First, a word of caution - be on time! The boats leave promptly and they close the gates to board about 10 mins early. Now for the fun, this is a great way to see the city and learn some history. Thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and the fact that they had a cash bar on board with wine, beer, and soda. Definitely worth the trip one time and would be great for families. read more

I've been on each boat in the fleet at some point in my life - but this time was different. We rode the Express for a Summer Dinner Cruise. The boat left promptly at 7pm. Our server was a bit slow with drinks but that's probably because of how cheap they are during happy hour! I think our entire bar bill was less than $20. Dinner was comprised of rolls, cornbread, baked beans, red potatoes, corn, ribs, and chicken. Everything was delicious (except for the horrible overcooked corn) and the line was open long enough for most folks to get seconds or thirds. The two desserts - spice cake and chocolate decadence - were good as well. After dinner, we went to the top deck, where we sat for the remainder of the cruise. The cruise started on the Allegheny, going just about as far as possible without having to go through the locks. We also spent some time on the Mon and Ohio, with a short stop right in front of the city for a photo opp. We were back at the dock by 9pm and home by 9:30, making this an acceptable timeframe for the whole family (and kid-friendly overall). I had won tickets for this particular evening but I feel like $45/person is very reasonable for the amount of food, the 2-hour cruise, and the overall experience. Whether your from Pittsburgh and looking for a fun date night or family adventure or you're an out-of-town visitor, the Gateway Clipper Fleet should be on your 'to do' list. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Dahntahn :) - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Even though it had poured down raining my friends and I had a good time. We will return. The price was right and the food was just right to fuel your body. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We heard about this from our Hop On/Hop Off tour and decided we should try it. Booked a midday tour cruise, which was reasonably priced and started/ended on time. The tour guide had "allergies" and kept coughing and hacking. I felt bad for the guy working when he was clearly sick. It was also kind of gross. While the boat was very comfortable, and speed of tour allowed us to visit all three rivers, the content of the tour was not very fresh. It was almost verbatim what the Hop On/Hop Off tour guides had already told us. That part was disappointing. So, I guess I recommend this tour boat company for those who aren't doing other tours within the city. And I sure hope the sick employee has gotten over his "allergies." read more

We just hosted an event on the Duchess of the Gateway Clipper Fleet. I want to commend the staff for doing such an amazing job. The event was relaxing, beautiful and everyone had a great time. If anyone is thinking about hosting their special event aboard one of these ships, I highly recommend it. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Went there for light up night, and it was fun experience. The view was much better than up on Mt. Washington. Food was not good, but music and vibe was warm and nice:) listening to old music and watching people dance were entertaining. read more

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My cousin threw an awesome party for her daughter and husband. The tickets I believe were only $10 to ride but it was an ice cream cruise. We received a raffle ticket used to get one ice cream sundae. They had several topping options to choose from like chocolate, pineapple, strawberry, sprinkles, and whip cream. We had a big party about 30 people using 4 tables. There were several other people celebrating birthdays aboard. It was a beautiful day so the top deck is where we spent most of our time. The warm weather and breeze made me feel like I was on the beach. We traveled down all three rivers and went under so many bridges. The trip itself was awesome but the only aspect I didn't like was the food. They basically had ball park food like nachos, ice cream, hotdogs and popcorn. It's only a two hour trip but I'd really prefer a cold sandwich, even a PB and J would be better than all the salty snacks they serve. The tour of all the great aspects of the city like PNC, Heinz field, and the fountain at the point. The announcer was very poor at his tour constantly messing up the sentences and information. He was very ignorant when it came to facts about the city; almost embarrassing. Anywho, I would still love to take a trip on this clipper for the fresh air and view alone. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - The point - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I went on the "Fun, Interesting and (even a little) Strange sightseeing tour of Pittsburgh. I was able to get the tickets on Groupon which made the tour a much better value. Getting onto the boat, you have to wait in a line however once they allowed people to board it moved pretty quickly. Everyone went up to the top deck where there were tables and chairs available, however by the time my group got to the top (we were in the middle of the line to board) all of the chairs along the edges were taken. We were able to find a spot in the middle of the boat, however many people were left without seats. There were food and beverages available on board which was nice because it was a hot day. The overall tour seemed pretty scripted but did provide some interesting information. Overall, I felt that the experience was OK and a good thing to do once, especially with out of towners. read more

