American Rover Sailing Cruises

We are local and I’ve been on the sunset cruise before and knew I wanted to bring the family next time. It’s always a little nerve wracking taking our son to a new place not knowing how he will do and how accommodating the place will be. The crew was amazing with our son that has multiple disabilities and he loved sailing around. Thank you for making our experience as stress free as possible.

This was a fun evening outing on the American Rover! There was a live musician on board and there was narration providing facts and history on the spots we were passing. As a local I still found it very interesting and a nice way to relax in the water. We took a sunset cruise so ended the ride nearing dark. Really nice views of each side of the Elizabeth River and our captain got us a little closer to some of the shipyard boats. We could not go out as far as they usually do due to impending storms but overall I don’t think it detracted. Beverages available on the interior and seating also available inside.

Had an amazing time!! I was glad I saw it was a harbor tour first, so I had a good understanding on what we were doing. Brought the kids (6, 7, 8) out for a sunset tour. The captain and staff were amazing people and the entertainment was great!! "Recommend doing" does not put enough weight on how much I would encourage the sunset tour for a great way to wind down!!

What a wonderful experience spending time with our friends on the American Rover!! Beautiful weather and the crew was fantastic. The only downside was the musician. He was just okay.. The last couple of years the musician was so much better. But I would recommend the American Rover Sunset Cruise to all.

Enjoyed my Harborfest Fireworks cruise! The boat is comfortable, there is seating on deck and below. Bathrooms are very clean and nice. Snacks and drinks are very reasonably priced, too! Beautiful craft, and really delightful staff.

Ample seating on deck and below. Below deck are restrooms, a gift shop, and a place for refreshments. It was a great time. The weather was nice. The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Connor was absolutely amazing.

The cruise was really nice and romantic with the live musician. It was a great experience and I'd highly recommend for a date night. They have a mini bar below deck and snack foods as well as souvenirs. The crew was really nice too!

Fun and informative sunset tour! Captain kept a smooth sail, staff was helpful and kind. Clean and maintained. Lower deck has drinks, snacks, souvenirs, comfy seating, some AirCon, and windows. Wish the weather would have cooperated to let us out of the harbor, but we were kept safe and entertained.

We booked a 7.30 till 9.30 sunset criuse during Harborfest, an annual festival on the waterfront. We boarded at 7ish with maybe 30 to 40 other folks so it was not crowded on the boat and we had our choice of seats, nice chairs with backs and arm rests. The crew were very friendly. Especially Connor and Lauren, the bartender. There was a bar with snack concessions for purchase. The cruise began at 7.30 out into the harbor with narration by the captain of the history of the harbor, the various ships docked in the harbor and the many shipyards. We saw dolphins playing in the water and were able to see the festival attendees, vendors and hear the music from the shore. There was a musician on board who walked around playing guitar and singing after the narration. We would have preferred more history to the music but he was entertaining. They raised the sails once we got off the shore and that was cool. We were able to stay on the ship after docking to enjoy the drone show that was part of the Harborfest activities, which was impressive but also disappointing in that it only lasted a few minutes, maybe 5 at tops. But overall it was a great cruise, nice ship that was clean and well ran. The deck underneath was also very nice with cool furnishings and is where the bar and bathrooms were located.

Absolutely amazing experience from check in to deboarding. The captain was knowledgeable and friendly along with the staff. My friend and I had an amazing time!! Well worth the price!

Was very disappointed in the harbor sailing tour. We circled the harbor and came right back, the 2 hour tour lasted 1.5 hours and that seemed like it was dragged out, the boat barely moved. I want expecting high speed boating but expected a bit more. I understand they cut it short due to an impending storm which never came, even when we were on the boat weather.com showed the storm missing the area. Other than that, crew was vey friendly and informative. Boat was clean and orderly.

Just did the sunset harbor tour over the weekend. I booked it kind of last minute, so didn't know what to expect, but here's what we experienced. The boat is beautiful and super clean and feels like a transport in time or like going on a boat ride in the 1920's. There are plenty of places to chose from to sit, whether you're on a date or in a group. As the boat took off, the crew invited anyone who wanted to help raise the sails to help & learn. It was fun to watch this and experience it up close. The Captain narrated the first part of the trip pointing out a bunch of history and current military ships & projects. You're able to get up and walk around the boat, so we checked things out from all sides, plus under the main deck there is a kind of snack shop with a bar. We got lemonade and it was refreshing & reasonably priced. At the turnaround, there was a live musician who went around the boat playing guitar & singing. This liven up the ride & again felt old fashioned in a good way. Sunset was beautiful & it was peaceful to be on the boat. A very pleasant experience. Now that said, if you want a party boat or high energy experience, this is not for you. The ship is slow. It was a very quiet ride and the 2 hours did feel long (but I'm an adventurous person). My husband and I both agreed that it was nice to almost force ourselves to slow down and just be :) The crew was great, it's easy to book, easy to find at the Marina & a fun activity for the right crowd!

