Where should I buy waterproof gear in Seattle before my Alaska cruise?

The REI Flagship Store on Yale Avenue North is the definitive stop. It offers a massive selection of rain jackets and waterproof layers typically ranging from $100 to $189. The store is open most days from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Can I buy smoked salmon at Pike Place Market to take on the cruise ship?

Yes, bringing locally smoked salmon on board is highly recommended. Vendors like Pike Place Fish Market sell vacuum-sealed Alderwood smoked King salmon that does not require refrigeration until opened. Expect to pay around $60 to $65 per pound for premium cuts.

When is the best time of day to shop at Pike Place Market?

Arrive right at 9:00 AM when the farm tables and artisan stalls open for the day. The market aisles are narrow and become overwhelmingly crowded with tourists and cruise passengers by 11:00 AM.

Are the shopping areas in Seattle walkable and accessible?

Downtown Seattle is notoriously steep, especially the blocks rising from the waterfront to 1st Avenue and Pike Place Market. While sidewalks are paved and in excellent condition, cruisers with mobility concerns should utilize short Uber rides between major shopping hubs to save energy.

Seattle — Alaska Cruise Embarkation Shopping — Alaska Cruise Guide

Q: How far is the Seattle shopping district from the cruise terminals?

If you sail from Bell Street Pier (Pier 66), downtown shopping is a 0.5-mile, 15-minute uphill walk. If you depart from Smith Cove (Pier 91), you will need a 15-minute taxi or Uber ride, which typically costs $15 to $20, to reach the downtown retail core.

Shopping in Seattle Before Your Alaska Cruise

Seattle’s shopping scene delivers exactly what Alaska cruisers need: rugged outdoor gear, incredible local provisions, and reliable everyday essentials. If you have a day or two before embarkation, skip the generic souvenir shops and focus on Seattle’s defining retail experiences.

Navigating the city requires strategy. Seattle’s downtown rises on a steep incline from the waterfront. If you are sailing out of Bell Street Pier (Pier 66), the downtown shopping core is a half-mile, 15-minute uphill walk. If you depart from Smith Cove (Pier 91), you will need a 15-minute, $15 to $20 Uber ride to reach the action.

Here is your practical guide to shopping in Seattle before you set sail.

Pike Place Market: The Crown Jewel

Pike Place Market is not just a tourist attraction; it is a functioning, vibrant marketplace and the best in the city for artisan goods. Spanning nine acres along 1st Avenue, this is where you buy authentic Pacific Northwest provisions.

Arrive exactly at 9:00 AM. By 11:00 AM, the narrow aisles become a gridlock of tourists and cruise passengers.

Start at the main arcade day tables. You will find fresh flowers, local honey, and handcrafted artisan goods. The fresh flowers are legendary and shockingly affordable—massive arrangements of seasonal blooms run just $20 to $40. Pick one up to brighten your pre-cruise hotel room. For local flavor, seek out vendors selling raw Washington honey for about $15 a jar.

Walk down to the famous Pike Place Fish Market to grab vacuum-sealed Alderwood smoked King salmon. It costs about $60 per pound. It is shelf-stable until opened, making it the perfect cabin snack or edible souvenir to take back home.

Gear Up: The REI Flagship Store

Alaska’s weather is unforgiving, and boarding your ship without proper rain gear is a mistake. Fortunately, Seattle is the outdoor recreation capital of the country.

Head straight to the REI Flagship Store at 222 Yale Ave N. Spanning an enormous 80,000 sq ft, the store is 3 blocks from Pike Place and serves as the ultimate staging ground to gear up before the Alaska cruise. The property feels like an indoor national park, complete with a 65-foot climbing wall and an outdoor mountain bike test track.

Navigate to the outerwear department to secure a high-quality rain layer. A dependable waterproof jacket, such as the Patagonia Torrentshell or REI Co-op Rainier, typically costs between $100 and $189. It is the single most important piece of clothing you will wear in rainy ports like Ketchikan and Juneau.

Downtown Malls: Westlake Center & Pacific Place

If you need standard mall shopping to grab a forgotten sweater, cosmetics, or extra charging cables, walk over to the retail core centered around 4th Avenue and Pine Street.

Westlake Center (400 Pine St) offers four levels of shopping and serves as the southern terminus for the Seattle Center Monorail. It features highly walkable downtown access and is anchored by a flagship Zara and Nordstrom Rack, where you can easily find discounted base layers or sturdy walking shoes.

Just one block east is Pacific Place (600 Pine St). It provides a sleek, enclosed shopping environment that is equally walkable downtown. While currently undergoing some tenant revitalization, it remains a reliable stop and houses excellent dining options like Din Tai Fung if you need a mid-shopping lunch break.

Independent Finds: Elliott Bay Book Company

For the quintessential Seattle local experience, leave the downtown core and take a 15-minute Uber ride to the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Located at 1521 10th Ave, Elliott Bay Book Company is the premier independent bookstore in the Pacific Northwest.

Housed in a rustic building with exposed timber trusses and original cedar shelves, the store stocks over 150,000 titles. Cruisers should head straight to the travel and nature sections. They offer an excellent Alaska section filled with field guides on marine wildlife, memoirs of the Klondike Gold Rush, and detailed maps of the Inside Passage. A $20 paperback is the perfect companion for quiet afternoons on your stateroom balcony.

Best Buys for Your Cruise

If your time is limited, prioritize these two absolute essentials:

Waterproof gear from REI: Do not rely on cheap plastic ponchos. A breathable, fully waterproof jacket from the REI Flagship is the best buy for the cruise and will keep you comfortable during wet glacier excursions.
Smoked salmon from Pike Place vendors: Skip the overpriced, mass-produced salmon sold in port gift shops. Buy the real, locally smoked Alderwood King salmon right at Pike Place. At approximately $60 a pound, the fish is vacuum-sealed and shelf-stable until opened. It is vastly superior to generic brands and makes the perfect pre-dinner cabin snack.