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Took my mother here while she was visiting from the West Coast, and we had such a great experience. They use a number system for boarding, so I'd recommend arriving early to get on first. The boat is double-decker there's a covered top level and a lower deck with windows that slide open, which was really nice. They also have a bar on board with alcohol, chips, soda, and water. The views were absolutely beautiful, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Overall, I'd definitely say this ride is well worth the money!
I went back and forth on my rating here: three stars or four? Pros: It's a cruise around beautiful Canyon Lake. The captain will come on from time to time giving you facts about the area. There is the "chance" you may see wildlife like bighorn sheep. (We did not, so I was bummed.) They have a snack bar on board selling soda, popcorn, water etc. Cons: Our captain affected a game show host voice which was grating, and made it hard to hear what he was saying at times. We did not see any wildlife. That's not anyone's fault but it was definitely disappointing since it's advertised as a possible perk. We arrived 30 minutes prior as recommended on their site and that was apparently poor advice. We were the last to board. Everyone else seemed to know to get there well before that and scooped up all the primo seats. Live and learn, I guess. For $35 per person I'm not sure it's worth that price. In closing, I gave them four stars because they run the cruise professionally. It's not their fault that we didn't see wildlife. As for the price, I don't own a boat - so cruising around Canyon Lake is something I'm willing to pay to do. I'd just recommend arriving far earlier than 30 minutes before your cruise if you'd like to choose the best seats.
My family had an absolutely wonderful time cruising on the Dolly Steamboat! I received tickets for my birthday and we decided to go on February 1st. My 7 year old daughter loved it! It was the perfect amount of time, it was beautiful out and the caption was very informative. There were snacks and concessions available for purchase (cash only) and bathrooms on board. Our cruise was sold out from 2-3:30 pm! It never felt overcrowded but it was definitely full onboard. As people who have lived in Arizona for almost 30 years this was the first time we have done this and were bummed we waited so long to enjoy it! We highly recommend the Dolly Steamboat!!
It's a twisty turny path to get here but it's worth the trip. The tour is about and hour and a half and narrated by Captain Ron (yes, that's really his name) you may get to see some wildlife on the cruise (we didn't) but that's the chance you take. The snakes on board are reasonably priced and our trip wasn't overly crowded. We left at 2:00 pm on a 83 degree February day, but the earlier you go, you may want to bring a sweater at least. (It also could be a little windy). There are port-a-John's in the parking lot, and the parking lot is just gravel so if you're wearing sandals like I did, just be advised. All in all it was a good cruise and you learn a little about the area.
Everything about this 2 hour cruise was excellent! The captain was informative, humorous, engaging and soothing all at the same time... he had a velvet voice... the boatride was smooth and pleasant and beautiful... our Captain gave us tidbits of information, pointed out fascinating rock formations and searched for the wildlife indigenous to the area... he spotted bighorn sheep and bald eagles with his eagle eyes and came out of his booth several times to assist passengers who couldn't locate them. He really seemed to love the joy he gave us when we spotted it and he delighted when we laughed at his jokes. He even made fun of my friend who couldn't tell the difference between a rock and a bighorn!!! "No,that's a rock" He said in a true Charlie Brown voice... This was well worth the money as it was peaceful, beautiful, fun, magnificent and soothing...
The views are breath taking and amazing. It's very calming slow boat riding down the canyon. There are some wild life if you're lucky. There is also boaters, kayaks, jet ski sharing the water. But makes it for exciting ride. Cons - cash only or preferred. Bring a couple $20s if you want drinks and snacks. They do have freshly popped popcorn which I thought was cute touch for the boat ride. Best advice - If you want a good seat you need to get there at least an hour before if not more. It's first come first serve but by the number system. When you check in for your tickets you receive a number. That's how you board. Limited outside deck seating. Imma guess 4 -6 top tier ones and 4 bottom. If you don't get one of those you will be sitting inside. I think that is a down fall. They have wide windows that are open but not the same. But there is a lot of people that know about the seating and basically run to them. It's a free for all at the beginning. I do agree with others that price is a little high. Once you get past that initial boarding - it's nice cruise if your from out of town.
