It's Holiday Time: Christmas Ship Is Sailing

The holiday season is cruising season in Seattle. It kicked off with the Special People's cruise last weekend, but there's lots more ahead.

The Chet Gibson Memorial Christmas Cruise, a lighted boat parade coordinated by the Queen City Yacht Club, will be tomorrow and Saturday. The parade forms in Lake Union at 6 p.m. and ends at Webster Point at 9:50 p.m. both days. All boaters are invited to participate. No entry fees. For schedule, call 323-4700.

The viewing schedule:

Tomorrow: Lake Union, 6 p.m.; Webster Point, 6:40 p.m.; Leschi Park, 7 p.m.; Burbank Park, Mercer Island, 7:30 p.m.; Meydenbauer Bay, Bellevue, 8 p.m.; Webster Point, 9:50 p.m.

Saturday: beginning at Lake Union at 6 p.m. and ending at Webster Point at 9:50 p.m. Viewing schedule: Lake Union, 6 p.m.; Webster Point, 7 p.m.; Cozy Cove, 8 p.m.; Kirkland, 8:15 p.m.; Lake City, 8:45 p.m.; Sand Point, 9:30 p.m.; Webster Point, 9:50 p.m.

No entry fees required. For schedule, call 323-4700.

The Seattle Civic Christmas Ship sailings kick off Monday with a 5 p.m. lighting ceremony at Pier 55. Cruises continue daily through Dec. 14, departing from Chandler's Cove Dec. 11 and 12 and from Leschi Moorage Dec. 13 and 14. The viewing schedule:

-- Monday: Lighting ceremonies, Pier 55, 5-6 p.m.; Lowman Beach, 6:45-7:05 p.m.; Alki Beach, 7:30-7:50 p.m.; Don Armeni Beach, 8:00-8:20 p.m.; Waterfront Park, 8:35-8:55 p.m.; Myrtle Edwards Park, 9:00-9:20

p.m.

-- Tuesday: Ballard Locks, 6:30-7 p.m.; Golden Gardens, 7:15-7:35 p.m.; Blue Ridge/North Beach, 8:00-8:20 p.m.; Carkeek Park, 8:30-8:50 p.m.; Richmond Beach, 9-9:20 p.m.; Ballard Locks, 10-10:30 p.m.

-- Wednesday: Chandler's Cove, 6:00-6:20 p.m.; Gas Works Park, 6:30-6:50 p.m.; Madison Park, 7:30-7:50 p.m.; Matthews Beach, 8:30-8:50 p.m.; Magnuson Beach, 9:00-9:20 p.m.; Laurelhurst, 9:25-9:45 p.m.

-- Dec. 13: Madrona Beach, 6:05-6:25 p.m.; Burbank Park, Mercer Island, 6:45-7:05 p.m.; Meydenbauer Bay, Bellevue, 7:20-7:40 p.m.; Marina Park, Kirkland, 8:20-8:40 p.m.; Denny Park, Kirkland, 8:55-9:15 p.m.

-- Dec. 14: Newcastle Beach, Bellevue, 6:40-7:00 p.m.; Coulon Park, Renton, 7:30-7:50 p.m.; Atlantic Beach Park, 8:10-8:30 p.m.; Ferdinand St. Boat Ramp, 8:55-9:15 p.m.; Stan Sayres Park, 9:20-9:40 p.m.; Mount Baker Beach, 9:45-10:05 p.m.