FAQ

In accordance with federal guidelines, masks are optional for all guests and employees onboard our vessels, effective April 19, 2022.

Per King County public health directives, we no longer require proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to board our vessels.

Masks are optional for guests attending private events.

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.

Accessibility Overview | Docks, Facilities & Vessels

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

As you plan your trip, we are pleased to offer Trip Protection on all experiences in 2022. 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.

Yes, save 46% 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® 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® 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.

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.

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.

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 also accept traveler’s checks and cashier’s check. (No personal checks please).

Yes, your mobile phone will have reception on our vessels, on the majority of our cruising routes. For the comfort of other guests, we ask that cell phone conversations be held on the outside decks.

Sales tax is additional on all ticket prices at the time of booking. Visit our Fees Overview page for more information.

As you plan your trip, we are pleased to offer Trip Protection on all sightseeing tours in 2022. 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.

For other experiences, please call 206.623.1445 for the refund policy.

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.”

Yes! All of our vessels are equipped with onboard restroom facilities.

No. We are no longer operating the Royal Argosy.

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).

After making your booking you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to your boarding passes. These are e-passes and you have the option to:

1. Present your e-passes on your phone. The fastest way to board!
2. Print your e-passes at home and bring to your cruise.

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.

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).

Absolutely. Our ships are fully enclosed and climate-controlled for your comfort. We sail rain or shine all year long. Captains may adjust routes to best manage conditions during sailing.

Blake Island State Park was an ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes and is believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle. The island was named after Captain George Blake, commander of the US Coast Survey vessel in 1837. Blake Island is located between Vashon Island and Bainbridge Island, eight miles west of Seattle in Kitsap County.

Absolutely! Blake Island is a Washington State Park and is open for all to explore. You do however need your own boat to visit the island.

The park offers 1,500 feet of moorage and twenty-four mooring buoys, which are available for overnight boaters. Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. For information, call Washington State Parks at (360) 902-8844 or the information line at (360) 731-8330, or visit the Washington State Parks Boating Moorage website.

It is our hope to offer transportation for campers and others interested in exploring Blake Island. We are still working out the details based on a potential new partner taking over the concession agreement.

With Argosy Cruises opting out of the concession agreement, Tillicum Excursion will no longer be offered unless a new partner decides to take over the concession agreement. If a new partner should take over the agreement we will provide information on what this means for Tillicum Excursion moving forward.

We are working closely with a local historian to make sure all the art and regalia are preserved and have a safe and appropriate home.

Any parties interested in taking over the concession for the 2022 season and beyond should email [email protected]

The official Christmas Ship™, the Spirit of Seattle, leads the Christmas Ship™ Festival fleet of boats each sailing. 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, chowder, and beverages are available for purchase.

The 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™. The Follow Boat is all ages and will only be available one night: Grand Finale, December 23 at 8pm.

Guests who cancel 72 hours or more in advance of their departure date and time will be offered a 50% refund on the total amount paid for their booking (inclusive of taxes/fees and recommended add-ons). Cancellations less than 72 hours in advance will not be refunded. Future open credits will not be offered for any cancellations.

Per King County public health directives, we no longer require proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test to board our vessels.

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™. Try the Christmas Ship™ Cosmo or the Peppermint Patty along with a bowl of Northwest-style creamy clam chowder. To check out what other goodies we have onboard, view the full menu.

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.

NEW! This year tickets will be available in the confirmation email you receive at the time of booking. We will not be printing and distributing ticket packets this year so be sure to save your confirmation email and be ready to present it to our onshore team at the time of boarding.

We only cancel sailings if the mayor or governor declare a state of emergency due to weather or other causes.

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.