Hand luggage to a porter curbside (a few dollars per bag is customary), then head to parking.
- 4
Park and get to the ship. At Pier 91, park in the lot and hop the free shuttle. At Pier 66, park in the covered garage and take the skybridge straight into the terminal.
- 5
Enroll in Port Valet onboard. Once you're on the ship, sign up for Port Valet early so your bags fly home for you — don't wait past the deadline.
🚛 Driving Something Big?
Pier 91's lot is open-air and can take RVs and oversized vehicles — look for the RV/overheight zones when you reserve. Pier 66 is a covered garage with about a 6'6" height limit, so tall vehicles should use Pier 91 or an off-site lot.
🚌 Flying In? You May Not Need to Park
If you're arriving by air, skip parking altogether: stay downtown and take a short rideshare to your pier, or use a cruise transfer. Parking mainly makes sense if you're driving in from the Pacific Northwest. I can help you decide.
Question three
Where Should I Stay?
My honest, number-one piece of advice for any cruise: arrive the night before you sail. For an Alaska cruise — often a long flight to get to Seattle — this is especially worth it.
Why Arrive a Day Early?
Seattle is a long haul for most travelers, and flying in the same day you sail leaves no margin. One delayed flight and you can miss the ship (it won't wait). A night in Seattle first fixes that — and the city is genuinely worth exploring:
😴 A relaxed start
Shake off the travel day and board rested instead of frazzled.
🛩️ A weather cushion
West Coast flight delays are common — a day early protects your cruise.
🍹 See the city
Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the waterfront are all right there.
Where to Base Yourself
Seattle's downtown waterfront is the sweet spot — close to both piers and the sights:
- 🏦️Downtown / Waterfront — The ideal base. Walkable to Pier 66, a short ride to Pier 91, and steps from Pike Place. Most cruisers stay here.
- 🎪Belltown / Seattle Center — Near the Space Needle, lively and central, an easy hop to either pier.
- ✈️Near the airport (SEA) — Practical if you land late, though it's about 25–40 minutes from the piers and the area is quiet. Downtown is usually the better pick if you want to explore.
Let me take this off your plate
I'll Book Your Pre-Cruise Hotel
Tell me your sail date and which pier you're leaving from, and I'll match you with the right downtown hotel for your budget — close to your terminal and the sights, often at rates you won't find on your own, and always at no extra cost to you. I'll help line up transfers and timing too.
📧 Have Me Book Your HotelA few more things
Quick Questions
How do I know which pier I'm sailing from?
Your cruise line assigns it, and it's on your boarding documents. As a rule of thumb, different lines use different piers — but always go by your paperwork. If you booked with me, I'll confirm your exact pier so you park in the right place.
What is Port Valet and should I use it?
It's a free Seattle service where your checked bags are transferred from the ship straight to your home-airport flight — you skip baggage claim and travel hands-free on disembarkation day. You sign up onboard early in the cruise; it's available for participating airlines and later flights. Absolutely use it if you're eligible — it's wonderful.
Do I need to reserve parking ahead?
For Pier 91, yes — it requires an online reservation and prepayment, so don't show up without booking. For Pier 66, it's first-come, first-served and rarely fills, though you can still reserve online for peace of mind.
Should I even bring a car?
If you're flying in, usually not — stay downtown and take a short rideshare to your pier, or use a cruise transfer. Parking mainly makes sense if you're driving from within the Pacific Northwest. Happy to help you weigh it.
How far is the airport from the piers?
Sea-Tac (SEA) is about 25–40 minutes from the downtown piers depending on traffic. A budget option is the Link Light Rail from the airport to downtown (about $3, ~40 min), then a short rideshare to your terminal — especially easy for Pier 66.
Still have questions?
I'm One Message Away
Parking, piers, Port Valet, hotels, timing — whatever comes up before your Seattle sailing, just reach out. Helping you get to the ship stress-free is exactly what I'm here for, and it's always free to you.
✉️ Contact KelseySee you at the port,
Kelsey