Reserved taxi at disembarkation @ Pier 91 Seattle?

[luvtravel]

I wasn't sure where to post this....but here goes.   4 of us returning from Alaska cruise on the Solstice in July to Seattle.  We have  a  9am check in at the airport (approx 2 hrs before flight time) and wondered if we should book a taxi to be waiting for us when we get off.  We had a not good experience once in Lisbon getting off and the line waiting for a taxi was so long and taxi's could not keep up and we almost missed a flight!     Cost of ship transport is about 4x what a taxi would be.   Anyone used this Pier 91 before in Alaska and might have input into how busy?   The day will be a Friday.  Thanks for any help!!

[Langley Cruisers]

From experience, there are literally dozens of taxis waiting at the pier when you disembark. However, the line is long, even with a dispatcher there to help. Having said that, you really don't know the exact time you will be out of there, with customs and other people disembarking as well. What is the date? You can check Port of Seattle's website to see how many ships are in; that could definitely affect your time frame.

 

As well, I would book an Uber, which will cost less than a taxi.

[LPCKG]

We booked an Uber last year.  Disembarkation was fairly orderly, request an appropriate disembarkation/luggage tag slot then your luggage should be waiting for you, it’s a short walk to the Uber area and the various cars were lining up for their respective passengers.  Celebrity’s offering was far too expensive for us in comparison..

 

We’re cruising from Fort Lauderdale this year it’ll be interesting to find out how much they want charge for the airport transfer this time round.

[lovecruzin]

Pier 91 this year has approx 8000 pax on Fridays. This is more than previous years..

Our recent experience,  it took approx 1 hour from when we left the building to the airport. Once we called our driver, it took him 10 plus minutes to reach us, as there was a lot of traffic coming in and out, then delays getting to SEA due to road work around Seattle. Maybe, hopefully things will have improved by July 😊

Be prepared to self disembark with your luggage, as they were still off loading bags after 8am. 

I think the flat rate taxi this year to SEA is $47.

 

[Wine-O]

Do you think you can get 4 people with luggage into one taxi?  🍷

[Langley Cruisers]

5 hours ago, LPCKG said:

We’re cruising from Fort Lauderdale this year it’ll be interesting to find out how much they want charge for the airport transfer this time round.

 

Just so you know, the cruise line's transfer is always more expensive. Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) and Port Everglades (the pier) are very close in distance, and a cab for up to 4 people should be no more than about $15.00 on the meter (it is not a flat rate so don't let a driver tell you it is). Uber would be even less expensive, if you are so inclined to use it.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

I just went through this a few weeks ago in Seattle.  We tried reserving a taxi.  The driver did not respond to our texts.  So we summoned a Lyft.  The place where Uber and Lyft pick up is quite far from where you disembark.  Just keep walking and walking.  We had an 11:15 a.m. flight and made it.  We had an 8:00 a.m. departure time from the ship.

 

There were many taxis incoming and long lines waiting for them.  If we had been forced to wait in that line, we would have missed our flight.

 

Pier 91 offers a service so that you can check your bags directly to your airline.  We had planned to use it, but I didn't read the information left in our cabin closely and missed the signup deadline on the ship.  So pay close attention to this if you plan to use it.  It is possible that you could get 4 people with only small carryons into one vehicle, but not likely.  Definitely will not happen if you have all your luggage.  If I had 4 people and luggage, I would book with a private car service.  You would need to book a large vehicle.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Happy Cruiser 6143

[bonsai3s]

7 hours ago, luvtravel said:

I wasn't sure where to post this....but here goes.   4 of us returning from Alaska cruise on the Solstice in July to Seattle.  We have  a  9am check in at the airport (approx 2 hrs before flight time) and wondered if we should book a taxi to be waiting for us when we get off.  We had a not good experience once in Lisbon getting off and the line waiting for a taxi was so long and taxi's could not keep up and we almost missed a flight!     Cost of ship transport is about 4x what a taxi would be.   Anyone used this Pier 91 before in Alaska and might have input into how busy?   The day will be a Friday.  Thanks for any help!!

 

We were on the Solstice last month...on it's first Alaskan sailing for 2019.  Our disembarkation was quite unique because we did not have to go through customs/immigration at Pier 91 and no luggage valet available for this first sailing. 

 

There were plenty of taxi's outside the cruise terminal.  Not sure of the wait because we decided to use Uber.

Flat rate for taxi's from Pier 91 to SeaTac airport for 2019 is $47.

 

For Uber/Lyft, there is a designated location, approximately a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal.  If you don't want to walk, there's a free shuttle right outside the terminal that will take you to the designated area...it is only a 5 minute shuttle ride.  Our cost for Uber (2 of us), was $41.  Note: It is important that you find out how many ships will be at Pier 91 the same day you disembark...this will make a big difference.  Happy Sailing.