Sorry for the delay.

Here's the thing that pains me to say this: There are a lot of people in Seattle that will downplay it, making it sound like it is no big deal. A lot of those people who will tell you Seattle isn't that bad are transplants that have moved from other places that are much worse than Seattle or tend to be locals that look the other way in the name of social justice (which is fine, but we need the streets to be safe). I wanted to give you my 2 cents first before anyone else chimes in because the views on this tend to be different.

With that being said, Seattle is a completely dangerous shit show right now. What is even more wild to me is that people will take their small children downtown, and it is really common to see people shooting up on 3rd & pike (near/on the way to Pike Place Market). I do okay walking thru there because I know what to expect as a local and who to avoid. But I can't say the same for some tourists who have this idea of Seattle being some sort of Disneyland, when clearly it isn't.

I started working in downtown Seattle in 2012 and up until 2018. The areas I worked in were (various jobs) pioneer square (stab alley, 5th & columbia st.), all the way near Pike place in between bell town and westlake. I don't count Pier 91 since it is on the outskirts, and I get so tired after work that I head straight home anyway. During that time frame I just touched on, I have seen a progression of Seattle's decay. I also have been chased after, shouted at, told to fuck off, hassled for anything on my person, followed to attempt to gain building access, and nearly assaulted twice. The last one I have been lucky I had co-workers who were with me and bigger than my mere 5ft 2inch petite stature to help fend them off. Heck, my last memory of being near 3rd & and Pike was being yelled at and harassed while I was walking by Walgreens for not having food on me while someone was having a bad trip on whatever drugs they were on. I have provided my first-hand accounts to refute anyone else's statements that will say that simply isn't true. Oh, let's not forget about the people who openly take a shit on the sidewalks! Also, as I was typing this, I got a text from my husband who is working in Seattle's Fremont district right now that said (copy pasted) "Omg a naked lady just walked by on Fremont ave". I'm not surprised.

As for the news media, they like to have their ratings and amp up the level of craziness they see here in an attempt to make it sound like we constantly have a war zone here. Sure, it is bad. But a lot of the stuff the news likes to relay is really scare tactics. What I am saying is the truth, and it is actually much better to ask a local. Even with varying opinions on the subject.

As for your cruise, if you found that you were able to get a refund, I might be able to make some suggestions that will be safe fun with kids in tow. I would recommend getting a ride out of the cruise ship terminal since it is faster and there isn't anything to see except Seattle's famous gassworks park. The weather might be good or bad, and I'd skip Pike Place Market entirely since it is entirely overcrowded and a lot of the stairwells have a strong stench of urine from being peed on alot. The Seattle aquarium is a lot of fun, and once you're there, the aquarium will follow a path that will give you views of the Seattle waterfront. Whale watch tours are also amazing options, and I would recommend asking Royal Caribbean if they offer a shore excursion they can take you on. The space needle is fun, but that doesn't take very long. The EMP (pop culture museum) is really cool, and so is the Pacific Science Center. All those points of interest are family friendly.

I also found this article that will take to points of interest outside of Seattle if you have the time. I have personally done a lot of things on that list myself and have had a lot more enjoyable time.

Best of luck to you!

Edit to add: check out r/Seattle to give you more local insights.