Quick Pick
Don't want to scroll? Here are our top picks for Port of Seattle.
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1Where to Stay
Hotels near Port of Seattle for the night before
Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown
Apartment-style suites with full kitchens and free breakfast — everything families need
$$
Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square
All-suite hotel with free breakfast and evening reception — two-room suites give families space
$$
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Right across from Pier 66 with park-and-cruise — walk to the terminal with your bags
$$-$$$
Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown
Reliable Hampton with free breakfast and a great downtown location — budget-friendly for families
$$
Mayflower Park Hotel
Historic charm with cruise shuttles to both piers — connecting rooms work great for families
$$
Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square
Modern hotel with studio suites near the waterfront — cribs and rollaway beds available
$$
The Edgewater Hotel
Seattle's only waterfront hotel — fall asleep to the sound of waves on Elliott Bay
$$$
Inn at the Market
Boutique hotel inside Pike Place Market — step outside and you're in the heart of Seattle
$$$
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle
Stylish boutique hotel with free wine hour — walkable to Pike Place and the waterfront
$$-$$$
Staypineapple Hotel Five
Hip mid-range boutique in the heart of downtown — walking distance to everything
$$2Where to Eat
Every restaurant worth eating at near Port of Seattle
Beecher's Handmade Cheese
World-famous mac and cheese made fresh at Pike Place Market — kids go crazy for it
American
The Crab Pot
Waterfront seafood feast where you eat off the table with mallets — dinner and a show
Seafood
Ivar's Fish Bar
Seattle's iconic waterfront fish and chips since 1938 — feed the seagulls while you eat
Seafood
Alibi Room
Hidden pizza spot in Post Alley near the gum wall — brick-oven pies the whole family loves
Pizza
Lowell's Restaurant
Three floors of Pike Place Market views — classic breakfast with a panoramic twist
American Breakfast
Serious Pie
Tom Douglas's artisan pizza spot — wood-fired pies with local ingredients in a cozy space
Pizza
Mod Pizza — Downtown
Build-your-own pizza assembly line — everyone gets exactly what they want
Pizza
Duke's Seafood — South Lake Union
Family-friendly waterfront chain with reliable seafood and great lake views
Seafood
Pike Place Chowder
Award-winning chowder in the heart of Pike Place Market — the line moves fast
Seafood
Le Panier
Authentic French bakery right at Pike Place — croissants that rival Paris
French Bakery
Cutters Crabhouse
Panoramic Elliott Bay views and fresh Northwest seafood — the pre-cruise splurge
Seafood
Shaker + Spear
Belltown's buzziest seafood spot — inventive Pacific Northwest plates in a sleek setting
Pacific Northwest
Il Bistro
Hidden Italian gem tucked below Pike Place — romantic candlelit dinners since 1981
Italian
Biscuit Bitch
Irreverent biscuit joint with massive portions — Seattle breakfast with attitude
American Breakfast
Old Stove Brewing
Craft brewery in Pike Place Market with waterfront views — local beer and wood-fired pizza
Brewery & Pizza
Sushi Kashiba
Seattle's finest sushi — omakase from a James Beard-nominated master at Pike Place
Japanese3Things to Do
Things to do near Port of Seattle before you board
Seattle Aquarium
Touch pools, sea otters, and a massive new Ocean Pavilion — kids can't get enough
Families with kids who love animals and ocean life
Seattle Children's Museum
Hands-on play museum at Seattle Center — let little ones run wild before a week on a ship
Families with kids under 8
International Fountain at Seattle Center
Giant musical fountain where kids can splash and play — free summer fun at its finest
Kids who need to run and splash before sitting on a ship
Pike Place Market Fish Throwing
Watch fishmongers hurl salmon through the air — free entertainment that kids never forget
All ages — the fish-throwing is exciting for everyone
Pacific Science Center
Interactive science exhibits, IMAX theater, and a tropical butterfly house — education disguised as fun
Curious kids who like to push buttons and pull levers
Seattle Great Wheel
A gentle Ferris wheel ride with panoramic water views — enclosed gondolas keep everyone comfortable
Families looking for a quick, easy waterfront activity
Pier 57 Carousel & Arcade
Waterfront carousel and games — the perfect 30-minute energy burn before boarding
Quick fun for antsy kids between bigger activities
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Play real instruments in the Sound Lab and geek out on sci-fi props — way more fun than it sounds
Music fans, gamers, sci-fi lovers, anyone who likes Nirvana or Marvel
Pike Place Market
Watch guys throw fish, hit the gum wall, and find the original Starbucks — it's actually cool
Everyone — great for exploring, snacking, and photo ops
Space Needle & The Loupe
Revolving glass floor 500 feet up — stand on it if you dare
Anyone wanting epic skyline views and the thrill of a glass floor
Seattle Waterfront Arcade & Carousel
Retro arcade games and a waterfront carousel — kill time between the market and your ship
Quick fun between other activities, younger teens
Seattle Monorail
Retro monorail from downtown to Seattle Center — a 2-minute ride that feels like time travel
Quick and fun transportation to the Space Needle area
Olympic Sculpture Park
Free waterfront art park with massive sculptures and killer views — way more Instagrammable than you'd expect
Anyone wanting fresh air, art, and waterfront views before boarding
Space Needle
Seattle's 605-foot landmark — The Loupe revolving glass floor is worth every penny
First-time Seattle visitors, photography enthusiasts, anyone wanting panoramic views
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Breathtaking blown glass art installations right beside the Space Needle
Art lovers, couples, anyone who appreciates color and creativity
Seattle Waterfront & Overlook Walk
Stroll the revitalized waterfront from Pike Place to the aquarium — ferries, views, fresh air
Anyone wanting fresh air, views, and exercise before a week on a ship
Pioneer Square
Seattle's oldest neighborhood — red brick buildings, art galleries, and Underground Tour
History buffs, architecture fans, couples looking for a unique experience
Kerry Park
The definitive Seattle skyline viewpoint — Space Needle, downtown, and Mount Rainier in one frame
Photographers, romantics, anyone wanting the postcard shot of Seattle
Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks)
Watch boats rise and fall between Puget Sound and Lake Union — plus salmon in season
Nature lovers, engineering nerds, anyone wanting something off the tourist trail4Getting to Your Ship
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91)
Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66)
Passport & Documents
Closed-loop cruises (departing and returning to the same U.S. port) technically only require a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. However, we strongly recommend bringing a valid passport — if there's a medical emergency or you miss the ship at a foreign port, you'll need one to fly home.