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I took my fiance on the midnight cruise and there was drug use on the boat, nothing but Rap music played, and the restrooms were absolutely horrid. My fiance went to the restroom and there was urine all over the floors and toilets she had to hold her faculties until the trip was over. But the drug use was the worst you couldn't stand the smell or the absolute vulgarity of the people using said drugs. read more

I went on the chicken and rib cruise this past Thursday with my girlfriend and another couple. We had made the reservations by phone and my last name got a little butchered. After a small but funny kerfuffle we were led to our table as this cruise had assigned seating. Even though our main meal was the Buffett we decided to start off our meal two appetizers, the crab and shrimp dip and antipasti. The antipasti was nice with a good selection of cheeses, meats and olives while the dip did little to leave an impression on me. The Buffett had on it vermicelli salad, cole slaw, cornbread, a jumbalaya rice, corn on the cob, roasted red skin potatoes and the chicken and ribs. Everything was decent with the standout dish for me being the ribs which I slathered in regular BBQ sauce. After enjoying the BBQ sauce I thought I would try the hot version and was disappointed to find out that meant tobasco added to it. Overall it was a solid meal but nothing special. The cruising portion was also pretty nice and we all enjoyed going up and down all three rivers while hearing some Pittsburgh history. The bottom line for me is that I will probably not be back in the future. The price doesn't justify the cost food wise although I imagine it would be an awesome way to get an out of town guest to experience Pittsburgh. read more

The Clipper fleet is absolutely one of the best parts about living in Pittsburgh. I love seeing and learning about my city, and seeing my city from the river is about as unique as sightseeing can get. I have no (majorly) bad memories when it comes to the rides and events I've had and attended while one of the Gateway Clipper boats. Even the weather has always been good when I get on board a Clipper boat. Anything you could possibly want to do while on a boat, this fleet offers as a special event, including but not limited to children's events, dinners, fall foliage sightseeing, absolutely fascinating historical sightseeing tours, dance parties and 4th of July firework shows. If you do want to attend a special event, always buy tickets in advance; the Clipper fleet is extremely popular among locals and tourists alike. Here are the drawbacks: food and drink will cost you a pretty penny. In fact, you're better off eating before you get on board (fortunately, Station Square offers plenty of options, so this won't be a problem). And unfortunately, smoking is allowed on the decks of these boats. A friend and I actually ended up moving to a lower deck because someone behind us lit an extremely disgusting-smelling cigar. It absolutely ruined part of the evening as we looked for new seats on a very crowded boat. If we had not found new seats I'm sure we both would have soon become sick to our stomachs. Still, definitely fun, definitely worth the price of admission for the overall experience. read more

We used the Gateway Clipper to get from the Sheraton to PNC Park. It was recommended by the hotel staff at check in as the easiest way, and frankly, it was the way we most wanted to take, having young children to entertain. A round trip to the park was $12 for adults and kids over 6, free for kids 6 and under. We though it was quite nice of the guy selling tickets to let our 7yo go for free. We got our tickets and got on the next ferry to depart with minimal waiting - maybe 5 minutes total. Just enough time for my husband to get us 2 beers to start the evening off. The trip to the park is short, but it's nice to see the skyline. They do a safety presentation and explain when the ferries will start running during the game (7th inning stretch to 1 hour past the end). It was such a long game that we didn't make it to the 7th inning stretch. We boarded the ferry in the bottom of the 6th and waited. The fumes from the engine were bad while we idled. I think the boat left a little early (again because of the long game), but it was mostly full when it left. Friendly staff, easy transportation, nice views. read more

