Everything you need to know about the Christmas Ship™ Festival experience
General Details & Information
What is the Christmas Ship™?
The official Christmas Ship™, the Spirit of Seattle, is a family-friendly holiday experience on the water. When the Christmas Ship™ arrives at the designated parks, the choir on board sings a 20-minute concert which is broadcast to the surrounding boats and people onshore. Santa rides along to entertain, and a cruise director will guide you through the evening. Snacks, pre-wrapped food, and beverages are available for purchase.
What is the 21+ Follow Boat?
The 21+ Follow Boat is another fully decorated Argosy Cruises boat that follows the Christmas Ship™ along the night's cruise route. It stops with the Christmas Ship™ to hear the choir sing to those on shore as broadcast from the Christmas Ship™. This boat is adults-only and has select availability. View the schedule to find a 21+ event.
What will the boat set up look like this year?
The Christmas Ship™ boat set up will be very similar to previous years with seating offered on the first deck and on the second deck in front of the choir. Both areas offer great opportunities to enjoy the festive decorations, hear the choir performances, and have access to a full-bar for food and drink. We also encourage guests to visit the outer decks to enjoy the sights of fellow boaters and onshore bonfires.
What is the choir performance like?
The performance will be live on the second deck and be live streaming onto a monitor for those on the 1st deck to watch and listen in.
Is there ever more than one Santa on the dock or boat?
It is not common, but we do like to warn parents that there may occasionally be more than one Santa on the dock during boarding times when we have multiple Argosy vessels sailing. We have often told our own children that they are Santa’s helpers who dress up and carry his messages, as he cannot be everywhere at once. Please know that there will be only one Santa on board your boat. It is not guaranteed that Santa will be on the Follow Boat.
Pre-Boarding Information
Where do I park?
A full list of our departure locations and parking options can be found on our Christmas Ship™ Departure Locations Page.
Wait! I'm running late!
Unfortunately, we can’t keep the scheduled performances and hundreds of people waiting. Please arrive with plenty of time to find parking and complete the boarding process. We pull the boarding ramp up promptly at the scheduled departure time.
How should I dress?
We recommend wearing warm, comfortable clothing and footwear (we recommend flat shoes that are not smooth-soled, stilettos are very strongly discouraged). Most guests enjoy both the indoor heated decks as well as the outdoor spaces. Please dress accordingly for both as we sail rain or shine. Festive holiday attire is always encouraged! Fun, festive accessories like hats, necklaces, earrings, etc. will be available for purchase onboard.
What kind of shoes should I wear?
We recommend flat shoes that are not smooth-soled. While the boats are warm and comfortable, they do rock with the waves they are floating on. If it is raining, the dock and the boat deck can be slippery. Please watch your step and be aware of rainy docks and the motion of the waves.
Food & Beverage
What food and drinks will be available onboard? Pre-ordering?
We are so excited to share some of our favorite holiday drinks and snacks this year aboard the Christmas Ship™. To check out what other goodies we have onboard, view the full menu.
Planning to enjoy food onboard? Pre-order your favorite sandwich, salad, wrap or snack tray during the check-out process to guarantee availability. Then add on to your pre-ordered item with plenty of snacks, sweets, or a cup of Ivar's Clam Chowder that we have onboard!
The last day to pre-order for your sailing will be the 10 days before your scheduled departure.
Can I bring my peppermint mocha onboard?
Please, no outside food or beverages allowed onboard. The bar will have festive, specialty cocktails, local beer & wine, plus non-alcoholic beverages. Snacks, bites, and chowder will also be available to purchase on board.
Tickets & Reservation
My friends and I made separate reservations, will we all be on the same boat?
If you are part of a group that has booked under separate reservations, check your confirmation letters to ensure you are booked on the same date and time. You can also call to confirm that all parties are on the same boat.
Can I buy tickets from a third-party or reseller?
Tickets to our Christmas Ship™ Festival are only sold through the Argosy Cruises website and are not sold on any other platform. Please do not purchase tickets from an anonymous account or resellers. Tickets are not transferable and are under the specific guest's name.
Does the cruise ever get cancelled?
We only cancel sailings if the mayor or governor declare a state of emergency due to weather or other causes.
What is the Christmas Ship™ cancellation policy?
Guests who cancel 10 days or more in advance of their departure date and time will be offered a 50% refund on the total amount paid for their booking (excluding our non-refundable Ticketing Fee). Cancellations less than 10 days in advance will not be refunded. Future open credits will not be offered for any cancellations.
This applies to the Christmas Ship™ Festival and Specials Events (New Year's Eve, Seafair, 4th of July, etc.)
Trip Protection is not available for Special Events.
Can I make a large group ticket reservation? Can I have my holiday party on a Christmas Ship™ sailing?
When booking online, a MAX of 10 tickets is allowed to be purchased. If you have group ticket interest please send your inquiry to [email protected]. Please include group size, reason for making a group reservation, company if applicable, and any other details. Booking group tickets onboard the Christmas Ship means this is not a complete private party to your group. Other guests will be onboard who have also booked this public sailing - onboard guidelines will be communicated.
If you are looking for a venue to host your next company holiday party or event, please reach out to our private charter department HERE.