Where to stay in Seattle before cruise?

[Love being Mimi]

We will be on the Sept cruise to Alaska.  What is the best hotel close to port that may have a shuttle to ship.  Or do we want to stay near the port.  This is my first post,  but you all have helped me alot.  Thanks

[BlerkOne]

Thank you for actually asking a cruise related question. Where we like staying is the Radisson opposite Seatac. Not near the port, but they arranged shuttles for us - I forget the cost. 13Coins restaurant is next door and used to be open 24 hours. They have cut back covid hours now but are still open sort of late. Love their French Onion Soup!

[Love being Mimi]

Thank you so much.  We did this so last minute.  Did you do Alaska?  Any info will help.

[kwokpot]

Stay downtown and take a taxi to the port. End of story. Seattle is a beautiful city, some great restaurants. There's really no point in staying near the port. There's nothing around the port area.

Edited June 3, 2021 by kwokpot

[BlerkOne]

3 minutes ago, Love being Mimi said:

Thank you so much.  We did this so last minute.  Did you do Alaska?  Any info will help.

We've been to Alaska a number of times. Thinking about it again for this year, but maybe on HAL.

 

Did you get one of the casino deals?

[Love being Mimi]

Yes,  $175 for OV

[BlerkOne]

5 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Stay downtown and take a taxi to the port. End of story. Seattle is a beautiful city, some great restaurants. There's really no port in staying near the port. There's nothing around the port area.

I recall taking a harbor cruise one NYE and when it was over, not a taxi to be found. This was long before Uber and fancy cell phones. It was a little scary walking until we found a hotel or maybe it was just a bar that would call us a taxi.

 

Around the Space Needle is interesting 

[BlerkOne]

Everything is pricy in Alaska, including shore excursions. I don"t know if they are going to limit cruisers to only ship excursions. I'll have to see if I can activate more brain cells. When is your cruise?

 

[kwokpot]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Around the Space Needle is interesting 

That's where I stayed the last time I was in Seattle for a transpacific cruise on The Explorer,. It's the Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown.  Nice hotel. It's walking distance to two of Seattle's must see attractions, the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.

[Love being Mimi]

We got the free balcony deal.  But when I called it was sold out.  I just kept watching and it showed inside for $100. so I called and they gave me ov

[Love being Mimi]

1 minute ago, BlerkOne said:

Everything is pricy in Alaska, including shore excursions. I don"t know if they are going to limit cruisers to only ship excursions. I'll have to see if I can activate more brain cells. When is your cruise?

 

Sept 14th

[kwokpot]

There's a Hyatt Place Seattle/Downtown that a few blacks away from the Hyatt House but in the general area that's a little less expensive.

[firefly333]

I stayed in a hotel that showed it had a airport free shuttle. Then I booked a port shuttle service that picked me up at my hotel the morning of the cruise. Worked great.

[BlerkOne]

1 hour ago, Love being Mimi said:

Sept 14th

Excellent choice. For what to do in ports you should research - there isn't a one size fits all.

 

Icy Straight Point has a famous zip line and also whale watching.

 

Juneau might be best for whale watching. There is also a Mount Roberts tram where you can get some great views if the weather is clear. Mendenhall Glacier. Salmon Bakes.

 

Ketchikan you might just walk around. Creek Street. Maybe find Ketchicandies for some sweets.

 

You'll be there at the end of the season and everything will be on sale. The very touristy and large shop next to the dock in Ketchikan is popular, but the merchants along Creek Street I'm sure would appreaciate any business they can get.

 

I'll keep thinking.

 

 

[Love being Mimi]

9 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Excellent choice. For what to do in ports you should research - there isn't a one size fits all.

 

Icy Straight Point has a famous zip line and also whale watching.

 

Juneau might be best for whale watching. There is also a Mount Roberts tram where you can get some great views if the weather is clear. Mendenhall Glacier. Salmon Bakes.

 

Ketchikan you might just walk around. Creek Street. Maybe find Ketchicandies for some sweets.

 

You'll be there at the end of the season and everything will be on sale. The very touristy and large shop next to the dock in Ketchikan is popular, but the merchants along Creek Street I'm sure would appreaciate any business they can get.

 

I'll keep thinking.

