Pier 66 vs Pier 91: Which Seattle Cruise Terminal Is Yours?

Seattle is one of the busiest cruise homeports in the United States, and almost every Alaska sailing leaves from one of two terminals on Elliott Bay: Pier 66 or Pier 91. They are only a few miles apart, but they are in different neighborhoods, serve different cruise lines, and getting to the wrong one on embarkation morning can cost you serious time.

Here is the difference, plainly, so you arrive at the right pier the first time.

The quick answer

• Pier 66 — Bell Street Cruise Terminal, downtown waterfront. The terminal for Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.
• Pier 91 — Smith Cove Cruise Terminal, north of downtown. The terminal for most other lines: Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, Cunard, MSC, and Virgin Voyages.

Your cruise documents and boarding pass are the final authority. Cruise lines can move a sailing to a different berth for operational reasons, so always confirm your terminal before you arrange transportation.

Pier 66 vs Pier 91 at a glance

Pier 66: Bell Street Cruise Terminal

Pier 66 sits right on the downtown waterfront, within walking distance of Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and the downtown hotel district. It is the smaller, more central of the two terminals, and Norwegian’s Seattle homeport.

Good to know:

• If you are staying at a downtown hotel, Pier 66 is usually the easiest terminal to reach.
• Parking is in the Bell Street Pier Garage across from the terminal (check current rates before you go — they change by season).
• Embarkation mornings are busy on Alaskan Way, so allow extra time even for a short trip.

Pier 91: Smith Cove Cruise Terminal

Pier 91 is the larger terminal and handles the bulk of Seattle’s cruise traffic. It sits at Smith Cove, a few miles north of downtown in the Magnolia/Interbay area, in a more industrial setting with its own pickup and drop-off lanes.

Good to know:

• Public transit does not reach Pier 91, so a car is not optional here — it is the plan.
• The terminal has its own outdoor parking lot with a shuttle to the entrance.
• Because most of the fleet sails from here, disembarkation mornings can be very congested. A pre-booked pickup with a confirmed meeting point saves the most time here.

The Pier 91 advantage: pickup steps from the exit

This is where a private car service makes the biggest difference at Pier 91. As a private transportation company, Jorge Limousine Seattle has access to the closest check-in zone at the terminal, for both pickup and drop-off.

In practice, that means our chauffeurs meet you within 30 feet of the cruise exit — no long walk with luggage across the terminal grounds. Uber and Lyft pickups, by contrast, are staged farther away, so their passengers have to walk the distance to reach their ride.

Which terminal does my cruise line use?

As a starting point:

• Pier 66: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises.
• Pier 91: Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages.

Again: confirm your own sailing. A ship can be reassigned, and your cruise line’s documents control.

Getting to the pier: airport, hotel, or home

From Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), either terminal is typically a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic. From a downtown hotel, Pier 66 is minutes away; Pier 91 is a longer drive north.

Three mistakes we see every season:

1. Going to the wrong pier. Double-check the terminal on your boarding pass, not just the cruise line’s name.
2. Relying on a last-minute rideshare at Pier 91. On a big disembarkation morning, thousands of passengers request rides at once, and there is no transit fallback.
3. Cutting it too close. Cruise lines close check-in well before sailing time. Book your transfer with enough buffer for traffic, and for Pier 91, for terminal congestion too.

How Jorge Limousine Seattle handles cruise transfers

We serve both terminals, every sailing day of the season:

• Private transfers from SEA, Paine Field (PAE), Boeing Field (BFI), hotels, homes, and vacation rentals to Pier 66 or Pier 91 — and back.
• Vehicles for every party size: executive SUVs for couples and families, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters for groups up to 14, with room for cruise luggage.
• A confirmed meeting point and a chauffeur who knows both terminals’ pickup lanes, so you are not searching for your ride after disembarkation.
• Child car seats and booster seats available on request.
• 24/7 dispatch and coordination support if your flight or ship schedule changes.

We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance, especially during peak Alaska season (April–October). Pricing is quoted per trip — tell us your date, terminal, party size, and luggage, and we will price it for you.

Frequently asked questions

Are Pier 66 and Pier 91 the same place?
No. They are separate terminals a few miles apart, in different neighborhoods. Confirm which one your ship uses before you travel.

Which terminal is closer to downtown Seattle hotels?
Pier 66. It is on the downtown waterfront, near Pike Place Market. Pier 91 is north of downtown.

Which terminal is closer to Sea-Tac Airport?
Both are roughly a 30–40 minute drive from SEA in normal traffic. Pier 66 is slightly closer in distance, but traffic on the waterfront can even that out.

Can I take public transit to my cruise terminal?
To Pier 66, yes — downtown buses and light rail get you close. To Pier 91, no — public transit does not reach Smith Cove, so plan a taxi, rideshare, or private transfer.

What time should I arrive at the terminal?
Follow your cruise line’s boarding window, and plan your transfer to arrive with buffer for traffic and terminal congestion, especially at Pier 91 on disembarkation mornings.

Ready to lock in your cruise transfer? Request a quote or call (425) 534-7308. Tell us your ship, terminal, and date, and we will take care of the rest — including the return trip to the airport or your hotel.

See also: Cruise Port Transfers Seattle