We totally enjoyed our cruise to Alaska. There were four of us, two adults and two 14 year olds. We flew into Seattle on Wednesday and stayed at the Sheraton Four Points Seattle Center. I highly recommend the area. Hotels were significantly less than downtown and it was an $11 taxi ride downtown, much less than parking if we had rented a car. We were a block from a grocery store and a short 15 minute walk to the Space Needle. Also that evening there was a free beer/BBQ tacos happy hour. Its something Sheraton offers on Wednesdays so it was a great economical start to our vacation. I really felt the Sheraton Four Points was a great value for our money in a city where hotels are outrageously priced!

Since there were four of us, when we got to the airport and called a taxi, I requested a limo. The dispatcher was going to send an SUV but when I asked if it was possible to get a stretch limo since we had four people and lots of luggage, he said that was fine. The kids really loved starting their vacation in a limo and it was the same cost as a taxi/SUV ($50 from airport to Seattle Center area).

That evening we took the ferry to Bainbridge as a cheap way to get a tour of Puget Sound. My husband is retired Air Force so it was $24 for all of us ($7.70 adults, $6.20 youths, $3.85 military). We had timed it to go out when it was light and return after dark. It was beautiful seeing the city lights upon return. The only downside was all the stores were closed when we got to Bainbridge so if you have enough time, you might want to plan on spending the afternoon in Bainbridge. The return ferry home is free so you only pay one way. You can catch a taxi right across the street from the ferry building but ask for their rates before getting in. It was an $11 fare to get to the ferry from the hotel and $15 getting back because the return taxi never started the meter. Read more