Way a great way to see the city. We took the 1 hr evening sightseeing cruise (not a dinner cruise) which happened for us to be a sunset cruise. The weather was beautiful so we sat outside and took in the sights which included fireworks as we passed PNC park (for home runs) twice! It was awesome. The captain pointed out all the sights and we took it all in. Very affordable, highly recommended. It would be really pretty when the fall colors are at their peak as well. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Came here for the first time. Hubs and I bought their tickets on Groupon. Ordinarily, tickets are $22/person, but I bought it for $14/person. We took the tour of "How Pittsburgh Became Pittsburgh". Lasted for about 1 hour. What's Hot - Good location. You get an excellent view of the city. This tour was more of an historical background tour, where they explained the history of Pitt. I liked that. Dudes, I like learning and geeking out. But that's just me. Hahaha... Additionally, the dock is by Station Square, which is near the Incline and other restaurants and shops. - There's an outside deck and inside area. It was good weather the day we were there, but the sun was high. The good thing is that you can go on the 2nd deck, be inside, see everything (at least most of everything) and not be exposed to the sun as much, and still hear the tour commentary/guide. - Souvenirs. They take souvenir pictures for you, as you get on the boat. You don't have to buy them. It's optional. You can purchase items (food, drinks, souvenirs, etc...) on the boat. You can also purchase items back on the dock. Good thing is it's optional. - Price. I purchased the tickets on Groupon for $14/person. Ordinarily, the tickets are $22/person. I don't recommend paying full price. Although the tour is beautiful and informational, there are additional costs involved for this type of thing. Save yourself the money and find deals, because Gateway Clipper does offer savings. What's Not - Pay for parking. To be fair, this is the Burgh, so parking is not easy to come by, especially by the river. Parking was $7 and we had to pay cash. Another downside is that because it isn't charged by the amount of time you park, that means you pay regardless of the time you spend in the area. I highly recommend you take the Incline and don't just waste money on parking for the river cruise tour alone. Not worth it. Recommendation - Bring sunscreen! To be fair, it depends on when you take the tour (time of day, time of year, etc...) However, be aware that if the sun is high, even an hour outside in the sun can at least tan you. FInal Answer Would recommend this, but don't pay full price. read more

I haven't really gone on the boats too much in the past when I was younger except maybe once or twice. Honestly, it sort of appeals more to visitors and not locals. There are several cruises catered to the season or certain crowds, it seems. Over the past three years, however, my son and I have made it a tradition to go on the Santa Fun Cruise a week of so before Christmas. I like how the GCF started offering 25% off the tickets on their website - as it makes it a little more affordable for families - I usually pay less than $30 for my son and I (one child, one adult) which isn't bad. We really enjoy it as it gives us something different to do during the holiday season. The staff offers photos of you group in front of the boat as well as with Santa. We did that our first year but the two years following we did not - photos, I must admit are pricey but worth buying at least once for the memory if you get a good shot. There are beers, soft drinks and a small buffet style menu on this cruise with the menu available on their website (sold separate from the ticket fee). The food isn't great (not surprisingly as that is not what their specialty is anyway) so we tend to eat after the cruise and just have a drink or two for myself and a lemonade for my son. I have to say I have been on an adult cruise with the GCF and we had great food with a variety of meats in buffet style as well so it may just be the children style selections or just this menu in general. The weather this year wasn't too bad. My son likes to go to the top of the boat and walk along the sides - he thinks its really neat. The seating is first come, first serve. On this cruise, they sell little holiday trinkets catered to children as well as some balloons. There is a free craft activity for them to do and a blank Santa list to fill in and give to him on the boat. The holiday cruise also has a variety of characters to keep kids entertained every year - typically the Grinch, Elsa, Elf on the Shelf, Gingerbread Man, and Snowman. The characters dance and take photos with the children. There is a dance floor and DJ which adds a nice touch to our tradition of mom and son dancing time. There is also face painting available and a couple other crafts for a separate fee. It is well worth the two hours of fun and we look forward to it every year. I do have to say though it is more for younger children and I don't think older kids 10+ would like it much, read more

I couldn't have picked a nicer day to do the Good Ship Lollipop cruise. WEAR SUNSCREEN, or expect sunburn (unless you stay inside the cabin). Boarding takes a good 15 minutes, so don't come more than 20 minutes early, unless you don't mind baking in the sun. I bought a $12 (adult) ticket on Groupon, same price as last year. Well worth it for a 1 hour cruise. I learn something new about the 'burgh every time. The narrator, a man, was very thorough, and had a good, well-modulated voice. Nice, upbeat music played while he wasn't narrating. The pirate happily posed for me, then made balloon animals for the kids. They announced he was doing a show on the lower deck, and the diningroom I was in emptied out. I came right from church, starving, and bought a hot dog and baked chips ($4.28). A shock to my healthy eating system. If you buy kids' tickets before boarding, they're a bit cheaper. A nice way to spend the afternoon. read more

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I've done the Gateway Clipper twice, the "Captain's Dinner" and the "Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise". Overall I'd say it's a pretty fun thing to do, both as a person from Pittsburgh and also for people from out of town. Compared to the duck tours, it's cheaper and you get much more room to yourself. You also cover more of the rivers which I think is the best part. The tour guide on the GC sightseeing cruise was great though some other folks I was with thought his stories were a little weird. The food and concessions available are pretty average. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great relaxing way to get a water view of the city and a history. Different tours available for different information about the city. Food and drink available on board. read more

