Alaska cruises continue to grow in popularity, with several departure ports to choose from. On our recent Royal Caribbean cruise, we sailed from Seattle and quickly discovered that this city is much more than just a cruise departure point. Like any cruise vacation, we highly recommend flying in at least one day early. Not only does this help avoid the stress of potential flight delays, but it also gives you time to experience everything Seattle has to offer. We arrived early enough to enjoy two full days exploring the city, and we're so glad we did.
One of the best decisions we made was purchasing the Seattle CityPASS. This bundle includes several of Seattle's top attractions and saved us a significant amount of money. Our favorite attraction was the Space Needle. One of the biggest perks of the CityPASS is that it includes both a daytime and nighttime visit within a 24-hour period. Seeing Seattle from above during the day was incredible, but returning at dusk provided a completely different perspective and two unique views of the city.
The Seattle Aquarium was another highlight, especially since it's located along the waterfront and pairs perfectly with a visit to Pike Place Market, one of Seattle's most iconic attractions. We enjoyed wandering through the market, watching the famous fishmongers toss fish through the air, and sampling fresh seafood from various vendors. There are so many delicious samples available that you may not even need lunch!
That said, one stop you absolutely cannot miss is Pike Place Chowder. We ordered a chowder flight, which allowed us to sample several different varieties. While every flavor was delicious, the Smoked Salmon Chowder was my personal favorite and a perfect taste of the Pacific Northwest.
We also visited Chihuly Garden and Glass, which showcases breathtaking glass sculptures and colorful installations unlike anything we've seen before. To round out our visit, we took the Argosy Harbor Cruise. This relaxing tour offered beautiful views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, the bustling waterfront, and even Mount Rainier in the distance.
For accommodations, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown. The location was ideal, within walking distance of the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and several restaurants. Even better for cruise passengers, the hotel offered a shuttle transfer to the cruise port for just $15 per person, making embarkation day simple and stress-free.
Seattle is a destination worth exploring, not just a departure port. By arriving a day or two early, you can start your vacation with amazing views, world-class attractions, incredible food, and a much more relaxed travel experience. If you're sailing from Seattle, consider adding an extra day or two to your itinerary. You won't regret it!
