This year's alternative to the annual Robinson Newspapers office Christmas party at the West Seattle old folks home was really exciting.

The new activity combined two of my fond memories -- sailing on an Argosy tour boat and seeing the Christmas Ship.

This year our newspaper family celebrated the season with many other families and couples by cruising on the Christmas Ship to Des Moines and Redondo.

Sailing on Argosy's Spirit of Seattle reminded me of Marge and my wonderful wedding 17 years ago aboard Argosy's Goodtime II.

We designed our own wedding, complete with homemade decorations, specially selected music and a potluck reception.

My brother-in-law, the freelance photographer from New York, took wedding pictures.

Great shots of his wife. Not too many of my family.

The captain sailed out into the Sound, and we exchanged vows at a beautiful site just off Alki Point.

It was the most fun of all my weddings!

Another fond memory is going down to the beach to see the Christmas Ship each holiday season.

It's always rainy, windy and freezing. But huddled up next to a roaring bonfire, drinking hot cider, seeing the brightly-lit boats and singing along to Christmas carols is a surefire way to get into the Christmas spirit.

While decorated holiday ships are not unique to the Puget Sound area, it's been a uniquely Puget Sound tradition for 56 years.

So you can imagine my excitement about actually going out on the Christmas Ship.

However, Marge is often skeptical of my miscellaneous adventures.

Beforehand, she declared, "Now. let me get this straight. You want to go out on a night cruise in the middle of December? Most of the other passengers will be strangers? And if I don't like it, I can't leave until the boat docks after two hours?"

But I have to admit, while Marge is usually wary, she almost invariably enthusiastically announces at night's end, "That was the moooost fun, I've ever had."

(She's not deterred when I point out that objectively speaking, you can't have the "moooost" fun ever, every time.)

Once aboard, Marge's skepticism diminished when she saw our wedding venue, the Goodtime II, would be one of the companion boats.

We sailed out of the Des Moines Marina and quickly took up a position off Des Moines Beach Park for the first performance.

As an onboard passenger, I can report two things that are not clear as a observer from the shore.

First of all, there are a lot of people on the Christmas Ship and the accompanying boats.

Second, there are actual live singers on the boat. No recorded carols for this holiday show.

On our night, it was the Columbia Children's Choir with their angelic voices.

Dressed for a mountain summit attempt, we headed to the outdoor third deck to see the shoreline bonfire from a whole new perspective.

I can also report the ship's huge speakers would put a rock band's arena sound system to shame.

After 20 minutes, we sailed south.

We were back up on the third deck next to Santa as he waved to the people huddled in a semi-circle around the fire at Redondo Beach.

The boat came much closer to the shore at Redondo, so we were able to actually see and hear the people on the beach. We also got a closer look at the people packed on the smaller boats as they circled the mother ship.

As we left Redondo, we partied with Santa as he formed a conga line along the upper deck.

And then it was back to the marina to disembark after a wonderful weekday night.

Suffice it to say, between the onboard Christmas Ship experience and last weekend's Choral Sounds Northwest holiday concert, I am brimming over with the Christmas spirit.

So let me thank you for reading the Times/News this past year and wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

Eric Mathison can be reached at hteditor@robinsonnews.com or 206-444-4873.