"A 3 hour tour, a 3 hour tour!" But seriously, it's the perfect pass-time on the Elizabeth River with scenic views of Norfolk and Portsmouth amid chill tunes, attentive staff and good food/drink. It's great for locals and visitors alike; I go as part of an annually recurring corporate team building event but it's equally suited for singles, couples, families, friends and anyone that wants to earn sea legs for 2-3 hours. Smaller group attendees should check out Groupon or the Rover website for specials/deals. From the event standpoint, they're fairly easy to deal with when planning and executing things. FYI, there are no refunds. We saw inclement weather a few years in a row: 1 we couldn't sail so we got 80 individual passes for our attendees to return a better weather day (on their own, sans food/bevs); other year it sprinkled so we basically hosted a still/floating social where we boarded to eat/drink/chat/be merry. The owners are community-minded people with a passion to deliver a sound experience for all who board; it shows in who they employ as a captain. He's a nice guy with a priority on safety, though he did let my boys take a turn at driving the boat - cool, right. Speaking of safety, they have railing and life jackets BUT it's a boat, so if you have children or "inebriated friends" in tote, for heaven's sakes keep vigilant watch over them.

We had an excellent experience on the Rover this past weekend! We attended the Moonlight Party Cruise -- for $15 each, we were able to climb on board and enjoy the beautiful full moon and scenic views as we sailed around the bay. They had a bar available that served decent wine, the staff was super friendly and attentive throughout, and they had a DJ on board to provide some upbeat party music. The entire experience was a ton a fun and I'd definitely repeat it in the future!

Fun adventure .very easy and casual . We had fun but the chairs were uncomfortable .the musician was constantly looking for tips

My wife and I enjoyed a very fun and informative sailing cruise aboard the American Rover on April 11, 2022. The captain and crew were welcoming and helpful. The ship was beautiful and handled well under both sail and power. I would highly recommend this harbor tour for anyone but especially for ship lovers and students of naval history. The families aboard seemed to have a very good time.

Very relaxing cruise aboard the American Rover. Some good music but the singer was better at some genres. He kept the group entertained. A dj would be fine also. It was a bit cloudy but we had beautiful views. The navigator provided a history lesson and information on the Elizabeth River area. I highly recommend this cruise. Take your spouse or partner for a romantic evening. Drinks and bar is available onboard.

We came here for a company event. Luckily, we had sunny, warm weather that day, although if you weren't in the shade, the heat was brutal. About 50 of us were in our group, and because we didn't reserve the entire ship, we shared it with other paying guests as well. The ship is a pretty nice size, and can accommodate up to 129 guests. Our 2-hour cruise departed at Waterside and we sailed through the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor. The captain of the ship did a great job narrating the cruise and going over the history of different landmarks as we passed by. The staff of the American Rover was also very welcoming and frequently walked throughout the ship to make sure everyone was okay, and we were even lucky to have a musician on board with his guitar, performing some well-known songs. As far as food and drink, fortunately our company event had Gourmet Gang to cater and we were provided drink tickets to redeem for anything in the bar. The ship does offer snacks and drinks for purchase, and you are welcome to bring your own food to the ship (but no alcohol).

Last night I was treated to the evening sunset cruise aboard the Rover. AND it was a TREAT! Right out of the gate, we got to see a pod of dolphins. I was super stoked on this- I work in Dominion Tower and have been bummed that I haven't seen any in the river this year. Needless to say, the trip started on a high point... and there it remained. Another surprise treat- being able to see my home from the cruise!!! Although the sky was a bit cloudy, the sunset views were still stunning. The Captain was very informative in pointing out the diverse sights and shared some cool historical facts. The entertainment was light and fun- a guy with a guitar singing familiar tunes. Another thing to take note of is the raising of the sails. It's pretty impressive and the crew did it with ease- even offering folks the opportunity to join in the pulling of ropes. It was nice that the ship size and crowd size offered the opportunity to be socially distanced and that safety measures were in place. If you get the chance to take a trip aboard, I suggest you do- it was awesome!

Great sail with family! Crew seemed new & need a little more practice, very friendly. Boat was very clean

Crew was great and very engaging, it was a nice peaceful afternoon cruise. Drinks on board were very reasonable. Boat was spotless.

