CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. — ATS: Santa Express holiday cruise brings Christmas cheer to Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan may be known as a spring and summer destination, but a holiday cruise is giving families a reason to get out on the water during the chilly Christmas season.
Lake Chelan Boat Company is offering its Santa Express holiday cruise, a family-friendly experience featuring Christmas characters, hot chocolate, cookies, and a show.
“Everybody always thinks of Lake Chelan in summer. And yes, the lake is beautiful and wonderful in the summer, but in the wintertime, it’s just absolutely just as gorgeous,” said Amaris Longmire, director of marketing and events for Lake Chelan Boat Company.
The company has been around since 1889, primarily providing passenger transportation between Chelan and Stehekin.
The idea for the Santa Express began three years ago, and Longmire said the cruises have continued to grow since their debut.
“The first year, it was a real kind of trial and error, but ... we sold out every cruise that we did the first year, and it’s been a success ever since,” Longmire said. “We take different holiday characters from different, like Christmas movies or stories, and kind of mash them up. And they’re on the boat with us and then interacting with all of the passengers.”
Those characters range from Santa and Mrs. Claus to characters like Elsa and is designed to teach children about the meaning of Christmas beyond gifts.
During the first part of the cruise, passengers receive free hot chocolate and cookies. Children can write a letter to Santa, and guests can decorate mugs upstairs.
“The second part of the cruise is with the little skit and play and interaction with the crowd,” Longmire said.
The hour-long cruises take place every Saturday after Thanksgiving and before Christmas.
The first Saturday cruise on Nov. 28 is already sold out, though Lake Chelan Boat Company may add a second cruise if interest is high enough.
Along the way, passengers can also take in the winter scenery around Lake Chelan.
“You can see the lights of downtown. And then we head up the North Shore a little ways and then cut across and come back down,” Longmire said.
Longmire said the experience is intended to be an affordable holiday outing for families.
“You get snacks and a show, and you can still go out to dinner, but come experience Lake Chelan in the wintertime,” she said.
For more information about the Santa Express holiday cruise, click here. https://charterlakechelan.com/scheduled-events/
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