I booked this cruise as a solo traveler. I flew into Seattle on May 24 and spent two nights at the Kimpton Alexis hotel on 1st Avenue. I would recommend this hotel as a great, comfortable hotel in downtown Seattle within walking distance to the waterfront, Pike Market and other places of interest. An Uber ride to port is available for $10 plus tip. The weather was great during my stay - sunny and pleasant most of the time, one big rain shower my second day and downright warm the day the cruise ship returned.

After checking out my fabulous room, complete with fireplace, sofa, gorgeous bath and a huge window with a view of the waterfront, I took a walk in the direction of Pike Market. I have been through the market before so walked along the outside to stay out of the crowds. It was about a half mile from the hotel and not too much uphill walking. I'd planned to have my dinner during happy hour at Cutter's Crabhouse and was very "happy" with a dinner of Manila clams, lobster mac and cheese and wine. Having flown in from the Southeast that afternoon, I decided to retire back to my hotel immediately after dinner. I got back in time for the end of the hotel's complimentary wine reception and had some Washington wine before turning in for the night.

The next day I woke up at 5 a.m. - I never acclimated to the time differences in Washington and Alaska so this became my regular wake up time for the duration of my trip. It was a nice morning so I decided to take a walk along the waterfront. I checked the menus at various restaurants and stopped to shop a little. I walked as far as the port authority offices and on my walk back scoped out the layout of the port and got information from the porters on where I would drop my bags the following day and where I would enter to get my key card. That was a big help the following day. Read more