PORT TOWNSEND — The 205-foot American Spirit has sailed into the waters of Port Townsend as expected, though passengers had one more boat trip to make before they could explore the Victorian seaport.
Due to the cruise ship’s size, the American Spirit had to anchor in the waters of Port Townsend Bay rather than tie up at Union Wharf as previously planned, American Spirit Capt. Don Johnson said.
The ship’s 40 passengers were ferried via a smaller craft the cruise ship carries onboard for situations like this, Johnson said.
The boat took them to the Port Townsend Boat Haven.
Johnson said the extra boat ride will not force American Spirit passengers to miss any of the scheduled activities waiting for them on shore.
“They’re not going to miss any tours or anything,” Johnson said.
Passengers had the chance to take a walking tour of downtown Port Townsend this morning led by Jefferson Historical Society docents in Victorian garb, and at 10:30 had the choice of an uptown tour by bus or a tour of the Northwest Marine Center.
A Fort Worden State Park tour was scheduled for 2 p.m. today and go to 5 p.m. After dinner, the Captains of Swing, a jazz trio of local musicians, will perform aboard the ship.
The American Spirit is scheduled to leave Port Townsend early morning Friday en route for Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula as part of a total eight-day cruise in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.