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Growing up in Pittsburgh, I had fond memories of going on the Gateway Clipper a couple times, including a very nice high school senior banquet. But being back to visit and taking my toddler, it generally struck me as unexceptional and a bit shabby. And somewhat overpriced, even for a tourist activity, at $30 per adult for a 2-hour lunchtime tour that included a cafeteria-quality lunch, average narration, and below average service (plus putting up with tons of attempts to upsell on drinks with souvenir cups, etc.). Not a terrible experience, but if you're looking for an activity like this, I suggest considering the duck boat tours. read more

I loved this area and this boat trip was worth the price. I went in July 2019 while there for work! Beautiful things to see. Eat first it's just kinda snacky food on board! read more

These boat trips are so memorable! Especially in Winter when the whole view is covered in snow!! Take a boat party for july 4th or new years. You won't regret it! read more

Food was average at best. Filet and chicken were way over cooked. Boat ride itself was nice, lots of scenery to take in.

My husband and I took our two boys on a boat tour the other week while in Pittsburgh. This was a reasonably priced tour for an hour. It was so much fun. The views were spectacular. Josh, our guide, did an excellent job explaining the history. We highly recommend it. read more

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When I was younger, my family used to frequent the Good Ship Lollipop probably more frequently than any of us would like to admit. While that is definitely an option for the kiddos, the one hour sightseeing cruise had enough kid-friendly activities on board that this seems like the perfect option to please both adults and children alike. When I was visiting my parents over Memorial Day, my Dad booked the five of us a one hour cruise since my fiance had never seen Pittsburgh from the water since he is a native Floridian and pretty much didn't know Pittsburgh existed until he found himself, unexpectedly, living in Erie and it was the closest big city to him. Anyways, a word of advice, if you want a seat on the top deck, be sure to arrive 30 minutes in advance! We arrived about 15 minutes before our 1:30 scheduled time and, luckily, were able to piecemeal together 5 chairs. Those that arrived after us, even parties of 2, appeared not to be so lucky. The narrator on our cruise was awesome! He provided lots of interesting facts and tidbits that even most native Pittsburghers may not know. He was eager to answer questions too. The narration was definitely the highlight for me besides having a beautiful day on the water. There was a pirate character (Captain Jack I think they called him) that was making balloon swords and passing out pirate hats to the kids. The kiddos seemed into it so that definitely occupied them for a good portion of the trip. I think they also had face painting downstairs. I'd definitely recommend taking any out-of-town folks here so they can really see the beautiful city Pittsburgh has become! read more

We used Gateway Clipper Fleet for an event with about 80 people. We worked with Lori in coordinating our event. She was FANTASTIC. I cannot rave about how helpful she was. She responded to things quickly. She provided excellent suggestions and made the event extremely easy. The crew was friendly. We booked an event for March (weather is hit or miss in Pittsburgh), but the climate control inside was great. You couldn't even tell how cold it was. The sailing was beautiful. We did a minute to win it event and the host was fantastic. Lori provided us with entertainment that was your one stop shop (again making things very seemless). They brought a great DJ, a fun game show host and a photo booth. The guests loved it. I highly recommend it! read more

We went on a boat tour back over the Summer and it was amazing!! We were able to purchase discount tickets through GROUPON making the tickets $14.99 each. Parking was $6. Prior to getting on the boat there is a bar area which had food and drinks. We only had alcohol, which was really good and the drinks varied in price $8-$12. Prior to getting on the boat we had an opportunity to take a photo souvenir, I cannot remember the price exactly but I'm thinking less than $20. Once we got on the boat we had the choice of sitting inside or outside which was nice. The boat was nice and clean, I did not go into the restrooms however, so I'm not sure about those. There was a restaurant like area there as well. The tour guide was great. He was knowledgeable, polite and made the ride very enjoyable. We were able to see all of the bridges and the baseball field. It was a nice experience for a reasonable price, I highly recommend. read more

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I've lived in pittsburgh my whole life and never been on the gateway clipper. My boyfriend surprised me with tickets to go on a evening (8 o'clock) cruise. The cruise was so over crowded there was minimal room to even stand and unless you were among the first 20 to board the boat absolutely no chance in getting a seat. There was spiders all over the ceilings and no where to sit. read more

