RIVER CRUISES · HISTORICAL TOURS
The 15 best history cruises you can book today, with the fare, the hours aboard and who each one suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Cruise the Mississippi aboard the Creole Queen, hear New Orleans history, visit Chalmette Battlefield, and decide if the $47 fare is worth it.
“The food was excellent, especially the whiskey glazed bread pudding. The narrator, Charles was mesmerizing!! The Battlefield Tour was good. Everything was perfect, even the weather!”
Cruise Macquarie Harbour and the Gordon River, visit Sarah Island, enjoy lunch, and explore Tasmania’s wild west from Strahan.
“The captain and tour guide speaker were knowledgeable, interesting and well spoken. Other staff were courteous and helpful. The boat was beautifully presented.”
Cruise Tasmania’s Gordon River from Strahan with Sarah Island, ancient rainforest, local lunch, Hells Gates and Huon Pine.
“Everything was excellent, the boat, the staff, the service and the good stories we were told. Thank you very much. This tour is a must.”
See Amsterdam’s canals, Jordaan, Anne Frank House, and Central Station on a warm, flexible cruise with live commentary.
“The canal cruise was so lovely. Nice and warm inside as it was cools outside, the captain was friendly, the tour guide commentary was record but good informative, facilities were clean, the boat was spotless. The tour was just great and would highly recommend.”
Cruise Hobart’s Derwent River for harbor views, Tasman Bridge, captain’s commentary, and optional lunch or dinner at a fair price.
“Ferry and overall cruise was great. Unfortunately, vegeterian food options were inadequate, unhealthy.”
Cruise Riga’s City Canal and Daugava River aboard a historic wooden boat, with Old Town views, flexible departures, and useful practical tips.
“Such an amazinv way to discover and explore the xity of Riga from the sea and canals. They have blankets in case tou get cold, the views are breathtaking and the audio guide was full on facts . recomend 00%”
See Istanbul’s top sights in one long day, with guided history, rooftop lunch, and a luxury Bosphorus sunset cruise.
“Our tour guide was Ahmet and he was exceptional. Great communication ahead of pick up and all ran smoothly. Ahmet’s knowledge is incredible and we learned so much. It was an intimate group, just the guide along with me and my husband. The tour price is expensive but it is worth it. There were many entrance fees not included, such as Hagir Sofia and Topkapi Palace which puts an extra 75 Euros on top per person. Lunch was on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the sea and was good quality. The reason for not giving full stars is nothing to do with Ahmet and more to do with arrangements between the…”
Cruise Amsterdam’s UNESCO Canal Ring past Anne Frank House, houseboats, churches, Centraal Station, and the IJ in one hour.
“The staff was friendly. The boat was nice. I wished there was more detailed comments about Amsterdam and the history.”
Review of Krakow’s one-hour Vistula River cruise, with Wawel Castle views, audio commentary, practical tips, value notes, and FAQs.
“2nd river cruise in a year with Vistula different boat this time still an excellent informative trip 1 hour l recommend book before you leave home for convenience for yourself, very comfortable boat medium size comfy cushioned seating excellent Captain and commentary throughout again very inexpensive trip well worth it”
Review of Amsterdam’s 75-minute luxury canal cruise with English audio, seven VR animations, 17th-century views, and one drink.
“Already living in Amsterdam for 15 years, but never experienced this before! Great way to explore more about the city and very well organized”
Review of Sacramento’s $31 historic river cruise, with Tower Bridge views, live narration, family tips, seating advice, and honest drawbacks.
“Took a Sacramento river cruise with family members as a way to celebrate my many years birthday :) I loved being able to stand up on the top level facing the river so I could take photos, which I love to do, without obstructions. The captain, I believe, presented a historical perspective of the areas as we moved along the river. I tried to keep listening as best I could, but I was distracted, off and on, by taking photos of the beautiful and fascinating environment! I loved the venture which I would like to repeat another time :)”
Review of Chicago’s historic fireboat cruise, with river architecture, Lake Michigan views, expert narration, pricing, tips, and who should book.
“Such a fun way to spend the afternoon! We had Cliff as our guide and he was so knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Really cool doing a tour on a retired fire boat and loved all the old pictures and memorabilia they had displayed.”
Cruise Gouda’s historic canals aboard an authentic barge, with local stories, a museum harbor visit, and practical tips for your 75-minute tour.
“Fijn om op deze manier de stad te ontdekken, onze gids deed heel erg haar best om ons een en ander bij te brengen. Het was niet zo evident om het allemaal goed te volgen omdat je in de boot zelf weinig zag van de omgeving. Dus als ze verwees naar een gebouw bijvoorbeeld aan de rechterzijde, dan kon je dat niet zien, vonden we toch een beetje jammer.”
Cruise quietly from Portimão to medieval Silves on a solar boat, with river history, wildlife, free time, and wine for $49.
“Pedro our guide was very knowledgeable and very sociable. The trip was very idyllic and the solar boat extremely quiet”
Cruise Trinity Inlet, join a Mandingalbay Yidinji welcome, and explore Indigenous Country on this thoughtful Cairns eco-cultural tour.
“Our morning tour was moved to the evening which turned out to be great! I strongly value the visit by boat to the indigenous tribal area. The brief lecture with examples of indigenous art was well worth the time! Thank you!”
By water, by hour, or by how many nights you want aboard.