 

 

Thanks for all your help.  I just can't wait to get away

[kwokpot]

14 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I stayed in a hotel that showed it had a airport free shuttle. Then I booked a port shuttle service that picked me up at my hotel the morning of the cruise. Worked great.

While that's certainly one way to do it, Seatac airport is nowhere near Seattle's downtown area. For me, the only reason I would stay at the airport is if my flight get's into a city so late, say 10-midnight, and I'm only staying 1 night pre-cruise, that it would leave me no time to sightsee the embarkation city. Part of a cruise vacation is also to see and enjoy the embarkation city. Even in Miami where I've been too many times to mention I have my favorite restaurants to have an enjoyable meal and places I enjoy walking around.

[Glaciers]

17 hours ago, Love being Mimi said:

What is the best hotel close to port that may have a shuttle to ship.  Or do we want to stay near the port. 

 

There are two cruise terminals in Seattle. One is downtown along the waterfront and the other is about 3 miles north. Which one are you departing from?

 

Although Hyatt House is decent, it's not downtown as the title of the hotel indicates. It is convenient to the Seattle Center though, as mentioned.There is the monorail from the center that takes you to the downtown core.

 

There are no hotels that provide shuttle service to the ports although some will make arrangements for it. If you don't have time to explore the city, staying at the airport isn't a bad idea, it will save some money.

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 6/2/2021 at 6:16 PM, kwokpot said:

Stay downtown and take a taxi to the port. End of story. Seattle is a beautiful city, some great restaurants. There's really no point in staying near the port. There's nothing around the port area.

 

This ↑↑↑

 

You are on vacation. Life is too short to stay by airports.

 

Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. Stay in downtown (I'd choose close to Pike Place Market) and see some sights, enjoy a great meal and start the vacation off right.

[katfer]

On 6/2/2021 at 8:41 PM, firefly333 said:

I stayed in a hotel that showed it had a airport free shuttle. Then I booked a port shuttle service that picked me up at my hotel the morning of the cruise. Worked great.

Hello..can you tell me where you stayed with airport shuttle and where to find  port shuttle service?

[KeepCalmBearOn]

11 hours ago, katfer said:

Hello..can you tell me where you stayed with airport shuttle and where to find  port shuttle service?

 

There are all kinds of hotels that have airport shuttles, but they are by the airport and there is zero reason to stay by the airport, it is a miserable area.

 

Regardless of your budget you can find a more desirable area in Seattle proper with free or very inexpensive shuttle service to the cruise terminals.

 

If you are looking for a place to stay the night before a cruise, tell your budget and which terminal you need and people can suggest places.

[Glaciers]

14 hours ago, katfer said:

Hello..can you tell me where you stayed with airport shuttle and where to find  port shuttle service?

If you’re just doing a quick overnight before the cruise the airport works fine and will usually save some money.  We’ve stayed at the Hampton Inn on 28^th several times. They, as well as most of the airport hotels, have an airport shuttle.   Some will make arrangements for you through a third party for transportation from the hotel to the port.  There have been some changes with the covid issues but you might try Shuttle Express if booking on your own.

https://shuttleexpress.com/seattle-cruise-transfers/

 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

The airport area is MISERABLE, do NOT stay there. A local from Seattle who uses airport hotels is very different from a visitor on vacation. I stay near LAX sometimes, especially for early international flights, or very late arrivals, but it is even more miserable than SeaTac. I'd never tell a tourist to stay there.

[SLC1954]

Save the taxi/uber fare and put it towards a downtown hotel. Sound Transit Link is a train that runs from SeaTac to downtown for $3 or just $1 (Senior Orca card). I stay at at a hotel which is a Historic Hotel of America at Westlake Center, there is a large chain hotel one block north of Westlake Center. The monorail runs from Westlake to the Space Needle.  Pike Market is 3-4 blocks to the west, but keep in mind it is downhill going and up hill returning to Westlake Center. I taxi/uber to pier 91. I travel with luggage, but use the adage that if I can’t haul myself,  I don’t bring it. 

[KeepCalmBearOn]

On 6/11/2021 at 8:02 AM, SLC1954 said:

I travel with luggage, but use the adage that if I can’t haul myself,  I don’t bring it. 

 

I have a similar philosophy with a slight twist, "if I can’t haul myself, there are people for that". 😁

[LoveMySofa]

Could someone explain how "The airport area is MISERABLE", please?