Totally awesome time tonight. We took a group of 22-24 and everyone had a beautiful time. The best views of Norfolk and Portsmouth come from smack dab in the middle of the Elizabeth River, on a boat, on the American Rover. The ride was smooth, the staff worked endlessly to ensure trash was out of the way, and they were moving around efficiently to get the boat moved around with all the sails. We paid around $40 per person and it included the boat ride that went as far as Lambert's Point golf course, sample beers for the first hour, and dinner provided by Beach Bully (pretty good BTW). They even had live entertainment with a gentleman walking around singing while playing a guitar. Everyone left with special beer glasses courtesy of Devil's Backbone. For a two hour experience, $40 was all well worth everything we received. Throw in that the weather was perfect and all the stars aligned for great experience. Side note - enjoying this boat ride tonight confirms that I still want to have a Jay-Z Big Pimpin music video-like party. Wishful thinking. :)

Honestly.... It was one of the most boring experiences I have ever had. It was very relaxing, breezy, and the water/scenery was beautiful... BUT they talked for the first thirty minutes and then stopped doing the "tour" for the rest of the hour and a half we had left. The music was good.. Something anyone of any age would enjoy. I just honestly think that for the price, it wasn't a great tour. Yes I do live in Norfolk, but my mother was with me and she is from out of town and she as well felt that it was extremely boring. Ages of people in this review (25 and 50).

When I lived in Chesapeake I had always wanted to cruise on the American Rover. Finally managed it after moving to Northern Virginia and making a trip down during the summer. Harborfest just happened to be going on the weekend we stayed at the beach so when I saw there was still availability for the Fireworks cruise, I signed us right up. American Rover is a beautiful tall sailing ship that cruises up and down the Elizabeth River. We set sale around 7:30, enjoyed the scenery and history they shared with us, enjoyed a few drinks, watched the sun set and then enjoyed a fantastic fireworks display. We docked about 10:00 or so. This is the ONLY way to watch the Harborfest fireworks if you don't have your own boat! No huge crowds, nice cool breeze, great vantage point on the water and a glass of wine to enjoy. The one and only thing I would even remotely complain about is there was not much padding on those seats. I would do this again in a heartbeat! Great experience.

"Sailing unties the knots in my mind" Al Noble This is actually a very sentimental post for me... My very dear friend and precious neighbor celebrated her 70th birthday on the A.R. last year. Her sweet son and daughter surprised her with family and friends for what I am considering a beautiful/priceless event. Sadly she passed away and few months ago now and this was one of the greatest memories she could have experienced. I highly recommend booking a tour with a group or holding an event here for a unique experience. Remember life is short and to make the most out of every experience! XO

So it was nice to cruise Portsmouth and the Elizabeth river, see the vessels in port and get some info about the port. I won't recommend this to anyone mainly because on the second half of the trip on the way back we were forced to listen to some guy playing a guitar and singing John Denver and jimmy buffet songs the whole way back. With no indication anywhere that I'd be forced to listen to bad cover tunes. Considering this was a reproduction of a schooner and the history of the area, I was a bit irritated to have to listen to that music loudly for literally half the trip when all I wanted to do was enjoy the scenery and the history of the area. And to top it off dude was standing at the exit ramp waiting for tips when really it should have been the Deck hands getting tipped.

The crew of the American Rover was great. Polite and helpful. The boat itself is very neat and even below deck is interesting. I suspect if rain started and we all ended up running for clever it would not have been bad. I found it interesting that they don't push drinks on the guests. They are available, but no one is walking around suffocating you should buy a drink. Good for guests and bad for their bottom line. Note to management, you will make considerably more if someone walked around like at a game offering beer and wine The singer was surprisingly good. I'm not sure anyone under 35 would enjoy him as much, but for anyone who remembers the 70s and 80s will love him. Overall great crew and boat. I would have liked to see the Naval port on this cruise, but otherwise no complaints.

