argosy harbor cruise tour

Argosy Cruises

Argosy Cruises has been Seattle’s friend with a boat since 1949, offering narrated sightseeing cruises, private charters, and community events like the annual Christmas Ship™ Festival for over 70 years.

We believe the best way to experience Seattle is on the water. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or looking for a new way to enjoy the city, there’s no better friend to have than Your Friend with a Boat. Check out our two sightseeing cruises:

Harbor Cruise (1-hour) | Hop on this popular, live narrated tour around Elliott Bay to enjoy up close and sweeping views of the city. Learn Seattle history, be dazzled by the Emerald City skyline, explore the workings of our shipping port, and cruise alongside the historic waterfront.

Locks Cruise (2-hours): Get double the sightseeing on this one-way cruise and venture beyond the Seattle harbor into Lake Union thru the Ballard Locks. You’ll be surrounded by floating homes and houseboats, large fishing vessels, seaplanes, and more!

• Address 1101 Alaskan Way, Pier 55, Ste 201, Seattle, WA 98101
• Phone (206) 623-1445

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Seattle Harbor Tour

About this tour, argosy cruises.

With Argosy Cruises, guests embark live narrated tours around Seattle Harbor or the Ballard Locks. Learn about the history and culture of the area while taking in the magnificent views of the city skyline and surrounding Olympic Mountains. Marine wildlife also may make an appearance during the tour along with glimpses of Mount Rainier on perfect weather days.

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MUST SEE SEATTLE

Hop-on, hop-off route.

Our Must See Seattle Pass is a fun and flexible way to see the best of Seattle! Our 24 or 48 Hour ticket gives you unlimited access to all of the highlights and stops available along our route —a total of 17 stops!

ROUTE (First tour starts at 10:00 am, last pick-ups of the day start at 4:00 or 5:00 pm - season dependent)

Are there restrooms on the boat?

• Yes, all of the vessels are equipped with single stall restrooms.

Can I get seasick?

• It is highly unlikely. The 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. They do not go out into open ocean water.

Does the boat tour accept wheelchairs, scooters or strollers?

• Yes the vessels are larger and can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters to 41" wide and offer an accessible restroom. Note that Pier 55 is a floating dock that moves with the tide.

Does the harbor cruise travel in rainy weather?

• Yes! Vessels are fully enclosed and climate-controlled for guest comfort. The tour will go rain or shine!

How long is the harbor boat cruise?

• The harbor cruise is 1 hour long (not including boarding and disembarking time) .

Is food and drink available on the boat?

• Yes, there is a full service bar onboard including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. (Guests must be 21 years old to consume alcohol)

Is the harbor cruise good for children?

• Yes! Children of all ages are welcome for the public tours.

What Hop-On, Hop-Off Stop is nearest to Argosy Cruise check in?

• Get off on Stop #5 and Argosy Cruises is right there at Pier 55.

What should I wear?

• As the docks and boats move around, wear comfortable shoes (no heels) and bring a light jacket or coat for strolling the outer decks.

When should I arrive for boarding the boat?

• Please be checked in at the dock at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure. The boarding gate closes 5 minutes prior to departure.

Where does the harbor cruise depart?

• Cruises Depart from Pier 55 (on the Seattle Waterfont). 1011 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101.

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• Parking & Directions
• (888) 623-1445
• Sightseeing Cruises

Seattle's Original Harbor Cruise™ is the quintessential Seattle experience for both locals and tourists alike. For 1-hour, be dazzled by the storied history and magical skyline of the Emerald City.

Ride the boat elevator, see two sides of the Seattle skyline, and feel the breeze off fresh and saltwater. This 2-hour, one-way cruise takes you on a journey through Seattle's waterfront neighborhoods.

• Family Fun , Outdoor Activities in Seattle , Sightseeing & Tours

Argosy Cruises

See and know seattle like a local.

For over 70 years Argosy Cruises has been proud to be Seattle’s “friend with a boat,” showing locals and visitors a side of Seattle they rarely get to see. Come discover and celebrate the beauty, tradition, and history of the Pacific Northwest by boat for fully-narrated, family-friendly tours. Your tickets to spectacular views and majestic backdrops await!

Harbor Cruise – 1 hour tour The quintessential Seattle cruise experience. Learn Seattle history, be dazzled by the ever-evolving Emerald City skyline, explore the workings of our shipping port and get a close-up view of Seattle’s historic waterfront. All this while surrounded by the beauty of Elliott Bay and the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges.

Locks Cruise – 2 hour tour Travel from salt to fresh water – through the beating workboat heart of Seattle – and become the attraction to those on shore as your vessel raises up or lowers with the ever-changing tides of Puget Sound. Between Elliott Bay and Lake Union you’ll be surrounded by floating homes and houseboats, large fishing vessels, seaplanes, majestic city parks, and more. Get double the narration and sightseeing as you explore three Seattle neighborhoods in one go.

