The Argosy Cruises Christmas Ship Festival is a ship-to-shore holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition since 1949. The Spirit of Seattle, the official Christmas Ship, is decorated with hundreds of shimmering white lights and sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities—around 65 in all. Choirs onboard the Christmas Ship perform to guests aboard as well as to the follow boats and to those communities gathered on shore. Select your preferred way to experience the Christmas Ship, and prepare for the holiday event of the season!
Argosy offers three unique ways to explore the Christmas Ship: the lead boat, follow boat and shore viewing.
Lead Boat
Come aboard the official Christmas Ship, the Spirit of Seattle, as she cruises to various Puget Sound waterfront communities. Guests are accompanied by Santa Claus and a choir on board this 2-to 3-hour cruise.
-
Boarding photos with Santa
-
Live choir performances to waterfront communities
-
Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
-
Kids’ holiday crafts and activities
-
Full bar and box meals available for pre-purchase
Follow Boat
On a fully decorated follow boat, enjoy views of the Christmas Ship and follow her to each performance site to hear the live choir broadcast from the lead boat on this 2- to 3-hour cruise.
-
Boarding photos and Santa* on board
-
Broadcast choir performance from lead boat
-
Kids’ holiday craft bags
-
Full bar and box meals available for pre-purchase
*Santa will be present on the dock for boarding photos, however, we cannot guarantee he will be aboard every follow boat during the cruise.
Shore Experience
Welcome the Christmas Ship and follow boats from a community event on shore and enjoy a 20-minute choir performance broadcast from the Christmas Ship. This is the ultimate Christmas light viewing experience!
-
Up-close views of the Christmas Ship and follow boats
-
Live choir performance broadcast from aboard the Christmas Ship
-
Onshore community bonfire, lighting or special event*
*Official onshore event not guaranteed and subject to change. See schedule for details.
Pricing*:
Lead boat; follow boat
Adult (13+): $48; $38
Senior (65+): $43; $34
Youth (4-12): $32; $22
Kids (3 and under): Free
*Special event prices may differ and can be found at ArgosyCruises.com.
For the complete festival schedule, visit ArgosyCruises.com/christmas-ship-festival-schedule.
Christmas Ship 21+ Follow Boat
Keep calm and get your ho, ho, ho on!
Hop on the 21+ follow boat for an unforgettable ugly Christmas sweater party! Enjoy festive cocktails, an ugly sweater contest and the ultimate party on the water. The 21+ follow boats depart from Kirkland City Dock and follow the lead boat as she sails to the performance locations. Grab your friends and ugly sweaters and come aboard! Admission is $48.
A portion of all Christmas Ship Festival proceeds is donated to the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy.
The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy
Argosy Cruises is proud to donate a portion of all Christmas Ship Festival proceeds to the Seattle Times Fund for the Needy, an annual program that raises money for several local charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area, allowing them to continue to provide valuable programs and services. For more information, visit FFN.SeattleTimes.com.