USA · SIGHTSEEING CRUISES
A narrated hour on the water is the cheapest orientation any American city sells. These 15 compare the river, harbour and bay runs on price, length and whether the commentary is a guide or a recording.
Board a comfortable yacht at Bayside Marketplace for a 90-minute Biscayne Bay cruise with live English and Spanish commentary. See Star Island, Fisher Island, South Beach, Miami’s skyline, and waterfront mansions. Choose climate-controlled seating or the breezy upper deck.
“My daughter and I loved being on the water and viewing the homes of the famous Miami residents”
Join Boston Harbor City Cruises at Long Wharf for a 3.5 to 4 hour trip to Stellwagen Bank. New England Aquarium naturalists, including guides such as Amanda and Andrew, explain whale behavior while you watch from outdoor decks or large-window cabins.
“We were very lucky to have a fine day for this activity and although I do suffer from motion sickness I felt absolutely fine for the whole trip. We were given an interesting dialogue on the way out to the whale watching area and it was wonderful to manage to see three magnificent whales.”
Cruise from Pier 78 along the Hudson and East Rivers, passing Hudson Yards, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO, and Lower Manhattan. You get indoor and outdoor decks, a snack bar, restrooms, and a live English guide. Guides such as Molly, Darius, and Al are known for mixing facts with humor.
“The crew and guide were excellent, historic places pointed out and little extra info about things- it was a great ride!”
Cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island aboard the Red and White Fleet. You’ll get recorded commentary in 16 languages, skyline and Sausalito views, an onboard bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a chance to spot sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, or whales.
“The scenery was nice. The audio was a bit faulty with the limited amount they had. The bar was nice and the staff was very friendly and easy to talk too while waiting for my drinks.”
Cruise the Savannah River for 90 minutes aboard a traditional red, white, and blue riverboat. Hear live stories about Savannah, its port, and Old Fort Jackson, while choosing between climate-controlled indoor seating and open-air decks. Food and drinks cost extra, and lunch is not included.
“Fascinating narration - enthusiastic & informative! Nice clean ship, reasonable food. Well worth the money”
Leave Boston’s Long Wharf by high-speed catamaran for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. A naturalist, sometimes including guides such as Colin, explains whale behavior and conservation while you watch for humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, dolphins, and seabirds.
“Was cold and windy on the water, definitely bring a jacket. Thought it was going to be disappointing after 3 hours passed without seeing anything. Luckily we found 2 humpbacks together and saw some incredible things. Full breach, flipper slapping, and general swimming about. Ended up being an absolute stunner of a day.”
Spend about 5.5 hours seeing Miami by air-conditioned double-decker bus and narrated boat. Visit Little Havana, pass South Beach and downtown, cruise Star Island and Millionaire’s Row, then pause at Bayside Marketplace and Wynwood. Guide quality and return transport can vary, so arrive 30 minutes early.
“This was fun .the speaker system on the bus was crackly and couldn’t understand most of it... the music on the boat was way too LOUD! I could not hear anything ! Then after we couldn’t find where to catch the bus to go back … our whole group was stranded !!!”
This nine-hour combo takes you from Lincoln Road through South Beach, Little Havana, Wynwood, and Miami’s core, then to Bayside Marketplace for a Biscayne Bay cruise and on to the Everglades. Captain Jack is one guide praised for making the airboat portion especially enjoyable.
“You will drive by a lot of buildings. Very mediocre commentary by driver. Traffic delays are frustrating. Compared to my other city tours this one was a dud.”
Start at Bayside Marketplace for a four-hour Big Bus tour and a 90-minute Island Queen cruise. You’ll hear English or Spanish commentary, pass South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, and Miami’s Design District, then view celebrity homes from the bay.
“It was a fun bus tour around the city. It was kind of confusing at first, since nobody explained how the bus works but I figured it out myself. The bus ride was very informative about each stop. We had nice views of Downtown Miami. The boat cruise was also fun! The tour guide was funny and informative. It was worth the price!”
Take a 90-minute Starship NYC cruise from Pier 78 past Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and South Street Seaport. You get live narration, a Statue of Liberty photo stop, and an onboard snack bar. Guides such as Darius and Molly have earned high praise.
“They cancelled the entire cruise and didn't inform only after I call I got informed No email no call nothing and it was freezing cold”
See Miami from three angles: ride an airboat at Everglades Holiday Park, tour Wynwood, Little Havana, Miami Beach, and the Art Deco District by open-top bus, then cruise Biscayne Bay past Millionaire’s Row. Guides may include José, German, David, or Chris, but schedules and staff vary.
“I had a great experience in Miami everybody was super nice and I don’t just mean the people in the tour staff but people in general”
Cruise from Long Wharf around Boston Harbor for one hour with live English narration. You will pass the USS Constitution, Bunker Hill Monument, Old North Church, Castle Island, and the harbor islands, with open-air decks, large-window seating, and snacks for sale.
“We had a wonderful time and our caption was funny and easy to listen to during the tour.”
Spend 90 minutes with guides such as Mason, Monica, Steve, or Nick cruising Fort Lauderdale’s New River. You’ll pass Millionaire’s Row, waterfront estates, mega yachts, and possibly downtown or Port Everglades while enjoying jokes, local facts, snacks, and drinks available onboard.
“Was fun. Commentary was fun. Cocktails were good. Mason was a superstar. Easy on and off boat. Worth the money”
Board the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for a narrated one-hour loop beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz. You’ll also see Angel Island, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, Coit Tower, and the Bay Bridge, with indoor and outdoor seating and audio in 16 languages.
“Great toursit cruise. An earlier time meant the boat wasnt crowded. The automated "guide" track was actually really interesting with some great fun facts to listen to - in between taking LOTS of pictures of course.”
Visit Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary with a 45-minute audio tour featuring inmates and guards, including Al Capone’s era. Then take a separate 60-minute Blue and Gold Fleet cruise past Pier 39, the waterfront, skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33; bay cruises leave from Pier 39.
“We happened to tour Alcatraz on a day when the last living inmate, Bill Baker, was there signing his book. That made a fabulous day SPECTACULAR!!”
Pick a skyline, a canyon or a coastline.
