American Rover Sailing Cruises
American Rover Sailing Cruises
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
Set Sail with the friendly and experienced crew of this 125 passengerSailing Schooner. Offering Daytime and Sunset harbor cruises under sailon the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River and the Port of Virginia.Help hoist the sails, take a turn at the helm, or just relax as the captain points out the sights of the historic Norfolk Harbor. Sunset cruises feature live entertainment. This elegant ship with her distinctive red sails is Coast Guard inspected for safety. Comfortable seating is available on the shaded upper deck and in our air-conditioned below deck area with ship store, bar and rest rooms. Popular for families, weddings, field trips,group outings and company parties since 1986.
Norfolk, Virginia
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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American Rover Sailing Cruises
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
635 reviews
Excellent
491
Very good
97
Average
30
Poor
8
Terrible
9
Nancy P
191 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This Sunset Cruise was a last minute decision for my life long best friend and I after a weeks stay in both Norfolk and VA Beach. She drove me back to Norfolk for one last night before my flight out. It was a rainy yucky day during the day so our original thought of the afternoon cruise fell through. At the last minute we booked the Sunset Cruise and we were both thankful we did. What a beautiful last evening to share with lovely sights, fun music much from our era and a very friendly young crew.
The boat itself was well maintained and filled with plenty of deck seating. The downstairs bar and shop area was gorgeous with all of the wood. The captain did a great job of narrating about all of the sights along the way. Best of all after a rainy nasty day we end up seeing beautiful pink and orange skies. Everything about our cruise was perfect. For very little money we had a perfect last night. I highly recommend the Sunset Cruise for all!
The boat itself was well maintained and filled with plenty of deck seating. The downstairs bar and shop area was gorgeous with all of the wood. The captain did a great job of narrating about all of the sights along the way. Best of all after a rainy nasty day we end up seeing beautiful pink and orange skies. Everything about our cruise was perfect. For very little money we had a perfect last night. I highly recommend the Sunset Cruise for all!
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us and for the great review!
Written July 19, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
beachbum4life68
Charles Town, WV79 contributions
Sep 2021
If you're visiting VA beach you have to put this sail on your to do list. I'm glad I did. It's fun, and relaxing. The captain & crew are fantastic. There was a guitarist on board my trip who walked around playing & taking requests. It was perfect. The boat goes around the harbor where you get to see battleships and other points of interest as the captain narrates. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth the sail was. There's plenty of seating both above and below deck. I highly recommend this trip. I cannot wait to do it again.
Written September 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the great review! Look forward to seeing you aboard again soon.
Written September 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ronald C
2 contributions
Aug 2021
Wonderfully relaxing and entertaining experience. If you're a 'tailing-gating, road rage' person, then try something else. Maybe sky diving. The crew knows how to handle the sails and run the deck.
Mike Binetti on the guitar was thoroughly entertaining in song and jokes. Relaxing and romancing little journey.
Mike Binetti on the guitar was thoroughly entertaining in song and jokes. Relaxing and romancing little journey.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us and for the great review!
Written September 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LSNS2652
Smithfield, VA196 contributions
Jun 2022
My wife and I have been in many Parades of Sail during Norfolk's Harborfest. This was out first time enjoying the parade on American Rover.
Parking was easy at MacArthur Center Mall and it was an easy walk to the dock. We boarded promptly and selected seats near the bow.
The weather was perfect with an almost chilly breeze out of the Northeast and clear skies.
The crew was professional and friendly. The narrative during the harbor tour was informative. Our tour included an excellent boxed breakfast from the Gourmet Gang.
After watching the parade go by us as we motor-sailed north we joined in just ahead of the USS Bulkeley and headed back to Norfolk.
Once back in the Norfolk Harbor basin, we circled the harbor a couple of times enjoying the boats and the spectacle.
We thoroughly enjoyed our parade of sail on board American Rover.
We highly recommend the tour!
Parking was easy at MacArthur Center Mall and it was an easy walk to the dock. We boarded promptly and selected seats near the bow.
The weather was perfect with an almost chilly breeze out of the Northeast and clear skies.
The crew was professional and friendly. The narrative during the harbor tour was informative. Our tour included an excellent boxed breakfast from the Gourmet Gang.
After watching the parade go by us as we motor-sailed north we joined in just ahead of the USS Bulkeley and headed back to Norfolk.
Once back in the Norfolk Harbor basin, we circled the harbor a couple of times enjoying the boats and the spectacle.
We thoroughly enjoyed our parade of sail on board American Rover.
We highly recommend the tour!
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us - what a great day for a Parade os Sail!
Written June 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
suhanz
Coronado, CA9 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
A very unique ship and a fun experience! We had a great time and the crew was very friendly. For families I would recommend this tour more for older children rather than toddlers. The deck was quite open on the sides but with ample supervision our two year old still had a fun time exploring the ship and snacking while taking in the views. Thanks so much for the fun cruise!
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sailing with us - glad to hear you had a great time!
Written July 26, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OG
3 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Was , "OK" Went kind of quick, turned around right when you get to see a good sunset. Chairs a little hard,but was bearable & there's others,if room permits.They should charge everybody extra 10$ to go pass the HUGE shipping boats/Cargo that blocks the sunset. The guy playing the guitar on the way back was a Nice touch. Had drinks down below that was good. Wife would probably give 4 stars. I give 2.5,or 3 stars for being mediocre at best. You can get discounted tickets at the MWR if your military. That being said I would do it again. For the price,but would hope they turn around when you actually can see a good sunset. Guess the sun sets behind the cranes shipping crates and boats.🌇
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us and glad to hear you would sail with us again. Sorry to hear a container ship partially obscured the sunset - ships are constantly coming and going so there is always something new to see.
Written May 26, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gary C
Norfolk, VA7 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
It was a very nice cruise on a hot day, but the breeze helped and we could also retreat to the air-conditioned deck below. Heads (bathrooms for you landlubbers) were clean and convenient. The ship store was very nice. The announcements were well done. We came back early because of threatening storms, and I was glad the captain was attuned to our safety. The crew was efficient and friendly, even letting two of our grandchildren raise a sail.
Written July 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us - glad to hear you had a great time!
Written July 9, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Amy D
12 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
My expectations for the money weren’t too high but I just wanted to get out on the water. I was very surprised with how lovely and comfortable the boat was. The drinks were good and fairly priced. We managed a short sail and we’re treated to a fabulous sunset after a mostly cloudy day. The music was perfect and after a stressful day this was exactly what we needed. Cannot recommend highly enough. Well worth $45.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us!
Written July 24, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catherine A
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
This was a fantastic experience! A very good tour ! We learned a lot and relaxed. A tall ship is so smooth in the water. They also are very competent and helpful. They changed our date to the day before bc of weather conditions. So we didn't miss it!
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for cruising with us and for the great review!
Written August 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa N
Hamilton, ON34 contributions
Sep 2022
We have done a Naval Cruise 3 years before and this time decided to try the daytime American Rover Sailing Cruise. We enjoyed the cruise very much. The crew was very friendly. The ship was clean. We actually sailed which was very relaxing and peaceful. The information provided about the area was very informative and the music played on the way back was enjoyable.
Written September 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sailing with us!
Written October 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
laurareese2017
Norfolk, Virginia
Hi, what would you like to know about this attraction?
Where should we park and where do we board?
Written September 14, 2017
There is a parking deck for a fee that you can park in on Waterside Drive, you walk across the street and the ticket booth and where you board is dockside almost directly across from the parking deck you can not miss it you see the water from the parking deck.
Written September 15, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.