BlaakLane.com books Seattle cruise car service at a fixed fare. Sea-Tac is 25 to 50 minutes from the Port of Seattle's two terminals: Smith Cove at Pier 91 in Interbay and Bell Street at Pier 66 on the downtown waterfront. The chauffeur drops you at your terminal curb and, after the cruise, meets you in the pre-arranged vehicle area.
Two terminals, two very different drop-offs
The Port of Seattle runs its cruise business from two terminals a few miles apart, and choosing the wrong one costs 15 minutes on a busy morning.
| Terminal | Location | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, Pier 91 | Interbay, below Magnolia, off Elliott Avenue West | Two berths on a long pier, large parking and staging areas |
| Bell Street Cruise Terminal, Pier 66 | Downtown waterfront at Alaskan Way, Belltown | One berth next to Pike Place Market and the Edgewater hotel |
Lines that sail from Seattle to Alaska include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line, and the terminal used by a given ship can change between seasons. Your cruise documents name the pier.
How to book a Sea-Tac to cruise terminal transfer
Enter your flight number and choose "Smith Cove, Pier 91" or "Bell Street, Pier 66" as the destination, then pick a vehicle. The price is fixed before you confirm; no meter, no surge on turnaround Saturdays. Washington State trips are driven by a vetted local affiliate from the LimousineWorldwide.Directory network, contracted to the BlaakLane.com written standard, and dispatched by our 24/7 Toronto desk; the confirmation names operator and chauffeur.
Drive times
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) to Pier 66: about 15 miles, 25 to 45 minutes via I-5 or SR 99.
- Sea-Tac to Pier 91: about 18 miles, 30 to 50 minutes, continuing north along Elliott Avenue.
- Downtown hotels to either terminal: 5 to 20 minutes.
- Bellevue: 20 to 40 minutes across the I-90 or SR 520 bridges.
- Vancouver, British Columbia: about 3 to 3.5 hours plus the border crossing.
The chauffeur tracks your flight into Seattle-Tacoma International and meets you at the airport's designated pickup area for pre-arranged cars; waiting is 30 minutes free on domestic arrivals and 60 on international ones. Meet and greet with a name board is an add-on in selected locations. Private flyers arriving at Boeing Field are 15 to 25 minutes from the piers.
Embarkation curb
At both terminals the chauffeur drops you at the passenger curb, where porters take the large bags. Alaska cruises call for layers, rain gear and binoculars; keep those, medication and passports in your carry-on. Arrive at your assigned check-in time. The season runs roughly April or May to October, with the heaviest Saturdays and Sundays from June to August.
Disembarkation and the pre-arranged pickup area
Alaska ships return early in the morning and guests disembark in groups after customs and immigration. Round-trip Alaska sailings on foreign-flag ships call at a Canadian port such as Victoria, so everyone passes US customs on return. Cars wait in the ground transportation or pre-arranged vehicle area assigned to each terminal. Call the chauffeur when you have your luggage and have cleared customs. Pier pickups include 15 minutes of waiting, then 15-minute blocks; book the time to your group, not the docking time.
For flights, allow the drive plus check-in at Sea-Tac, which can be busy on summer mornings. A domestic flight after about 12:30 pm is a comfortable choice for most guests.
Pre-cruise and post-cruise hotels
Downtown hotels such as the Fairmont Olympic and the Four Seasons Seattle are 10 to 20 minutes from either terminal; the Edgewater sits on Pier 67, right next to Bell Street. Hotels near Sea-Tac suit an early flight home. Many Alaska guests add a night in Vancouver or Victoria; see Canada Place in Vancouver for one-way itineraries that start or finish there.
Port-day and pre-cruise private tours
An hourly booking, minimum 3 hours, suits a day before sailing or after disembarking with luggage secure in the car. Options include Pike Place Market, the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, Kerry Park for the skyline, Snoqualmie Falls about 35 minutes east, the Woodinville wineries, or a full day to Mount Rainier's Paradise area. For Seattle day plans, read hourly chauffeur service and city tours and day trips.
Which vehicle to choose
Alaska packing means coats and boots, so allow extra space.
- Standard Sedan, Luxury Executive Sedan, Executive First Class Sedan (Maybach): 2 passengers and 2 bags.
- Standard Black SUV or Executive Black SUV: 6 passengers and 6 bags, the usual choice for a family of four.
- Sprinter Van: up to 12 passengers and 12 small bags; the best fit for families and multi-generation groups with luggage.
- Luxury Stretch Limo (8) and Party Bus (14): evening outings; limited trunk space.
- Sprinter Luxury Jet Van: 7 passengers, carry-on only, well suited to a wine-country or Rainier day.
Photos on the fleet page; planning ranges on rates.
Groups and crew
Group sailings, incentive trips and crew moves between Sea-Tac and the piers are planned by a coordinator and confirmed in writing. See cruise lines and ports and services.
Seattle traffic, stadiums and ferries
I-5 through downtown Seattle is one of the slowest stretches of interstate in the region at rush hour, and the waterfront has changed with the rebuilt Alaskan Way after the old viaduct came down. Mariners and Seahawks games at the SoDo stadiums, south of downtown, add traffic on the route from Sea-Tac on event days. The chauffeur chooses between I-5, SR 99 and surface streets on the day. Travelling on from the ship to the San Juan Islands or the Olympic Peninsula? Ask for a drop at Colman Dock, the Washington State Ferries terminal at Pier 52, a short run from Bell Street.
Cancellation
Free to cancel more than 72 hours before pickup; 10% within 72 hours; 50% within 48 hours; 100% within 24 hours or for a no-show.
Terminal maps and seasonal notices are on the Port of Seattle site, travel ideas on Visit Seattle, and road information from the Washington State Department of Transportation. More: Seattle chauffeur service.
