Seattle waterfront

Argosy Cruises Seattle Review: Is It Worth It?

Lose yourself in the moment. The words came from Eminem via the boat’s speakers as we were about to set sail for an Argosy Cruise in Seattle. Should you follow Eminem’s words and book your own cruise during your Seattle trip? Find out below in our review.

Something tells me Eminem imagined a different scene for “8 Mile” than cruising the Puget Sound waters and staring at the gorgeous Seattle skyline. The words still hit, reminding us to leave our troubles behind for a couple of hours.

They will be there when you get back to the Seattle waterfront, after all.

My wife and I particularly enjoyed the Summer Views cruise. At the time of our booking, there was also the option to take the Classic Harbor Cruise or Locks Cruise.

Similar vibes with a few differences. Let’s dive in.

A look at Seattle’s Argosy Cruise we were on for the “Summer Views” edition.

The Argosy Summer Views Cruise Is All About Vibes With Little Interruption

Seattle Space Needle
A view of Seattle’s Space Needle from the Argosy Cruise.

The Summer Views cruise is made for people who want to enjoy being on the water without a constant narration. While the host does point out major landmarks like Starbucks headquarters and the stadiums, the majority of the cruise is spent listening to music and enjoying the water.

For under $50, cruise goers get an hour and a half on the water. There is also a discount for seniors ($44) and youth ages four to 12 ($29). Kids under three cruise for free.

There are no shortage of photo opportunities on the cruises, starting with the Seattle skyline as the boat leaves and returns.

Argosy Cruise
A look at Mount Rainier from the Argosy Cruise.

If you are living right, you may just see Mount Rainier as we did on our particular cruise. There is also an area on the boat offering local beverages, a full bar, coffee and snacks. Personally, I was thrilled to see Rainier and Manny’s on the menu, but there are other options, if you must.

A look at the beer on tap for the Argosy Cruise in Seattle.

Still curious if the Argosy cruise is the right fit for you? Here is how Argosy describes the Summer Views Cruise.

“This 1.5-hour cruise is the perfect place to bask in golden hour as the sun begins to set,” Argosy details on its website. “Head up to the top deck to take in that summer breeze and enjoy locally sourced beverages and bites while the captain takes you on a surprise route around Puget Sound and shares their favorite landmarks.

“This cruise is unique in that narration will be minimal so that you can socialize and take in the sights — like breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains.”

The Classic Harbor Cruise Also Receives Top Reviews

Argosy Cruise
Another look at the Seattle skyline.

While we enjoyed the limited narration, some may prefer a more detailed history of Seattle. The Classic Harbor Cruise offers a shorter one-hour ride with expanded narration, but the same epic views.

This is a similar price as the Summer Views but slightly cheaper at $45 per person. Here’s what you can expect.

Seattle skyline
A view of the Seattle skyline from the Argosy Cruise.

“Spend time with a local guide, learning about Seattle’s historic waterfront and getting an up-close look at one of the west coast’s largest shipping terminals,” Argosy explains. “Take in the view of the city’s skyline with a spectacular panoramic background of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, including majestic Mount Rainier, making for the perfect photo op.”

While we did not take this particular cruise, my sense is the boat would offer a similar experience as the Summer Views but with more historical background provided via narration. This cruise also receives some of the top reviews of any of the available options in Seattle.

Locks Cruise Offers Visitors the Longest Ride

Argosy Cruise
A look at the indoor area of an Argosy Cruise.

For boat (and fish) enthusiast, you might consider taking Argosy’s Locks Cruise. This offers visitors the longest cruise with a two-hour ride for just bit more at $62 per person.

You have the option of leaving from Elliott Bay like the other cruises or Lake Union where many of Seattle’s houseboats are docked. Part of the journey takes you through the amazing Ballard neighborhood to see the Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks, known for its salmon.

Like the other cruises, the Locks option also has a full-service bar with drinks and snacks. Here is how the Locks Cruise differs from the others.

A look at the Argosy Cruise menu in Seattle.

“Discover the best of Seattle on a scenic cruise through the heart of the city and experience the iconic Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks, a ‘boat elevator’ connecting Puget Sound and Lake Washington Ship Canal,” Argosy notes. “On the saltwater of Puget Sound, take in breathtaking views of the city skyline and majestic mountain ranges.

“Then, glide through the freshwater canal for a closer look at historic neighborhoods, commercial fishing vessels, floating homes, seaplanes, and more. Along the way, enjoy captivating stories of Seattle’s past and present from a live, local guide.”

Sports Fans Can Now Experience Argosy’s Sailgating Options for Washington Huskies College Football Games

A look at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, from an Argosy Cruise.

Seattle is an amazing sports city and if you plan your trip right, there is the option to watch some combination of the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, Storm and Washington Huskies play. Argosy is now offering sailgating options for Washington home games.

The boat leaves from Carillon Point in Kirkland and drops fans off at Husky Stadium. After the game, fans can take the boat back to Carillon Point. One important note, you will need to purchase a ticket for the game as well.

The sailgating option offers fans a unique pregame experience to enjoy the water, views, food and drinks while on board instead of stressing with overpriced parking options. Traveling Tailgaters hopes to explore this option on our next Seattle trip.

The wine menu at the Argosy Cruise in Seattle.

There are few better college football venues than the scenic Husky Stadium with a view of Lake Washington along with the mountains while watching Big Ten (RIP Pac-12) football.

It is also worth noting that Seattle is one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup. Fans would be wise to add the Argosy Cruise option to their Seattle itinerary for the big event.

Argosy Cruise Seattle Final Verdict: Totally Worth the Value

So, the TLDR version is we strongly recommend the Argosy Cruise options in Seattle. If you are not going in the summer, there are still plenty of additional options worth trying, even if you wish to watch from the inside on one of those typical cold and rainy Seattle days.

We look forward to trying the other Argosy cruises on our next trip with different lengths and vibes to appeal to your Seattle travel plans. As someone who lived in Seattle, there is still plenty to enjoy on the cruise for locals and tourists alike.

The outdoor deck on an Argosy Cruise in Seattle.


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