Not what I expected, but a good date night option! I had never been on a sailing ship before and after visiting the American Rover during the recent annual Norfolk Harbor Fest. the wife and I thought we would have a date night with sailing. Upon arriving to the boat it was a very relaxing atmosphere and the crew were attentive to our needs. They had soft music playing as we were preparing to get underway. The captain explained the different types of sails and staysails. Pulling away from the dock to the Captain explained a couple of ship features and key points that were pointed out around the downtown Norfolk area. As we headed north out of downtown Norfolk There was a slight breeze and the captain managed to turn off the engine explaining that we were now under full sail. Everything was quiet with the exception of the "LOUD bilge pump" that was spewing water out of the back of the ship making a splashing sound; ruining the serenity of the experience. I don't think they had bilge pumps on sailing ships back in the 1800's. Lol As we drifted further north of downtown I begin to notice that we weren't going very far very fast. I suppose when I first thought of sailing on the American Rover I had the perception of sailing down the James River with no industrial noise, harbor views or anything in view just wild solitude; wind and waves. We did however manage to catch a glimpse of the sunset peeking through the evening storm clouds around Lamberts Point golf course. We enjoyed the live music, the wife said the guitar guy kept giving use the creepy stare but I didn't notice it very enjoyable before heading back. **Overall, it was a good trip but I don't think I would do it again, due to the fact that Victory Rover does all the same things with the exception of sailing. When I think of sailing in the Hampton Roads area, it would have to be down to James River to feel the full experience of what the area was like at that time in history. Cheers!

Went on their Sunset cruise tonight. Was an excellent experience. Initially, I had booked a Thursday afternoon trip, but it was canceled. I was a bit disappointed, but they offered to set us up for the evening cruise for Saturday at no extra charge. From the outset, it was great customer service. In regards to the trip, the crew was friendly and kept the place clean while performing their other duties. The captain gave great info about the local area and it was just a wonderful experience for my family. After the first hour, a musician started playing a variety of songs and he sounded really good. All in all, it was a great evening out and we can't wait to get out again (hopefully with more family).

I really enjoyed this place and service. The captain had vast knowledge and was a great orator. My only complaint is that the toilet did not flush and appeared to be ready to overflow. This was not an experience killer and I would definitely go again.

Great relaxing cruise. Staff is wonderful and informative. Amazing views on water. A great way to end the week.

I used a Groupon for two that I had purchased back in the Spring for an afternoon cruise on Labor Day. We lucked out because the weather was PERFECT! FYI - This is NOT a party ship. I read a review about someone who felt it was boring. It's a sail boat, and it was just as I expected. Very relaxing combined with a tour of the waterway between Norfolk and Portsmouth. Gorgeous ship with plenty of room to roam around. We sat on the back deck where there were less people. There was a bar in the cabin that was somewhat difficult to get to. I'd recommend boarding early to get your drink before the ship takes off. It would have helped move the line along if there was some sort of menu up on the wall where everyone could pick out what they wanted before they got to the counter. Either way, we enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone just looking for a short get away.

Me and my fiancé bought a Groupon for two for the sunset cruise for $30 total. It was a lovely cruise with the captain giving local tourist information about the area. The music was nice by a guy singing and playing a guitar. They don't sell food, just chips and candy bars. They do have a great bar and bartender! This is a must do for a nice sail boat experience.

Went aboard this boat for a company party and it was great! They gave us an open bar option and small finger foods! The staff is very friendly although it was a bit windy we did not get to sail considering it's a small sailboat not a big boat like the Spirit Of Norfolk if you're looking to throw a small event or a company event this is your place

Really fun way to spend the evening. I enjoyed the tour of the harbor at the beginning, even as a local. The sunset views are beautiful, and the live music made for a great vibe as the evening was winding down. They have a bar (I enjoyed the Rover Rum Runner), a ship's with merch, and clean bathrooms. It was chilly on the night that we went, but we were able to go below decks and sit on a comfy couch to warm up. We went while they COVID restrictions were still in place and they did a good job of reducing the number of guests in order to keep it safe and not over crowded.

I've never been on a sail boat and I am glad I found the groupon special to attend a cruise for 2 at a great price. So, I took my family on a date night (my husband and child). We had a blast! The captain was our tour guide and about an hour into our sail, we had a guitar entertainer. He played mostly oldies like Roger Miller, Jimmy Buffet, Elvis etc but they were great songs; he did a fantastic job. The scenery was nice, the entire cruise was about 1.5 hrs. The crew was fantastic; very knowledgeable about how to set sail and get the boat setup and all. They were very friendly, allowing their guests to help them pull some ropes and take family pictures! They even let my 3 year old ring the bell in front of the ship. That was the highlight of her day. :) I would recommend this trip to anyone. Great staff. Oh, FYI: they have restrooms in their bottom deck along with a concession stand in the lower level. They even have a privacy area for those that are dating or just having a romantic night cruise in the lower level, away from everyone else. :)

Great two hour ride ! We actually passed my husband's ship in the yards and he saw us go by :) really well managed team, great customer service and relaxing tour on the Elizabeth!

