Deadline nears for Fleet Week guest cruise

The deadline is nearing for people who want to get a rare view of Bainbridge Island: from aboard a Navy warship.

As part of Fleet Week during this year's Seafair, the Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division is hosting a guest cruise aboard Navy and Coast Guard vessels on Aug. 1.

Applications are being accepted online through July 6.  Application forms, along with guest cruise policies and procedures, can be found online at www.shipriders.com.

Guest cruises are open to all U.S. citizens, 8 years of age and older. The cruises will depart from the Port of Seattle and may last from six to eight hours, including boarding and disembarking.

Ships hosting previous Seafair guest cruises have included destroyers, cutters, frigates, an amphibious assault ship and hospital ships.

The cost for this exciting day at sea is $20 and includes lunch on board the ship as it cruises around Puget Sound. The service charge of $20 is necessary to cover some expenses, including lunch on the ship.

Space is limited on guest cruises, so all applications received will be processed at random.

Also during Fleet Week, Navy personnel plan to host shorter pier-side tours of their ships from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 2-4, and from noon to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 5. These pier-side tours are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, visit www.shipriders.com, email questions to shipriders@navylifepnw.com or call 425-304-3577.

 

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