Pittsburgh Yacht River Cruise: An In-depth Review
Seeing Pittsburgh from the water actually offers, in a way, a view that’s really special. Very, very different from seeing the Steel City by foot or by car, that is.
Setting Sail on the Three Rivers
If you are wanting a fresh perspective of Pittsburgh, think about seeing what the river cruises offer, alright? Cruises along the three rivers — the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio — usually provide a unique opportunity that mixes history with some sightseeing. So, the most notable operator actually happens to be the Gateway Clipper Fleet, that has been offering these tours going way back to the late 1950s, that’s for sure!
It is almost as if it offers many choices for boat lovers. Ranging, almost, from sightseeing to some dining experiences, they, too, have many vessels such as the Gateway Clipper, the Liberty Clipper, and the Good Ship Lollipop for, you know, specific kinds of events, alright? Each ship offers a fairly distinct vibe and the schedules, too, will depend a bit on the season and also any special events being held, you know.
Booking Your Cruise
Booking a cruise should, in some respects, be fairly easy. Very easy online, actually, through the Gateway Clipper Fleet website or some other ticket vendors, apparently, like Groupon, perhaps, so booking online makes comparing schedules easier than ever. Plus, of course, you’re more than likely to actually find special deals from time to time, alright?
If there’s a larger group going, do think about reserving everything at once, but bear in mind that availability will vary, mostly depending on the time of year and also popularity of that tour, more or less. What is generally suggested for people, that love good service, is to get in contact with the cruise line ahead of your set sailing date. If you might need some form of help, that is.
Types of Cruises Offered
The Gateway Clipper offers quite a varied mix of cruises. There is sightseeing ones that showcase Pittsburgh’s skyline and history or cruises focused on dining. You even get entertainment too, as a matter of fact! So, here is a quick view of some things to consider:
- Sightseeing Cruises: Such as the one and two hour tours, these provide narrated looks into some landmark places like Point State Park, Station Square, and also Mount Washington, to boot. The tours will show things about the historical facts and architecture too, usually.
- Dining Cruises: You get things that have lunch and dinner, and there are also brunch options that include buffet setups or sometimes plated meals, which is actually kind of interesting! You usually get some themed nights with these type of cruises, in some respects. They would showcase special menus or actually have onboard entertainment!
- Specialty Cruises: Usually holiday specials, concert events, and even some pirate-themed adventures for the young ones and young at heart! You might see something special.
Onboard Experience: What to Expect
If you’re planning on taking a cruise, you might be thinking, in a way, on what it would be like. Now that actually can affect what kind of expectations you have! Also, the boat may also decide your onboard cruise.
Ambiance and Setting
If you were to consider the ships offered by the Gateway Clipper, they provide you with different experiences, you know. A boat such as the Gateway Clipper tends to have that kind of old time riverboat feel, it’s almost like it is meant for all generations. Conversely, smaller ships just might offer that cozy feel which is better, that, for things like private gatherings.
For a couple hours, or maybe slightly longer, passengers can walk around on open-air decks so they might take images. Or, perhaps, sit at covered areas that provide that level of comfort in any kind of weather. Maybe it’s a rainy summer’s day, anyway.
Food and Drink
If you attend one of their dinner cruises, well, expect a standard buffet, you know, in some respects. Food reviews kind of go back and forth, but some past riders mention that it’s about convenience rather than something really gourmet, alright? Bars will offer drink selections, like anything from some soft drinks to cocktails.
Entertainment and Narration
Sightseeing cruises, you know, will almost always have someone doing a narration of all of the landmark locations and facts of Pittsburgh, so pay attention! On the dining and the event based cruises, there’s generally live music from some regional talent, perhaps someone playing songs related to your event or just general dinner songs, basically!
Making the Most of Your Pittsburgh River Cruise
Like your boarding date, for instance, you can expect, arguably, everything to run fairly smoothly from what past goers say, but here are a few tips if you want to experience the very best of cruises. It can actually make your experience something unforgettable!
Best Times to Cruise
The months from spring to fall provide comfortable temperatures, so they will offer you really good weather if you would like some awesome open deck access. The cruises, you know, often have special light displays or themed cruises at that time of year, you know.
What to Bring
Now the sun should be taken seriously, alright? Think about the need for sunscreen, maybe a hat, and some glasses so the sun does not burn you. In addition, you should carry something like a light jacket because it tends to be cooler actually while on water, I feel like, alright? If you’d like, think about taking binoculars, this tends to be pretty interesting to observe the building structure from a distance.
Photography Tips
Photography is kind of a must. The skyline of Pittsburgh usually makes the perfect shot if you’re trying to catch golden hour, so go to the open decks, okay? For taking really cool up-close photos, get something that is maybe between 24mm and 70mm. Remember that the boats sometimes vibrate slightly, so think about raising your ISO to help you with blur or, just for fun, crank the shutter speed a little bit.
Accessibility and Practical Information
So, before arranging the tour, there’s very many things to factor into the visit to prevent almost any problems or headaches, as I was saying, to make sure the trip is something that’s not very forgettable.
Accessibility Considerations
The Gateway Clipper docks in fact at Station Square, so know that it is actually accessible with wheelchairs but you should call ahead and check. You know that some boats might not fully have that, or might not, anyway. If that might be needed, that is.
Parking and Transportation
Station Square provides quite a lot of spots, it’s almost like it’s really easy for access and transit, alright? The incline of the Duquesne and also the Monongahela offer easy, short links into the Station Square place but actually take note of times in order to avoid issues from limited or actually missed runs.
What Others are Saying
Checking the cruises on review websites usually presents differing experiences, actually, regarding those tours. In my view, the scenic element frequently gets a very positive outlook, with many really talking about the fresh views of all of Pittsburgh. Like your friend, you know? However, feedback about meals may not necessarily get a lot of traction. So keep that in mind!
Cost and Value
There are always options available, when pricing of different riverboat tours. You can choose the basic, almost, of just a trip, or even splurge on the dining cruises. It’s worth, maybe, evaluating what suits you most – would you prefer to get a snack before you get on board? I suggest thinking, anyway, about your overall spending and if it will make your memory amazing. So I feel that, overall, this can sway if the cruise offers something, almost, spectacular to you or someone traveling, that is.
Do Cruises Happen If There Is Bad Weather?
Basically the cruises still do actually occur during certain situations with bad weather. Anyway they will make accommodations for safety. Yet you might get something, almost, as little as slight modifications. Consider going online to find official advice. Usually something official, anyway, will be out there about cancellations or delays on weather that are severe.
The Boats – Do They Accommodate All Age Groups?
Definitely, most of the boats could just be very favorable, arguably, to families traveling that are both elder, child or adolescent. Actually it can be super fun, that one for almost anybody going! The pirates voyage is one particular option too if you were looking for a themed-experience! Anyway to find this out ahead of setting sail could prove quite useful!
Anyway, Pittsburgh River Cruises have potential and will be pretty cool for a memorable type occasion, when trying for a new Pittsburgh travel memory. If its photo taking in a unique moment or seeing the many lights. Then, a boat trip just might get somebody that special something!