Royal Princess at Port of Seattle
Everything you need for boarding Royal Princess (Princess Cruises) at Port of Seattle. Terminal info, parking, restaurants, hotels, and pro tips.
Official Terminal
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91)
Royal Princess sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91) at Port of Seattle. The drop-off lane, the sourced parking rate, and check-in timing are below.
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Upcoming Sail Dates
Official schedule · Verified Aug 11, 2026
Sources: Port of Seattle cruise schedule, Port of Seattle Cruise Schedule PDF
Terminal: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91) — every date below departs from it.
- Sat, Aug 15, 2026
- Sat, Aug 22, 2026
- Sat, Aug 29, 2026
- Sat, Sep 5, 2026
- Sat, Sep 12, 2026
- Sat, Sep 19, 2026
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 Royal Princess depart from at Seattle?
The current schedule lists Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91). Confirm your terminal with the cruise line before traveling.
Drop-off: Take W Garfield Way to the terminal entrance at 2001 W Garfield Way. Follow the cruise ship signs from Elliott Ave W. There's a covered drop-off area where porters will take your luggage (tip $2-3 per bag). After dropping off bags and passengers, continue to the parking lot.
When should I board Royal Princess?
Princess check-in typically runs through the Princess app (MedallionClass), where you complete your documents and select an arrival window ahead of the sailing. Finishing everything early typically puts you in the faster walk-through lane at the pier.
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 Royal Princess 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
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91)
Drop-off: Take W Garfield Way to the terminal entrance at 2001 W Garfield Way. Follow the cruise ship signs from Elliott Ave W. There's a covered drop-off area where porters will take your luggage (tip $2-3 per bag). After dropping off bags and passengers, continue to the parking lot.
Parking: Parking at Smith Cove is prepaid and priced by voyage length rather than by the day — about $187 for a 7-day cruise in the economy zone, with fees, taxes and the terminal shuttle included (USP Parking, checked July 29, 2026). A reservation isn't strictly required for general parking, but the operator recommends booking ahead to guarantee a space in peak Alaska season, and cancellations must be made seven days before your booking date. Oversized and RV spaces exist but are limited, reservation is mandatory for that zone, and the operator prices it separately — check when you book.
Check-in tips:
- Complete your cruise line's online check-in and have your boarding pass on your phone before arrival
- 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
- Arrive during your assigned boarding time — arriving early won't get you on the ship faster
- There's no light rail here, and the nearest bus stops leave a walk that isn't realistic with cruise luggage — plan for rideshare, shuttle, or private vehicle
Smith Cove 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$$Nearby Hotels
Affiliate links. If you book a stay through Booking.com we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep CruiseDayGuide free, and it never changes which hotels we recommend. How we make money
Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown
Apartment-style suites with full kitchens and free breakfast. Everything a family needs.
Embassy Suites Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square
All-suite hotel with free breakfast and evening reception — two-room suites give families space
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
A 5-minute walk from Pier 66 with park-and-cruise — close enough to walk to the terminal with your bags.
Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown
A reliable Hampton with free breakfast and a great downtown location, budget-friendly for families.
Other Ships Sailing from Seattle
Star Princess terminal & parking
Princess Cruises
Discovery Princess terminal & parking
Princess Cruises
Anthem of the Seas terminal & parking
Royal Caribbean
Brilliant Lady terminal & parking
Virgin Voyages
Carnival Miracle terminal & parking
Carnival
Carnival Spirit terminal & parking
Carnival
Celebrity Edge terminal & parking
Celebrity
Eurodam terminal & parking
Holland America
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