Argosy Cruises

11/28/10

Santa Brunch - Sundays - Nov 28 - Dec (?)

by kyi at Citysearch

If you're looking for high excitement, this isn't it. However, it wasn't bad either. For $85 (AAA discount), we took our family of 4 - Parents + 2 kids (4, 2) on this boat. You get a decent all-you-can-eat breakfast/brunch and pictures with Santa (with his own white beard, not the fake kind). Santa was really nice greeting everyone on the boat and even going into the kids area (reindeer making activities, coloring, crafts) so that parents can take pictures of their kids with Santa.

There's a not-so-good magician/comic and Santa reads a story to the kids.

You also get to go by Bill Gate's house and the announcer gives a quick briefing of the "background" about its construction.

Really neat trip. My kids liked it. My husband isn't into boats (we just came back from Alaska on a cruise); so, all in all, cute day trip. Two thumbs up! :)

10/24/10

Argosy Mystery Dinner Cruise -- Fail-Boat

by MI96B at Citysearch

Expensive, but what the heck? It was our 18th anniversary. The action started as you boarded, with the actors moving about and involving you in the show/mystery. However, as the action moved on, a problem became clear: they were sharing one or two hand-held microphones, and I frequently could not hear what was being said. Seriously? They don't know about portable clip-on mics? How hard would that have been? So now, I begin losing interst in the mystery, as I haven't heard half of what was said. Alas, the food will make up for it. My wife had looked at the site, and beef should be on the menu. Wrong. Salmon, lamb, halibut, 'african spiced' chicken and portabella mushroom something. Great. I picked the chicken and was surprised to learn that 'african spiced' means no discernable flavor other than chicken. It was on par with what you used to get on an airline dinner flight. My wife is a huge sea food fan and got salmon, and was disappointed. The wait service was good, until the end. While I was not the last person to receive the bill, I was definately the last to have it settled. Despite displying it immediately with my card, waiter after waiter passed by, ignoring it. So, if you are the waiter and wondering why you didn't get the 15-20% I usually tip (all you have to do is breathe), that's why. I was literally the last diner off the ship. I was disappointed. For what I payed, I certainly expected better food. And while the actors did well, it matters llittle if we cannot hear you. I wouldn't do it again. The fail-boat has arrived.

11/21/09

New Year's Eve Cruise 2009

by Norcalfilly at Citysearch

My husband and I took the New Year's Eve Cruise 2009 $360). There was inclement weather, which is not the fault of Argosy, however, they had the passengers standing in a very long line outside without cover for roughly 30 minutes. Not really good on the hair or the clothes. Our seating was on the 3rd deck, the smallest area on the boat. The tables were were so close together that our stomachs were pressed against it, and we were unable to move. My husband and I are tall, and it was not the best of situations. We had to share a table with another couple, which was not a problem, but all the passengers were in such close proximity that it was very uncomfortable. We had the salmon and prime rib. We were not asked how we wanted the prime rib, and therefore, the waitress brought my husband, who is strickly a "well done guy" the rawest meat I've ever seen... He ate it, but he wasn't happy about it. Our table guest didn't eat his food at all. When it came time for the toast, we were given a 1/2 glass of champagne. We didn't get up to dance because getting back into our seats at the table would require the people behind us to pull their chairs out each time. We will not do this cruise again.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Several

10/14/09

Christmas Ships

by bonhawbaker at Citysearch

We finally did a Christmas Ship Cruise last Dec. It was alittle chilly. so bring the layers. It speeds out of Kirkland. The mother in law was a snow queen/ Princess, and she was all about the Cruise. It's a nice way to check out bonfires on Madison Beach

• Pros: not too spendy

06/28/09

Argosy poorly managed

by bigdog099 at Citysearch

Worst experience of our Seattle trip. I took my parents to Seattle to celebrate their 40th Anniversary and we were going to take the Locks cruise. We arrived about half an hour before the next departure, purchased our tickets, and was told to wait in the center area and that a bus would be picking us up and take us to our departing location.

They announced the bus would be arriving and to move out to the street which we did along with a couple of other couples however we never saw a bus for Argosy. Finally, one of the other couples went asked about the bus and found out we were all standing in the wrong place. They failed to tell us we had to walk further north along to pier to another loading location for the bus. By the time we found out the bus had already left, we missed the cruise, and the next one wasn’t scheduled for 3 hours later.

I went back to the ticket counter and demanded a refund and asked to speak to a manager. I was sent to a building along the pier to speak to a manager. I explained to her my experience and all she said was we knew we were missing some passengers and looked for them. I know that is not true because the person at the ticket counter could see us the whole time we were waiting for the bus and never helped us. The manager made no effort to get us on that cruise or the harbor cruise that was leaving in 15 minutes. At least I did get a refund but the experience ruined my parent’s anniversary. If you’re going to use this company make sure you know exactly where to be or you will literally miss your boat.

• Cons: They don't explain clearly where to go for your cruise