Seattle sits at the edge of the Pacific Northwest — a city shaped by water, mountains, and marine history. Cruise lovers know it for something even more exciting:

It’s one of the leading departure ports for Royal Caribbean Alaska cruises.

Every year, thousands of travelers sail north from Seattle, passing glaciers, fjords, rainforests, breaching whales, floating ice fields, gold-rush towns, and remote Native Alaskan villages.

If you are wondering what itineraries start from Seattle, what ships sail from this port, how long the voyages last, or where you can travel from this gateway city — this article gives you everything.

By the time you finish reading, you will know:

• Which Royal Caribbean itineraries depart from Seattle

• Ports visited, distances, route maps and highlights

• Best month to sail for wildlife, weather or viewing Northern Lights

• Typical duration, pricing and ship-specific experience

• How Seattle cruise season works (April–October)

• Planning tips, embarkation logistics and first-time traveler advice

This is a complete guide — long-form, detailed, and traveler-friendly.

Why Seattle Is a Major Cruise Departure Port

Unlike many US coastal cities, Seattle offers an ideal jump-off point for northern sailings due to:

 Proximity to Inside Passage Deep-water harbor access Glacier Bay corridor positioning Airport connection & easy transport Summer-friendly weather Tourism infrastructure + hotels

This makes Seattle one of only two West Coast gateways for Royal Caribbean Alaska itineraries — the other being Vancouver, British Columbia.

Royal Caribbean Itineraries Starting From Seattle

Below are the main itineraries currently operated and historically scheduled from Seattle. Because itineraries sometimes rotate by season or ship deployment, the patterns listed reflect typical routing across recent seasons.

1. 7-Night Alaska Dawes Glacier Cruise (Roundtrip Seattle)

 Available mid-April to mid-October Typically inside-passage focused Most popular Royal Caribbean journey from Seattle

Typical Ports:

PortHighlights

Seattle (Departure)Pike Place Market, Space Needle, waterfront dining

Juneau, AlaskaMendenhall Glacier, whale tours, dog sledding, Mt. Roberts Tramway

Skagway, AlaskaWhite Pass Railway, Yukon adventures, gold-rush history

Endicott Arm / Dawes GlacierIce field navigation, glacier calving, seals + bergy bits

Sitka or Icy Strait Point (occasionally)Native culture, wilderness hikes, kayaking

Victoria, BC (Canada)Butchart Gardens, Victorian harbor, castles, tea rooms

Seattle (Return)Convenient return flight or extra touring time

This itinerary is ideal for:

 First-time Alaska cruisers Glacier lovers Families, multi-generation groups Travelers who want a balanced schedule

Most itineraries spend a full day scenic cruising near Dawes Glacier, often with early morning approaches for dramatic photography.

2. 7-Night Alaska Glacier Experience w/ Inside Passage Focus

Some Seattle departures emphasize the Inside Passage more heavily, offering extended hours of scenic cruising, fjord exploration, and wildlife viewing.

Typical route variations include:

• Port stops swapped between Skagway / Sitka / Icy Strait

• Longer navigation time near Dawes or Tracy Arm Fjord

• Full-day wildlife viewing from deck or balcony

Best for Travelers Who Love Nature

This variation is perfect if you enjoy:

Sea days Whale sightings Glacier photography Fjords, waterfalls, floating ice fields

While ports are still included, the shipboard viewing experience becomes a focal point.

3. 7–8 Night Alaska Hubbard Glacier Itinerary (Occasional Deployment)

Some seasons feature longer glacier journeys reaching as far north as Hubbard Glacier, one of the fastest-advancing glaciers in North America.

Possible Ports:

• Ketchikan

• Sitka

• Icy Strait Point

• Juneau

• Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising

While not as common from Seattle as Vancouver-based sailings, Hubbard Glacier departures do occasionally appear from Seattle, especially during years with additional ship deployment.

This route favors travelers wanting big-glacier spectacle even more than Dawes — Hubbard is wider, taller, louder and known for dramatic calving events.

4. One-Way Seattle → Alaska (Repositioning Sailings)

While most Seattle sailings are roundtrip, certain ship repositioning cruises operate northbound one-way routes ending in a different Alaskan port.

These itineraries may end in:

Seward Whittier Vancouver (rare transitional run) Other Gulf of Alaska terminals

These cruises are not annual guarantees — they happen mainly when Royal Caribbean redeploys ships.

Why Choose One-Way?

• More port variety

• Chance to add a land tour extension to Denali National Park

• Longer coastline exposure

These are highly sought after by photographers, hikers, and wildlife travelers.

5. 9–13 Night Extended Alaska & Pacific Crossing Itineraries (Seasonal)

Occasionally, Royal Caribbean operates long-haul Alaska journeys from Seattle that include Victoria, Prince Rupert, or deeper Gulf of Alaska explorations.

