Hoover Dam Cruise: A Visitor’s In-Depth Review
Planning a trip to the Hoover Dam and wondering if that 90-Minute Midday Sightseeing Cruise is worth your time and cash? You’ve shown up at just the right spot. This detailed review will give you some thoughts that should help you plan your adventure, so you know just what to look ahead to. I will say that the Hoover Dam is really quite amazing, too it stands as a great accomplishment of human engineering, a landmark that everyone ought to check out sometime. But, sometimes a great landmark can have… let’s say, less than great ways to view it. It is so important to pick well. Does the boat tour give you a look at this icon that you’ll treasure, or does it just feel like a tourist trap? Let’s check it all out!
Getting to the Marina: More or Less An Adventure
The adventure sort of begins well before you ever set foot on the boat, because getting to the Lake Mead Marina can be a bit, just a bit, tricky. That drive from Las Vegas can take nearly an hour, that is if the traffic behaves, so plan to get going with lots of extra time. Also, the roads leading to the marina, they are windy and can be quite crowded, mostly during peak season. Once you get there, parking can be a beast. They could be full, and you might find yourself hiking quite a distance, too it’s almost as though that lot is teasing you. I mean, it is just right there! The views on the drive, those can be nice, a bit of desert landscape to wake up your eyes, but make no mistake, this leg requires real planning, just so you don’t start your cruise already frazzled.
First Impressions: A Mixed Bag Maybe?
When you see the boat, well, your first feeling might be mixed. Is that thing okay? It tends to look a bit older, perhaps it’s been on the water for quite some time, and that is not necessarily bad, yet it’s good to keep expectations in check. The boarding area might seem a bit disorganized when a lot of people show up. But, the staff are often very friendly and pretty efficient getting everyone on board, so don’t worry too much. Finding a decent seat can be tough. This is specially true if you are not in that first crush of boarders. Still, with some patience, you should find a spot that works. Maybe not the prime spot, but a spot. People that want sun, should grab topside spots. And those wanting shade, want to find a chair inside of the boat.
The Cruise Itself: Is it Worth The time?
Now for the main event, a boat ride. The cruise sets off, giving you some pretty cool perspectives of the Hoover Dam that you simply cannot get from land, too it’s almost that you have to be out on the water. The boat gets nice and close to the dam, allowing for killer pictures. So bring a nice phone with a nice camera. The narration, they tell you things that make it interesting. The guides share stories of the dam’s design, and when it was created, so there are many chances to pick up new facts that you would not have had otherwise. Sometimes they are a bit tough to hear, that sound system could be a little better. But generally, you are gonna walk away knowing more than when you got there. Now, apart from that Hoover Dam itself, a view of Lake Mead might not knock your socks off. It is okay, especially with the water levels kind of low these days, so you will notice the ‘bathtub ring’ effect on the rock formations.
Creature Comforts and Things to Consider: Just a Bit Comfortable.
Let’s speak for a moment about making sure you are ready for your time out on the water. Bring sunscreen, the Nevada sun, it doesn’t mess around. Sunglasses and a hat can really make the cruise more pleasurable. The boat has some basic facilities: bathrooms and a snack bar where you might be able to buy things to eat and drink. The snack bar might be pricey and they might not have everything on the menu. Don’t expect to get any fancy dining. I would argue that this is just a basic sightseeing tour. If you are sensitive to motion, it could be smart to bring some motion sickness pills, just in case, yet the waters around that dam usually stays pretty calm.
The Crowd: Seeing a bit of Everybody
The type of people on the cruise tend to be quite mixed. There could be families, older folks, and tourists that came from everywhere. So, there’s people that will be very stoked to be there with you, too it’s almost like an party on the water! The cruise is great for seeing things along with family or if you just want some alone time to just chill out on the lake. One thing you’ll notice is that folks really respect one another and have no problems chatting about what the like seeing. It brings good times.
Cost vs. Benefit: Bang for Your Buck?
So, what about the moolah? Tickets are fairly average for boat tours around cool spots, yet it’s useful to really see what you get for that hard earned money. A simple ride on Lake Mead. But there are better ways to see this spot from other, better vantage points. Factoring that price versus the chance to view the Hoover Dam from an angle not typically accessible to regular traffic, it’s likely to offer up good bang for the buck for plenty of travelers, if you simply want that boat-eye perspective of such a wondrous location. One thing for certain, however, is that money shouldn’t ever hold up you getting memories. And this place certainly can afford that.
Would I Recommend This Cruise? Maybe with a Catch…
Do I think you should do that Hoover Dam 90-Minute Midday Sightseeing Cruise? Likely. It’s great when seeing that monument. But I believe it works best as something extra in your trip rather than the main thing. If you’re thinking of this being THE must-see attraction at Hoover Dam, temper the wants. However, if you have a bit more time and cash and wish to chill out on Lake Mead and soak in some cool history from an special viewpoint, absolutely go do it! Ensure you are ready for some lines and average boat services and the chance that Lake Mead may or may not always look so hot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?
It can depend on how good you’re with transfers on your own, as ramps can often be steep. So give them a ring ahead of time just to know all your options.
Are food and drinks allowed on the cruise?
You may not want to pack up your whole picnic, yet sealed water bottles are almost okay. Snacks might be got onboard too.
Is there shade on the boat?
Yep, sections down under are there just for sun avoidance; get out to see stuff topside, however.
Can you see the Hoover Dam well from the cruise?
Definitely. In truth, some of the best views from around are there from the boat and also in that tour; prepare a phone with space for pics!
The Hoover Dam 90-Minute Midday Sightseeing Cruise provides unique perspectives of an icon landmark, but some parts can still be somewhat enhanced, yet can still make an impression in one’s vacation. For those extra interested to visit such destination, get ready for little complications. It is very often worth going there as the area all round delivers experiences most people enjoy having on holidays!
Key Takeaways
- Getting to that marina could take time due to its placement near Lake Mead.
- Expect something a little average or antique from it at times, though they give solid cruising.
- You could learn extra stuff in that moment in viewing such location on top of that tour!
- Come prepared and take pleasure and see and watch whatever Lake Mead comes to provide!
