Seattle port to Airport?

[shaz54]

We are arriving into Port in Seattle and need to get to the airport for flights. Can I ask for advice on the process please. We are European and unacquainted with local procedures. Many thanks to anyone who can advise us. 

[CruiserBruce]

Like other ports you can take ship's transfers. Taxis. Uber/Lyft. Towncars. All discussed here frequently.

 

Suggest you not book a flight be 11am, 11:30 for a little more comfort.

 

Probably the most unique thing is the City of Seattle's luggage program. If your cruise line and your airline participate, you will leave your checked bags outside your room the last night, and not see them until your destination airport. International flights may not be available for this. They will also print your airline boarding pass. This is a free service. Several discussions here about it. 

[Ferry_Watcher]

Welcome to Seattle!  Can you let us know which cruise line you will traveling on, as it will determine which cruise terminal you will be disembarking from.  Folks can tailor their suggestions depending if you are at Pier 66 or Pier 91.

 

CruiserBruce is correct that the Port Valet service does not include international flights.

[fla gang]

We will be on the Ovation of the Seas in June and our return flight is to Tampa, Florida. Will we be able to use the port valet? We are also Diamond members with Royal Caribbean.

[CruiserBruce]

 

3 hours ago, fla gang said:

We will be on the Ovation of the Seas in June and our return flight is to Tampa, Florida. Will we be able to use the port valet? We are also Diamond members with Royal Caribbean.

 

Go right to the horse's mouth:

 

https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free

[Ferry_Watcher]

Thanks to CruiserBruce for posting the Seattle Port Valet link.  Based on last year's program, the earliest flight that the free Seattle Port Valet would accept luggage for was 11:30 am.  I believe that Southwest Airlines had a cut-off departure time of 4:30 PM.  Once the Seattle cruising season gets underway there will be lots of threads about Port Valet from those cruisers who used it.  There will be a wealth of information on those threads.

 

I will tell everyone that you need to be pro-active about getting the info from your ship.  You should let your room steward know early on that you are interested in using the service.  In your case, since you will be embarking on a Friday, ideally the paperwork will be delivered to your stateroom by Sunday, Monday at the very latest.  If not, follow up with guest services.  The folks on the ship need time to process the forms, and if you miss whatever deadline they have, you may miss the opportunity to use this service.  

Hope this helps!

[fla gang]

Thank you CruiserBruise. Port valet will be a big help. We are also flying in two days early to take in Seattle and we aren't sure what area is best and safest. We will book our room after I get the cruise booked through Club Royal. Can't book until April 8 but then my Prime status will allow me to only pay port taxes and fees for the cruise.

[fla gang]

Chose Alaska as my comp'd cruise.

[shaz54]

On 3/28/2019 at 6:45 PM, Ferry_Watcher said:

Welcome to Seattle!  Can you let us know which cruise line you will traveling on, as it will determine which cruise terminal you will be disembarking from.  Folks can tailor their suggestions depending if you are at Pier 66 or Pier 91.

 

CruiserBruce is correct that the Port Valet service does not include international flights.

We are with Celebrity. We are flying onward to San Jose Intl. with Alaska Airlines. Our flight is at 13.40. Thanks for all the advice, we really appreciate it.

[Ferry_Watcher]

5 hours ago, shaz54 said:

We are with Celebrity. We are flying onward to San Jose Intl. with Alaska Airlines. Our flight is at 13.40. Thanks for all the advice, we really appreciate it.

The Solstice is a beautiful ship, I am sure you will enjoy your cruise.

There shouldn't be any difficulties using the Seattle Port Valet service on your 1:40 pm Alaska Airlines flight.  Do make sure that you receive the paperwork from your room steward early on, or visit Guest Services no later than Monday.

 

Regarding embarkation, assuming that it is the same procedure as last season, you will be dropping your bags off with the longshoremen porters outside in the driveway area.  Pier staff will direct you to the correct drop off point.  (RCI Ovation of the Seas will also be embarking Fridays beginning May 24th).  You might want to attach your Celebrity issued luggage tags at your hotel that morning, or the porters can do it for you.  It will just save you a little time if you already have them attached.  You may hold on to whatever carry-on bags that you want/need.  If you plan to bring a bottle of wine with you, please keep it in your carry-on bag.

 

You will need to show your passport to enter the building and once you get inside there will be a closer inspection of your travel documents and travel ID.  You will the take an escalator upstairs (or elevator as needed) and go through security.  It is similar to airport screening, but more relaxed.    Once you get through security screening you will get into another line for check-in.  If you are booked into a higher level stateroom, there will be a corresponding check-in lines - staff will direct you.  If not, you will just get in line and hopefully it will go quickly.  Busiest times are 11:00am - 1:30 pm.

 

Celebrity (at Pier 91) boards in order of arrival.  The check-in counter staff is ready to go by 10 am, the first passengers arrive at check-in by 10:20 - 10:30 am, but the ship usually doesn't start boarding until just before noon. If the ship is ready, they will let passengers on as early as 11:30 am.  Staterooms will not be ready until 1:30, but the buffet will be opened.

 

Hope this helps!  let us know if you have any further questions.

Edited April 3, 2019 by Ferry_Watcher
word change

[shaz54]

Thanks Ferry watcher for all that information.  We are really looking forward to our trip and being so well informed will make the planning easier.