Extended itineraries may include:

Possible StopsExperience

KetchikanTotem parks, rainforest trails, floatplane bear tours

HainesEagle preserve, fjord safaris

Misty FjordsFiords, volcanic rocks, waterfalls

Yakatat BayGlacier-heavy landscapes

Kodiak IslandBrown bear territory, WWII history

These are not standard year-round but appear periodically on select schedules.

Which Ships Sail From Seattle?

Royal Caribbean positions different ships depending on annual deployment, but historically the most common vessels sailing from Seattle include:

Ovation of the Seas

(Quantum Class — tech-loaded, skydiving simulator, North Star viewing pod)

Quantum of the Seas

(Indoor pool solarium, massive windows perfect for glacier viewing)

Brilliance & Radiance Class reassignments

(Older but responsive to niche itineraries and repositioning sailings)

These ships include:

FeatureBenefit for Alaska Cruisers

Indoor observation loungesGlacier viewing in cold weather

Solarium poolsWarm swimming even in 40°F weather

North Star capsuleAerial views over ice fields

iFly skydiving & FlowRiderSea day thrill activities

Two70° & laser showsEntertainment during long nights

Quantum-class vessels are considered some of the best for Alaska specifically.

Best Time of Year to Sail from Seattle

Seattle’s Alaska cruise season runs approximately:

April – October

Each month offers unique advantages.

MonthBest For

April–MayBudget pricing, fewer crowds, emerging wildlife

June–JulyWarmest weather, long daylight, peak whale season

AugustSalmon runs, bear viewing, scenic peak

SeptemberNorthern Lights chance, fall colors, discounted fares

OctoberEnd-of-season deals + cooler weather

No month is wrong — it depends on your goal:

Photography → June, July, September Whale watching → May through September Cheapest fares → April, early May, late September

Port Highlights for Seattle-Based Cruises

Juneau

• Mendenhall Glacier trekking

• Whale watching (orca + humpback)

• Helicopter glacier landing

Skagway

• Gold-rush town

• White Pass & Yukon railway

• Dog sledding + suspension bridges

Sitka / Icy Strait Point

• Native heritage centers

• Brown bear viewing

• Sea kayaking, wilderness walks

Victoria, British Columbia

• Historic Inner Harbour

• Butchart Gardens

• Castles & vintage mansions

Guests experience nature, culture, wildlife and glaciers all in one voyage.

How Much Do Seattle Itineraries Cost?

Pricing varies by season, ship, stateroom type and promotions.

Average Baseline Rates:

CategoryPrice Range (Per Person)

Inside$550–$1,800

Oceanview$850–$2,400

Balcony$1,200–$3,800

Suites$2,500–$8,500+

Alaska commands premium demand, so balcony cabins sell fastest — especially those facing scenic cruising sides.

Pro Tip:

Book 9+ months in advance for best selection and price.

Why Choose Seattle as Your Departure City?

Easy airport access (SEA–TAC) Cruise port minutes from downtown Hotels, attractions, food scene Pre-cruise sightseeing potential US departure means no passport required for roundtrip itineraries*

*Except for certain Canadian ports — check requirements.

Many travelers arrive 1–2 days early to explore Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden, Lake Union seaplanes, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Boarding a Cruise in Seattle — What to Expect

Departure terminals typically include:

🚢 Pier 66 — downtown waterfront🚢 Pier 91 — Smith Cove (larger homeport ships)

Embarkation Steps:

1. Complete app check-in + SetSail Pass

2. Drop luggage with porters

3. Clear security screening

4. Scan boarding pass

5. Walk onboard and explore

Total time: 30–60 minutes on average.

Final Answer — What Itineraries Start From Seattle?

Seattle is a primary departure port for Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise season, offering mainly:

7-Night Alaska Roundtrip to Dawes Glacier

7-Night Glacier & Inside Passage Variations

Seasonal Northbound One-Way Cruises

Select 8–13 Night Extended Alaskan Routes

Occasional Hubbard Glacier Experiences

Every itinerary offers glacier viewing, whale watching, frontier towns, and stunning Pacific Northwest scenery.

Final Thoughts

Seattle launches travelers directly into a world of glaciers, fjords, and ocean adventure. Whether you're booking a classic 7-night Dawes Glacier cruise or a rare extended route reaching Hubbard or Whittier, departures from this port deliver a perfect combination of accessibility, value and raw northern beauty.

This is one of the most dramatic cruise experiences on Earth — wild, cold, unforgettable — and it all begins in Seattle.

If you'd like, I can also write:

Best month to cruise Alaska from Seattle Seattle cruise terminal transportation guide Which ship is better — Ovation vs Quantum? 7-night Alaska itinerary sample day-by-day experience

Just tell me!