We took the romantic starlight cruise. Cities are always so magical at night when you are watching the people and lights from the water. The passengers were restricted to couples so the ambience on the boat was very laid back and romantic. I would recommend this to any couple looking to spend time together and do something a little out of the ordinary on date night.

While in Norfolk for Harbor Fest, Toot, Dead Head Dave and I were welcomed aboard the American Rover, a fine sailing ship if ever I saw one. As soon as we stepped aboard I remember thinking what a fine lady, polished, charming, and what curves and lines! And the ship wasn't bad either. The aforedescribed attractive blond was actually selling beers, etc. for you to enjoy while on board and to take with you if you chose. We made are way below to the most forward cabin. It was beautiful, all polished woods and nice sofas lining the pointed walls as the room conformed to the ship's bow. We never left the dock but I could see that taking a cruise on this fine lady would be a blast.

Lovely experience on the river. Perfect for a business group or organization. You can cater a nice meal and have a bar. The ambience deck side is the place to be.

I wasn't sure what to expect but this tour was everything we could have hoped for. The captain gives all kids of history about the area, and the day time cruise is very family friendly. Drinks (including alcoholic) and snacks are available for purchase which was a plus! I would definitely do it again, or even consider it for a group get together.

Best night of my stay in VA. Friendly crew. Live music. Sunset is the best time to sail! Great experience

The sunset cruise is one of the best times I've had in quite a long time. The captain is super fun and is always making sure you're having fun. If that wasn't enough, the music is top-notch, regardless of what your musical tastes might be.

We had a lovely time as a family on the American Rover. Our children were able to help with the sails and we enjoyed the narration. There are well priced snacks, candy and drinks for purchase.

Ok ride, it was not eventful most of the time. The crew was very nice but the drinks were warm and we didn't go fast at all. I would not take this trip again.

If you want to spend a sunny afternoon relaxing in the harbor, this is a fun way to do it. Staff is friendly and attentive and the captain provides facts about the city and ships as you sail by. Decor is a little outdated, but they have a (limited) bar to make up for it. We were in from out of town and are so glad we decided to take a harbor tour on the American Rover! It will be a fond memory of our trip to Virginia.

This was my third or fourth time on the AR. It was a little windy and cool that day, but the ride and the ambiance was great.There was live music and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. It's a nice way to relax and enjoy an afternoon/evening on the water. I highly recommend it.

Love the rover! We came to Virginia from Indiana last year and took the sun set cruise. Came again this year excited to do it again. Love the atmosphere. Captain is super nice. We had a different musician this time but he was just as fun as the last. I 100% recommend this. Big fan!!

The American Rover is an excellent opportunity for anyone to enjoy a romantic date. Regardless if your relationship is old or new, it is a chance for a romantic rediscovery of your love. The American Rover has cruises that run in the evening that are perfect to rekindle your relationship. It is an incredible romantic cruise. So slip away together and plan a evening love affair. Vonda V. Johnson

Fantastic. We had a groupon for the sunset cruise. There is a bar downstairs. The captain gives you a tour of the harbor.. I learned a whole bunch, and I grew up here. There is a guitarist for the second half after the tour is complete. Definitely recommend, especially with a groupon.

We did the Hands On Sailing Adventure and it was a great experience all around! Beautiful cruise around the harbor, we learned to tie knots, hoist and lower sails, and steer the ship. I brought my teen daughter and her friend, but there were younger kids there as well. They have a snack and beverage bar too! I highly recommend this experience. At just $12 a person, it was well worth it!

I took the America Rover sunset cruise for my birthday. I enjoyed everything!!! This is a must do cruise.. You will not be disappointed... The sunset is beautiful!!

Wonderful evening on the Elizabeth River. Crew was very attentive. Great for a date , friends night out or family. The price is very reasonable- good value.

Really great boat ride. Was probably 2 hours long and included a history of the area as well as all the other neighboring ships in the area. The boat itself was very nice and the snacks in the downstairs shop actually weren't overpriced. The downstairs of the boat also had a fancy lounge area with a bar. To top it all off the all of staff was very friendly and helpful and there was a really hot blond worker present during our ride.

Good cheap (with coupon) fun! Only didn't get 5 stars because I thought we went out a little farther on the water.

Did the Thursday evening sail which was combined with a beer tasting and barbecue. It was excellent, beer was from a local brewery and barbecue was all you cared to eat. Also had a roving guitar player singing some oldies and country. Well worth the cost would love to go again!

We really enjoyed this ship - beautiful ship and scenery - a must-do in Norfolk!