After living in Phoenix, Arizona for 25 years, I can't believe it took me this long to visit Canyon Lake and take a cruise on the Dolly Steamboat. I only wish we had done it years ago! The drive alone is worth the trip. The winding road through the desert offers incredible scenery and makes the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. My wife and our two sons (ages 6 and 4) had an absolute blast. The Dolly Steamboat is beautiful, the staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the cruise was smooth, relaxing, and enjoyable from start to finish. One of the biggest surprises was the wildlife. We had previously taken an ocean tour in San Diego where we ended up seasick and didn't see a single animal. This experience was the complete opposite. The water was calm, and we spotted multiple desert bighorn sheep--including several adorable babies--throughout the canyon. It was an unforgettable experience for both our kids and us. After the cruise, we made the short drive to Tortilla Flat Saloon for lunch, and it was the perfect way to end the day. The food was great, the staff was friendly, and it was fun to see almost all of our fellow Dolly Steamboat passengers there, swapping stories about everything we had seen on the cruise. If you're looking for a unique Arizona adventure that's fun for the whole family, I can't recommend the Dolly Steamboat enough. Whether you're visiting Arizona or have lived here for decades like I have, this is one experience you shouldn't miss!
Had a wonderful time on Dolly Steamboat. Amazing dinner. It was just 4 sisters getting together and enjoying our time at Canyon Lake. Thank you for the great memories.
Celebrated our anniversary with my brother and his wife celebrating theirs as well. Evening dinner cruise was enjoyed very much. Bbq chicken and ribs dinner was tasty. The cruise was enjoyable with good narration by the captain, describing the scenery and history. The crew was friendly, the conditions very comfortable. If the passengers would all follow directions the dinner service would have been seamless, but my party enjoyed the two hour cruise very much.
Great cruise! Amazing views! We were unable to cut or chew our roast beef. The chicken was delicious.
The Dolly Steamboat was such a fun little Arizona adventure! Less than an hour from Scottsdale, this 2-hour ride had beautiful lake views, mountain goats, and vultures flying overhead. There was plenty of seating inside with AC and outside for the scenery, plus affordable snacks and drinks. My friend and I got amazing pictures and made such a fun memory together!
A must do while visiting Arizona - the Dolly Steamboat tour on Canyon Lake. The staff were fantastic, and we got great views of the rock formations, a wall of spectacular fossil ammonites, and wild animals. We got lucky and saw a large group of Bighorn Sheep coming down for water. The weather was nice and had seats at the back main covered deck. The Captain provided great history and stories and maneuvered the boat to give us great photo shoots. Washrooms on board as well as drinks and food. Most people had the popcorn - freshly popped. About an hour drive from Phoenix. Buy your tickets on-line. Suggest you also add the Goldmine Ghost Town and Mine Tour with the Dolly Steamboat tour as you can do both easily. If Leaving Goldmine Ghost Town, give yourself an extra 10 mins and make a stop the Canyon Lake Vista for photos. The drive to the Dolly Steamboat will be a winding road but not hard.
If you looking for a nice boat ride for cheap Ill say go for Dolly steamboat. It was great hour and half boat ride and nice views of the mountains and lake together. 10/10 will go back. Also bring cash since they are cash only.
