First Time in Seattle on a Cruise? Arrive a Day Early

We drive cruise passengers between SeaTac Airport and the Seattle cruise terminals all season long. Many of them are visiting Seattle for the first time. Over the years, we have seen one mistake hurt people more than any other, and it is easy to avoid.

The biggest mistake: flying in on sailing day

A cruise ship does not wait. If your flight lands late on boarding day, you can miss the ship, even when everything else goes right.

We have seen it happen. A flight is delayed by weather or a late connection, the family lands with only minutes to spare, and the boarding cutoff passes while they are still on the road. Some of these passengers had no choice but to book a flight back home. Their vacation ended before it started.

A true story: a 3-hour drive to Vancouver

One family we drove had exactly this problem. Their flight was delayed on sailing day, and the ship left Seattle without them. Instead of going home, they asked us to drive them to Vancouver, Canada, so they could catch up with their trip there.

It was a 3-hour drive. When they got in the car, they were very sad. They had planned this vacation for a long time, and it felt like it was falling apart. By the time we reached Vancouver, the mood was different. They were happy and relieved that they made it safely.

That family was lucky. Not every missed sailing can be saved, and a long drive across the border is stressful and expensive. The better plan is to never be in that position.

Our advice: always arrive a day before you board

Our number one rule for cruise passengers is simple: always arrive in Seattle a day ahead of your boarding day. A delayed or cancelled flight then costs you a few hours, not your cruise.

Stay the night at a downtown Seattle hotel near the waterfront. Pier 66 is only a few minutes from most downtown hotels, and Pier 91 is about 10–15 minutes away. On boarding morning, you leave rested, with time to spare.

Turn the extra day into part of your vacation

Arriving early is not wasted time. For first-time visitors, it is the best chance to see Seattle. Many of our cruise guests book a private city tour on their arrival day or on the morning before boarding. Popular stops include:

• Pike Place Market: the famous public market, the fish throwers and the original coffee shop.
• The Space Needle and Seattle Center: the city's best-known landmark, with Chihuly Garden and Glass next door.
• The Seattle waterfront: the Great Wheel, the aquarium and the new waterfront park.
• Kerry Park: the classic view of the skyline, with Mount Rainier behind it on a clear day.
• Pioneer Square: Seattle's oldest neighborhood, with brick buildings and the stadiums nearby.

A private tour lets you choose the stops and the pace, and your chauffeur handles the driving and parking. One group of 10 we drove landed early on sailing day, saw the Space Needle and Pike Place Market with us, and then went straight to the ship.

Why a private ride, not a shared shuttle or a ride app?

First-time visitors often ask if they should just take a shared shuttle or a ride app. Here is what our cruise guests tell us they value most:

• No surge pricing. Your price is fixed when you book. It does not jump on a busy sailing morning, at night or in the rain. From SeaTac Airport to Pier 66, Pier 91 or a downtown hotel, our flat rates start at $110 for a sedan, all inclusive.
• Professional, well-groomed chauffeurs. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you, loads your cruise luggage and knows the terminal drop-off areas.
• Newer, clean vehicles. Sedans, SUVs, vans and a 22-passenger bus, with room for big cruise suitcases and car seats for children.
• Only your group rides. No stops at other hotels and no waiting for a van to fill.

Know your pier before you book

Seattle has two cruise terminals. Pier 66 (Bell Street) is on the downtown waterfront. Pier 91 (Smith Cove) is north of downtown, in Magnolia. Your cruise documents show which one you sail from. See our Pier 66 vs. Pier 91 guide or the Seattle cruise ship schedule.

One last piece of advice

If we could tell every first-time cruise visitor one thing, it would be this: always plan your ride ahead. Booking early gives you a safer trip, a guaranteed vehicle on busy sailing days, and a fixed price you know before you travel.

Book your cruise ride See flat rates to Pier 66 & 91