This was me and my boyfriends first time riding on the gate way clipper, I have lived in Pittsburgh all my life and I learned new stuff I hadn't known and everyone was very nice, I just think the pictures that they wanted for $35 weren't that nice with the dinner plan we had, I wanted pictures as a keepsake considering it was our first time but they didn't turn out as nice as I had hoped read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Last night was the first time in a year I was on the Gateway Clipper for a work function. The staff was friendly and the food was actually good this time for what I ate. Beef stroganoff was tender and fell right apart and the chicken had so much flavor but a little disap with the potatoes which seemed to be over cooked because they had no flavor and was soaked with water. Q Ms Brooklyn NY I call her was attentive and seemed to be very helpful with the other staff. she was an A1 bartender and was quick. Oh I will suggest the Gateway clipper for other events. thank you to all the staff that made this event worth it sorry we were all late and they never rushed us either. read more

Each of the 5 boats that comprise the Gateway Clipper Fleet is a essentially a glorified banquet hall on water. The music and ensuant dancing yesterday evening was typically corny, and the people on board were there for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and in our case, the 50th wedding anniversary of Kay's grandparents. It sounds like the synopsis for a bad disaster flick, doesn't it? We rode the river on a leviathan of good times and nostalgia called The Majestic, that with a capacity of 1,000 passengers, is by far the largest boat of the fleet. A beauty to behold, she has 3 decks, the top one being outside, giving one a unique perspective from which to see our controversial city (unfortunately, not everyone thinks we're as 'livable' as surveys suggest) as well as a way to get some fresh air. The largely middle-aged crowd was in fact shakin' to tunes bashed out by a tight live band fronted by a short, greying man in a gold sequins jacket who was possessed by the spirit of James Brown, defying his age by falling to his knees and rising back up like a teenager sans a single bum note. He should be a star and was the apex of the evening's festivities. What else can I say about The Majestic? *The ride itself is so smooth, it's easy to forget that you're moving *Our Captain's Dinner Dance Cruise lasted about 3 hours. Shades of Gilligan's Island? "A 3 Hourrr Tourrrr..." *The buffet meal, which consisted of salad, prime rib, stuffed chicken breasts, and a few appetizers (veggies with dip, popcorn chicken, and breaded ravioli) was middling. *There's a bar in the back. Drinks can be ordered and brought to your table by a server. Some of the specialty drinks come in a special, keepsake cup. My non-alcoholic Captain's Orange Fizz (orange juice and ginger ale, shaddap) came in a massive, blue 50 ounce glass I suspect my mother will use as a vase. Refills on regular soft drinks are free. *The staff is polite, enthusiastic, jovial, and appears determined to make sure you enjoy yourself, even if it's not your thing, and to be candid, I can't say it was mine. Not that it's an ordeal, but to me this is one for the out-of-towners and older folk. I.E. Take your parents or grandparents. If my grandmothers were both still alive, I can guarantee that they'd have had a grand time. P.S. I thought I used to harbor sufficient disdain for disco. After having been coerced into "getting down" by my date, that disdain is now even more profound. Pillory that chintzy music, white boy. P.P.S. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know they have other kinds of bands gigging on the boats. Tim "Ripper" Owens performed on one with his Judas Priest tribute band British Steel for a Halloween show shortly before he became Rob Halford's interim replacement in the very band he was paying tribute to. P.P.P.S. Last night was the first time I rode on a Gateway Clipper ship in 17 years. read more

The Gateway Clipper reminds me of so many fond memories! I first came down to the Burgh to attend Point Park University. They used to schedule a welcome back party on the boat every year in August our first week in school. The first time seeing the city from the river was so magical for me! I think that's when I feel in love with it. Seriously, you can get the view from the highway, the tall buildings or even Mt. Washington, but this is a totally different perspective. One you can get to by yourself. I just love it! I looked forward to that time on the boat every year! It even put so much of an impression on me that I considered it for my wedding. Ultimately we decided to have our wedding in Erie, but if we would have had it in Pittsburgh, it would have been my first choice. It's just such a unique way to experience the city! They usually sail a good way along each of the rivers so you get to take in every last part of the city. I love being able to float past all the main hot spots of the city, especially the Point and the Stadiums. And you can't beat that cool summer breeze coming from the top of the boat. I love that they offer a slew of different cruises, from the family ice cream sundays to the dinner and dancing cruises and everything in between, they pack that schedule full! If you're visiting Pittsburgh or have lived here for 50 years, you're missing out if you don't head on the Clipper Fleet for a visit or two! read more

