|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home | FAQ | News | Links | About | |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
 |
Become a Home Based Travel Agent
Travel Agent Guide to Port of
Seattle Overview
Seattle is an extremely attractive travel option for clients looking for the convenience of cruising to Alaska from a US based port. Seattle boasts two cruise terminals which will be servicing well over 400,000 Alaska bound cruise passengers this cruise season. The Terminal 91 Cruise Facility serves as home port to Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises. The terminal is located at 2001 W. Garfield Street at the north end of Seattle's downtown waterfront and just minutes from the city's retail core. Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal is a feature of the bustling downtown waterfront and is the home port for Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises. Concierge services are available at both terminals for storing luggage before or after a cruise. There are numerous hotels located downtown near the cruise terminals as well as a number of hotels near the airport that offer shuttle service to the piers. Transportation/Transfers It takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the cruise terminals from Sea-Tac Airport. Taxi fares can range from $25-$40 from the airport to downtown. In addition to taxis, on call limos are available from the airport at a cost of approximately $40-$45.
Shuttles/Shared
Ride: Gray Line of Seattle: For your clients sailing from Smith Cove Terminal at Pier 91 on Holland America and Princess, Cruise Express is a shuttle service that departs continuously from Sea-Tac Airport 11:30 AM-2:30 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cruise Express also provides return service from the cruise terminal to the airport. Cost is $25 per adult one-way, $40 for round trip. Quick Shuttle: For your clients that fly in and/or out of Seattle but taking a cruise from Vancouver, Quick Shuttle provides scheduled service from Sea-Tac Airport to cruise terminals in Vancouver. They work with travel agents and pay commission. (www.quickshuttle.com). Rental Cars: All major rental car companies have service from the airport, but Budget Rental Car is the only company that has rental kiosks at both cruise terminals, offering one-way service. When making reservations for your clients make sure to book directly with Budget or they may be subject to a drop-off fee.
Port Parking: Bell Street Terminal Parking: Located across Alaskan Way from the cruise terminal (corner of Alaskan Way and Wall Street), it offers 1,700 spaces of secure, covered parking. The price to park is presently $18 per day (or reservations can be made and prepaid online for $17 per day with Republic Parking - http://www.rpnw.com/ ). RV and oversized vehicles must park at the Smith Cove Terminal. Smith Cove Terminal Parking Terminal 91): Available to all Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean cruise passengers. This lot also provides overheight and RV parking for Norwegian and Celebrity cruise passengers. Conveniently located near the cruise terminal (21st Ave. W) and offers 1,000 secure spaces. A complimentary shuttle service is available to the cruise terminal. Complimentary taxi vouchers are provided for those guests that are departing from the Bell Street Terminal. Cost is presently $20 per day for standard vehicles and $28 per day for vehicles less than 18 ft and $35 per day for larger vehicles.
Pre & Post Cruise Hotels Seattle has numerous excellent hotels varying from very expensive luxury properties to economical budget hotels. However, budget is a relative term as Seattle hotels tend to be on the pricey side. For guests wishing to explore the city, a downtown hotel is their best option. FYI, there are no hotels located within walking distance of the Smith Cove Terminal. There are also quite a few good hotels located near the airport, but for purposes of this guide, the hotels listed are all downtown. While not meant as an endorsement of any, it is a compilation of cruise friendly hotels that have been personally recommended by fellow travel agents and their cruise clients. All provide cruise packages. Best Western Executive Inn: (200 Taylor Avenue North) Located about a block from the Seattle Center and within walking distance of Pike Place Market, this Best Western is in a good location for touring. A hot breakfast buffet and complimentary wi-fi are provided. They offer a cruise and park package that includes a one-way trip for two by Town Car to both terminals and 8 days of parking and a cruise and fly package which provides a one-way trip for two by town car from Sea-Tac airport and to both cruise terminals. Best Western Loyal Inn: (2301 Eighth Avenue) This Best Western offers the same cruise packages and amenities as the BW Executive Inn, but is located a few blocks further away from Seattle Center. And although it's location is not quite as convenient, the payoff is that it is a bit less expensive. Crowne Plaza Seattle Hotel: (1113 Sixth Avenue) This upscale hotel is located in the business district and provides pre-cruise transfers to both cruise terminals, extended parking at discount rates, breakfast for two and tour guide luggage storage. The Edgewater Hotel: (2411 Alaskan Way) Located next to the Bell Street Terminal, it is actually on the water, on Pier 67. This waterfront hotel is considered one of the best boutique hotels in town. