Seattle Cruises

Cruise Marketplace has cruises departing from Seattle. Long before the Starbucks franchise was a glimmer in its creator's eye, Seattle was known for having the most coffee drinkers per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. That probably comes as no surprise, but here are some facts that are eye-opening: More sunglasses are sold in Seattle than anywhere else in the U.S., more books are sold and more residents hold library cards.

What is so special about cruises departing from Seattle? Seattle isn't just another coastal city; for one thing, it isn't even located on the ocean, but rather at the inland-most end of Puget Sound, which wends its way north to the Pacific. It's the gateway to some of the most magnificent scenery the continent has to offer. Pristine mountain ranges rim the east while hundreds of islands dot the Sound to the north and west. It's the closest big city to the border of British Columbia, has -- or so it's claimed -- the most privately-owned small boats per capita, and has more residential houseboats than any other city in the United States. It's consistently rated in the top 10 cycle-friendly cities in Bicycling magazine, and it has the highest percentage of people biking to work compared to other metropolitan communities of the same size. Call CruiseMarketplace today to book your cruises departing from Seattle. 1.800.826.4333.


Known as the Emerald City because of its omnipresent evergreens, Seattle is a charming and welcoming metropolis with a small-town feel. It boasts the tallest city hall in the country, at 62 stories. Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously-operating farmers market in the United States and accommodates millions of visitors a year. It is actually celebrating its centennial this August. Modern architecture (check out the new downtown library, which looks like precariously balanced glass cubes tumbling down a hill) and turn-of-the-century buildings create a visual contrast that works. And of course, there's Seattle's most famous landmark, the Space Needle, created for the 1962 World's Fair, which changed the city's skyline forever. Cruise Marketplace books cruises departing from Seattle - 1-800-826-4333.

Seattle gets a bad rap because of its weather, and while it is indeed overcast much of the time, it gets a lot less rain than Miami, for example, or Mobile, Alabama. In fact, Seattle is 44th in a listing of U.S. cities by rainfall amounts. When the clouds clear, though, there is something about the sun glinting off Puget Sound and the many lakes in Seattle that turns the city golden.

Washington has the second largest production (after California) of domestic wines; many of the wineries are located within easy reach of Seattle and offer tours and tastings. If you only have a short time to visit, though, that's all right -- the downtown area is quite walkable, and there is ample public transportation in the city center and along the waterfront. Shopping, dining and attractions are all within easy reach of those in port for even a day. Call CruiseMarketplace today to book your cruises departing from Seattle. 1.800.826.4333.