psuboater

I would still highly recommend using SEA Space Saver if you do not have TSA Precheck: https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver

An easy place in Pike Place is under the red neon sign, next to the copper pig. Those are easily recognizable landmarks right at the entrance. To get to the International District, you can take the 11 from Pine Street and 4th Ave to Madison Park and it's 3 stops. The 49 toward U-District Station Capitol Hill will also take you there. If you end your day in the ID, then there is a light rail station right there that will take you directly to the airport. Please be aware there's a bit of a walk from the light rail station at the airport to the terminal, although it is a safe, covered walk. Whether you choose Taxi or Uber - it might be easiest to get taxi from the pier, and if you're departing from Pier 91, it's a bit of a walk to the Uber/Lyft pick up, something to keep in mind with seniors.

Depending on your airline; you can participate in Port Valet: https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free From Pier 66, you're right downtown. Pier 91 you'll need a quick Uber. You can explore the Chihuly museum, Space Needle, the Seattle Art Museum outdoor sculpture park, Pike Place. Skip the "first Starbucks" at Pike Place and head to the Roastery and Reserve Room in Capitol Hill. Grab a ice cream cone from Salt and Straw. Get dinner at Din Tai Fung for dumplings. You can kill an entire day downtown before your flight, then grab the light rail directly down to the airport for $2.75pp.

CLEAR is offering a free 2 month trial, might be something to look at. However, if you're checking luggage, you're still at the mercy of the airline counter for timing, which will make it harder. If you are carry-on only, plus TSA, PLUS CLEAR, then I would feel comfortable with 11am, but that's a tough trifecta.

Just to add, Pier 66 is smack in the middle of downtown. Pier 66 will be a zoo with disembarking passengers plus rush hour traffic if you're embarking during a weekday. The Edgewater will be a great place to decompress after your flight, enjoy gorgeous views of the water, and have a safe place to store your luggage.

Not OP, but I've seen a lot of posts of people who really love a certain type of soda - Diet Dr. Pepper comes up as a frequent choice to board with as cruises don't typically carry it. Or if your cruise line is Pepsi owned and you like Coke products or vice versa, that comes up too. Not my thing but I won't stand in the way of someone's happiness on vacation 🙂

They don't go on the ferry - I just have them drop me off at the ferry terminal and my car is parked on the island side. You give them your flight information and they keep a record of it that day and track where you are. So if you're delayed/flight is cancelled, they'll rearrange the transportation when you do come in. It's very easy to find them - follow signs to Ground Transportation on level 3, and their booth is right by the escalator, in front of where you would pick up Uber/Lyft.

I have done two 10 day trips and one 15 day trip to Europe, all with carry ons. I packed dresses and flats that went with all of them. With cruise ships relaxing their dress code, I think it's doable, and with the travel woes this summer, the best way to go in my opinion.

Another vote for Premier Airport Shuttle. I live on one of the islands in the Puget Sound, and it's way less of a hassle to walk onto the ferry and have Premier Airport pick me up from the terminal and take me to the airport. They are very reliable - the one time the shuttle would have been late picking me up, they automatically sent me an Uber at their expense. Highly recommend their services!

My experience with Premier Airport Shuttle is you enter your arriving flight information when prebooking, so they're aware if you're delayed, and will have a shuttle for you when you do arrive. I use them often to get to and from the airport.

Happy to help- what is your budget? Hotels in Seattle, especially in the summer, can get pricey. What are you looking for in a hotel? Just a place to sleep, near all the sights, a luxury experience? A bit more info and I can direct you to a good option.

11:30am should be doable. There are taxis lined up at the pier, and that will be the fastest way to the airport, barring any major issues with traffic.

Even living here, we never tire of the mountain being out! It's about a 2 hour drive from Seattle down to Mt. Rainier National Park. Not sure what day you plan on going, but mid-week will be best. Here's some tips to avoid summer congestion: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/congestion.htm

Ah, sorry all! Even the locals mess up from time to time. But the good news is the Marriott does fall in the flat rate FROM SeaTac. 🙂

It does. The downtown flat rate is here: https://seattleyellowcab.com/rates/

In the UK as far as I know, Hen Party, or "hen do" which loosely means "bride's shindig" is almost always used instead of Bachelorette.

