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Port of Seattle · Boarding Tips

Boarding Tips at Port of Seattle

Provenance: 9 boarding tips · researched from public reviews and official sources

Illustrated suitcase, sunhat, travel booklet and beach towel
A little more ready for your cruise.
  1. 1

    Use the arrival time printed in your boarding documents

    Your cruise line's current documents are the source of truth for check-in.
  2. 2

    Find your terminal before you travel

    Port of Seattle has 2 recorded cruise terminals. The terminal guidance on this page names the correct drop-off lane, parking approach, and check-in door.
  3. 3

    Drop bags, then check in

    Keep your ID, boarding documents, and medication in your carry-on Checked bags may not reach your cabin until later in the day.

Follow your cruise line's current check-in documents, confirm your terminal at Port of Seattle, keep required documents with you, and prepare for curbside bag drop.

Boarding at Port of Seattle

Port of Seattle has 2 cruise terminals, and your terminal decides your drop-off lane, your parking lot, and the check-in door you walk through. Start with yours, then use the cruise line tips below.

Flying in? Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about 25-40 min away. Build that trip into your check-in window, not on top of it.

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91)

Drop-off: Follow W Garfield Way to the terminal. Covered drop-off area with porters curbside.

  • •Complete your cruise line's online check-in and have your boarding pass on your phone before arrival
  • •Bring proof of citizenship plus a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license alone is not accepted, even a REAL ID. An Enhanced Driver's License (WA, NY, MI, MN, VT) counts as both on a round trip. A passport covers both; on a closed-loop sailing that returns to Seattle, a state-issued birth certificate with your photo ID also works, and guests under 16 need only the birth certificate. Bring the passport anyway — it is required if your cruise ends in Vancouver rather than returning here
  • •Arrive during your assigned boarding time — arriving early won't get you on the ship faster
Parking, drop-off and check-in at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal (Pier 91) →

Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66)

Drop-off: Drop off at 2225 Alaskan Way. Follow cruise terminal signs along the waterfront.

  • •Complete your cruise line's online check-in and have your boarding pass ready on your phone
  • •Bring proof of citizenship plus a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license alone is not accepted, even a REAL ID. An Enhanced Driver's License (WA, NY, MI, MN, VT) counts as both on a round trip. A passport covers both; on a closed-loop sailing that returns to Seattle, a state-issued birth certificate with your photo ID also works, and guests under 16 need only the birth certificate. Bring the passport anyway — it is required if your cruise ends in Vancouver rather than returning here
  • •The terminal is in downtown Seattle — Uber/Lyft drop-off is straightforward with plenty of nearby options
Parking, drop-off and check-in at Bell Street Cruise Terminal (Pier 66) →

Check-in by cruise line at Port of Seattle

These are the lines with ships in our Port of Seattle catalog. Check-in windows are set by the line, not the port.

Norwegian at Port of Seattle

3 ships

Norwegian online check-in typically opens about 21 days before sailing. At busier homeports NCL typically uses check-in or arrival windows, so plan to arrive inside the window printed on your eDocs rather than at the earliest possible hour.

Norwegian BlissNorwegian EncoreNorwegian Joy

Princess Cruises at Port of Seattle

3 ships

Princess check-in typically runs through the Princess app (MedallionClass), where you complete your documents and select an arrival window ahead of the sailing. Finishing everything early typically puts you in the faster walk-through lane at the pier.

Discovery PrincessRoyal PrincessStar Princess

Carnival at Port of Seattle

2 ships

Carnival's online check-in typically opens about 14 days before sailing, and that is where you choose an Arrival Appointment — a specific window for arriving at the terminal. The earliest appointments typically go first, so check in as soon as your window opens if boarding early matters to you.

Carnival MiracleCarnival Spirit

Holland America at Port of Seattle

2 ships

Holland America assigns every guest a terminal check-in time, typically about 14 days before sailing, and shows it in the Navigator app. Arrive no earlier than 20 minutes before that time.

