Views from the water offer unique vantage points of a destination.
Throw in wildlife watching, an onboard meal and a little live music, and it’s no wonder sightseeing cruises are such a popular way to pass an afternoon. Whether they take place on elegant yachts or aboard vintage paddle wheelers, these cruises show passengers a good time — and they offer visitors a way to experience destinations that can’t be replicated on land.
From coast to coast and on the mighty rivers in between, here are five sightseeing cruises for faith-based groups.
Savannah Riverboat Cruises
Savannah, Georgia
With its cobblestone streets, centuries-old homes and oak trees draped with Spanish moss, strolling through Savannah, Georgia, feels like stepping back in time. But Savannah also comes alive on River Street, with its shops, restaurants and pleasant rooftops just a few blocks from the city’s characteristic historic squares. Another incredible activity found on River Street is Savannah Riverboat Cruises, which takes guests to explore the Savannah River on board the Georgia Queen and the Savannah River Queen, two paddle-wheel riverboats that can hold 1,000 and 600 passengers, respectively.
Thanks to Savannah’s mild weather, a variety of cruises are available year-round. A 90-minute narrated sightseeing tour lets groups hear all about Savannah’s rich history along the river. They may glide by Old Fort Jackson and even experience a cannon firing, depending on the time of year. While meals are not included on sightseeing cruises, a full bar and grill are available for light fare and beverages. If groups opt for one of the many available dining cruises, good food on board is a guarantee. Brunch, lunch and dinner cruises are offered and serve Southern comfort classics buffet-style, including shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fresh fish and seasonal fresh vegetables.
Another popular option for faith-based groups is a gospel cruise, where passengers can enjoy a delicious meal while being serenaded by a gospel choir. Seasonal cruises and sunset cruises are also available. Savannah Riverboat Cruises also partners with other Savannah tour companies to provide deals on trolley tours of the city. Group rates are available for groups of 25 or more.
Hudson River Cruises
Kingston, New York
About 90 miles north of New York City, along the banks of the Hudson River, the quiet town of Kingston, New York, is known for its historic estates and the scenic beauty of the Catskill Mountains. The walkable Hudson Valley town has an abundance of art galleries and public art, as well as buildings of various architectural styles, many of which pre-date the Revolutionary War. It’s also not far from other group attractions like the Culinary Institute of America, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.
The Hudson River provides a backdrop for many of the town’s waterfront shops and eateries. Whether they’re venturing out of New York City or exploring the Hudson Valley in its own right, groups can enjoy Kingston from the water on board the Rip Van Winkle II with Hudson River Cruises.
The vessel has three decks and can accommodate groups of up to 250, though group rates begin with just 10 passengers. From May to October, Hudson River Cruises offers multiple types of public cruises, as well as special-event cruises and private charters. One of the top options among groups is the 90-minute sightseeing cruise, which is also available as a sunset cruise. From the boat, groups can see historic lighthouses, estates and monasteries as they glide past. The sightseeing cruises are especially popular in September and October during the height of leaf-peeping season. Passengers often see wildlife, such as bald eagles, along the riverbanks.
While standard sightseeing cruises don’t feature meals, a snack bar offers light fare and beverages. Additionally, catering arrangements can be made available for groups that charter or arrange in advance.
“It’s a nice relaxing cruise, and groups enjoy getting out and seeing sights from the water,” said Drew Yochum, vice president of sales and marketing for Hudson River Cruises. “Some of these are sights you can’t see from the road, so it’s a unique viewpoint for sure.”
La Crosse Queen Cruises
La Crosse, Wisconsin
The mighty Mississippi River stretches approximately 2,340 miles, making it the second-longest river in the U.S. It touches 10 states and many bustling cities before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Not far from its headwaters, the glacial Lake Itasca in Minnesota, the river winds through La Crosse, Wisconsin, providing the city with much of its natural beauty and recreation. One way to experience the river is on board the La Crosse Queen, a paddle-wheel boat made in La Crosse that takes guests on a variety of scenic cruises.
“The boat itself is an authentic paddle-wheel boat,” said Devin Benson, general manager of La Crosse Queen Cruises. “Most around these days only have the paddles for show, but we’re actually propelled by the paddles.”
Groups of 30 or more can enjoy discounted rates on a variety of public cruises, ranging from narrated sightseeing cruises to those including a meal, such as Saturday dinner or Sunday brunch cruises. There’s also a lunch cruise and a pizza cruise. Sightseeing cruises teach guests about the city’s history and the river’s ecology, with views of the surrounding bluffs and, sometimes, glimpses of the area’s diverse wildlife. Certain cruises also take the vessel through Lock and Dam No. 7, offering a rare view of traveling through a river lock. Dining cruises feature mouthwatering chef-prepared entrees, like prime rib and baked chicken, with an assortment of sides and a dessert. A full bar serves beer, wine and cocktails, though these are not included in the price of the cruise.
Excursions range from 90 minutes to three hours and run from early May through late October. In addition to the regularly scheduled public cruises, groups can also book private charters. The La Crosse Queen’s maximum onboard capacity is 149 passengers.
Flagship Cruises & Events
San Diego
San Diego is brimming with group activities, thanks to staples like Balboa Park, which is home to a wide variety of museums, shops and restaurants, as well as the famous San Diego Zoo. Groups also love spending time on the water exploring the San Diego Bay and heading out to sea for a glimpse of marine life. San Diego is a popular whale-watching destination, but it also offers glimpses of sea lions, dolphins and other wildlife.
Flagship Cruises & Events is a family-owned cruising company that has been around since 1915. It has a large fleet of yachts and other vessels equipped for a variety of cruises, from California Spirit, a sleek 600-person yacht, to the Marietta, the company’s largest whale-watching vessel that can accommodate up to 458 guests. Groups can choose between one-hour or two-hour San Diego Harbor Cruises that offer panoramic views of the city, light bites and beverages, and narration of the harbor’s history. Starting each December and lasting through the winter, whales pass through the waters off San Diego’s shores as part of their annual migration. During these months, the cruising company offers whale-watching cruises.
Flagship Cruises & Events also offers dining cruises, including harbor dinner cruises that serve dishes prepared on board with fresh, seasonal ingredients and provide gorgeous views of the bay at sunset. Brunch cruises are two hours and serve bottomless mimosas and live music. Groups of 20 or more can receive special rates on public dining and sightseeing cruises, but private charters are also available.
The Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises
Gulf Shores, Alabama
With their sugar white sand, laid-back atmosphere and abundant activities for all ages, Alabama’s beaches make Gulf Shores and Orange Beach highly appealing to a variety of groups. Faith-based groups will want to pack their itineraries with opportunities to enjoy fresh-caught seafood, plentiful golf and fun at the Wharf. But they should also be sure to include one of the destination’s most popular activities, a dolphin tour with The Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises.
Part of the Olin Marler charter boat family, a company that has been operating for more than 50 years, The Sunny Lady offers two to three dolphin tours a day year-round, giving up to 3,000 cruises a year. Sunset dolphin cruises are also available. The vessel can seat up to 100 passengers as it glides through the back bays of Orange Beach. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and let groups see dolphins playing in their natural habitat, as well as other marine life. The company boasts a 98% success rate for dolphin-sightings on its tours.
The boat’s cabin is climate-controlled, but open decks give passengers up-close views of the water and the marine life. There’s also an onboard snack bar and restrooms in the cabin, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. Group rates and private charters can be arranged and public parking is available at the Wharf.