1 year ago
This was our second time on Dolly Steamboat (first time was in 2016). We've been on all 3 lake cruises: Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake and Dolly Steamboat is by far the best. Plus kudos to Tom, one of the crew, who was returning from the parking lot with a wheelchair and seeing my husband struggling on the walk up the ramp, had him sit down and wheeled him up to our car. read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Went out for an afternoon tour. Captain was very knowledgeable, and fun. Had a great experience and would recommend anyone to take the tour. Very beautiful. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
We had a lot of fun! The Captain was so nice, explained to us what we were seeing. The crew was awesome. If you have a disability, no worries, they allow you to board first and the seating is very comfortable. Their is a mini gift shop, drinks, popcorn and free cold water. The boat ride was relaxing and although it was a hot day, the water and breeze made it all ok. Also if your someone who worries about bathrooms, don't worry! Their are two very clean and big restrooms on the boat. I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to try it once, you won't be disappointed read more
It was a spur of the moment decision to aboard the Dolly. On arrival, we called in to make a reservation. This could be done online, but their online reservation closed within a time frame prior to their next departure. I'd recommend if you are looking to kill time. However, if I had the option to fish and rent a boat/kayak that be the better choice. There are remote areas for picnics and camping. Food and drinks can be pricey, but supporting the business is far worth it in my opinion. They also offer an evening cruise with dinner included. Check their website for details. read more
3 years ago
First off getting to Canyon Lake is a hike. 15 miles of super windy roads and if you get car sick it can be trying. Once you get there, there are bathrooms to use pre-board which we were thankful for but they are gross so just be prepared. Pros: They will board you by number which works out well. There is a small bar on the lower deck with limited beverages. Also two restrooms on the lower deck. The views are what we have decided we're the best! It was super relaxing to sit outside and listen to the captain provide us some history about the rock formations and lake itself. Loved it. Cons: Two major cons for us are the food and length of the cruise. The food was awful and not what was listed in my email. We were supposed to have beef tri-tip and chicken with artichoke but ended up with some beef that was like what my husband described as shoe leather and I had chicken smothered in a flavorless white gravy. It was not good, we ended up not eating. Length of cruise was way too long. I would cut it at least 45 min shorter. It was pitch black out for the last 45 mins of our cruise so we couldn't see anything so why are we still on the water? One lady was sleeping against the window. Just to long in the season that it gets dark earlier. Overall beautiful scenery but would be 100% ok with no food and shorter cruise time. read more
1 year ago
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4 years ago
This was a fun experience. Beautiful scenery, great time. All staff members were helpful, the boat ride was really peaceful and scenic. And to top if off, they have popcorn. Book online in advance for sure. They have plenty of parking available. You can choose upper or lower deck of the boat and they have both indoor and outdoor seating. read more
2 years ago
I took a group of our Seniors from One Life Church on the Dinner Boat Cruise. The food, service, the kind and helpful staff were all wonderful. The scenery was exceptional. I highly recommend this experience. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. read more
1 year ago
We have been on the Dolly several times over the last decade. Saturday, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary onboard. Once again, they did NOT disappoint. We had such a wonderful time! Masks are not mandated, but there were a few people wearing them. I always enjoy the drive up from the valley, the twisty roads are my absolute favorite! Tables are assigned before you get there, so as long as you get there 30 minutes prior to departure, it doesn't matter where you are in the line of folks joining. We were assigned a table at the front of the ship this time, and it was incredibly intimate. The breeze off the water was wonderful and there was even some backsplash from the waves, I loved the instant cool off for my feet! Dinner was beef and chicken with roasted potatoes and veggies. Desert was a slice of cheesecake. Every bite was absolutely delicious. The staff were all super friendly and the captain, Jeff, was very nice too. There was a young lady that wasn't feeling well at the table behind us, Jeff jumped up once he saw her and attended to her right away. It was great to see how he took responsibility for making sure she was ok, and coordinating the staff. He was very professional and honestly concerned for her. We couldn't have had a better Anniversary, they always make us feel so special. We will be back again for another visit soon! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Such a fun trip around beautiful canyon lake! Very memorable. They paired it with music and there were snacks and drinks for purchase. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a way to enjoy the natural beauty of Arizona from the water. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I grew up skiing on Canyon Lake in the '60s. I have such great memories from my summers there. Going on this cruise was everything I was hoping for it to be. The captain was very knowledgeable about the lake and all the vegetation and animals there. He took his time and it was most enjoyable. Will return with my grown kids and grandkids hopefully someday soon. read more
