Before you set sail
Getting to your ship, made simple 👋
Whenever I book an Alaska cruise out of Seattle, these are the questions I get every time: which pier, how much is parking, and where should I stay the night before? This page answers all three — plus the Port Valet trick that makes going home so much easier. If anything's still fuzzy, I'm one message away.
First: Confirm Your Pier
Seattle has two cruise terminals about two miles apart, and your cruise line decides which one you use — don't assume from the line alone, check your specific ship and date. Pier 66 (Bell Street) sits right on the downtown waterfront; Pier 91 (Smith Cove) is a short drive north in Magnolia. If you booked with me, I'll confirm your exact pier — just ask.
What Parking Costs
Both piers & how you book.
Parking & Port Valet
The drive in & the free luggage trick.
Where to Stay
The night-before hotel plan.
Question one
How Much Is Parking?
Both piers have official parking right by the ships, run by outside operators — and the two price it differently. Here's each one.
Pier 66 · Bell Street Garage
- Daily rate~$30–$33 / day
- 7-day cruise~$230
- Height limit6 ft 6 in
- Bookonline, Republic Parking
Covered garage at 9 Wall Street, connected to the terminal by a skybridge — walk straight from your car to the ship. ~1,700 spaces; no valet. Prepaying online saves a little.
Pier 91 · Smith Cove
- Priced per cruisefrom ~$27 / day
- 7-day cruise (economy)~$187 all-in
- Oversized / RVavailable
- Bookprebook online
Sold as a cruise-length total with tax, shuttle, and luggage help already included. A short shuttle runs to the terminal. ~800 spaces — it fills up, so reserve well ahead.
A Note on Booking Ahead
Unlike Florida's drive-up ports, Seattle parking is best reserved online in advance — both official lots and the popular independent lots near Pier 91 fill up, especially in peak Alaska season. There are third-party lots serving both piers from around $26–$28/day with a free shuttle. Book early and you'll never sweat a spot.
Question two
Parking & the Port Valet Trick
Getting parked is simple once you know your pier. But the thing I most want you to know about Seattle is Port Valet — it makes going home almost magical.
🧳 Port Valet — Seattle's Best-Kept Secret
This free Port of Seattle service is the reason so many people love sailing from here. Do not skip it.
Here's how it works: you enroll on board during your cruise, set your bags outside your cabin the last night, and they travel by truck straight from the ship into your airline's baggage system. The next time you see your luggage is at your final home airport — you walk off the ship holding just a boarding pass. On a morning when a few thousand people all disembark at once, that's a huge head start.
- • It's complimentary — you only pay your airline's normal checked-bag fees.
- • Works with most major lines (Alaska, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean and more) and most major airlines.
- • Your flight generally needs to depart after 12:00 p.m. on disembarkation day.
The Drive-In, Step by Step
- 1
Confirm your pier and reserve parking online. Pier 66 is the Bell Street Garage (9 Wall Street); Pier 91 is Smith Cove (2001 W Garfield Way). Booking ahead locks in your spot and rate.
- 2
Drive to your pier. Both are easy to reach from I-5 and downtown. Pier 66's garage connects to the terminal by a covered skybridge; at Pier 91 you'll park and take a short shuttle to the terminal.
- 3
Drop your bags with a porter. Hand your luggage off at the terminal (a few dollars per bag is customary), then park unencumbered.
- 4
Check in and enjoy. Then, once you're on board, sign up for Port Valet for the trip home — future-you will be grateful.
✈️ Coming From SEA?
Seattle-Tacoma is about 30–40 minutes from the piers. The Link Light Rail runs to downtown's Westlake Station for a flat $3 — handy for Pier 66 (a short taxi or 20-minute walk away), less so for Pier 91, which is a 15-minute drive from downtown. Rideshare and taxis serve both.
⚽ 2026 Heads-Up
Seattle hosts FIFA World Cup matches on several June and July 2026 dates. If your cruise lands near those, hotels, rideshare, and downtown traffic will be much tighter — book early and build in extra time.
Question three
Where Should I Stay?
My honest, number-one piece of advice for any cruise: arrive the night before you sail. Here's why it matters, and how I can make it effortless.
Why Arrive a Day Early?
Flying in the same day your ship sails is the single most common way people add stress — and risk — to a cruise. One delayed flight and you can miss the boat entirely (ships don't wait). Arriving the night before takes all of that pressure off:
😴 A relaxed start
You wake up rested and in the city instead of racing cross-country on sail day.
🛩️ A weather cushion
A delayed or canceled flight the day before is an inconvenience — not a missed cruise.
🎵 A head start on vacation
Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and great coffee are right there — enjoy a night in Seattle.
Where to Base Yourself
Downtown is the sweet spot — central to both piers and everything worth seeing:
- 🏦️Downtown / Waterfront — Walkable to Pier 66, close to Pike Place and the Seattle Center, and a quick drive to Pier 91. The most convenient base for most sailings.
- ✈️Near SEA airport — A budget-friendly option if you're flying in late, with an easy Light Rail hop or drive into the city the next morning.
Let me take this off your plate
I'll Book Your Pre-Cruise Hotel
You don't have to sort through Seattle hotels and figure out which is closest to your pier. Tell me your sail date and pier, and I'll match you with the right hotel for your budget — often at rates you won't find on your own, and always at no extra cost to you. I'll make sure the parking, transfers, and timing all line up perfectly.
📧 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 based on your specific ship and date — don't assume from the line alone. It's on your boarding documents, and if you booked with me I'll confirm it for you. Pier 66 is downtown on the waterfront; Pier 91 is a couple of miles north in Magnolia.
What exactly is Port Valet?
A free Port of Seattle service. You enroll on board, leave your bags outside your cabin the last night, and they're transferred straight to your airline — you next see them at your final home airport. You just pay your airline's normal bag fees, and your flight usually needs to leave after noon that day.
Should I reserve parking in advance?
Yes. Seattle isn't a drive-up-and-pay port like Florida — both official lots and the popular independent lots take (and often require) online reservations, and they fill in peak Alaska season. Booking ahead locks in your rate and a guaranteed space.
Will a tall vehicle fit at Pier 66?
The Bell Street Garage has a 6 ft 6 in height limit, so tall vans and RVs won't fit. Pier 91's Smith Cove lot can accommodate oversized vehicles — and if you're sailing from Pier 66 with something tall, an independent lot is your friend. Ask me and I'll point you the right way.
How far is the airport?
Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) is about 30–40 minutes from the piers by car. The Link Light Rail runs to downtown for a flat $3, which works well for Pier 66; Pier 91 is better reached by taxi or rideshare.
Still have questions?
I'm One Message Away
Piers, parking, 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