Visitor Tips

Parking & Directions for all of our boarding locations: https://www.argosycruises.com/parking-directions/#SeattleWaterfront

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Exploring Seattle’s Cultural Tapestry: Embracing Diversity and Equity through Museum Visits

Introduction Seattle, a city known for its vibrant cultural scene, offers an array of museums that showcase the diverse heritage and history of the region.

Exploring Seattle’s Marvels with Conservation and Sustainability in Mind

Introduction Seattle, the Emerald City, is not only renowned for its stunning natural beauty and vibrant urban culture but also for its commitment to conservation

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Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour in Seattle

by Tim Lewis | 0 comments

There are a million different attractions that fight for your attention in Seattle. The Space Needle, The Great Wheel, Pike Place Market — the list goes on and on. While Tove and I always wanted to take an Argosy Cruises harbor tour, it was never near the top of our to-do list. That all changed when we recently won tickets for an Argosy Cruise at a local charity auction.

Tove and I didn’t waste anytime cashing in our winnings. If you know us, you know we like to live spontaneously. That means we didn’t plan our Argosy Cruises harbor tour until the very last-minute. Luckily, there are several tours every day ( click here for the full schedule — it changes throughout the year), so Tove and I had no problem getting on a boat.

An Argosy Cruises harbor tour takes you on an 8.5 miles, one-hour adventure around Elliott Bay. You launch off Pier 55, cruise along the waterfront near Smith Cove, and then make a turn toward West Seattle. You then loop by Harbor Island and take a quick detour at the Port of Seattle before heading back downtown.

The entire tour is narrated by one of the Argosy Cruises harbor tour guides. The narration is definitely aimed at tourists, but it’s loaded with fun information. We’ve lived in the Seattle area for a long time, but we still had a great time learning new things about our incredible city.

There’s a good reason Argosy Cruises gears their harbor tour at tourists: they are everywhere in Seattle during the summer. The couple behind us in the boarding line was from Texas, while the people next to us on the boat were from Michigan and Arizona. They quickly learned that we were from Seattle, so they had all sorts of questions for us. It was nice to dispel some of the Seattle stereotypes they had, especially how much it rains here.

Seattle put on quite a show for the out-of-towners. We had a perfect summer day for our Argosy Cruises harbor tour, so we saw incredible views of Seattle, the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier . I’m addicted to the Seattle skyline , so that was my favorite part of the tour. As for Tove, she loved getting an up-close view of the Port of Seattle (as she says, the port is the bread-and-butter of the city — one of the major reasons Seattle exists). Plus, nothing beats being on the water on a beautiful day in Seattle.

NOTE: Even if there’s not great weather, you can still enjoy an Argosy Cruises harbor tour. There is indoor seating with plenty of large windows. And if the weather is a little chilly, there’s a full bar inside to keep you nice and warm.

You can also spot sea life on an Argosy Cruises harbor tour. We saw two harbor seals chilling in the water (a common sight on Elliott Bay), and the guide also told us to keep our eyes peeled for Dall’s porpoises, sea lions and Orca whales (even though Orcas are a rare find in the area).

Tove and I had tickets that we won at an auction, but an Argosy Cruises harbor tour usually comes at a cost. Tickets for adults are $39 each, while seniors get on board for $32 and kids (4-12 years old) cruise for $20 during the peak season. You can also get a great deal on an Argosy Cruises harbor tour (and five other Seattle attractions) with a CityPASS . If you’re visiting Seattle, don’t miss out on the 43% CityPASS savings.

An Argosy Cruises harbor tour isn’t a “must” for locals (even though you can still have a great time like we did), but we think it’s a great idea for anyone visiting Seattle (or hosting visitors from out-of-town). You can learn a lot about the city, soak in some incredible views, and keep moving along to other attractions in a little more than an hour.

Have you ever taken an Argosy Cruises harbor tour? How was your experience? We’d love to hear all about it! Please leave your comments below or connect with us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more awesome attractions in the Emerald City.

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Harbor Cruise or Locks Cruise? How to choose the best Argosy Cruises cruise for your Seattle Visit

• June 8, 2022
• one comment

This post is a sponsored post on behalf of Argosy Cruises and as always the thoughts in this post are always my own.

I recently had the chance to try out two fabulous Argosy Cruises with my family, the Harbor cruise and the Locks cruise . If you’re only in Seattle for a short time, how do you choose which sightseeing cruise is the best cruise for your day ? 

Let’s start with the Argosy Cruises tour that takes you under bridges and through the Ballard Locks.

For this cruise, your tour either starts on the Seattle Waterfront or in South Lake Union and both are great areas to get an idea of how locals might also spend a day in our city. On the Seattle Waterfront you have easy access to Pike Place Market , the Seattle Aquarium and all the shops and restaurants that line the downtown piers. In South Lake Union you can watch the seaplanes take off and land, learn about Seattle’s history at the MOHAI, check out the hidden bar beneath the Seattle Spheres or if you’re around on a weekend you might be able to tour the  Seattle Spheres too.

