Seattle on Cruise Day

We're looking at cruising with Princess next year on a round trip Alaska from Seattle. Does Princess ALWAYS leave out of Pier 91?

 

We're going to be in town the day before, but were hoping to explore the city a little before boarding the ship on cruise day. What time will we need to be at the pier to board the ship by 4 pm? Is it always crowded sailing out of Seattle?

 

Will we have time to see a few places before boarding the ship?

It also doesn't look like there is a HO/HO that goes by Pier 91?

We're looking at cruising with Princess next year on a round trip Alaska from Seattle. Does Princess ALWAYS leave out of Pier 91?

 

We're going to be in town the day before, but were hoping to explore the city a little before boarding the ship on cruise day. What time will we need to be at the pier to board the ship by 4 pm? Is it always crowded sailing out of Seattle?

 

Will we have time to see a few places before boarding the ship?

Princess uses T91; presumably they will next year too, unless they change in the meantime.

 

I would probably be at the pier by 1 PM or so - I believe they start boarding before noon, so it's your call. By "crowded" do you mean the pier or the city? Neither are especially empty ;) but nobody gets left behind as a rule. If you're coming in the day before, sure, you'll have time to do a little exploring. Have a nice dinner someplace that evening, maybe get some flowers for your cabin at the Pike Place market first thing in the morning (mobbed after around 11 AM.)

 

It also doesn't look like there is a HO/HO that goes by Pier 91?

No. Pier 91 is located a couple of miles north of downtown, separated by a largely industrial area. You should plan on taking a taxi or limo/shuttle of some sort from your hotel to the cruise terminal.

if you're staying downtown pier 91 is only about 5 miles north so it's a quick and easy ride, $15-20 by cab, maybe 15 minutes.

As gardyloo suggested, on the morning of the cruise, head to the market early and spend a few hours before it gets mobbed. Don't be in a rush to board; you will have a full week on the ship.