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle that goes within a 2 mile radius of the hotel and offers a nautical but nice cruise package which includes breakfast for two and cruise ship transfers to both terminals. Homewood Suites by Hilton Seattle: (1011 Pike Street) Located next to the Convention Center, the hotel is well situated for sightseeing. Their cruise package includes accommodations, 7 days complimentary parking in secure garage, hot breakfast and wi-fi access. Hotel Max: (620 Stewart Street) Another cool, boutique hotel, Hotel Max is located in fashionable Belltown. Their cruise package includes a welcome pack (2 bottles of water, chocolate, Seattle maps and guides), transportation to or from both cruise terminals, a $20 credit to their Asian Fusion restaurant, and parking for 7 nights. Hotel 1000: (1000 First Avenue) This luxury class hotel is well situated close to the Seattle Waterfront, Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum. Their cruise package includes breakfast for 2, specialty cocktails for 2, a shopping tote and round-trip transfers to and from both cruise terminals. Hotel Deca: (4507 Brooklyn Avenue Northeast) Located in the University District, Hotel Deca provides a courtesy shuttle van to both cruise terminals, express breakfast for two and parking for the duration of the cruise.
Kimpton Hotels: Pan Pacific Seattle: (2125 Terry Avenue) This chic, upscale hotel is located just on the outskirts of downtown, but within walking distance of downtown attractions (20 minute walk). Their cruise package includes a $20 credit per person for breakfast and complimentary transfer by taxi to both cruise terminals. Red Lion on Fifth Avenue: (1415 Fifth Avenue) The Red Lion is an older hotel that has been completely renovated and in a great location for sightseeing. They offer a drop & shop cruise package that includes accommodations, luggage storage, an urban survival kit (bottled water, snacks, map and guide), choice of pre-cruise transfers to either cruise terminal OR post-cruise breakfast for two. Attractions/Activities Whether your clients plan to spend a few hours or a few days in Seattle before or after their cruise, there is plenty to do. The Bell Street Pier is a fun destination in it's own right. There is an 11 acre waterfront plaza of shops and restaurants, a pleasure craft marina and other waterfront attractions just steps from the ship.
Along the Seattle Waterfront your clients can take a harbor ferry tour or visit Odyssey – the Maritime Discovery Center, the Seattle Aquarium and Omnidome. A great spot along the waterfront to eat and people watch is the Olympic Sculpture Park. This vibrant outdoor green space for art offers the opportunity to experience a variety of sculptures while enjoying the surrounding views.
A short walk across Alaskan Way and your clients can visit Pike Place Market.
This is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the US and is a great flower and craft market, as well.
Pioneer Square is Seattle's first neighborhood.
It is centrally located between the International District and the Waterfront, easily accessible by foot or trolley car. Here your clients can visit Pioneer Square Park with its landmark totem pole, Waterfall Garden and Occidental Park with its glass pergola showcasing Pioneer Squares history. Sidewalk cafes and shops make for a pleasurable stroll along the cobblestone walkway. They may also enjoy the Underground Tour at Pioneer Square, a walking tour to view the underground streets before the great fire.
Seattle Center is a 74 acre arts and entertainment center located north of Belltown in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood- (they can take the monorail from downtown) – many official city landmarks are located here:
-The Space Needle
The Waterfront Streetcar travels from the International District through Pioneer Square, along the Waterfront and past Pike Place Market. These vintage streetcars provide an interesting mode of transportation for clients who may enjoy a visual overview of the cities landmarks.
|
|
|
||||||
 |
| Thanks for visiting the Home Based Travel Agent Information Center |
