Day 0 - Seattle

Day 0, the pre-expedition day, started with a flight from Chicago to Seattle. Seattle is a major seaport located between an inlet of the Pacific Ocean to the west called Puget Sound and Lake Washington to the east. The city's chief harbor, Elliott Bay, is an inlet of the Sound. Seattle is a major departure point for Alaska cruises.

The day was spent visiting tourist landmarks, including the Space Needle and adjacent museums, the Pike Place Market (home of the original Starbucks store), and a waterfront seafood restaurant. Tourism time was limited because of a scheduled early flight the next day.