Best Cruises from Seattle

Recently refurbished in 2016 (and first launched in 2008), the 2,852-passenger Celebrity Solstice offers a sushi restaurant and the Alcoves retreat (a private cabana area with dedicated attendants) in the Lawn Club. Other daytime activities range from spa treatments to cooking lessons to art classes. Young passengers ages 3 to 17 can also participate in age-appropriate youth clubs.

As far as dining goes, Celebrity Solstice boasts 10 restaurants, half of which are specialty spots that require an extra fee. Guests were pleased with the cuisine variety, and with a nearly 1-to-2 crew-to-passenger ration, the ship makes service a priority.

When it comes to lodging, 85 percent of Solstice's cabins feature verandas. Guests can choose from Inside, Ocean View, Veranda and Suite category cabins, all with amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars and 24-hour room service. Those who spring for an AquaClass cabin receive additional amenities, like an upgraded room service menu. 

In 2018-19, Celebrity Solstice sails to Australia and New Zealand, Alaska and Hawaiian ports in Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

Oceania Regatta was built in 1998 and last overhauled in 2014. Passengers in Veranda Staterooms and Suites will enjoy verandas and spaces ranging from 216 to 1,000 square feet, while Inside and Ocean View cabins are smaller. No matter which you choose, all staterooms are equipped with minibars, flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service.

The 684 passengers on board will receive Oceania's signature service, with 400 crew members catering to guests' needs. Recent cruisers noted they rarely encountered crowds in the ship's public areas. The atmosphere aboard Regatta is decidedly adult, as the ship caters to older, affluent cruisers.

Entertainment varies from nightly musical performances to table games at the casino. Dining is also diverse: Regatta offers five venues ranging from the formal dining room to a casual grill. Some recent passengers felt that for the price, the ship could use a facelift. It is set to receive just that in the fall of 2019.

In 2018-19, Regatta sails to destinations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and ports in the South Pacific, like Tahiti. 

Originally launched in 2008 and updated in late 2015, ms Eurodam carries up to 2,104 passengers and 876 crew members.

The ship’s 11 decks include five cabin categories: Interior staterooms (141 to 284 square feet), Ocean View and Verandah staterooms, and Signature and Neptune Suites. All cabins come equipped with plush Euro-Top mattresses and flat-screen TVs. Suites received updates to the furniture, carpeting and bathrooms, as well as a USB outlet on the bed's headboard and a Bose Bluetooth speaker. 

Recent cruisers of ms Eurodam were pleased with the versatile selection of nine dining venues. Most notably, the ship offers Tamarind, which serves exotic fare from Southeast Asia, China and Japan. 

Daytime activities range from the new America's Test Kitchen to the BBC Earth Experiences. More active pursuits include two swimming pools and sports courts. In the evenings, passengers can sip cocktails at one of the bars or lounges or take in a show at the Lincoln Center Stage or B.B. King's Blues Club.

In 2018-19, ms Eurodam departs from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Seattle and Vancouver for sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico and more. 

Launched in April 2018, Norwegian Bliss carries 4,004 passengers and 1,716 crew members. Cabin layouts range from one-person Studios to The Haven villas, penthouses and suites, which offer private sun decks, king-sized beds and 24-hour butler service. The ship also features staterooms and suites with complimentary access to the Thermal Spa Suites.

Onboard entertainment options are plentiful on Norwegian Bliss. In addition to enjoying standard ship amenities like pools, a miniature golf course and kids clubs, cruisers of all ages can spend days at sea zipping around the race car track, playing laser tag, riding the arcade's virtual rollercoaster and more. Meanwhile, adults will love gambling in the casino, catching a performance at the theater, and sipping cocktails in the ship's 16 bars, nightclubs and lounges.

When it's time to eat, cruisers can order room service or grab a complimentary bite in one of three Main Dining Rooms, the buffet restaurant or the 24-hour pub. Guests staying in The Haven accommodations can also dine in The Haven Restaurant. An additional 13 coffee shops, quick-service eateries and a la carte restaurants that serve specialty cuisines like Mexican, Italian and Texas-style barbecue are available as well.

In 2018-19, Norwegian Bliss departs from ports in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, for sailings throughout Alaska, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Panama, Mexico and the Pacific Coast.

With offerings like movie screenings beneath the stars and massages at the adults-only Sanctuary, Ruby Princess is a good choice for couples. Debuted in 2008 and last refurbished in 2015, the ship holds 1,200 crew members and 3,080 guests.

In terms of lodging, 80 percent of exterior cabins are appointed with balconies, and all rooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minifridges. While Interior cabins range from 158 to 162 square feet, Balcony category cabins offer more space and Pullman beds to accommodate extra guests.

Reviewers are complimentary of the ship's onboard programming and amenities. Activities include a nine-hole putting course, duty-free shopping boutiques and enrichment opportunities through the Discovery at SEA program. Dining is just as diverse, with a total of 11 venues to choose from. These include three main dining rooms, four specialty restaurants and four casual eateries.

Come nightfall, travelers can try their luck at the casino, see a show in the theater or dance until the wee hours at the top-deck nightclub.

In 2018-19, Ruby Princess offers itineraries in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and more.  

Launched in 2000, ms Zaandam attracts older, more sophisticated travelers, with onboard activities catering more to those in need of R&R than those seeking an adrenaline rush. The 1,432-passenger ship carries up to 604 crew members and was most recently updated in 2017.

While active pursuits include sports courts and a fitness center, the majority of onboard activities are geared toward enrichment, such as America's Test Kitchen, BBC Earth Experiences and Digital Workshops powered by Windows. The ship also offers kids clubs for passengers ages 3 to 17.

Most recent guests described the cabins as comfortable. Inside and Ocean View cabins measure between 151 and 267 square feet – large enough to fit a queen bed (or two twin beds), a sitting area and a vanity space. Travelers were also pleased with the multiple onboard restaurants, ranging from the casual Lido Market buffet to Canaletto, which serves Italian fare.  

In 2018-19, ms Zaandam sails from Boston, Buenos Aires, Fort Lauderdale, Montreal, Rio de Janiero and Santiago, Chile, for itineraries in Canada, New England, South America and Antarctica.

Emerald Princess, which debuted in 2007 and was most recently updated in 2015, is one of the largest ships in the fleet. It carries up to 3,080 passengers and offers balconies in 80 percent of its exterior cabins. Recent cruisers describe the accommodations as sleek and spacious. While groups can opt for a Family Suite for more square footage, those who splurge on Suite category cabins are granted perks like specialty dining and priority disembarkation at ports. All cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minifridges.

Activities include duty-free shopping boutiques, the Lotus Spa and a photography studio. In the evenings, theater shows, outdoor movies and multiple lounging areas keep cruisers entertained. The ship also offers age-appropriate youth clubs. With four pool areas, seven whirlpool spas and 12 dining venues – including five specialty restaurants – the ship rarely felt crowded (according to most passengers). 

In 2018-19, Emerald Princess offers a wide variety of sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the California Coast and more. 

Launched in 2002 and last refurbished in December 2017, the 2,600-passenger Star Princess offers the modern amenities of larger ships – including a 300-square-foot poolside theater and The Sanctuary adults-only retreat – without sacrificing personalized service.

The ship's diverse dining options, which include four specialty venues, three main dining rooms and five laid-back eateries were a hit among previous cruisers. Recent passengers also complimented the well-appointed cabins. About 80 percent of exterior staterooms offer private balconies, and all cabins come equipped with flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Groups seeking more space can opt for Mini-Suites or Two Bedroom Family Suites. For extra perks, like priority boarding and special food options, opt for a Club Class room. 

Star Princess' onboard activities include Zumba classes, wine tastings and lectures through the ship's Discovery at SEA program. The ship also offers programming designed for kids and teens ages 3 to 17.

In 2018-19, Star Princess departs from a variety of ports, including Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver. It sails along the West Coast and Alaska, as well as in Hawaii, Mexico and South America. 

Inaugurated in 2000, ms Amsterdam can carry up to 1,380 passengers and 647 crew members. With this passenger-to-crew ratio of nearly 2-to-1, recent cruisers said that customer service was a top priority.

Another high point for passengers: the accommodations. Options span from 182-square-foot Interior cabins to 1,296-square-foot Pinnacle Suites (including the verandas). About 80 percent of cabins offer ocean views, and all staterooms come equipped with flat-screen TVs and Holland America Line's Signature Mariner's Dream beds with Euro-Top mattresses.

The ship also offers enriching and relaxing onboard activities, from BBC Earth Experiences and photography classes in the Digital Workshop to massages at the Greenhouse Spa and reclining by the Lido pool. There are also several lounges (head to the Mainstage for performances and presentations), as well as a special area for kids and teens. However, on the whole, the ship is not the best for children.

When it comes to food, there are a number of options ranging from the casual Lido Market to the main dining room to the intimate Pinnacle Grill, which serves Pacific Northwest-inspired fare.

In 2018-19, ms Amsterdam departs from a variety of ports, including Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Sydney and Seattle. It sails to destinations in Hawaii and Tahiti, South America, Alaska and the Pacific Coast. 

Refurbished in 2017, Norwegian Pearl shuttles 2,394 passengers and 1,072 crew members to a variety of destinations. With its diverse selection of onboard offerings, Pearl has something for cruisers of all ages.

Families can spend quality time playing basketball, bowling or playing cards in the LifeStyle Room. Alternatively, parents can send their youngsters to age-appropriate youth clubs while they enjoy some grown-up time at the Mandara Spa or the Pearl Club Casino.

As far as lodging goes, the Inside and Oceanview cabins are comparable to many other Norwegian ships, ranging from 138 to 161 square feet. Cruisers can find more room in the Balcony and Suite staterooms or The Haven, which offer between 205 and 4,200 square feet.

Norwegian Pearl boasts seven complimentary eateries and seven specialty restaurants. Passenger favorites include the 24-hour O'Sheehan's bar and grill and the specialty Cagney's Steakhouse. 

In 2018-19, Norwegian Pearl sails to destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Europe and Panama, as well as some transatlantic cruises.