Private Boat, Captain Aboard

Private Boat, Captain Aboard, 2 hours (approx.), rated 4.9 across 189 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a private charter, not a shared cruise: your group boards a boat with its own captain for roughly two hours on the River Ill. The run loops around the UNESCO-listed Grande Ile, passing La Petite France, the European Parliament, the Pont Couverts, the Parc de l'Orangerie and the Barrage Vauban, then runs out along the river. Because the boat is yours, the listing pitches the route as flexible, built around what you want to see.

The listing sets it up as an alternative to the busy shared sightseeing cruises, and reviewers call the ride relaxing and private. Reviewers describe passing through locks, and one account mentions bridges turning and lifting to let the boat through; the captain is credited with naming the sights and sharing local history without overloading the ride.

It suits a wide range of groups. Families with children and with teenagers have written about trips the whole group enjoyed, and couples have used the boat for birthdays and anniversaries. The boat is not wheelchair accessible, and alcoholic drinks and soda are not part of the package.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at Pont d'AnversReviews place the departure point at the Pont d'Anvers, described as easy to reach by public transport. Boarding is direct onto the private boat, with only your group aboard.
2. La Petite FranceThe listing allots 15 minutes in the old riverside quarter, with free admission. Several travellers single out this stretch, seen from the water, as the best part of the trip.
3. European ParliamentA 2-minute pass by the parliament buildings on the Ill. Admission is not included, though only the view from the boat is involved.
4. Pont CouvertsThe route passes the Musee d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, Eglise Saint-Paul and the Cour Europeenne des Droits de l'Homme.
5. Parc de l'Orangerie5 minutes by the park, with free admission. Pass-bys on this stretch include Le Jardin des Deux Rives, the Port Autonome de Strasbourg, Eglise Protestante Saint-Guillaume, Palais Rohan, the Musee Historique de la Ville de Strasbourg and the Christmas market.
6. Barrage Vauban2 minutes at the barrage, with free admission. The Musee Alsacien is passed along the way.
7. Return or early exitThe listing describes the cruise itinerary as yours to shape. One reviewer describes being offered a choice of finishing points, including the European Parliament or La Petite France, agreed with the captain on the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the trip, from what the boat carries to how the locks and the weather affect the ride.

• Getting there. The listing flags the departure point as near public transport, and reviews place it at Pont d'Anvers.
• Bring layers. Blankets and pillows are aboard and several reviewers mention them. The boat also has a sunbathing area, so sun protection matters in warmer months.
• Sort drinks. The listing marks alcoholic drinks and soda as not included. Reviewers do mention drinks being offered on board, so ask the operator in advance what can be arranged and what to bring yourself.
• Locks en route. The listing includes a night lock passage supplement for the evening tour.
• Weather decides. The trip requires good weather, and the operator offers a different date or a full refund when it is cancelled for poor conditions. One reviewer reports a same-day booking being accepted when the forecast improved, but treat that as luck rather than a promise.
• Family fit. Pushchairs are accessible on board and service animals are allowed, though the boat is not wheelchair accessible. Families with children and with teenagers have reported good trips, and the private format means the pace bends to your group.

Common issues. The recurring complaint is money on the day: more than one traveller reports being asked for an extra 100 euros because of the pickup point used, with conflicting accounts of whether that choice was clear at booking. Confirm the boarding point, and any supplement attached to it, in writing before the trip. Communication has not always been smooth, with one reviewer describing late arrival details and no reply to advance messages. Beyond that, the boat is not wheelchair accessible, the trip only runs in suitable weather, and alcohol and soda are not included.

Common Questions