Last-Minute Stops
Pick up anything you forgot before heading to the port.
QFC — Interbay
Full grocery store closest to Pier 91 — snacks, drinks, sunscreen, Dramamine
1600 W Dravus St, Seattle, WA 98119
DirectionsWalgreens — Denny Way
Pharmacy, toiletries, phone chargers, and last-minute essentials
566 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109
DirectionsTarget — Downtown
Everything last-minute — clothes, sunscreen, snacks, electronics, travel gear
1401 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
DirectionsUSPS — Magnolia
Post office — drop your mail before you sail
3211 W McGraw St, Seattle, WA 98199
Directions5Getting There & Parking
How to get to Port of Seattle — from the airport and beyond
From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Most cruisers flying in for an Alaska cruise
Driving & Port Parking
Cruisers driving from the Pacific Northwest
Hotel Shuttle Services
Cruisers who want a stress-free embarkation morning
Uber/Lyft
Flexibility and door-to-door convenience
Link Light Rail + Rideshare Combo
Budget-conscious travelers, especially Pier 66 cruisers
Cruise Line Shuttle Services
Cruisers who want the simplest possible transfer
6What to Pack
The essentials you'll actually need — plus a few things most people forget
Carry-On Day Bag
Pack these in a bag you keep with you at boarding — your checked luggage won't arrive until 3-4pm
- Swimsuit and flip-flops — Head straight to the pool after boarding
- Phone charger and portable battery — You'll drain your battery exploring and taking photos on Day 1Amazon
- Medications — Both prescription and OTC — don't risk them being in delayed luggage
- Government-issued photo ID — Required for boarding — keep it accessible, not buried in a suitcase
- Snacks and water bottles — Kids get hungry in the boarding line. Sealed snacks are allowed through security
- Change of clothes for each kid — Pool splashes, spilled drinks, cruise ship excitement — be ready
Cruise Essentials
Things that make the whole trip better
- Magnetic hooks (for cabin walls) — Cabin walls are metal — these give you hanging space for hats, lanyards, wet swimsuitsAmazon
- Power strip (non-surge, cruise-approved) — Cabins have 1-2 outlets. A cruise-approved strip lets you charge everything overnightAmazon
- Insulated tumbler — Fill it at the buffet drink station — stays cold by the pool all afternoonAmazon
- Lanyard for cruise card — Your cruise card is your room key, ID, and payment method — keep it around your neckAmazon
Easy to Forget
The things people buy overpriced at the port gift shop
- Wrinkle release spray — Irons aren't allowed on cruise ships — this saves your formal night outfitAmazon
- Highlighter or pen — For marking up the daily activity schedule — old school but effective
- Small whiteboard for cabin door — Leave messages for teens: 'We're at the pool deck' — most cabins don't have cell serviceAmazon
7Boarding Tips
1. Download the Royal Caribbean app and complete online check-in
You'll get your boarding group assignment and can set up your on-board spending account ahead of time. This alone can save you 30+ minutes at the terminal. Upload your photo for facial recognition boarding — it makes the security line faster.
2. Arrive at your assigned boarding time — not earlier
They've gotten strict about this. Showing up early means waiting in the terminal with no access to the ship. Your assigned time gets you on the ship fastest. If you have Crown & Anchor status, you may have priority boarding — check the app.
3. Pack a carry-on bag with swimsuits, meds, and essentials
Your checked luggage won't reach your cabin until 3-4pm. Pack a day bag with swimsuits, medications, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and your phone charger so you can start enjoying the ship immediately.
4. Head straight to the pool deck or Windjammer for lunch
The main dining room is packed right after boarding. The Windjammer buffet and the pool deck grill have shorter lines, and you'll snag a good lounge chair while everyone else is still exploring.
5. Book specialty dining and shows on Day 1
Popular restaurants and shows fill up fast. Open the app as soon as you board and reserve your top picks. The chef's table and specialty dinner shows sell out first.