Cruise Ship Shuttle Program

We are actively seeking volunteer drivers for the 2024 cruise ship season! Email office@mts-seattle.org to learn more.

Each year during the cruise ship season (May to September), the Seattle Seafarers Center offers a daily shuttle service for cruise ship crews that runs between Terminal 91 and downtown Seattle. Staff and volunteers greet seafarers and offer transportation to the downtown shopping district in exchange for donations that help us maintain our vans and pay for fuel.

Cruise ship crewmembers come from all over the world and work in areas ranging from housekeeping to navigation to entertainment. When a cruise ship comes into port, all of the guests disembark, and then some of the workers are given time to leave the ship while others remain on board to prepare the ship for the next group of passengers. It is important that those leaving the ship can accomplish everything on their to do list and return to the ship in time for it to leave the port.

Interested in Being a Volunteer Driver?

Driving shifts are approximately from 8am-2:30pm, every day that there are cruise ships in port. Generally this means every Thursday through Tuesday from May – September. You can help if you can drive every week, or even just once a month.

If you are interested in driving, you need to be over 21 years of age, have a valid driver's license, and pass a driver record check. We provide basic training and will work with you to accommodate your schedule.

To apply to be a 2024 Volunteer Shuttle Driver, please fill out the following form:

SHUTTLE DRIVER FORM

Additional Volunteer Opportunity: Lot Coordinator

In 2024, we have a new opportunity for volunteers to serve as a "Lot Coordinator". Each day, the Lot Coordinator will be stationed at Pier 91 from 8:30am - 12:00pm. They will welcome crewmembers who are waiting for the shuttle and communicate with them about when the next shuttle is arriving.

Calendar and Sign-Up for Volunteer Shifts

To see the calendar of cruise ships in port and to sign up for volunteer Shuttle Driver or Lot Coordinator shifts, please go to our calendar / scheduling page:

CALENDAR & SCHEDULING

Volunteer Orientations

We will be hosting two orientation days for volunteers for the 2024 cruise season.

1. Thursday, April 18 at 5:00pm

2. Saturday, April 20 at 10:00am

Both orientations will be held at our Center (1011 SW Klickitat Way, Suite 209, Seattle, WA 98134). Please call our office phone (206-935-3439) when you arrive.

We will spend approximately 45 minutes going over the procedures for volunteering as a shuttle driver.

Afterwards, there will be an option to join us on a sample drive of the shuttle route from Pier 91 to downtown (this will take an additional 60-90 minutes depending on traffic).

Please RSVP to office@mts-seattle.org if you plan to participate in one of the orientations.

Driving Route

Pick-up / Drop-off Points:

A: Cruise Ship Terminal: Lot A inside of Pier 91

2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119

B: Seattle Center: DPS Parking lot on 2nd Ave

2929 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

C: Downtown: 3-minute drop-off area next to Target

174 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101