Best Cruises from Seattle

Recently refurbished in 2016 (and first launched in 2008), the 2,850-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. The ship will receive its next full refurbishment in late 2021. 

As far as dining goes, Celebrity Solstice boasts eight 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 2019-20, Celebrity Solstice sails to Australia and New Zealand, Alaska and Hawaiian ports in Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.

Originally launched in 2008 and updated in late 2015, 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 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 2019-20, Eurodam departs from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Seattle and Vancouver for sailings in the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico and more. 

As part of Oceania's fleetwide revamp, Regatta was completely redesigned in September 2019. 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, plus all-new furnishings and marble bathrooms.

The 684 passengers 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. All-new plant-based menu items are also available. 

In 2019-20, Regatta sails to destinations in Canada, Asia, ports in the South Pacific (like Tahiti) and more. 

Emerald Princess, which debuted in 2007 and was recently updated in April 2019, is one of the largest ships in the fleet. It carries up to 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crew members, and it 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. What's more, as of August 2020, each guest aboard Emerald Princess will receive an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

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; in fact, the Camp Discover Youth & Teen Centers were refreshed during the refurbishment. With four pool areas, seven whirlpool spas, the newly reimagined Sanctuary and an abundance of dining venues – including seven specialty restaurants – the ship rarely felt crowded (according to most passengers). Guests will be especially fond of the new Steamers Seafood restaurant and Planks BBQ venue. 

In 2019-20, Emerald Princess offers a variety of sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the California Coast 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 2019-20, 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.

Thanks to a major refurbishment in March 2019, Carnival Freedom features a Bonsai Sushi Express, a rebranded deli, a new WaterWorks waterpark (with a 203-foot-long slide), an aerobics room within the gym and a new mini-golf course. The 2,980-passenger vessel also features all of the “Fun Ship 2.0” amenities, including Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina, thanks to an earlier revamp. 

While parents relax at the Serenity adults-only retreat, children ages 2 to 17 can enjoy age-appropriate youth clubs. Other family-friendly activities include the interactive Hasbro, The Game Show and the Seuss at Sea program. Recent guests note that shows at the Punchliner Comedy Club can be a bit raunchy, so they may not be appropriate for children.  

Food options are also versatile, including two main dining rooms, a steakhouse, and the Lido Deck which offers everything from pizza to the popular Mongolian Wok.

As far as cabins go, cruisers can choose from Interior, Ocean View, Balcony or Suite category rooms, all of which offer flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service. Recent passengers note that thanks to the 3-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio, service is above par. 

In 2019-20, Carnival Freedom sails from Galveston to destinations in the Caribbean and along the Panama Canal. 

Norwegian Sun is one of the fleet's smallest ships, with a capacity of 1,936 passengers and 906 crew members, yet reviewers made note of its generously sized cabins. Occupying between 145 and 191 square feet, Inside and Oceanview staterooms are larger than those on newer Norwegian ships. A 2018 refurbishment added updates like the Los Lobos Cantina and the Bliss Ultra Lounge, both part of The Norwegian Edge program. 

Cruisers have 14 dining venues to choose from, including eight specialty restaurants ranging from French fare to a sushi bar. The ship features an art gallery, a golf driving net, an expansive pool area and a full-service spa. In the evening, a collection of bars, entertainment venues and a casino jockey for cruisers' attention. Norwegian Sun is also a hit with families thanks to its children's pool, arcade and age-appropriate youth clubs.

In 2019-20, Norwegian Sun sails from Seattle, Orlando and Vancouver to destinations in the Caribbean, Alaska, the Bahamas, the Panama Canal and more. 

Originally built to cater to the Chinese market, Majestic Princess debuted in April 2017 and offers year-round cruises out of Shanghai. However, the ship also sails throughout Australia and New Zealand for the 2019-20 season. Welcoming 3,560 guests and 1,346 crew members, Majestic Princess touts new features not available on any other Princess ship, including two specialty restaurants with dinner menus created by Michelin-starred chefs.

Beyond the ship's specialty restaurants, passengers can dine in three main dining rooms and grab snacks and beverages at a handful of casual eateries, including a lobster and dim sum bar.

Similar to the rest of the Princess fleet, this ship houses the Lotus Spa, a casino, a fitness center, a sports and pool deck, and the SeaWalk – a glass-paneled walkway that stretches 28 feet beyond the ship's edge. Majestic Princess also features several bars, lounges and theaters. One of the ship's most noteworthy performances is the Watercolor Fantasy Show, a choreographed water show set to music.

Majestic Princess offers a variety of lodging types, with Interior cabins measuring between 158 and 162 square feet and Suites spanning 460 to 932 square feet. Though cabin sizes vary, all feature flat-screen TVs, minifridges and desks. Majestic Princess does not yet offer the OceanMedallion wearable device on its sailings. 

One of the newest Royal Caribbean ships, Ovation of the Seas boasts all of the cruise line's latest amenities. The 4,905-passenger ship features a skydiving simulator, an observation pod that hovers 300 feet above the sea and a bionic bar where robots mix cocktails. Other highlights include a rock climbing wall, a surf simulator, an outdoor movie screen and upscale boutiques like Cartier.

After working up an appetite, passengers can take their pick of 20 eateries, including six signature restaurants that require reservations and an additional fee. Many recent cruisers praised the cuisine, from the main dining room buffet to the Italian menu created by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

Travelers were also mostly complimentary of the staterooms, 75 percent of which boast balconies. The ship offers Interior, Ocean View, Balcony and Suite category accommodations, all of which are equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes and sitting areas. Even those staying in Interior rooms can catch a glimpse of the sea with virtual balconies that give a real-time view of the ship's location.

The most common drawback, according to cruisers? You're likely to encounter long lines and crowded common areas. Some recent travelers also felt the service was not as good as expected. 

In 2019-20, Ovation of the Seas sets sail from Vancouver, Honolulu, Seattle, Sydney, Singapore and Tokyo for itineraries in Alaska, Australia, Asia, Hawaii and the South Pacific. 

More colorful than most of Holland America's fleet, Oosterdam launched in 2003 and was last updated in 2016. The 1,964-passenger ship houses 812 crew members, making the passenger-to-crew ratio roughly 2-to-1.

The ship features six stateroom categories: Inside, Ocean View, Verandah, Signature Suite, Pinnacle Suite and Neptune Suite. All accommodations are outfitted with Sealy-Premium Euro-Top mattresses, flat-screen TVs and plenty of storage space.

Like other Vista-class ships, Oosterdam is equipped with a large pool and a sizable spa and fitness area, along with America's Test Kitchen, BBC Earth Experiences and sports courts. While there are kids and teens clubs for younger passengers, most of the activities and entertainment on the ship are geared toward adults.

When it's time to dine, guests can enjoy varied dishes in the main dining room, Italian fare at Canaletto or more casual options. On select nights, guests can dine on French seafood dishes from Sel De Mer at the Pinnacle Grill. 

In 2019-20, Oosterdam departs from ports in Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver and more. Itineraries include destinations in Alaska, Australia, Hawaii and Tahiti, Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast.