erie canal cruises

If you like history, you will like this cruise down the Eire Canal. You will learn a lot about the history of Central New York. Not just the history of the Eire Canal, but some Revolutionary War history too. The narration tells you all about the history of the canal. The captain interrupts the narration to add more information. He was very knowledgeable and was more than happy to answer all of my questions. You will cruse past the historic Ft. Herkimer church. The day we went, there was a reenactment. Cruising through lock 18 was lots of fun. I went with my daughters,24 and 27, my granddaughter 2 (she fell asleep) and my sister-in-law. We all enjoyed the cruse. There is a bar on the boat if you would like to have a drink while enjoying your cruse. The captain let a child drive the boat. Don't forget to bring your camera.

As a history buff of the founding of our country, I have been fascinated with the Erie Canal. Taking a trip down it has been on my bucket list for some time. We took the 90 minute cruise from Erie Canal Cruises. I think this might be the only place that does cruises on the canal. The cost is about $45 for two with taxes. We called their number and reserved a space on their late afternoon 4:30pm cruise. We were given a confirmation number and told that the charge would show as a different name on the card. When we showed up for the cruise, there was a woman at the desk who we gave our name to and told her that we had made a reservation by phone and paid by card. She demanded our confirmation number. We told her that we did not have it with us, as no one told us that we had to. She told us that we had to go get it! At this point, it was a half hour prior to the cruise and we would have had to travel back and forth to our campground and never would have made it bad to the cruise on time! It seems that the phone reservations DO NOT talk to the desk ticket sales! WHAT? That would mean that the phone reservations could sell out the boat, and then the sales desk could sell out the boat and then there would be too many people on the boat and they would have to start bumping! Not that it would happen at this time of year, but this system needs to be changed. This is NOT a big attraction, why doesn't the phone go to the sales desk directly? Anyway, Captain Jerry is the owner of the Cruise line. He is a long time boat and boat cruise runner previously in Florida. He knows his stuff. He gave a half live and half taped tour telling the history and details of the canal, and it's building, it's changing over the years, and it really pretty much told you everything you wanted to know. The cruise goes down through Lock 18 and pas the historic Herkimer Church, and past some original lock gates and a portion of the original canal. We saw blue herons and lots of great scenery. The passage through the lock is really very interesting and something everyone needs to do at least once in their lives. This cruise makes me want to travel the entire canal and go through the locks that change the level by over 40 feet and the ones that are steps. On the way back I got to drive the boat! Well, you knew he had the extra cheater stick, and you could feel it when he steered over you, but it was still a thrill, since I am one of those people who loves to drive wierd things! By the way, the canal tends to push the boat left. The attraction closes Columbus Day weekend,, and will not reopen until the spring. What I didn't know and found out from Cap'n Jerry si that they drain the canals for winter! Go figure! Now I'm going to have to find someone who will let me join their boat going through the entire canal!

The boat captain's spiel was much more than something he had memorized. It was obvious he loved the canal and all similar inland waterways in the U.S.A. And, of course, the 90-minute cruise in the fall weather was very relaxing.

Captain Jerry skillfully piloted 60 passenger 'Lil Diamond II along the Erie Canal to Lock 18 where we witnessed the lock's operation and a 20 foot drop to the re-join the canal. The captain's narrative about the canal and its critical place in American history was fascinating. My wife and I travelled after the peak summer season where a reservation was not essential. Definitely recommend advance reservations during summer months. Seats outside the cabin are limited - and most desirable. Arrive early, and sit on the park bench near the boat ramp to insure a good seat when boarding.

I really enjoyed my Erie Canal Cruise. It's a slice of history. Going through the locks is awesome. The employees and the ship itself were wonderful. Very unique experience.

My husband and I took the cruise last Saturday. The weather was beautiful and the experience delightful. Step by step we were informed on the upkeep and the work that goes into the preservation of the canal. An hour and a half of enjoyment and a great experience.

Last Friday four of us decided to take the cruise on the Erie Canal. The boat ride was delightful, going through the lock reminded me of the Panama Canal and the captain was very knowledgeable and entertaining. If you are in the Mohawk Valley, this is a must do.

I wish I could tell you how the cruise was but I can't. We made reservations last week for a Thursday cruise at one pm. We altered our travel plans and spent an extra night in the area so we could do the cruise. The day of the planned cruise we received a call at ten thirty am telling us the cruise had been cancelled. I asked the reason for the cancellation and was told there wasn't enough people to go on the cruise. No where in their advertising does it say a cruise may be cancelled if a certain number of people don't sign up. I thought it really was a crappy way to treat customers. Actually, a really crappy way to treat people.

This is a nice 1-2 hour cruise on a river boat through one of the Erie Channel locks. The boat Capt was a Merchant Marine who had traveled the world and sailed private yachts around the world. He was very knowledgeable on the channel and marine matters. If your not a history buff this might not be your thing, but even the kids will enjoy going through the locks and raising over 30 ft from one level to another. The channel is supported by private traffic and these cruises. They do have concession food and drink available for purchase. It is reasonably priced and recommended you make reservations. If your in the area make the stop.

Went on the 1pm trip up the canal and my husband and I enjoyed it very much. The Captain was was incredibly knowledgable on the river and its history. We are not big history buffs, but he had such a great sense of humor and made it very enjoyable.

The bar inside lower deck was hosted by wonderful young college student, our first mate also college student with lots of canal knowledge too! Captain Jerry.... interspersed taped dialogue with jokes and more tidbits of canal , overall fun day trip! Lower deck enclosed, upper is nice too and you can move around once onboard!

Wonderful, fun and educational for all three of our generations in our group. Captain was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor

We took the whole family here for the 3o'clock trip and everyone loved it. the canal is incredible scenic with several bird spices to see. Our captain shared so much of the canal, and area's history along with the workings of canal, the lock and its maintenance. one of the best spent hour and half we spent together.

We had a delightful afternoon cruising the Erie Canal with eagles flying above us and a nice narrative on the history of the canal. The captain was about as welcoming and cordial as any one could be. He even let several kids sit in the Captain's chair and wear the hat for pictures. The scenery isn't spectacular, but the tranquility of the canal and the lush foliage along the banks were very relaxing. It is very convenient to the NYS Thruway and has a nice restaurant and gift shop as well.

A great little cruise on a double-decker boat where you relax and see some nature, plus learn and experience some unique history of New York State and the Erie Canal. The Captain's narrative was part recorded, part live, and 100% interesting and amusing. The experience of going through Lock 18 was fantastic! There aren't very many opportunities out there to do anything like that. Fascinating and utterly amazing!We made reservations for the 1:00 PM cruise, and arrived around 11:00 AM. At first I thought we were terribly early, but we spent about 40 minutes looking through the beautiful Gems on the Mohawk shop, and then had lunch (delicious fresh haddock sandwich!) in the excellent Waterfront Grille. We then made our way to the dock about ten minutes before boarding time, so it was perfect timing - leisurely, not rushed. I heartily recommend visiting the shop and having something to eat at Waterfront Grille, along with the cruise - it completes the whole wonderful experience!