Seattle is stunning on land but even better by sea. Get a fresh perspective of the gorgeous Emerald City with a one-hour Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour. As you glide by the dynamic city skyline, take in the sights and sounds of the bustling waterfront and its historic neighborhoods, including lively shipyards and terminals, container ships, the Washington State ferry fleet, towering cruise ships and maybe even a sea lion basking on the rocks or little seals frolicking in the harbor waters.
As you explore Elliott Bay and the Seattle Harbor, you'll also catch spectacular views of the panoramic background to all of this activity: Puget Sound and the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Live narration throughout the cruise keeps things exciting and amusing, with stories and facts about this busy port and its fascinating maritime history.
Plan your Argosy Cruise: What to Know Before You Go
Hours
The Harbor Cruise has year-round daily sailings, with the exception of Christmas Day. The Argosy Cruise schedule varies from season to season, with many more sailings during the summer, from May through September. You can find the current schedule on the Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour website.
The Best Time of Year to Visit
With Seattle's famously inconsistent weather, you're never guaranteed a sunny day, even in the height of summer. However, the Seattle Harbor is dazzling any time of year and a bit of mist and fog can add some mystery and adventure to the experience, not to mention make you feel like a true Seattleite. With that said, it does get quite cold out on the water, so be sure to bundle up before you board during the winter months.
The Best Time of Day to Visit
The first cruise of the day is generally the least crowded. Other than that it is really a matter of preference: daytime cruises give you more opportunity to see the sights and maybe some local wildlife (great if you're traveling with kids), but once the sun sets you're treated to magnificent views of the city skyline lights at night.
Parking
There are several waterfront facilities that are convenient for Argosy Harbor Cruise parking.
REPUBLIC Parking Garage - Watermark Garage
1108 Western Ave (bet. Sprint St. & Seneca St.)
IMPARK Parking - Waterfront Place
63 Madison St (bet. Western Ave. & Alaskan Way)
Hillclimb Court Garage - Waterfront
1422 Alaskan Way
Babies and Children
Children of all ages are welcome on the cruise with adult supervision.
Pets
Only service animals are permitted aboard the vessel.
Accessibility
All crewmembers are trained to assist visitors of limited mobility, and all ships are wheelchair friendly. Argosy Harbor Cruises will have a trained crewmember accompany every guest on board in a wheelchair.
The accessibility of the cruise sometimes depends in part on which vessel is operating on a given day, as different ships have different levels of accessibility. Argosy has put together a comprehensive resource explaining the accessibility and limitations of their vessels and facilities, and are happy to assist with any questions.
Getting There
The Harbor Tour departs from Pier 55. If you need the address for GPS directions, it is 1101 Alaskan Way, Pier 55, Seattle, WA 98101.
Public transportation
Previously known as the Waterfront Streetcar Line, Metro Route 99 is a bus route connecting the Waterfront and with popular parts of the city, including International District, Pioneer Square, the downtown retail area, Pike Place Market and Belltown. You can check the Kings County Metro website for an up-to-date schedule and route map.
If you get off the bus at the 1st Ave and Marion Street stop, it's about a 5-minute walk to Pier 55. Walk half a block northwest to Madison Street, turn left on Madison and walk down towards the water until you reach Alaskan Way. Turn right on Alaskan way and walk up towards Pier 55 and Argosy Cruises.
Getting Your Harbor Tour Tickets
We might be biased, but we think Seattle CityPASS® tickets are the best way to experience an Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour. You can present your CityPASS® tickets at the Argosy Reservation Center at Pier 55 to receive a timed boarding pass.
You should note that the time you are choosing is your sailing time and when the boat leaves the dock. Boarding and check-in begins 30 minutes before your sailing time. Make sure to give yourself ample time arriving because the boat will leave promptly!
Snacking and Shopping
The Harbor Cruise has snacks and sandwiches available to buy on board, as well as a fully serviced bar with local beer, wine, specialty cocktails and soft drinks available for purchase.
There is also a small gift area on board where you can pick up some souvenirs.
Nearby Lodging
To get the most out of your stay in Seattle, we recommend finding lodging near Seattle's top attractions like Argosy Cruises. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
Booking.comInsider Tips for Visiting Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
Argosy Cruises Harbor Tours are popular, which means there's lots of advice on how to have the best time. Here are some cream of the crop insider tips from people who have been there before.
- Seating is first-come, first-served. If the sun is out, you might want to arrive earlier to line up before your cruise. Argosy recommends 20-30 minutes, but when the weather is nice, reviewers recommend coming even earlier if you want to snag a great seat, perhaps 45 minutes before the scheduled time of departure for your tour.
- The best views are to be had on the top deck, on the right side of the boat.
- The least crowded area of the boat is usually the lower levels, so if you like more space that might be the spot for you.
- If you are hard of hearing, a seat inside near the speakers makes it easier to follow the tour guide's commentary: out on the top deck wind and the noise of the boat can obscure the sound.
- Bring a jacket! Even on warm and sunny days it gets quite chilly and windy out on the water.
- Low or no heels will make it easier (and more comfortable!) to get around the boat.
- Worried about feeling seasick? The slow pace and steady decks of this cruise, combined with the calm waters of the inner harbor, keep most people feeling comfortable for the whole cruise.
- Some visitors recommend this tour as a great way to begin your trip to Seattle, as it gives a better idea of the city's layout before visiting all the other famous Seattle attractions. However, others think leaving it for last it is a relaxing way to wind down a busy day, as you can just sit back and watch the shoreline glide by.
Something a Little Different: Upgrades and Other Cruises
Argosy Cruises offers another experience aside from the Harbor Tour, and CityPASS® ticket holders have the option to upgrade. You can upgrade online or exchange your CityPASS® ticket and pay the upgrade fee at the Argosy Reservation Center.
Argosy Locks Cruise: A 2-hour, one-way tour which links the saltwater of Puget Sound with the fresh water of Lake Union via the historic Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Live historical narration gives you the background story of Seattle’s amazing waterways. Plus, the exciting experience of passing through the locking system. You have the option to begin this one-way tour at either Pier 55 on the Seattle Waterfront or AGC Marina on South Lake Union.
If you're looking for a tour that combines a little history with a lot of natural beauty -- and some quality time on the water, check out Argosy Cruises and start planning your trip to Seattle!