Happening tonight: Christmas Ship in West Seattle

| Holidays | West Seattle video

That video’s from the windswept shore at Seacrest less than an hour ago, as the Christmas Ship and its entourage visited to serenade onlookers with holiday music by Northwest Girlchoir Vivace. A different choir — Canterbury Belles — will be on board when the Christmas Ship stops at Lowman Beach (8:50 tonight) and Alki (9:40 tonight); Soundwave will sing during its stop at Don Armeni at 7:10 pm tomorrow. Here’s the full schedule for the rest of its season. (If you’re new to the area – the Christmas Ship is a civic enterprise of sorts, in partnership with tour-boat operators Argosy Cruises; different choirs are on board the boat as it makes scheduled stops throughout much of December, and in addition to listening for free from the shore, you also can pay to be on the Christmas Ship itself — sold out for the rest of this season, but there’s room on some of the “follow boat” voyages — that same schedule page will lead you through the ticketing process.)

JayDee December 13, 2008 (9:55 pm)

This is the highest fidelity concert since I moved to Alki in 1996. The sound is very clear, possibly due to the atmospherics caused by the snow. It sounds like the stereo turned itself on. Usually it sounds like a cheap AM radio played through a pile of wet newspaper. Merry Christmas indeed.

noreaster December 13, 2008 (10:38 pm)

SO I’m from Massachusetts (moved here a little over a year ago) and this past Thursday my family suffered from a horrible ice storm. My town, and whole state actually, is in a state of emergency. My parents don’t expect to have power back til late next week. My dad said every tree in the town is now dead and the ground is covered with branches, telephone poles and wires…

I live in Alki and randomly caught the ships when I was taking my puppy out to pee. Between the snow falling (which has always been my favorite part of growing up in New England – the white Christmases) and the carols I heard from my deck, tonight made me feel a little more connected to the family I miss so dearly and worry so much about…

Thank you Argosy. Thank you Seattle.

Dano Beal December 14, 2008 (1:39 am)

Hi Folks- I just stepped off the Christmas Ship (I am the show M.C. / cruise director for Argosy Cruises… I am also a teacher at Lafayette Elementary. Thought you would like to know how great the crowds looked from the ship’s point of view! Lowman and Alki are two of the most successful sailings we have, and the community support is what makes this night a favorite for many of the boat crew. The bonfires were blazing cheerfully, and there were LOADS of people at both Lowman and Alki. Since I live on Alki, I was very excited to see so many folks (including my second grade students!!!)The lights, the SNOW, the music, the cold night air, the low tide…. it all just makes you realise what a special and magical place we live…. Mostly, the terrific neighbors that have made our western hamlet a comforting and friendly place to hang our santa hats….
As I say on every Christmas ship… “AHOY TO THE WORLD, AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!”

– Dano Beal, Argosy Cruises

WSB December 14, 2008 (1:52 am)

Glad to hear it! We missed the Lowman/Alki stops because by 8 pm the snow started to fall and we had to start posting updates here, but were glad to have seen Seacrest, and maybe Don Armeni tomorrow. ALWAYS one of my favorite annual holiday traditions — and I always LOVE hearing “Ahoy to the world” — TR

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