This tour was AMAZING! The crew were knowledgeable and kind. The boat is really nice and well kept. The 90 minutes tour flew by! You won't regret booking this tour. The views, the mountains, and the wildlife will leave you in awe! read more
2 years ago
We had a really great time aboard the Dolly, Steamboat dinner cruise. We arrived about 45 minutes before departure, and we did not get in line right away. We found once we did check in that we were already assigned a table. At about 10 minutes before departure, they started calling us in groups of 20. When we reached the boat. the captain told us our table location. Once we boarded, we saw where our table was located and then went to the snack bar area to purchase a popcorn and some beverages. They have a few options for alcohol, alcoholic beverages, and offer doubles. We enjoyed a double vodka, cranberry and a double bloody Mary. We also very much enjoyed. The popcorn. At the back of both cabin areas, we did notice that they have Water tea and lemonade available with cups. There are also two bathrooms on board. The captain shared facts about Canyon Lake along the journey and in between facts. He played nice, upbeat music. About 10 minutes into the cruise they do a safety check and talk about where life vests are located. About 30 minutes into the cruise they begin dinner service. They call tables by number to go to the buffet style tables on the lower lever, rear of the ship. We carried our salad plate and entrée plate back to our seats and enjoyed the scenery while we ate. The Dolly Steamboat uses an outside catering company, and the food was seasoned. The portion was filling and we didn't have any complaints. We got up and took a little tour of the boat between dinner and dessert. We noticed that the lower level tables are regular table height, and the tables on the upper level all seem to be bar height. There are also tables on the lower front and upper back of the ship that anyone can sit at (or at least they are not booked during the cooler weather). we had really a picture of views of the canyon walls for the first hour. We made it down to a part of the lake where we could see the four peaks mountains. On our way back as it got darker; there were still beautiful silhouettes of the mountains along the way, and when it did finally get dark out we had a beautiful view of the stars. Overall, a really great experience we will definitely return and try to schedule on a weekend when they have a different food option for us to try. read more
3 years ago
What a beautiful day to go out and explore and so glad we found Dollys Steamboat Tours for this. The booking experience was easy and checking in was a breeze too. I do recommend you get there earlier than the 30 min they advise because seating is by numbers so the earlier you check in, the better pick of seating you get. The boat was clean and I felt safe. They have yummy snacks and drinks inside (bring cash!) and everyone onboard was so friendly. Throughout the tour, the captain shares natural history facts about the surroundings that was fun to listen to. I highly recommend! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
The crew Aaron and Tanya were amazing. The Skipper was quite entertaining. The ride was awesome. The food was cold. I had BBQ chicken that was pretty good but only one thigh. My wife had BBQ ribs, there were two and they were very small. The pile of corn, the pile of macaroni, and the plateful of salad were all nice but did not make up for the minimal meat that was served. The cheesecake was good after I let mine thaw out. It was served partially frozen. It was a fun time overall, but I cannot see myself kicking out $82 per person + tax to do it again and not get a healthy serving of meat. When the ride was wrapping up, I witnessed the catering staff dumping the leftover tea and lemonade into the lake. I have to wonder, is that legal? read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Really enjoyed the cruise. The music was great, and so was the education! Thank you so much. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Amazing! Would certainly do it again. We don't much eat pork but the way it was cooked was very good. We loved the site seeing and sailing through the canyon. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
Great tour on the Dolly Steamboat! I had family in town and they enjoyed it very much! Kelli Ford was a great guide pointing out bald eagles, bighorn sheep, beautiful ocotillo growing on the side of the mountain and a lot more....Highly recommend! read more
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Ask the Community - Dolly Steamboat
What Ty?pe of music
They just have low background music since the tour guide on the boat is talking throughout the trip highlighting the history, animals, mountains etc.
What sitting is upstairs?
Inside seating with tables. Windows. Also seating outside. Inside has air conditioning.
Are small dogs allowed on the cruise?
I doubt it because I've taken the cruise no less than 10 times & have never seen a dog n board. Their staff is amazing & always ready to help. Give them a call!! Enjoy the cruise!
Is it handicap accessible?
Yes, there was a ramp going on to the boat. You will just need to tell them so they put you on level 1. They assign tables.
Do all cruises come with a meal?
They do not. We just did a day cruise and they had popcorn and stuff for purchase on the lower deck.
If we don't have reservations.Can we buy our tickets at the door?
Yes you can buy the tickets when you get there. It's a lot easier if you do get the tickets beforehand but if you don't either way to go it's such a nice ride I think you'll enjoy it. We've done it for the past 3 years and we plan on going again…
Has anyone been on the astronomy cruise who can share if it's better during spring or fall?
Yea
What nearby restaurant do you recommend for a late lunch/early dinner after the lake cruise?
Tortilla Flats!! An experience and good food!
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