SEATTLE - WASHINGTON - USA
PORT INFORMATION
photo courtesy Port of Seattle
It is said Washington state has more boats per capita than any place else in the USA. It's not hard to see why. Everywhere you turn, Washington has water. The port of Seattle itself is surrounded by water.
May through September, the Port of Seattle offers a growing number of luxury cruises to Alaska. From just six cruise ship visits in 1990, the port is expected to welcome more than 223 cruise ships and over 858,000 passengers in 2010.
Cruise Terminals in Seattle, Washington
The two cruise terminals used by the cruise lines in Seattle are Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 and the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91
Seattle are Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66
The Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal on Seattle’s downtown waterfront is just steps away from centre of town and is home to Celebrity Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, both offering weekly sailings to Alaska. Facilities at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal cruise terminal include onboard airline check-in and luggage handling, luggage storage before and after cruises, restaurants and a recreational marina, rental car kiosk, and a 1,700-space parking garage directly across the street offers secure parking and a complimentary shuttle to terminal.Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91
Seattle's new cruise terminal at Pier 91 is at the north end of Seattle's waterfront. While not as convenient for the downtown area as the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal, it is still only a short taxi ride away from some of Seattle major attarctions. Facilities at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91 include onboard airline check-in and luggage handling, luggage storage before and after cruises, rental car kiosk, and 1,000 secure parking spaces with complimentary shuttle to terminal.Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is only 25 - 30 minutes from either of the two cruise terminals, but the journey can take twice as long if traffic is heavy.
New shore power technology at the Port of Seattle cruise ship terminal enables equipped cruise ships, to use power from the city’s grid instead of the engines to power the ship’s onboard services thereby reducing emissions when docked in Seattle.
Cruise Lines using Seattle Cruise Terminals as an Embarkation / Disembarking Port
Leaving from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, Carnival Cruise Lines offers 7 day Alaska cruises departing on Tuesdays and Holland America Line offers 7 day Alaska cruises departing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as 14 day Alaska cruises every other Monday.
Also leaving from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, Princess Cruises offers 7 day cruises to Alaska departing Saturdays and Sundays as well as 14 day Alaska cruises every other Monday. And Royal Caribbean International offers 7 day cruises to Alaska departing every Friday.
Departing from the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, Celebrity Cruises offers 7-day Alaska cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line offers 7-day cruises to Alaska departing Saturdays and Sundays from Pier 66.
Must See Attractions in Seattle, Washington
Pike Place Market: One of the oldest continuously-operated farmer's markets in the US, Pike Place Market presides over a nine acre historic district in the heart of downtown Seattle. The market features fresh fish and produce stands, arts and crafts, ethnic groceries and gift stores, vintage clothing, antiques and collectibles, international restaurants, cafes and food bars. Street musicians entertain at designated locales throughout the market.
Space Needle: The 605-foot Space Needle observation tower is an ever-futuristic icon of Seattle. The Space Needle features an observation deck at the 520-foot level with 360-degree views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound and the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Just below, SkyCity restaurant rotates on the hour and specializes in Pacific Northwest cuisine. A gift store is located in the Space Needle lobby.
The Seattle Center: The legacy of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, Seattle Center is a 74-acre urban park and home to the landmark Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, a hands-on learning center for kids and families, Experience Music Project, Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, and Seattle Children's Museum.
Other Seattle attractions are Pioneer Square, Seattle's historic district where the Underground Tour offers a look at the remnants of the old town below street level, the Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture, the Henry Art Gallery, Klondike Goldrush National Historic Park, a free museum commemorating Seattle's role as a gateway to the gold rush in the 1890s, Museum of Flight, Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum and Olympic Sculpture Park.
