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Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the chilly waters of the Salish Sea, the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park in Friday Harbor in Washington’s picturesque San Juan Islands casts a spell. Not surprising since scenes from 1998’s “Practical Magic” were filmed in Friday Harbor, but primarily because it is home to several enchanting sights on American Cruise Lines’ (ACL) nine-day Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruise itinerary.
This particular stop on the cruise line’s Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley excursion is considered one of the best places in the world for viewing wildlife and home to cavorting orca, peregrine falcons, river otters, stellar sea lions and the greatest concentration of bald eagles in the continental United States. I didn’t spot any from my perch above the lighthouse, but I did spy harbor seals and a great blue heron.
I was sailing aboard the American Constellation, one of line’s two 170-passenger Constellation Class coastal ships operating on the Pacific Northwest Coast and reveling in the beauty of its seascape and historic waterfront towns.
SHORESIDE DISCOVERIES
American Cruise Lines excels at bringing the charm and character of this region to life through in-depth and creative excursions, like the Jolly Trolley. In addition to exploring Lime Kiln State Park, we met several furry friends at Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm and meandered about Roche Harbor Resort, an adorable and historic hideaway named “Best Venue in Washington” in 2025. Here, we wandered off path and into San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, utterly captivating with dozens of locally inspired installations poised throughout the meadowland.
Each port on our itinerary featured a half dozen or more shore excursions, everything from wildlife viewing expeditions to kayaking adventures to food and wine tastings.
In Anacortes (also a film location for “Practical Magic”), we strolled Commercial Avenue, dipping into the Wishing Rock, a fantasyland for garden lovers. We chose the Legends & Lore Walking Exploration in Port Townsend to learn about this Victorian seaport’s colorful boom-and-bust years, then roamed among baskets and shelves of silk-soft yarns in Bazaar Girls Yarn Shop & Fibre Emporium. After sipping wine at Olympic Cellars in Port Angeles we thumbed through books in downtown’s two bookstores: Port Books & News and Odyssey Books & Gifts.
LIFE ON BOARD
Part of the magic of the American Constellation is a crew that expresses through every word and deed just how important guest comfort and enjoyment is to them. Everyone, from the shore excursion team to the dining room staff to the room stewards are outgoing and friendly and bend over backward to make each day a happy one for every guest. Questions about a specific shop in port? They’ll research and provide directions. Extra towels? Of course. An extra appetizer? Bon appetit!
We chose an excursion at every stop on this voyage but still had plenty of time to enjoy all the onboard activities and entertainment: A cooking demo, crafts session, scavenger hunt, a veterans’ tribute, afternoon live music, lots of trivia, movies and more filled the schedule. In fact, the “Jaws 2” matinee drew lots of passengers to the Cascade Lounge’s comfy sofas — including one who passed the ship’s afternoon cookies to a rapt audience.
Experts in American history, ecology and other topics discuss everything from the ecosystem and marine life to the native art and culture of the region. For instance, a representative from Friday Harbor’s Whale Museum discussed why the San Juan Islands are a mecca for orcas before leading a complimentary excursion to the museum. One of the only museums of its kind in its celebration of a living species, it is known for its Gallery of Whales with behemoth orca skeletons and its Genealogy Board, a family tree of the three pods of resident whales that call the Salish Sea home.
In Port Townsend, a speaker with the Jefferson County Historical Society presented “Vanishing Murals,” a program about how the colorful advertising murals of the 19th and early 20th centuries helped tell the story of a town and its history and connect the past to the present. Although faded with time and the elements, these “ghost murals,” as the speaker called them, were fascinating to see in person on a walk later that day.
Most evenings, a variety of live musical entertainment is performed, everything from the music of the 1970s to the musical stylings of Seattle-based dance band, The Chancellors — the No. 1 entertainment on this route, according to our cruise director.
REGIONAL, SEASONAL DINING
ACL’s evening pre-dinner cocktail parties are positively decadent with an array of delectables including egg rolls with teriyaki sauce, skewers of deep fried shrimp, clams, shrimp and grits, cheese and crackers and fresh fruit — and that was the spread featured on just one night. Other goodies that routinely enticed guests to the Cascade Lounge were empanadas, mini quiche, pigs in blankets served with a piquant Dijon dipping sauce, a relish of olives and roasted and fresh red peppers and more, accompanied by an open bar, music and lively conversation.
From the casual early riser’s breakfast in the Sky Lounge to dinner presented in the restaurant on Main Deck — classic American fair served with a regional flourish — dining aboard the American Constellation, as on all ACL ships, is a gastronomical treat. And the view? Spectacular, whether it’s the dramatic coastlines of the Pacific Northwest, the island villages of New England or the turquoise waters and sandy beaches of the Florida Gulf Coast & Keys.
Dig into avocado toast topped with baby arugula and eggs and accompanied by potatoes and fresh berry cup for breakfast. Lunch might feature a French dip sandwich zested up with a tangy apple coleslaw made with Washington apples. Dinner pulls out all the culinary stops with appetizers featuring the cheese, produce and other products of local farms followed by entrées like Pacific Northwest Dungeness crab cakes, pan-seared Alaskan halibut or Coho salmon croquettes. And dessert? A parade of cakes, tortes and other confections and always an assortment of ice creams.
One of my favorite features about American Cruise Line is the snack counter in the Sky Lounge, which is filled daily with a variety of grab-and-go sweet and salty snacks. I love that I can pick up a breakfast bar if I choose to sleep in or a bag of pretzels for a late night snack. This is also where a more casual self-serve lunch is set up if your preference is to skip the main dining room, with wine and beer readily available for the pouring.
APPEALING ACCOMMODATIONS
ACL’s roomy staterooms and suites are calming and inviting in soft color palettes of creams, blues and greens and stocked with an array of amenities: shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion and single-serve coffee brewer with coffee and tea pods. Comfortable, too, with crisply sheeted beds plumped with comforter and pillows and looking out onto the unfolding scenery.
The ship itself is beautiful, with tastefully designed lounges in shades of blue and white and a dining room that is pure elegance in off-white, dramatic color courtesy of the changing landscape framed by picture windows. Even the open-air Sky Deck charms with blue-cushioned wicker sofas, shaded seating and putting green. The ambience is casual but refined, the pace unhurried and the vibe cozy — all part of ACL’s magic in creating an unforgettable experience on America’s waterways.
PLAN YOUR TRAVELS
American Cruise Lines offers Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises from March through October on several ships, including the American Constellation, American Spirit, and — coming in 2027 — new Patriot Class ship, American Ranger. The most awarded U.S. River and Small Ship cruise line, ACL carries only 90 to 180 guests, depending on the ship, and features 50-plus all-inclusive itineraries to the Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Puget Sound, Columbia and Snake Rivers, Alaska, the American Southeast and New England.
Cruises include all fine dining meals (plus snacks and evening hors d’oeuvres); alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; enrichment programs, guest speakers and nightly live musical entertainment; at least one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call; tips, gratuities and port charges; and a pre-cruise hotel stay that includes luggage service and transportation to the ship. Additionally, Wi-Fi is free and — one of my favorite cruise ship features — there is a guest laundry with detergent included.
For information about American Cruise Lines’ itineraries, themed cruises such as Fall Foliage, Mark Twain, Lewis & Clark, Culinary and more, visit http://www.americancruiselines.com or call 800-460-4518.
