Seattle cruise planning

Pier 66 vs Pier 91 transfer planning from Sea-Tac.

If you know you are sailing from Seattle but are not sure which cruise terminal changes the airport transfer, start here. Pier 66 and Pier 91 are separate terminals with different hotel patterns, different morning logistics, and different route pages.

View Pier 66 routeView Pier 91 route

Pier 66

Bell Street Cruise Terminal

Pier 66 is the simpler fit when your cruise plan is tied to the downtown waterfront. It stays closer to Pike Place, Belltown, and Seattle hotel inventory that travelers often use before embarkation.

Area: Downtown waterfront

Best fit: walkable waterfront hotels, downtown pre-cruise stays, and Bell Street sailings

Sea-Tac to Pier 66Pier 66 terminal guide

Pier 91

Smith Cove Cruise Terminal

Pier 91 is a different Seattle cruise terminal and should be planned as its own airport transfer. It is not interchangeable with Pier 66 and usually rewards tighter timing on embarkation morning.

Area: Smith Cove / northwest Seattle

Best fit: major homeport sailings, heavier family luggage, and direct cruise-day transfers

Sea-Tac to Pier 91Pier 91 terminal guide

Terminal comparison

Use the terminal difference to choose the right transfer page.

The purpose of this page is not to replace the route pages. It is to make sure you pick the correct one before you book.

Decision pointPier 66Pier 91
Terminal identity
Bell Street Cruise Terminal
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
Typical staging area
Downtown waterfront and Belltown hotels
Direct airport transfer or wider Seattle hotel staging
Best day-before strategy
Stay near the waterfront if you want a shorter downtown cruise morning
Give yourself more routing margin and heavier luggage planning
Most common mistake
Booking the wrong terminal because the sailing is only described as “Seattle cruise terminal”
Assuming it is basically the same transfer as Pier 66

How to plan it

Confirm the exact terminal before you book the ride

Seattle cruise travelers often know the cruise line but not the terminal. The first step is to confirm whether your sailing uses Bell Street at Pier 66 or Smith Cove at Pier 91.

Choose the route page that matches your actual embarkation point

Once the terminal is confirmed, use the matching route page so the airport transfer opens with the correct terminal already selected instead of trying to explain it later in a generic booking flow.

Plan the transfer together with the hotel and luggage decision

Cruise transfer planning works better when the airport route, hotel stay, bag count, and sailing-day timing are treated as one decision instead of four separate ones.

Cruise terminal FAQ

Is Pier 66 the same terminal as Pier 91?

No. Pier 66 and Pier 91 are separate Seattle cruise terminals. Pier 66 is Bell Street Cruise Terminal on the downtown waterfront, while Pier 91 is Smith Cove Cruise Terminal farther northwest.

How do I know which cruise terminal I need from Sea-Tac?

Check the terminal name on your cruise confirmation or use the terminal guide pages on seatac.co. The transfer should be booked to the exact terminal, not just to a generic “Seattle cruise terminal.”

Should I choose a different hotel area for Pier 66 vs Pier 91?

Usually yes. Pier 66 works well with waterfront and downtown hotel stays, while Pier 91 often benefits from a simpler direct transfer plan or a hotel strategy that leaves more room for luggage and morning timing.

Can I compare both terminals before booking a ride?

Yes. This comparison page is meant to help you decide whether your airport transfer should be planned around Bell Street at Pier 66 or Smith Cove at Pier 91 before you enter the booking flow.