This is the West Coast departure board, which is why we asked for a bit more context 🙂 10:45 for an international flight is really pushing it. You won't have TSA Precheck (seeing you are from Canada), and lines at Seattle-Tacoma airport (SeaTac) for non TSA precheck can be 30-45 minutes long in peak travel times. There is an option for SEA Space Saver: https://www.portseattle.org/SEAspotsaver but you're really gambling on that everything goes right. For example, when I was on the Quantum, we were supposed to start Disembarkation around 7:30am and customs delayed it for an hour. People were panicking trying to get off to make their flight. If you're disembarking on a Sat/Sun, then you have a better chance of getting to the airport in time for your flight. From Pier 66 it's about a 25 minute drive, from Pier 91 it is a 35 minute drive. If you're disembarking on a weekday, you are at the mercy of Seattle rush hour traffic. One accident on I5 and you're looking at 45-60 minutes+ to get to SeaTac. Assuming you're checking luggage and have to wait in line, I would check with your airline to see when the luggage cut off time is for international flights. Me personally - with checking a bag and without having Precheck and CLEAR, I would be too stressed on the last day to attempt it for an International flight.

The flat fare is for both ways. However, make sure that your hotel falls within the downtown zone, otherwise it will not be the flat rate.

There are 4 - there's 3 against the wall, plus the one right by the window OP has posted. You need to make a reservation but they are free to use. As the week goes on, they were more lax about the reservations as most people ditch the gym after Day 1 🙂

We just sailed on the Summit last month and inquired about the future cruise. The quote we got seemed high, so when we got into a port I checked the same cruise on a discount cruise site (Direct Line). We got a larger room (Aft balcony) than what was quoted for $700 less! Definitely do some homework if you have internet access.

The Hotel Max is a solid choice for sure. You don't need a private car. An Uber will be the fastest, but I'm sure the hotel can call you a cab if you prefer it. If you're at Pier 66 and don't have a lot of heavy luggage, it's a doable 20 minute walk.

There's a shopping plaza with a Whole Foods that will be open if you get down to Pier 91 that early that you can grab a cup of coffee and sandwich and sit at a table with your luggage. There's also a Total Wine and More in walking distance of the Whole Foods that opens at 9am if you're into bringing your 2 bottles of wine on board. As Ferry Watcher said, you won't be able to drop off your luggage and Pier 91 will be a zoo of disembarking passengers at that time. I'd stay away until at least 11am. We had customs issues when we got to Seattle, so the disembarkation off the Quantum didn't start until close until 9am that trip. If you're departing from Pier 66, you're downtown which gives you more to do but your luggage will limit you. There's a fairly large Starbucks on 5th and Pine that has ample seating. You could always try and blend in in a hotel lobby and grab a cup of coffee there for comfortable seating while you wait.

Even though it's further, highly recommend walking the pedestrian path along the water over going on Western Ave. It's a beautiful path, and you'll pass by the outdoor sculpture garden and be walking on the waterfront. It gets a bit industrial by the time you get to Pier 91 but it's not unsafe. King Street to Pike Place for a guy at that hour will be fine, but keep aware of your surroundings. I'd suggest to go on 5th Ave rather than 3rd at that hour and avoid Pioneer Square. However, if there's a baseball game or concert in one of the stadiums, the area is very lively and safe.

Definitely spring for the Uber at that hour. Taxis are a flat fare of $40 to downtown, but check the prices of Uber/Lyft at that hour. If you're not coming in on a weekend night, you might be able to get that rate cheaper with a ride share and they both pick up on the same level in the parking garage. With 2 children and luggage, I wouldn't recommend the light rail that late.

Got off the Summit on June 19th. The only thing I noticed that was lacking was some of the premium wine choices, but I know that was a gripe in 2019 for us (They had great substitutes, Ayu is fantastic at Wine Cellars, I just felt bad for the staff -why have a printed wine list that's never updated?) The activities team didn't have as many evening activities as in Bermuda trips past, but it didn't ruin our cruise. Bermuda is our favorite island to visit - beautiful beaches and friendly people and safe to explore the island on your own. Go for it!