Countdown to Christmas with Captain Carl

COEUR d’ALENE — People might not recognize Carl Fus.

But say, “Captain Carl,” and everyone knows who you’re talking about.

He’s the man with the ready smile and relaxed demeanor who provides a steady hand for the Journey to the North Pole Cruises that will transport an estimated 75,000 adults and kids across Lake Coeur d’Alene to see Santa Claus this holiday season.

Fus smiles when asked how he came to be known as “Captain Carl."

Pretty easy.

“It’s my name and title. It flows well,” he said, laughing.

Fus, general manager of Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises, part of the Hagadone Corporation, is the Guest of Honor for the 35th annual Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 25, on the front lawn of The Resort.

A dedicated team member of the Hagadone Corporation for 33 years, Fus has seen many Holiday Lighting Ceremonies. This year, Fus will have the honor of leading the annual countdown to Christmas.

“Captain Carl has been a major contributor to our cruise operation over the past 33 years. I can’t think of a better person to launch this year’s Holiday In Lights,” said CEO of the Hagadone Corporation, Brad Hagadone.

Fus will flip the switch that will bring some 1.5 million Christmas lights to life at The Resort. The lineup includes Santa and his reindeer, Rudolph, a giant wreath and a star atop the tree at Hagadone Corp. headquarters.

The Holiday Lighting Ceremony Parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Sherman Avenue. The lighting ceremony will start around 6, followed by a fireworks show.

"Last year, we elevated our fireworks show in honor of the passing of our father, and we felt it only appropriate that this year, being our 35th lighting ceremony anniversary, we should put on another great show," Hagadone said. "Our team shares that this will be a show not to miss. Giving back to this great community we call home and starting the Christmas season in style means a lot to all of us and our family of local companies."

This year, The Resort and Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Journey to the North Pole Cruises and the 10th anniversary of The Travolta Christmas Show.

Fus said he considers it a great honor to be chosen to lead the countdown to Christmas.

“It’s a recognition of all the hard work my team and I have put in over the last 25 years,” he said.

The Resort has added two new activities to this year’s festivities.

Santa’s Reindeer Express will be located at The Resort’s Boardwalk Bar and will feature two live reindeer, open to the public.

Guests are invited to pet these magical creatures.

The Terrace Lounge's "S'mores by the Shores" program will offer a wood-burning pit, the chance to roast s’mores and views of the Holiday in Lights Show.

Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises is immensely popular in the summer, but the Journey to the North Pole Cruises, with five cruise boats and about 60 employees, owns the Christmas season.

“We found the property at the North Pole and Santa cooperated with us to make this happen,” Fus said, smiling.

Last year more than 70,000 people took cruises across the lake to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, the turbo-charged sleigh, a winter wonderland of displays and a fireworks show.

"The first year we did it, we were very happy to have 5,000 people participate," Fus said.

Raised in Rathdrum and a 1988 Lakeland High graduate, Fus worked on farms across the Rathdrum prairie in 1989, when he went to work for Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises.

He thanks his brother, Steve, for that.

“He said, ‘You should come down and check this place out,’ and I haven’t left since then,” Fus said.

His first job was as a deckhand. He took on other roles over the years. He cleaned bilges, greeted guests and made drinks behind the bar.

But career goals steered him to the captain's quarters.

“I gravitated more toward the pilot house than the bar,” he said, laughing.

In the off-season, he worked in construction and ventured into real estate to gain sales experience.

“I knew that would be something that would help me in my future,” he said. “All of that led to the positions I’m in now.”

He knew right away that Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises was where he belonged.

“I’ve been fortunate to grow with the company,” he said.

Fus has been with the holiday light program every step of the way. Today, he pilots cruises several days a week while overseeing the entire operation as general manager.

Pressure comes with the title, but Fus has seen it all. His experience keeps things on course.

“There’s always the unknown factor that could cause us to think and rethink, keeps us up at night, making sure we have everything lined up,” he said. “But we have a well-oiled machine right now. It’s a good program."

He has complete confidence in the staff.

“As long as we’re providing our team with all the tools they need, I know we can accomplish the objective,” he said.

Fus takes pride in knowing Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises delivers what guests want: A memorable, fun time on the water.

The combination of a boat ride across a beautiful lake for kids to visit St. Nick is unparalleled.

“I don’t know of any other place in the country where you can get on a boat and travel to the North Pole and see Santa up close and personal," Fus said.

He loves knowing that Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises is doing something that has become a family tradition for many and brings joy to untold numbers of children each holiday season.

“We’re providing something to this community that people will remember and take with them for generations," he said.

Fus, who still lives in Rathdrum, has long been attracted to the outdoors. He camps, hunts, fishes and, of course, boats with his wife, Kim, and two daughters.

“I always enjoy the time on the water,” he said.

Fus is confident this will be another great year for the Journey to the North Pole cruises. Preparations began in August. Displays promise to be bright and crisp.

“Everything is looking really good right now,” he said.

He credits his team for that. Each person plays an important role and delivers their best, he said.

“I know everybody is working hard, from the people who set up the operation that is out there working in the weather to get this set up on time," Fus said.

Asked what he would say to someone who hasn't taken a Journey to the North Pole, Captain Carl hopes they get onboard.

“It's something you’ll be able to remember for years with your children,” he said. “It touches the hearts of children of all ages."