I moved to Seattle from Chicago in October of 1992, and I rented a house in Seattle's Madison Valley neighborhood. As the holidays approached, my coworkers and neighbors asked me if I'd seen the Christmas Ships yet. I had no idea what they were talking about, but when I saw the schedule in the newspaper (because the internet wasn't a thing back then) I discovered that in a few nights the ships would actually be not far from me, out in Lake Washington across from Madison Park.
Eager to experience a local tradition, I hiked down to the beach on the evening in question, and I was blown away by the warm and fuzzy feelings in the air.
Hundreds of people gathered on the beach as a bonfire blazed. Kids who were home from college bumped into high school pals. Families made plans to reconnect during the season. And then the ships arrived. A choir serenaded us with Christmas carols from across the water as dozens of private boats bobbed around, many of them decorated with elaborate holiday lights. I felt like I was in some kind of heartwarming old-timey holiday movie and not just 12 minutes from the hum of modern downtown Seattle.
Since that night nearly 30 years ago, I've rarely missed the Christmas Ships. I've taken my parents to see them when they were visiting from their home in Michigan. Out on a first date to a holiday house party one year, my date and I took a side trip to the park because she'd never seen the ships. I took my son for the first time when he was all of two months old.
Like pretty much everything else, the Christmas Ships took a hiatus last year due to you-know-what. But in 2021, Argosy Cruises wants you to know they're back.
As they explain on their website:
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 shimmery white lights and sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities – around 40 in all. Choirs on board the Christmas Ship™ perform to guests aboard, to follow boats, and to communities gathered on shore.
(And as a bonus, "10% of all Christmas Ship™ Festival ticket proceeds and 100% of photo proceeds are donated to The Seattle Times Fund For Those In Need.")
Starting on November 26 -- the Saturday after Thanksgiving -- and right up to the night before Christmas Eve, the ships will be appearing near waterfront communities all around the Seattle area. Here's the schedule.
Of course, you don't need a reservation to join the festivities at a park near you. But Argosy also offers you the opportunity to sail aboard the actual Christmas Ship, The Spirit of Seattle, or aboard a Follow Boat that -- guess what? -- follows the main ship. The sailings last about an hour an a half, so you're not trapped at sea for hours and hours. (And just FYI, there are full-service bars on both boats. In case you were wondering.)
With the arrival of November, and as people get into the holiday frame of mind, you're going to find that bookings will start filling up, which is why I'm giving you this heads up. If you have an urge to be a part of this, reserve now.
Here's the details about sailing on the ships, and the link for booking (just click BUY TICKETS.)
As time goes on, old traditions tend to fall by the wayside around here, but this classic favorite that's been putting people in the holiday spirit for more than 70 years is back.
Here's to smooth sailing and happy holidays!