Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Before the Cruise
Everything you’ll need to know before booking your sightseeing tour!
Our crew is trained to help guests navigate both our docks and our vessels and are prepared to assist. Certain vessels in the fleet have more mobility limitations, so recommend calling ahead for specific concerns at 206.623.1445.
Due to our various food preparation permits, we are unable to invite pets onboard with the exception of service animals. If you bring a service animal you may be asked:
- Is the animal required because of a disability? This is a yes or no question. You are not required to, nor can you be asked to, disclose the nature or details of the disability. If the animal is not required because of a disability, then it will not be permitted.
- What is the nature of the work or task(s) that the animal is trained to perform? This question will not be asked if the nature of the work or task is readily apparent, such as a Seeing Eye dog. If the animal is not trained to perform specific work or tasks to assist the individual because of a disability, then it will not be permitted.
You cannot and will not be required to provide any sort of certification or documentation proving that the animal is a service or assistance animal. Nor will you be required to pay a fee to bring the animal onto an Argosy Cruises vessel.
The service or assistance animal must be housetrained, and must be kept under control at all times while on board an Argosy Cruises Vessel. Argosy may ask that a service or assistance animal be removed from the property if it is not housetrained, if it is acting out of control and no effective action is being taken to control it, or if it poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. The threat of an allergic reaction is not a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Our docks and vessels do move around on the water, so we recommend our guests wear low or no heels when joining us. We also recommend having a coat or light jacket should you want to stroll the outer decks of our vessels. If you are attending a private event through an individual or company, we recommend you check with your host as to the appropriate attire for your function.
Due to space/weight restrictions and the safety of our passengers, bicycles are not allowed on board any public sightseeing cruises.*
We begin boarding 20-30 minutes prior to the "cruise time." The boarding gate closes 5 minutes prior to "cruise time." Certain special events may board earlier.
Yes, save up to 47% off admission at Seattle’s top 5 attractions – including Argosy Cruises - with CityPASS®. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order, over a 9-day period. One easy purchase and mobile ticket delivery saves you time and money. Learn More
Yes, first purchase Seattle CityPASS® tickets online, then upgrade to any of our other public cruises. Upgrades are made online, in person at our Pier 55 Reservation Center or by phone at 206.623.1445. Learn More
First, purchase CityPASS® tickets online for immediate mobile ticket delivery. Next, redeem CityPASS® online to reserve your visit date & time and receive your Harbor Cruise boarding pass. We highly recommend booking online in advance due to limited capacity.
As you plan your trip, we are pleased to offer Trip Protection. Trip Protection offers peace of mind at a time that flexibility is more important than ever. How it works: If you need to rebook for any reason, we will issue you a credit for the value of your cruise to book a later date and time. Credits will be valid for up to one year after the original date of your cruise. There are no fees to rebook.
If you miss or cancel your cruise, a refund will not be granted unless Trip Protection was purchased at the time of booking. You will have the opportunity to reschedule to a future cruise time with availability within one year of the original cruise date. We highly recommend adding on Trip Protection so you’re covered!
Our Parking & Directions page has addresses and Google Map links for our main docking points as well as many other locations across Puget Sound and the lakes. We leave from many different ports depending on the cruise. Please feel free to call if you need clarification.
There is no outside food or beverages allowed onboard. There are snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Our onboard menu can be found HERE.
Gift Card purchases are currently unavailable, please check back at a later time.
Our boats and our event space on Blake Island can host parties of 2 to 800 guests. Parties can make their reservation online or by calling 206-623-1445. We also offer private charters aboard our other boats, please ask for our Sales Department if they can help you with any event from weddings and corporate events to holiday parties and school functions.
Please note that we are closely following guidance from local health officials and are limiting capacities for all experiences. Please call about current capacity limits.
Restaurants in the Seattle area charter our vessels for Husky Game Day transportation. Tickets are available for purchase through these restaurants. Our vessels are also open during the game for beverage and snack service. Visit our Husky Football Sailgating page to learn more.
Parking varies depending on the boat departure location. Please click here to get directions.
Payment is required in full at the time of the reservation. We accept major credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Union Pay, Diner's Club. We do not accept cash and are a cashless business.
Checks are only accepted when being used for Private Charter payment.
All discounts under Deals & Combos or provided by through a company program (AAA, Passport Prime, etc.) are not eligible for our Special Event cruises which includes and is not limited to the Christmas Ship™ Festival, New Years Eve, 4th of July, etc. They are also not eligible on Combo tickets, upgrades, or Return Bus tickets.
Sales tax is additional on all ticket prices at the time of booking. Visit our Fees Overview page for more information.
