WORLDWIDE · HISTORICAL TOURS

Best History Sailings Around the World — Our Top 13

13 river trips  ·  from $16 a head

Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 13 history sailings earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing.

Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise - The river ride past New Orleans
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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

1.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,948 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47Our pick

Spend about two and a half hours aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, hearing stories of New Orleans, the LeMoyne brothers, Hurricane Katrina, and the Battle of New Orleans. You will stop at Chalmette Battlefield for a guided visit, with food and drinks available to buy onboard. Guides may include Charles, Dr. Lauren, or Dr. Tarantino.

“A really enjoyable & relaxing afternoon on a paddle boat, a true icon of the Mississippi. The presentation from historian guide Doctor Lauren was both informative and very entertaining.”

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Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan - Hell’s Gates and Macquarie Harbour
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Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

2.Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,193 reviews · from $111Top rated

Spend six hours aboard a comfortable catamaran from Strahan, passing through Hell’s Gates, visiting Sarah Island with a guide, and walking through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Live commentary, history videos, morning tea, lunch, and rainforest stops are included. Upper deck seating adds lunch and morning tea.

“Awesome experience on the River and out through Hells Gate. Skipper and crew were amazing. A must do if staying at Strahan”

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Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch - Leaving Strahan for Macquarie Harbor
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Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

3.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours cruising from Strahan through Macquarie Harbor and Hells Gates, then visit Sarah Island, walk the Gordon River rainforest at Heritage Landing, and see a Huon pine sawmill. You get lunch made with Tasmanian produce, live commentary, and time to move around the catamaran. Upper-deck seats include morning tea and a drink.

“The driver ARI was very friendly and had great local knowledge to share. The guide and photographer during the quad bike adventure were fabulous and the toilet/ shower amenities were excellent and VERY clean. The lunch was amazing and ARI was very informative on the drive back to the Hotel. We highly recommend this to everyone”

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Amsterdam: Historic City Centre Canal Cruise - The Nine Streets and Herengracht
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Amsterdam: Historic City Centre Canal Cruise

4.Historic City Centre Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 659 reviews · 1 hour - 75 minutes · from $16Best value

Board near the Anne Frank House or Central Station for a one-hour Amsterdam canal cruise. Your skipper shares local stories as you pass the Nine Streets, Herengracht, Skinny Bridge, Jordaan, museums, and the IJ. Boats have heating, toilets, a covered panorama roof, and an open rear deck for photos. Audio is available in seven languages.

“Wonderful guide, wonderful driver. I can’t say it was the most impressive tour we have ever made in our lives but we really enjoyed it, a different experience and worth to visit village..Other than that special thanks goes to Bianca, she is a very professional tour guide, you feel very comfortable with her. Value for money”

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Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart - The north route, gardens, Government House, and the Tasman Bridge
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Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

5.Derwent River Historic Harbour Cruise From Hobart

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · from $25

Spend one to two hours on Hobart’s Derwent River with live commentary from the captain. Choose a short morning or afternoon cruise, a lunch sailing with a one-course meal, or a two-hour dinner cruise with three courses and one included drink. The boat returns to Murray Street Pier.

“Informative relaxing northbound Derwent River cruise. Great commentary from our very experienced captain.”

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Riga: Canal & Daugava Cruise on a Historic Wooden Boat - Central Market and the first change of scenery
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Riga: Canal & Daugava Cruise on a Historic Wooden Boat

6.Canal & Daugava Cruise on a Historic Wooden Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 496 reviews · 1 hour · from $20

Spend one hour on a historic wooden boat looping from Bastejkalna Park through Riga’s canal and onto the Daugava. You’ll pass the Freedom Monument, Opera, Central Market, Spīķeri, Old Town, Riga Castle, Ķīpsala, and the National Theatre. Live commentary may be available, while audio guides use your smartphone and headphones.

“Very peaceful and eyes opened trip, our captain was also splendid! Warmly recommended!”

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Amsterdam: Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise - Houseboats and the Houseboat Museum
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Amsterdam: Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise

7.Historic City Sightseeing Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 444 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $18

Cruise Amsterdam’s historic canals with Amsterdam Circle Line, starting near the Anne Frank House. Expect views of houseboats, churches, bridges, Centraal Station, the IJ, and the Amstel, with live or recorded commentary depending on the boat. The compact route suits first-time visitors and anyone short on time.

