Board at Pier 66 (Bell Street Cruise Terminal). Plan to be at the pier no later than early afternoon — the ship sails at 3:00pm sharp. Morning arrivals can grab brunch at Pike Place Market first (10 min from the pier). Sail-away happens on the top deck as the ship heads out through Puget Sound.
Seattle pre-cruise ideas →Cruising north along the Pacific coast toward Alaska. Ship day: pool deck, waterslides, go-karts (book early!), laser tag, Broadway shows, and the Observation Lounge for coastline views. Great day for the family to compare excursion votes over dinner.
Russian-heritage town on Baranof Island — sea otters, raptor center, Fortress of the Bear, and Sitka National Historical Park totems. Compact and walkable from the pier shuttle.
Browse Sitka excursions →NCL swapped the order of these two on 9/1/26. Morning: docked in Alaska's capital from 6:30am. Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching, the Goldbelt Tram, and salmon bakes. It is a short port day now, so book an early tour and skip the evening ones. Afternoon: the ship cruises Holkham Bay into Endicott Arm for close-up views of Dawes Glacier, the scenic highlight the itinerary is named for. Grab a jacket and get on deck.
Browse Juneau excursions →Tlingit-owned port next to the village of Hoonah — the best whale watching of the trip (Point Adolphus), brown bear country, the world's largest ZipRider, and the mountaintop gondola. Early start: morning tours are the move.
Browse Icy Strait excursions →Salmon capital + totem country. The ship docks at Ward Cove, ~8 miles north of downtown (shuttle provided). Shortest port day of the trip — book morning tours only and leave buffer to be back aboard by ~12:15pm. Afternoon and evening at sea heading south.
Browse Ketchikan excursions →Relaxed sea day, then a short evening call in Victoria. Only night tours fit this stop — illuminated Butchart Gardens, night city tours, or a stroll around the Inner Harbour. Also the night to pack and settle accounts.
Browse Victoria excursions →Back at Pier 66 by dawn. Self-assist walk-off starts earliest; checked-bag groups follow. Book flights out of SEA no earlier than ~11:30am to be safe, or make it a Seattle day before heading home.
Seattle post-cruise ideas →