EurodamNoordam

Royal Caribbean at Port of Seattle

2 ships

Royal Caribbean online check-in typically opens about 45 days before sailing, and you select your arrival time in the Royal Caribbean app as part of it. Earlier arrival slots typically fill first, so checking in the day it opens gives you the most choice.

Anthem of the SeasVoyager of the Seas

Celebrity at Port of Seattle

1 ship

Celebrity online check-in typically opens about 45 days before sailing in the Celebrity app, and you pick an arrival time as part of completing it. Earlier arrival times typically go first, so check in as soon as it opens if you want to board early.

Celebrity Edge

MSC at Port of Seattle

1 ship

MSC web check-in typically opens weeks before sailing and produces a boarding e-ticket you should download or print before you travel. MSC typically assigns or asks you to choose a boarding time at busier terminals, so check your e-ticket for a window before you leave for the port.

MSC Poesia

Virgin Voyages at Port of Seattle

1 ship

Virgin Voyages handles check-in in the Virgin Voyages app, where Sailors typically complete their documents and choose an embarkation time slot ahead of the voyage. Slots are limited, so pick yours as soon as check-in opens for your sailing.

Brilliant Lady

We have no check-in norm we can state confidently for Cunard, Oceania, Regent, Silversea Cruises, Windstar — follow the instructions those lines send you.

Windows and opening dates vary by ship, by the port you sail from, and by your status in the cruise line's loyalty program, so always follow your cruise line's instructions for your specific sailing.

Ships sailing from Port of SeattlePort of Seattle sailing scheduleAll Port of Seattle terminals

Embarkation day tips from cruisers

For every cruise line

Keep your travel documents with you

Bring the original documents your cruise line requires for your itinerary, plus your boarding pass. Keep them in your carry-on, not in a bag you hand to a porter.

Pack for the hours before your luggage arrives

Keep medication, valuables, charging cables and anything you will need straight away in your carry-on. Cabin access and checked-bag delivery times vary.

Complete the required safety briefing

Once aboard, follow the crew’s instructions for the safety briefing and muster-station check-in before you settle in.

Royal Caribbean

Check in and confirm your arrival instructions

Use the Royal Caribbean app or website to complete check-in when it opens for your booking. Save your boarding pass and note your assigned arrival time.

Optional porter tip: budget $2-3 per bag

If you use curbside porters and want to tip, our suggested cash budget is $2-3 per bag. Keep your travel documents, medication and valuables in the bag you carry aboard.

Download the Royal Caribbean app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.

Celebrity Cruises

Check in and confirm your arrival instructions

Check your booking for online check-in dates and your arrival window. Save your boarding pass and check the All Aboard Time in your guest documents.

Download the Celebrity Cruises app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.

Carnival Cruise Line

Check in and confirm your arrival instructions

Complete online check-in through your Carnival booking. Note your Arrival Appointment and the Final Boarding time on your boarding pass. Print luggage tags and attach them as Carnival directs.

Check how your phone will connect at sea

The Carnival HUB app works on the ship’s Wi-Fi without an internet plan for its included features; group chat costs extra. Cellular service at sea can incur maritime roaming charges. Use airplane mode with Wi-Fi enabled if you do not want cellular roaming, and check your carrier’s terms.

Download the Carnival HUB app before you travel and sign in to your booking. Check which features are available on your ship.

Disney & Others

Check in and confirm your arrival instructions

Open your cruise line’s booking page to check in, confirm your required documents and find your terminal arrival instructions. Check the deadline for your own sailing.

Download the app recommended in your cruise line’s booking confirmation before you travel.

See boarding tips in the full guide →

Want the complete Port of Seattle cruise guide?

Restaurants, activities, hotels, terminal tips, parking, packing lists, and boarding advice — all in one page.

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More Port of Seattle Guides

ShipsSailing ScheduleTerminalsParking & TransportRestaurantsHotelsActivitiesPacking List

Flying In?

SEA to Port of Seattle