“It was an amazing experience where we saw many historic and important sights in Amsterdam. The captain of the boat was very knowledgeable and also funny 🤣 . I highly recommend this tour”

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Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience - The 17th-century Amsterdam you will see
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Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience

8.Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 305 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Cruise Amsterdam from Leidseplein in a comfortable enclosed boat while an English or Dutch audio tour points out historic sights. Seven VR animations show the canals and city during the 17th century. The 75-minute trip includes one drink, VR assistance, and several start times.

“Really amazing, i thought it was only VR, but you wear the VR some parts and see the city in now and then. Also a nice drink and cheese. Thnx Guys! We loved it.”

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Gouda: Historical Canal Cruise - What the skipper adds to the cruise
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Gouda: Historical Canal Cruise

9.Gouda: Historical Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 158 reviews · 1h 15m · from $18

Spend 75 minutes aboard the historic Jan Salie or Jan Kordaat, two traditional Dutch tow barges. Your skipper guides you through Gouda’s old canals and museum harbor in Dutch or English, sharing stories about the medieval trade route. Covered seating, a sun deck, toilet, and minibar add comfort, though some seats offer limited views.

“Het was zotte zaterdag tijdens onze vaartocht waardoor de bemanning verkleed was. Dat was al een bonus maar de reisgids was een ook nog eens een hele leuke verteller. Wij hebben genoten van de reis en raden deze van harte aan.”

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Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience - The 17th-century Amsterdam you will see
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Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience

10.Luxury Canal Cruise with Historic VR Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews · 1h 15m · from $50

Cruise Amsterdam for 75 minutes on an enclosed luxury boat, with an English or Dutch audiotour, one drink, and seven VR scenes showing the canals and waterfront in the 17th century. At each VR section, you look at the same surroundings through a headset, then return to the present-day view.

“Ameliorer la qualité sonore de l’anglais ou multiplier les langue’s!”

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Chicago: Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat Tour - Boarding a smaller historic yacht
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Chicago: Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat Tour

11.Historic Architecture Chicago River Small Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Spend 90 minutes on Chicago’s River aboard a smaller historic yacht, learning about more than 50 skyscrapers, from Gothic towers and Art Deco landmarks to modern giants. An English-speaking guide explains the architects, builders, and ideas behind the skyline. Coffee, lemonade, sodas, and snacks are included, with drinks available at the bar.

“We enjoyed the smaller feel of this tour vs others that have hundreds of people, but we had a hard time hearing the guide. We were at the front of the boat and between the people around us talking nonstop and the low volume of the speaker, we only heard about half of the tour. This wasn’t the guide’s fault, he was humorous and knowledgeable, but it did affect how much we learned while on the cruise. I also highly recommend arriving very early. Instructions said come 15 mins early and we got there 30 mins early to be safe, and almost every single seat was already taken. Overall, I…”

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Corinth Canal Cruise: Ancient Ports, Crystal Waters &History - Lunch, Wine, and the Onboard Mood
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Corinth Canal Cruise: Ancient Ports, Crystal Waters &History

12.Corinth Canal Cruise: Ancient Ports, Crystal Waters &History

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · 4h 30m · from $117

Join the 17-meter Agios Andreas from Isthmia for a 270-minute cruise through the Corinth Canal and Saronic Gulf. You’ll pass ancient Kenchreai, hear tales of Helen of Troy, swim at Siderona Beach, watch marine life through the glass bottom, and enjoy a personal buffet with wine. English assistance and transfers are available.

“Sehr nette Betreiber, feine Verköstigung an Bord und schöne Bucht angefahren zum Baden. Musik und Tanz an Bord, top👍”

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Arles: Culture & History River Cruise - Day Trip w/Meals - Tarascon Castle and Beaucaire by river
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Arles: Culture & History River Cruise – Day Trip w/Meals

13.Arles: Culture & History River Cruise – Day Trip w/Meals

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 13 reviews · from $105

Spend a full day cruising the Rhône from Avignon to Arles, with lunch aboard, views of the Saint-Bénézet bridge, Palais des Papes, Tarascon, and Beaucaire, plus a guided Arles visit. The return includes a lock passage, aperitif dinner, and entertainment. French and English assistance is available, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.

“Une très belle journée à bord du mireio, un accueil sympathique et un service impeccable, repas délicieux et planche du soir très appréciée ! La visite guidée était très interessante et nous a permis un premier aperçu de Arles Si je n’avais qu’une remarque ce serait de faire une annonce lorsque les repas sont servis, d’en haut a observé les paysages nous découvrions la surprise en descendant Pour le reste encore un grand merci, une journée relaxante et dépaysante !”

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