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How We Spent a Day in Seattle Before Our Alaska Cruise
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Flying in the day before our Alaska cruise ended up being one of the best decisions we made for the entire trip. Instead of stressing about delays or rushing straight from airport to port, we gave ourselves a full day to settle in, explore a little, and ease into vacation mode. Seattle turned out to be the perfect city for this, walkable, scenic, and full of tasty food stops that didn’t require reservations or tight planning.
We landed early in the morning, headed straight into the city, and built our day around wandering, snacking, and enjoying the waterfront atmosphere without overloading ourselves before embarkation day.
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Getting from Sea-Tac Airport to Downtown Seattle
We skipped ride-shares and used Seattle’s Link Light Rail to get from Sea-Tac Airport to downtown. It was straightforward, affordable, and avoided morning traffic entirely. After following signs inside the airport to the station, we bought tickets at the kiosk and rode about 35–40 minutes into the city.
At just a few dollars per person, this was one of the easiest and most budget-friendly airport transfers we’ve done in a major U.S. city. Since we weren’t on a tight schedule, it was a relaxed way to start the trip and gave us time to mentally switch from travel mode to vacation mode.
Dropping Our Bags & Resetting for the Day
After arriving downtown, we dropped our bags at the hotel since our room wasn’t ready yet. Being able to wash up, change layers, and repack a smaller day bag made a huge difference. Instead of dragging luggage around or feeling stuck waiting for check-in time, we were free to explore comfortably. That quick reset helped us feel refreshed instead of drained before the day had even started.
We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown for this short pre-cruise stay. Since we were only there for one night, we didn’t do a full hotel review, but it worked very well for our needs. The location felt central to most of the places we wanted to visit, including Pike Place and other downtown areas, and it was also an easy transfer to the cruise port the next morning. For a simple, convenient pre-cruise hotel, it checked all the boxes.
Morning Coffee Stop
Our first real stop of the day was the Starbucks Reserve Roastery Seattle, and it was exactly the kind of low-effort, high-reward start that works well after an early flight. At the time, it gave us a comfortable place to sit down, wake up slowly, and ease into the day without immediately committing to crowds or long walks. We grabbed coffee and something small to eat, pulled up a map, and used the downtime to plan the rest of our route. That pacing mattered. Instead of feeling like we were “starting late” or rushing to catch up, we felt settled and intentional before heading into busier areas like Pike Place.
It’s worth noting that this specific Seattle location is now closed (as of September 25, 2025), so you won’t be able to replicate this exact stop anymore. But the strategy still holds: if you’re arriving in Seattle the day before your cruise, build in a relaxed first stop, somewhere you can sit, recharge, and get your bearings, before you dive into sightseeing. It makes the entire day feel smoother, especially when you’re working off early-morning travel energy.
Exploring Pike Place Market
From there, we made our way downhill toward Pike Place Market, which is one of the best areas in Seattle for a short visit before a cruise. The market is compact but full of life, and it’s easy to explore without committing to long lines or ticketed attractions. We wandered through flower stalls, local craft vendors, produce stands, and specialty food shops, just taking in the atmosphere. Even without buying much, the energy and waterfront views made it feel like a true Seattle experience.
Turning Pike Place Into a Food Crawl
Instead of planning one big sit-down meal, we turned Pike Place into a casual food crawl, and this ended up being one of the highlights of the day. We grabbed small bites from different spots, pastries, snacks, and quick treats, which let us try a variety of local favorites without getting overly full before a cruise week of dining. Eating this way also kept the day flexible. If something caught our eye, we could stop. If we were still full, we could keep walking.
Between food stops, we explored nearby streets and small shops around the market. The area has a mix of tourist staples and quirky local spots, which made wandering feel fun rather than repetitive. The views of Elliott Bay and the ferries moving across the water added to the sense that our cruise adventure was about to begin.
Hellenika Cultured Creamery
Hellenika had one of the longest lines we saw in the market. Several flavors had already run out, and we were told some would take 20–30 minutes to mix fresh. We weren’t offered the option to come back when they were ready, which made the long wait feel less worthwhile. Flavor-wise, it leaned more sour and tangy, closer to Greek yogurt than rich gelato. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t what we were hoping for, especially after the wait.
Hellenika is a popular "gelato" spot at the Pike Place Market, and has recently gained a lot of attention online. We had seen countless videos talking about how good it is, and we knew we had to try it while in Seattle. The line was long, and moved extremely slowly. We waited in line for about 30-40 minutes, and when we made it inside we found out that the flavors we wanted were out. It takes about 20-30 minutes for more of the gelato to be made, so we ended up with flavors we didn't really want. Since this is advertised as gelato, we were going in expecting traditional gelato flavor, however flavor-wise it leaned more sour and tangy, closer to Greek yogurt than gelato. To us it was not worth the wait, we were not huge fans of the taste, but it is fresh, and made with good quality ingredients.
