Photos from the 2016 Argosy Christmas Ships

On Sunday, Dec. 18, Argosy Cruises parked the Spirit of Seattle, joined by police boats and other hangers-on, several yards off the shore of Madison Park Beach to broadcast Christmas carols to neighborhood revelers.

Some longtime attendees of the annual Christmas Ship Festival complained that it was the first year the celebration was held in daylight, preventing the Spirit of Seattle's decorative lights from being fully appreciated. Also marring the occasion was a barge, involved in the State Route 520 bridge cleanup, anchored directly in the middle of the beach's view of the water.

But that didn't stop several hundred people from showing up to celebrate the arrival of the ships, a tradition in the Puget Sound area. Since 1949, ships giving Christmas day cruises have stopped by waterfront communities to share carols. The ships visited about 65 communities this year.

Shoreside, Seattle Parks and Recreation built a bonfire on the beach, while the Madison Park Community Council arranged for music and food in the Madison Park Beach House. Windermere arranged photos with Santa to the rear of the beach house.

Argosy ends its 2016 Christmas cruise season with carols on the shore of Gas Works Park 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23.