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Norwegian Encore at Port of Seattle

Everything you need for boarding Norwegian Encore (Norwegian) at Port of Seattle. Terminal info, parking, restaurants, hotels, and pro tips.

Official Terminal

Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66)

Norwegian Encore sails from Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66) at Port of Seattle. The drop-off lane, the sourced parking rate, and check-in timing are below.

When Can You Board Norwegian Encore?

Norwegian puts an embarkation time on your eDocs and asks that you arrive no earlier than one hour before it. It highly encourages boarding no later than two hours before the departure time in the same eDocs.

The arrival time on your own boarding pass is the one that governs your sailing.

Read on Norwegian Cruise Line’s own site, August 9, 2026.

When can you board a cruise? Boarding times by line

Email me the Norwegian Encore boarding-day plan — add your sail date and we'll send your terminal, parking and boarding details now, then a checklist the week you sail. No newsletter.

Upcoming Sail Dates

Official schedule · Verified Aug 11, 2026

Sources: Port of Seattle cruise schedule, Port of Seattle Cruise Schedule PDF

Terminal: Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66) — every date below departs from it.

Most cruise lines assign an arrival window during online check-in, and arriving inside that window is the best way to avoid the longest terminal lines. General boarding usually runs from late morning into the early afternoon, but the exact timing varies by ship, port, and sail date. Follow the check-in instructions your cruise line sends you — they always take priority over general guidance.

Where does Norwegian Encore depart from at Seattle?

The current schedule lists Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66). Confirm your terminal with the cruise line before traveling.

Drop-off: The terminal is at 2225 Alaskan Way on the downtown waterfront. Follow cruise terminal signs from Alaskan Way. The drop-off area is directly in front of the terminal — pull up, unload luggage with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), and then proceed to the parking garage.

When should I board Norwegian Encore?

Norwegian online check-in typically opens about 21 days before sailing. At busier homeports NCL typically uses check-in or arrival windows, so plan to arrive inside the window printed on your eDocs rather than at the earliest possible hour.

Windows and opening dates vary by ship, homeport, and loyalty tier, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.

Where can I park for a Norwegian Encore cruise?

  • Driving & Port Parking: Pier 91: $187 economy for a 7-day cruise, $220 standard, $329 premium or RV/oversize. Pier 66: $30/day before tax.

Rates change — check parking and transportation options near Seattle before you travel.

Official Terminal

Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66)

Drop-off: The terminal is at 2225 Alaskan Way on the downtown waterfront. Follow cruise terminal signs from Alaskan Way. The drop-off area is directly in front of the terminal — pull up, unload luggage with porters (tip $2-3 per bag), and then proceed to the parking garage.

Parking: The Bell Street Pier Garage has 1,500 covered spaces at $30/day, located at 9 Wall Street directly across from the terminal. A sky bridge connects the garage to the cruise terminal — no need to go outside. Maximum vehicle height is 6ft 6in with no oversize option, so a tall SUV, van conversion, or roof box may not fit — measure before you drive in. Reservations run through SpotHero and are worth making given the garage's size. Credit cards accepted.

Parking at Bell Street Cruise Terminal is $30/day — all Port of Seattle parking & transport options

Check-in tips:

  • Complete your cruise line's online check-in and have your boarding pass ready on your phone
  • Bring a government-issued photo ID. A passport isn't strictly required on a round-trip Seattle sailing, but bring one anyway — and it is required if your cruise ends in Vancouver rather than returning here
  • The terminal is in downtown Seattle — Uber/Lyft drop-off is straightforward with plenty of nearby options
  • Norwegian Cruise Line ships typically use this terminal — download the NCL app before arrival

Bell Street Cruise Terminal parking & drop-off at Port of Seattle

Getting to the Port

From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

SEA is about 15 miles south of the cruise terminals — roughly 25-40 minutes by car depending on I-5 traffic. This is the closest major airport and where the vast majority of cruise passengers arrive.

Uber/Lyft: $40-65 depending on traffic and surge. Shared shuttle: $20-30/person. Private car service: $80-120.

Driving & Port Parking

Both terminals have on-site parking, run by different operators, so a booking at one is useless at the other — confirm your pier before you reserve. Pier 91 (Smith Cove) sells zones priced for the length of the cruise rather than by the day: $187 economy for a seven-day sailing, rising to $220 standard and $329 premium, described as all-inclusive. Pier 66 (Bell Street) has a 1,500-space covered garage at $30/day before tax, with a skybridge into the terminal. From I-5, take the Mercer St exit for Pier 91 or the Seneca St exit for Pier 66.

Pier 91: $187 economy for a 7-day cruise, $220 standard, $329 premium or RV/oversize. Pier 66: $30/day before tax.

Hotel Shuttle Services

Several downtown hotels offer scheduled shuttles to the cruise terminals during Alaska season (May-September). The Mayflower Park Hotel, Hyatt House, and Seattle Marriott Waterfront all offer shuttle service. Quality and frequency vary.

Free to $15/person depending on hotel. Often included in cruise packages.

Uber/Lyft

Rideshare is widely available throughout Seattle. Both terminals have designated drop-off areas. Traffic on I-5 can be unpredictable, especially on weekend mornings.

Downtown to Pier 66: $10-15. Downtown to Pier 91: $12-18. Airport to either terminal: $40-65.

See all parking & transport options →

Still weighing where to leave the car?

Nearby Restaurants

Beecher's Handmade Cheese

World-famous mac and cheese made fresh at Pike Place Market. Kids go crazy for it.

$

The Crab Pot

Waterfront seafood feast where you eat off the table with mallets — dinner and a show

$$-$$$

Ivar's Fish Bar

Seattle's waterfront fish and chips since 1938, with seagulls to feed while you eat.

$

Alibi Room

A Post Alley pizza spot near the gum wall, easy to miss, turning out brick-oven pies the whole family loves.

$$

See all restaurants →

Nearby Hotels

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Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown

Apartment-style suites with full kitchens and free breakfast. Everything a family needs.

5 min drive to Pier 66, 12 min drive to Pier 91$$

Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square

All-suite hotel with free breakfast and evening reception — two-room suites give families space

10 min drive to Pier 66, 18 min drive to Pier 91$$

Seattle Marriott Waterfront

A 5-minute walk from Pier 66 with park-and-cruise — close enough to walk to the terminal with your bags.

5 min walk to Pier 66, 10 min drive to Pier 91$$-$$$

Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown

A reliable Hampton with free breakfast and a great downtown location, budget-friendly for families.

8 min drive to Pier 66, 15 min drive to Pier 91$$

See all hotels →

Local Tip

Norwegian Encore boards at Pier 66 right on Seattle's downtown waterfront at 2225 Alaskan Way. The Bell Street Pier Garage across the street has 1,500 covered spots at $30/day with a sky bridge to the terminal — no reservation needed, but arrive early on busy embarkation days. You're steps from Belltown, so hit Biscuit Bitch on 1st Ave for a massive breakfast biscuit before you walk to the terminal.

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