Sailing With Santa on an Argosy Christmas Ship

Perhaps it’s because I grew up celebrating Christmas in a landlocked corner of southwestern Ohio, but I truly couldn’t resist spending a festive afternoon out on Lake Washington with my family (and Santa!) on an Argosy Christmas Ship.

The Argosy Christmas Ship Festival has been a tradition for Seattle-area families since 1949, and there are many different ways to enjoy it, from sailing on the boat to hearing the choir from the shore.

We opted to take the 2 p.m. sailing from the Hyatt Regency in Renton, with my toddler and her grandparents in tow.

Argosy Christmas Ship with kids

If the idea of being out on a big boat with your young kids makes you nervous, I hear you. After all, being a mom to a toddler has taught me to have an easy exit strategy in place for each outing. Add in that the afternoon sailing was during my daughter’s usual naptime, and I was just a little worried. But I didn’t need to be — the cruise lasted an hour and a half, and there was plenty to see and do on the ship that made it family-friendly (and worth pushing naptime a little later).

We were greeted by Argosy staff with a mini Christmas Ship Festival-themed coloring book and pack of crayons before boarding the ship, and spotted Santa waving to everyone as we waited to board.

Once on board, there were plenty of seats to choose from on the first and second level, and the Christmas Ship bar was already serving snacks and specialty drinks. The festive gift shop onboard was also open, with holiday merchandise and adorable plushies ranging in price from $10 to $25 (a small seal came home with us).

Cookies and photos with Santa

Sailing with Santa has its perks. While we have had the quintessential Santa photo experience elsewhere, this was something unique. Since Santa sailed along with us, there were multiple opportunities to interact with him that made for a low-pressure experience — especially for a toddler that tends to turn shy when the big guy is around.

After we checked in and boarded the boat, we found Santa sitting comfortably on the first level and greeting families as they walked by. My daughter gave him a gentle wave, but wasn’t ready to sit next to him or share her Christmas list … yet. But there was no pressure. She could roam the boat, browse the gift shop and sip on her festive drink, all with Santa nearby.

We spotted Santa again on the upper deck by the Christmas tree later on, where he posed for family photos. And special to the 2 p.m. sailings, he hands out cookies by the first-level Christmas tree.

Beyond cookies and photo ops, Santa reads “The Night Before Christmas” to the kids. It was so cute to see them gather around his chair and listen to the classic tale.

The Christmas choir

Another festive component of the Argosy Christmas cruise is the 20-minute choir performance. The ship stops halfway through its route and broadcasts the performance to an audience onshore. Our ship stopped near Pritchard Island Beach, where people gathered around a bonfire during the performance. In the Mix, a local quartet, sang a few Christmas carols and invited everyone to join in for “White Christmas” at the end.

While it was charming to hear the performance on the second level, it’s not easy to keep little ones quiet — since all the sound from the second level is broadcast to shore, it’s necessary to keep noise to a minimum. We probably would’ve been more comfortable watching the performance on the lower-level screen, or just enjoying the fresh air and music from the upper deck.

Scenic views from the ship

Being out on the water brings gorgeous views. We sailed before sunset, and the sky was just starting to change colors on our way back. I always enjoy seeing the city skyline and waterfront homes, and loved sharing the views with my young daughter. She kept an eye out for local wildlife, spotting a family of ducks and guessing what kind of fish might be in the water below.

Evening cruises can enjoy the city skyline and holiday lights at night, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Food and drinks on the Argosy cruise

Drinks and food are available for purchase on the Argosy Christmas Ship. The lower level bar serves drinks and food, while the upper level bar just has drinks. You can expect a holiday-themed menu with alcoholic and non-alcoholic options alike.

The Mistletoe Margarita adds a cranberry twist to a classic cocktail, while The Rudolph is a festive take on a Shirley Temple. There’s also peppermint hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and soft drinks. The food menu includes clam chowder, sandwiches and wraps, and you can preorder food when you book your tickets to ensure availability. If you opt for the 8 p.m. sailing this year, there’s a “Jolly Hour” menu with drink specials.

Christmas Ship Parade of Boats and the Grand Finale

While we went on a traditional Christmas Ship cruise, there are two upcoming special events worth mentioning. The ninth annual Christmas Ship Parade of Boats is on Dec. 13. Brightly decorated boats join the Christmas Ship for a holiday parade on the water, starting in Lake Union and heading west to the Fremont Cut. The onshore viewing party at Evanston Plaza will give you great views of the boats, or you can book tickets to ride the Christmas Ship during the parade.

The Christmas Ship Festival’s Grand Finale brings decorated boats together again for the last night of choir performances and holiday sailings. Choose from one of three final sailings, or head to Gasworks Park for an evening bonfire and listen to the choir from shore.

Things to do near the waterfront

Depending on your departure location, you can really make a day of it with activities before and after the cruise. Since we sailed from Renton, we popped over to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park so my daughter could get her wiggles out after the cruise (there’s no running allowed on the ship, after all). Then we headed to The Landing in Renton to grab dinner. You really can’t beat a day on the waterfront with the family!

What parents should know before the cruise

• Arrive early. You can board up to 45 minutes before the boat departs, and the doors close five minutes before the departure time, without exception.
• You can’t bring outside food or beverages on board, but there is a bar with drinks and snack options.
• Festive holiday attire is encouraged, but not required. Wear flat, comfortable shoes. I recommend wearing layers, as it’s chilly on the upper deck, but the two indoor levels are heated.
• The 2 p.m. sailings include a mini coloring book and a cookie from Santa.
• Seating on the ship is first come, first served. The lower level had more open seating, as the second level had the choir performance and the “Night Before Christmas” reading with Santa. There is no seating on the outdoor upper deck, but there is a decorated Christmas tree and scenic views to enjoy.
• There are restrooms onboard.