Seattle’s Waterfront has a way of making departure day feel like it counts. The stretch between your hotel and the gangway is genuinely worth a pause, and there’s a reason people build in an extra day here just for exploration.
Seattle isn’t a city you rush through on the way to the ship. The waterfront has plenty to do before you pack your carry-on. And, by the time you board (if you’ve planned wisely), you’ll already be in full-blown vacation mode.
A Walkable Prelude to the Pacific
You can cover a lot of ground on foot along Elliot Bay, and none of it feels like “killing time”.
Take a beat to grab a coffee at Pike Place Market (a five-minute walk from the water) and enjoy it on Overlook Walk before you head to the pier. Watching the ferries go past is a great way to start your day.
If you want to make the most of the city before you sail, this first-timer’s guide to Seattle will sort out the rest of your itinerary.
The Seattle Great Wheel is also right at the edge of the bay, so take some time to check it out. It gives you a whole new perspective of the waterfront that you won’t get any other way.
If you have an hour to spare, the Seattle Aquarium is just steps away. It’s small enough to walk through properly without taking up your entire morning.
The Energy of the Working Waterfront
This stretch of shoreline doesn’t feel like a tourist setup. Instead, Washington State Ferries run to Bainbridge Island on a tight schedule, while sailboats cut through some of the bigger ships. There’s a lot happening at once, and life is constantly on the move. This is just part of Seattle Waterfront’s charm.
Golden Hour at Pier 66 and Pier 91
Seattle’s two main cruise terminals handle departures differently but are equally efficient and user-friendly. Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 is right downtown, which is walkable from most hotels and easy to reach by car. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 is a few miles north and worth the short drive. The setting more than makes up for the few extra minutes.
Whichever pier you’re at, boarding at sunset is an amazing experience – so keep your camera ready! With the light hitting the Olympics across the sound and the skyline behind you, there are plenty of opportunities to snap a few Instagram-worthy shots.
Arrive Early, Stay on the Water
If you want to squeeze the most out of your time in Seattle, book an extra night. It’s the simplest advice but still, somehow, the most ignored.
Staying at a waterfront hotel the night before you depart puts you closer to the pier and sets the pace of your vacation before it technically starts. No need to scramble across the city with your luggage – you’ll wake up where you should be with enough time to enjoy a relaxed morning before you depart.
All Alaska cruises from Seattle depart from here, and the hotels closest to the waterfront fill up fast around sailing dates, so be sure to book your stay in advance.
Make the Morning Count
Departure morning doesn’t have to be an anxious countdown to the terminal. If you get up early enough, you can walk the waterfront before it gets busy. That means you’ll have enough time to grab a coffee or a bite to eat before you set sail.
If you manage to get it right, you’ll board the ship ready to get going. That’s the difference between rushing to the port and actually starting a proper vacation.