Get Baked Seattle
We stopped at Get Baked Seattle and tried a protein cookie and banana pudding. Both were genuinely good, with rich, flavorful, and satisfying without being overly heavy. It is a bit on the pricey side, but this is one of those spots that feels worth trying if you’re already walking to or from Pike Place.
Mee Sum Pastry
At Mee Sum Pastry, we grabbed a steamed pork bao bun. It had a lot more bread than filling, but the pork itself had nice, savory flavor. The line can get long, but it moves quickly, making it an easy, low-commitment stop for something warm and filling.
Susie’s Lemonade
Susie’s Lemonade sounded perfect in theory, especially on a warm day. In reality, it was expensive and tasted more like lightly flavored lemon water than fresh lemonade. It’s one of those places that looks refreshing when you’re walking by, but for us, it didn’t live up to the price.
A Quick Stop at the Amazon Spheres
Later in the day, we visited the Amazon Spheres, which offered a completely different vibe from the busy market. Filled with lush plants inside striking glass domes, it was a calm, indoor break from the crowds. It didn’t take long to walk through, but it added variety to the day and was a nice contrast to the historic, bustling feel of Pike Place.
It's important to note that the Amazon Spheres are only accessible twice a month on the first and third Saturdays with a reservation.
Saturday Markets Near the Amazon Spheres
After spending the earlier part of the day around Pike Place, we made our way toward the Amazon Spheres area and happened to catch one of Seattle’s weekend street markets. If your visit lines up with a Saturday, this is a fun bonus stop that feels more local and less tourist-heavy than Pike Place. Vendors lined the street with handmade goods, art, and food stalls, giving the area a lively neighborhood feel. It was an easy place to slow down, browse casually, and grab another bite without committing to a full restaurant stop.
Moubak Fritta
We tried Moubak Fritta, which served fresh, hot fritters with a crisp exterior and soft inside. They were simple but satisfying, especially as a warm snack while walking around. It’s the kind of street food that’s best enjoyed fresh, and it hit the spot without being too heavy.
Piroshky Piroshky
We also stopped at Piroshky Piroshky, which is well known in Seattle and often has long lines at its Pike Place location. Trying it at the market felt like a win because the line was more manageable. The pastry was flaky and filling, and it made for a great handheld snack while continuing to explore. It’s definitely worth trying at least once if you come across it without the usual Pike Place crowds.
Heading Back to the Hotel
By late afternoon, we headed back to the hotel for proper check-in and some downtime. That slower pace was exactly what we needed. Instead of ending the day exhausted from cramming in major attractions, we felt relaxed and ready for embarkation the next morning.
Getting from Downtown Seattle to the Cruise Port
The morning of embarkation, we kept things simple and took an Uber from our hotel to the cruise port. The ride was quick and straightforward, and since we weren’t traveling during peak rush hour, traffic wasn’t an issue. If you’re staying in the downtown area, ride-share is one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to get to the port with luggage. When we arrived, the process was already well organized. Port employees were stationed outside to collect checked luggage and direct passengers toward the correct terminal entrance. We handed over our larger bags, confirmed our cruise line and ship, and were guided toward the security and check-in area.
From there, it felt very similar to an airport-style process: documents were checked, security screening was completed, and we moved through the terminal at a steady pace. Because we had arrived the day before and weren’t rushing, the entire embarkation morning felt calm instead of hectic. Building in that extra day in Seattle made a noticeable difference. Instead of starting our cruise tired and stressed, we boarded feeling rested, organized, and ready to enjoy the trip from the moment we stepped on the ship.
Final Thoughts
Spending a day in Seattle before our Alaska cruise ended up being one of the best parts of the entire trip. Instead of treating it as just a travel buffer, we turned it into a low-pressure exploration day that helped us transition into vacation mode. We weren’t racing between major attractions or trying to check off a long sightseeing list. Instead, we focused on wandering, eating well, and enjoying the waterfront atmosphere at an easy pace.
Seattle is especially well suited for this kind of pre-cruise day. The downtown area is compact, walkable, and full of casual food spots that make it easy to explore without committing to long meals or tight schedules. Whether you spend your time around Pike Place, visit a café, or browsing a weekend market, the city gives you plenty to do without feeling overwhelmed after a travel day.
Most importantly, arriving early meant embarkation morning felt calm instead of stressful. We boarded the ship rested, organized, and already in a vacation mindset, which set the tone for the entire cruise. If you’re planning an Alaska sailing from Seattle, we highly recommend building in at least one extra day. It’s not just practical insurance against flight delays, it’s a genuinely enjoyable part of the trip.
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