My boys and I were on a weekday 3:25pm Argosy Locks tour that started in South Lake Union. We were able to find street parking right near the Kenmore Air lot and we only needed to pay for the hour because our spot only charged until 4pm. I think our total came to under $1 for parking which is pretty fantastic for Seattle-make sure you check all the signs near your parking spot if you choose to street park too, our city’s signs are notorious for being confusing, but sometimes that helps with landing a lucky spot as well.

The coolest thing about the Locks tour is that it takes you through the Ballard Locks

The Ballard Locks are like an elevator for boats-there is a difference in water level between the ocean water on Seattle’s Waterfront and the lake water in Lake Union and boats can travel through the locks to travel to and from these areas. You can even ride a kayak or canoe through the Ballard Locks too. But touring the Locks via one of the comfortable Argosy Cruises ships means that you have indoor and outdoor seating options and lots of space to view all the happenings around you. We could see everything from seals fishing near the salmon ladders to people crossing the bridges and other nearby boats going through the locks as well. (Here’s a link from my Instagram @helloterumi if you want to see a video of what you might see on the the Locks Cruise too.)

How long is the Argosy Cruises Locks Tour?

We arrived at the meeting spot for the Argosy Cruises Harbor tour about 30 minutes before our tour departed and then our boat ride was about 2 hours long. Because this tour is a one way tour, ours started at South Lake Union and ended at the Seattle Waterfront. We could choose to take a car-share, public transportation, rental bike/scooter or walk back to our parked car.

The weather was really nice and we like to walk so we walked up through Pike Place Market, through downtown and South Lake Union and back to our car. We spotted a new coffee shop on our way up the hill (Welcome to the neighborhood Pike St Coffee !) picked up dinner at Sizzle and Crunch (one of our Seattle favorite spots!) and the walk back took about an hour so it took us about four hours total to do the whole trip. 

If we had more time in our day before our tour we might have had lunch at Ba Bar or Cactus , spent some time at the MOHAI, and maybe grabbed a coffee and pastry at Fresh Flours. After the tour we might have spent time on the patio of the Fisherman’s Restaurant or we could have extended our route by walking along the waterfront to the Olympic Sculpture Park before connecting to the Market to MOHAI walking route. There are so many things to do in Seattle in both of these areas that we always run out of time before we run out of ideas.

And what is the Harbor Cruise with Argosy Cruises all about?

I originally thought that the Harbor cruise would be very similar to the last 45 minutes of the Locks Tour and I was completely wrong. My husband and I decided to take the last Harbor Cruise of the day and we went on the 5:25 Harbor Cruise that departs from the Seattle Waterfront. We decided to make this a bit of a date adventure-we biked from our home along the Expedia Bike Path, through Myrtle Edwards Park and the Sculpture Park to the Seattle Waterfront. We passed many rental bikes and scooters along the way if you’re thinking of doing a similar ride. 

We upgraded our tickets to be “First to Board” tickets . This is an additional 15 dollars per ticket and you might be able to do this with a CityPass ticket too. Upgrading the ticket gives you access to an undercover patio about 30 minutes before boarding, priority boarding so you can get the best seats and be first to the bar, 15% off bar drinks for the cruise and a 20% discount on a future Locks Cruise for up to 4 people (through December 2022 so you have a lot of time to come back)

What do you see on the Seattle Harbor Cruise?

We learned so much about our own city as we cruised away from the pier and south of Seattle towards where the cargo ships unload their containers. We even saw one of the giant cranes at work-this doesn’t happen all the time-it’s a working dock. And even after living in the city for nearly 20 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this part of the city from the water. We also circled back and got some phenomenal views of the city as well. This is a great tour to take if you like to take photos-I could barely stop taking pictures. It was also neat to hear facts about the city that I didn’t know. Ryan was the same tour guide on both of the tours we took and he was very knowledgeable and current on everything going on in the city.

So which is the best Argosy tour to choose?

We enjoyed popcorn, mixed drinks (cocktails and non-alcoholic mixed drinks too), Ruby Jewel Ice cream sandwiches and clean bathrooms on both the tours we went on. Ultimately, I would pick my cruise based on the amount of time I had to spend-if I had 4 hours I would choose the Ballard locks tour, if I only had a short time and wanted to stay closer to downtown, I would pick the Harbor Cruise. I would also be tempted to do both tours now that I know what these tours are-it was really cool to float through the Locks and it was also really cool to see some of the cranes at work in Seattle Harbor. 

Do you ever do boat tours in your home city? Please feel free to message if you have questions about Seattle or these tours. (PS if you are a Washington Resident, there is a discount for you on the Argosy Cruises website too.)

Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys.  She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live.  She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)

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Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront

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Seattle Harbor Cruise

Seattle Locks Cruise

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Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront

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Seattle Harbor Cruise

Seattle Locks Cruise

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Visiting Tips (2024)

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River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

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Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

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• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
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