After 30 years in Pittsburgh I finally did a gateway clipper cruise. My daughter and I along with my cousins and Aunt & Uncle did the Breakfast with Santa on December 19th. The morning was very icy and we weren't sure if we were going to still go, but we made it at 9:30 just minutes before the boat took off. We didn't have our photo taken upon boarding so we missed out on that, but we had the breakfast buffet which included sausage links, home style potatoes, ham, French toast, syrup, fruit and a few other things. The food was pretty solid. They kept it up for a little while before taking it down by 10am. Santa Claus came out to read a story to the children while his elves observed. Then Santa saw all the kids where they took pictures. Rudolph and Frosty came out to dance with the kids and were very friendly and personable. They were open for selfies, pictures, etc. the upstairs was open as well. It was nice to go up there for fresh air and to let the kids run around for a bit. They had balloons at the end for an additional fee. The one thing I didn't like was the juice, pop, etc. was not included in the buffet/cruise. You had to get your food and then walk over to the bar and pay $1.87 for a tiny cup of orange juice. Although, my daughter didn't see Santa and we didn't get pictures upon boarding, we had an absolute blast. There was a ton of dancing, laughs, and lifetime memories created and we are hoping to make this an annual tradition for our families. Can't wait until next year to do this again!! I would bring cash for this for picture purchases, drink/beverage purchases at the bar, balloons, and parking. I paid $7 to park when I went. And I would recommend doing this with a group of at least 4 especially if you have children!! read more

I have had two fantastic experiences on the Gateway Clipper Fleet. The first was for the Captain's Dinner Dance cruies on Valentine's Day. When you make your reservation, make a request if you want to be seated in a specific area, especially if you want window seating or to be seated on the main floor. I wasn't sure what to expect other than standard banquet fare and some dance music. The cruise exceeded my expectations. They were very efficient on getting passengers on board even though they herd you into a line so they can take your picture as you board the ship. You were able to board about an hour before departure and enjoy a la carte drinks and appetizers. Skip the appetizers and eat something before you get on or just save room for dinner. Drinks were on the expensive side but that is to be expected at this type of event. There were several speciality drinks that come in a souvenier cup. Your second drink will be cheaper because you won't be paying for the glass again. As the boat pulled away from the docks, we were treated to a brief narration about hilights in Pittsburgh's skyline. It was informative enough to give you a taste of information but not so intrusive that it was annoying. Despite a fully packed boat, tables were escorted to the buffet quickly and efficiently and the food supply was constantly replenished. Despite my thoughts that it would be standard banquet food, everything was actually quite tasty. When the buffets were removed, the dancing started. There was a live "band" that had guitar, keyboards and a singer (backed up by tracks of music). Their quality of playing wasn't the best, but I'm a music snob so I let it slide so I could kick back nad have a good time. They played a variety of music ranging over the decades but seemed to mostly focus on disco. I would have preferred there to be more slow cances considering it was Valentine's Day, but we had a great time dancing. Before we knew it, the boat was pulling back in to Station Square and a fun night came to a close. The second time I took the Gateway Clipper was for the shuttle to a Pirates game. The service was efficient and drops you off right at PNC Park. My only complaint is that we just missed getting on to one of hte smaller ships so we had to wait until the larger one was at capacity before they shuttled us to PNC which ended up making us late for the start of the game. If you plan on taking the shuttle, make sure you give yourself enough time. read more

I took my parent here when they were visiting from out of town and I am glad I did. My folks and I took the sight seeing evening cruise and it was pretty fun. This is a really good way to check out the city from the river, find out the name of all those buildings that compose the Pittsburgh skyline and also learn Pittsburgh history. One thing that I recommend is that you line up and early, as the seating on the top deck is limited and also is where you will have the best view (unless you really want to stay inside and see everything behind the windows on the lower deck). Also get concessions after you get your seat, otherwise you will be out of luck. Hubby went down after we got our seats and I would say close to 7 people attempted to take it. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and threw in a few cheesy jokes which can be expected at these sorts of places. He screamed "drama student" to me as he was very animated and really relished the attention. The views of the city were phenomenal and would recommend bringing in a decent camera if you are going in the evening. Definitely recommend to out of towners and people that would like to be a tourist in their own city. read more

