Flying home post cruise out of Seattle at 6:45pm

We are sailing out of Seattle on an Alaskan cruise in August. To keep flying as cheap as possible we are thinking about flying home at 6:45 pm. Can we go through airport security early that morning? A few years ago we could not go through security, that was a bummer waiting just to go through security. Also, is there anything we could do to "kill time" (with our luggage) versus sitting in the airport? We are sailing on Holland America's Amsterdam.

Thanks!

Which pier or cruiseline ?

Both piers have luggage storage. I think it's $3 per bag and it closes around 3/3:30pm (sharp, so don't be late).

http://www.portseattle.org/Cruise/Explore-Terminals/Pages/default.aspx

If you're sailing out of pier 91, it would be $20 to go back and forth to pick up your luggage from downtown, so best bet is to drop your luggage at pier 66 for easier access. But pier 66 luggage storage is only open when a ship is in port so check the schedule ( on that same link).

From pier 66, walk across the street to the Marriott; there's an elevator that will take you up the hill within a few blocks from the Market. Or a cab will be about $10. From the Market, walk 3 blocks to Westlake and you can catch the monorail to the Space Needle.

p.s. there is no luggage storage downtown Seattle, so your other options are Kens at the airport, or, go to a downtown hotel and offer $10 to the belldesk to hold your luggage ( as if you were too early to check in)

We are sailing out of Seattle on an Alaskan cruise in August. To keep flying as cheap as possible we are thinking about flying home at 6:45 pm. Can we go through airport security early that morning? A few years ago we could not go through security, that was a bummer waiting just to go through security. Also, is there anything we could do to "kill time" (with our luggage) versus sitting in the airport? We are sailing on Holland America's Amsterdam.

 

Thanks!

If you go to the Seattle Aquarium they will keep your luggage locked up while you enjoy the aquarium and waterfront. That's what we did post cruise to "kill" time. You will enjoy the exhibits, especially the giant octopus and sea otters.

If you go to the Seattle Aquarium they will keep your luggage locked up while you enjoy the aquarium and waterfront. That's what we did post cruise to "kill" time. You will enjoy the exhibits, especially the giant octopus and sea otters.

By the way, there are some other things to do at the waterfront (the famous Ivar's and other restaurants and the ferris wheel). You could even take a trip on the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island (round trip is $8, $4 for kids and seniors. A great view of downtown Seattle! You have to exit the ferry at Bainbridge but you can get right back on with the return trip. BTW the Aquarium does not charge to store your luggage if you are visiting it.

By the way, there are some other things to do at the waterfront (the famous Ivar's and other restaurants and the ferris wheel). You could even take a trip on the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island (round trip is $8, $4 for kids and seniors. A great view of downtown Seattle! You have to exit the ferry at Bainbridge but you can get right back on with the return trip. BTW the Aquarium does not charge to store your luggage if you are visiting it.

One more thing. If you walk up Yessler Way- the light rail will take you directly to the airport cheaply. It's about 4 blocks to the Pioneer Station, a bit of it is somewhat uphill. Otherwise there are always taxis at the ferry terminal (about $50 to the airport).

You should be able to get through security no problem. TSA doesn't really care if you want to sit airside for 8 hours as longs as you have a valid boarding pass. Now whether or not the airline will accept your luggage that is a whole different kettle of fish. A few years ago I went scuba diving in Hawaii and flew back from Kona to Honalulu in the am and didn't leave for the mainland until 11pm or so. They (United) wouldn't take my luggage so I just rented a car and spent the say driving around the area until it was time to fly.

Another place that will hold your luggage while you're there is the Museum of Flight. It's on the way from the pier to the airport--wouldn't be a bad cab ride to get there, then another one the rest of the way to the airport. If you're at all interested in aviation and aerospace, you could easily kill a few hours there.