Rideau Canal 90-minute boat cruise in Ottawa

Reviews

What travellers say4.3 · 1,147 total

• justinwD5502VP

  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

  Maddy, our guide, was highly knowledgeable and provided an excellent historical narrative about the landmarks during the cruise. The views were stunning. The boat was quiet and glided smoothly. Thanks to the Captain and crew for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

• De_V

  Cancelled trip, boat problems.

  The trip was ultimately canceled after we had traveled only about 2 kilometers due to a log getting stuck in the propeller. Despite the crew's dedicated efforts, which included a 45-minute wait, they couldn't resolve the issue. The crew members were friendly and did well in handling the situation. We were taken back to the starting point by bus and offered a chance to rebook or receive a refund, which I thought was a good approach. However, I did feel that although it was advertised as being narrated in both French and English, French dominated the commentary, leaving us feeling like we missed out on some information. I don’t believe this was intentional, but it was still disappointing.

• Lesley_W

  Couple visiting Ottawa for 3 days

  I suggest arriving about 20 minutes prior to the departure, as indicated in the vendor's instructions, which is when they check tickets and allow boarding. Our experience was quite crowded due to a large tourist group, and while the seating is tight, we managed to board early and enjoyed a fantastic view. Onboard, drinks and snacks can be purchased. The guide was excellent, providing plenty of information about the history of the canal and the landmarks along the way, delivering the commentary in both English and French.

• Hugo_L

  Informative and relaxing,...

  The experience was both informative and relaxing, with friendly guides. The boat ride was smooth and peaceful. I highly recommend it for a pleasant family outing.

• Nathalie_R

  Rideau Canal Cruise

  The cruise on the Rideau Canal was stunning and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed it; the scenery was beautiful. The only drawback was that a prior group left us with fewer seating options. Still, I would highly recommend this experience.

• simplesidhu28

  Good day outing

  The outing was enjoyable, and the staff demonstrated great knowledge and were very attentive to all passengers.

• rosalindc457

  Not worth the money

  The guide primarily spoke French, providing minimal commentary in English. It was raining, and the plastic shield on our side had a broken clip, allowing water and wind to enter. Additionally, there was a leak from the roof. Overall, it was a disappointing experience.

• MarieEve_P

  A nightmare in the rain.

  The equipment is old and poorly maintained. We dealt with leaking ceilings and wet seats, making it difficult for most passengers to sit down. The rain, wind, and cold made the experience unpleasant. I can imagine it would be great on nice days, but in bad weather, it's a different story. Visibility was poor due to improperly placed plastics, and there was a lack of concern for customer service. It’s disappointing.

• 665colew

  Horrible.

  Avoid wasting your money unless you're familiar with Ottawa. We arrived for our 6:30 booking at 5:45 and struggled to find parking as the ad only mentioned meeting at Elgin and offered no details about parking. There was no contact number provided, and no refund or replacement was offered. It felt like a complete scam.

• M7087XJamandaw

  HORRIBLE

  I arranged this for my husband and me, but after over an hour of searching for parking, we couldn't find any and missed our tour. When I called for a refund, I was informed the experience is non-refundable. This was the worst online booking experience I've had. The customer service from Ottawa Boat Cruise was also poor; they told me parking issues were not their concern. If you charge for an adventure, parking shouldn't be part of the challenge. TripAdvisor should also provide parking information.

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.