The Gateway Clipper Fleet Captain's Dinner in June was an exciting way to tour Pittsburgh on the water. There was a DJ which played a variety of hits and acknowledged birthdays and special occasions. The scenery was beautiful while touring all 3 rivers. Tables were reserved for each party. The food , which was on each level, was very tasty . There were mashed potatoes, rice, chicken , carrots, green beans,beef, salad, rolls, and cake. No complaints here. The staff was friendly and the restrooms were clean . So, this trip is recommended. So, I did another Captain's Lunch Cruise. Once again , the staff was great and the food was delicious. I highly recommend The Gateway Clipper Fleet excursion. read more

Gateway Clipper Fleet - Boat Charters Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I took the one hour city tour on the river for $12/person. This place is so hard to find, I almost missed the boat! My tip would be to come at least 15 minutes earlier than you would have originally planned for so you have some buffer time to find the place. It's definitely a nice way to get a very scenic view of the city! read more

I love the Gateway Clipper, honestly. It brings back so many childhood memories for me; when I was little, my mom would take us on the Good Ship Lollipop tours. Happy times. I hadn't been on a Gateway Clipper cruise in years, and had been telling my husband (who just moved to Pittsburgh, being a native Michigander) that we really had to take one. He's never seen the city from the river, and you just can't be a real Pittsburgher until you've been on the Gateway Clipper at least once. Imagine how excited I was to attend a Yelp Elite Squad event on a boat! My husband and I awaited the day in great anticipation, and we weren't disappointed. We waited on the dock for a while, since we are Perpetually Early, and when we were able to board the air conditioned interior of the boat was a welcome respite from the intense heat of the day. The food was served buffet style for this particular cruise, and there was plenty of it. We tried, between us, to at least taste everything, and didn't leave anything behind on our plates. Our favorite was a flaky warm pastry with a cheese filling, and the runner up was fried chicken on a stick. Not exactly health food, but tasty food! We had a server who came to our table to bring us drinks, and she was fantastic and attentive. After we ate, we hurried up to the top deck to enjoy the scenery. The first portion of the cruise was narrated over a loudspeaker, which was great, especially since even I learned a few things I hadn't known before. We sailed down the Mon, up the Allegheny quite a ways -- nearly to Washington's Landing. Then down the Ohio beyond the West End Bridge and back, leading to some spectacular sunset views of our rivers and bridges. Husband and I both had a fantastic time and he wants to know when we can go back. It will certainly be soon... that chicken and ribs cruise looks fantastic! read more

Ok, I'm struggling with this one. As a tourist, definitely worth it! We got a groupon and saved a few bucks. But it left a little to be desired. The Good: * The tip deck has an amazing view of the Pittsburgh Skyline and surrounding area. * The "below" decks offer a break from the elements with Air Conditioning and a snack bar. The Bad: * Our guide wasn't awesome, and this tainted the tour for me a little bit. * The Dock was very hard to find (walking from the "metro" station) * Calling the number online doesn't get you to a human if you have any issues. The Bottom Line: If your not from the area and have the time, DO IT! But give yourself time to get to the dock, they don't hang out for long. read more

I was in Pittsburgh over a week ago visiting friends. Living in Chicago and working in the field of Architecture it made perfect sense that during my stay I take some kind of tour to learn more about the skyline. The Gateway Clipper Fleet was clean, courteous and informative. The tour guide, a woman in her late 20s was very knowledgeable and accommodating, which made for a very enjoyable trip. Lasting about an hour you'll travel up and down the three converging rivers as buildings and landmarks are pointed out and you're given a few fun facts about each spot. Half way through they give you a few moments to venture to the bathrooms or down the the somewhat over priced bar... The trip was extremely enjoyable and had it not been the 8$ Canned beer they would have received a five out of five... If you can manage to not partake in buying food or beverages on the trip; you'll most certainly enjoy it. I know I did. read more

A New Year's Eve dinner and dance cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper Fleet. What an amazing and sane way to ring in the New Year! And my husband and I, along with my cousin, my brother, my best friend, and their respective spouses did just that. No overcrowded bars charing a king's ransom for drinks, no obnoxiously stoopid people--just dinng and dancing the night away as we cruised the three rivers! And since we all booked rooms at the nearby Sheraton Station Square, no putting up with idiots on the highway either. read more