Sightseeing Cruises: As you plan your trip, we are pleased to offer Trip Protection on all sightseeing tours. Trip Protection offers peace of mind and flexibility. How it works: If you need to rebook for any reason, we will issue you a credit for the value of your cruise to book a later date and time. Credits will be valid for up to one year after the original date of your cruise. There are no fees to rebook.
If you miss or cancel your cruise, a refund will not be granted unless Trip Protection was purchased at the time of booking. You will have the opportunity to reschedule to a future cruise time with availability within one year of the original cruise date. We highly recommend adding on Trip Protection so you’re covered!
For Special Events: 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.)
You may purchase tickets online, in person or over the phone for all of our tours and special events. You can find us at 1101 Alaskan Way Pier 55 on the Seattle Central Waterfront or call us at 206.623.1445
Ticket sales stop 10 minutes prior to "cruise time."
After making your booking you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to your boarding passes.
Please check your confirmation letter for the exact departure location, as we have different boats in several locations around the city. If you need assistance please call 206-623-1445 and reference your booking number at the top of your confirmation email.
If you are looking for more information on Husky Sailgating or have questions about day-of logistics please visit our Husky Sailgating FAQ.
Questions about refunds, ticket transfers, or cancellations for Husky Sailgating? Please go to our Policies page.
General questions
During the Cruise
You’re booked and have questions on what it’s like!
Children of all ages are welcome on all of our public tours with a few exceptions: Occasionally, we offer special event cruises that are for adults 21 and older. These are indicated on the specific event description.
Tours all have set sailing routes, which may change slightly due to conditions. You can view all our tour routes here, as well as the individual routes on their respective tour pages. If you are on a private cruise, your ship's captain will generally make sailing route recommendations to the group leader.
Yes! All of our vessels are equipped with onboard restroom facilities.
It is highly unlikely. Our boats sail in the calm waters of the inner harbor of Elliott Bay as well as the protected waters of Lake Union and Lake Washington. We do not go out into open ocean water. Weather conditions and the wakes of large vessels can move our boats about, something which our captains are prepared to accommodate for during sailings.
For sightseeing cruises, all indoor and outdoor seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each cruise offers plenty of amazing sights. From the Olympic Mountains to the Seattle Skyline, there's a view for everyone to enjoy.
For a list of some of the landmarks you'll see, check out our Sights page.
Per Washington State law, all of our vessels are non-smoking and non-vaping, including on the outer decks.
All travel on any Argosy LP vessel is subject to the Terms of Conveyance, binding upon you as a passenger, expressly including limitations upon claims that may be brought relating to the conveyance, such as any claim of injury. By seeking and accepting passage, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Conveyance. Click here to read the Terms of Conveyance (487 KB PDF).
For the safety of all guests, weapons (concealed or otherwise) are not permitted on Argosy Cruises’ property, including our reservation center, boats, and in and around the Tillicum Longhouse on Blake Island. The only exception to this is law enforcement personnel in the performance of their official duties. The presenter of a boarding pass consents to a reasonable search for weapons before entering. If you are unable to comply with these conditions, then we will not allow you access to Argosy property. This is in adherence to Washington State law (RCW 9.41.300)(d).
special event
Christmas Ship™ Festival
Find the answers to any of your Christmas Ship™ related questions.
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.
The 21+ Follow Boat is another fully decorated Argosy Cruises boat that follows the Christmas Ship™ along the night's cruise route. This boat is adults-only and has select availability. As it follows along the same route, it is a different experience providing a fun holiday celebration for those 21+ to enjoy dressing to a theme, light trivia, etc. There will be a moment when the boat stops with the Christmas Ship™, this is when guests onboard can feel free to head to the bow on the 1st deck to listen to the broadcasted choir performance OR enjoy the continued celebration upstairs. View the schedule to find a 21+ event.
We have a range of wonderful professional and community choir/singing groups who work with us. If you'd like to see which choir is singing on your specific night, please head to the Schedule page. The performance is live on the second deck and will be streaming onto a monitor for those on the 1st deck to watch and listen in.
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.
Trip Protection is not available for Special Events.
Tickets to our Christmas Ship™ Festival are only sold through the Argosy Cruises website, Viator and Groupon. Please do not purchase tickets from any anonymous accounts or resellers or any site not listed above. Tickets are not transferable and are under the specific guest's name.
When booking online, a MAX of 15 tickets is allowed to be purchased. If you have group ticket interest, please send your inquiry to cruises@argosycruises.com. 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 large group 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.
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.
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.
The Follow Boat will also be serving beverages! To view what drinks are available, check out the Follow Boat menu.
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.
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.
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!
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.
We only cancel sailings if the mayor or governor declare a state of emergency due to weather or other causes. If a cruise or sailing is cancelled, we will contact you directly via phone call, email, or notification.
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.
A full list of our departure locations and parking options can be found on our Christmas Ship™ Departure Locations Page.