Newport Classic Cruises Bannister's Wharf

We had the best time celebrating my 30th birthday with a sunset sail on the Madeleine! Me and my 6 girlfriends had a wonderful time with the crew Peter, Jay, and Hunter. They were super friendly, funny, and made us feel like we were in capable hands. They even let me raise the sail, which was such a fun moment and made the whole experience feel really special. The views were stunning, the vibe was perfect, and it was such a memorable way to kick off a new decade. Highly recommend if you’re in Newport and want to do something a little extra! We’ll be talking about this night for a long time! ⛵🌅✨

What a fantastic time! My son (14) and I had the most beautiful sail with the amazing crew for a pre-dinner activity! We had gorgeous weather and a wonderful group with us on board. The crew-Kayla, Hope, Rob and Peter, were fantastic and kept us entertained the entire time. We loved hearing about the amazing properties around Newport and enjoying the wind and waves. We will definitely do this again! 5 stars for sure!

This is a NON-NEGOTIABLE experience if you’re visiting Newport! Sailing with this crew(JACK, HOPE, SHANON, ANTIGONE) has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment you step on board, you feel the warmth, joy, and kindness they share so effortlessly. The atmosphere is peaceful and uplifting—perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking to unwind and take in the beauty of the ocean. It’s not just a sail, it’s a moment of calm, gratitude, and pure happiness. Truly unforgettable.

We were part of a small group on the Madeleine and had the most perfect afternoon sail. Piper, Telly and Shannon told us all about Newport history and were a joy to sail with. Thank you for a wonderful day on the water!

We had the pleasure of taking the sunset sail cruise this weekend to celebrate our 33 year anniversary and it was amazing! The crew on-board were very knowledgeable and informative...and the best part was mother nature delivered the breathtaking sunset!!

We had a fantastic sunset sail aboard the Adirondack IV! Capt. Ben and his crew, Austin, Sophie, and Antigone, were amazing hosts. From their welcoming speech to the history around the island and surrounding area, to the Bar menu. It was all incredible. And then the Sunset. Absolutely Stunning. Thank you guys for a wonderful evening. Cheers

The sunset cruise on the beautiful schooner, Madeleine was 100% the best! The captain and crew were amazing, funny and personable. We were a group of 6 who had a blast! And we were blessed with a gorgeous sunset to make it perfect. What an experience! Highly recommend.

Had a great sunset cruise with Captain Peter and Sailor Jay! Great size boat—only 20-25 passengers—beautiful bay, and a fun experience. I recommend getting drink tickets ahead of time. And be sure to ask the crew about the surroundings: lots of history and stories to share.

My husband and I took this ride while on our vacation. It is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Sooo much fun! It's a MUST-DO! I'd never been on a sailboat before and I LOVED IT! The crew is sooo much fun and friendly, I highly recommend a trip aboard the MADELINE!!

We had the best time on the boat with Peter and Kenny! They were both really knowledgeable and shared so much about the area and the views were amazing. I had such a great time chatting with them on the boat. For really young guys, they know what they're doing! I highly recommend taking this adventure with them! Thanks guys for a fun day...

The boat ride itself was enjoyable - but the scheduling services went by the wayside. We booked a sunset cruise for the bride and we were put on a cruise for 7:30pm, having booked this months and months in advance for a large group. However, when we got to the stand at 7pm, we were told the cruise had already left. It was a shock to us all as there was someone local in our group that had gotten there at 6:30pm and said the group was on their way. With some turmoil in the group (we were only there for one more night) and sadness from the bride, we were finally able to get on the next boat for the next day - it ended up being a sailboat and a delightful experience but the staff working there was very rude. It also impacted our schedule for the next day. I wasn't part of the group to talk to the staff to reschedule, but this was all based on what I saw happening. It wan't a very fun experience to deal with the staff. Especially when the booking system made an error, we were not late but they acted like it was our fault we missed the original boat. Nothing special about the ride, no tidbits about the area or the boat itself. The captain was rather sulky. The staff did provide water as it was a hot day, but other than that, nothing super special about this sail out on the bay.

This was fantastic! The crew was friendly, informative and fun. Highly recommend the sunset cruise!

Whole process from start to finish was super easy! We were able to grab tickets directly and walked around the Wharf until it was our time to board. We checked in and there was sincerely no bad seats on the boat! We had a great time and our captain shared many fun-facts! Great views! We will be back!

I had family in town who wanted to take the cruise and I was nervous to bring my three-year-old and two year-old. It was very family friendly and my children did great. We were able to stand and walk around and I was not worried about them falling off ha ha. Would definitely do this again.

Really fun experience!! We decided to take a sailboat sunset cruise in Newport! We went with the 7 pm (90 min) cruise, so that we would still be out on the water during sunset (the neighboring cruise company had a sunset cruise at 6:30 pm, which would be "on the way back" during sunset). The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, and the waters were calm. Charlie & Cammie were part of the crew on the boat with us, and both were very friendly and made the sail great!! Drinks are available on board, if you didn't buy drink tickets in advance, but are cash only. We got to see both the sun and the moon, a beautiful sunset, and even were able to listen to some of the Newport Full Festival. Great experience!

Best day of the year to be on the water, and Newport Classic Cruises' "Rum Runner II" made it unforgettable! Sailing the day after Labor Day meant a light load, making it feel like our own private yacht. The calm waters and smooth sailing were perfect, and the crew did a fantastic job keeping us entertained. We enjoyed a mix of history, lighthouse views, the thrill of speed, and a little sea spray to keep things fun. Laughter filled the air--what more could you ask for? If you're looking for a great time in Newport, hop on the Rum Runner II, especially right after Labor Day. You won't regret it!

You get great views of Newport while out on the water on this boat. The crew is very attentive and checks in on each guest at the start and midway through the tour. Overall, however, this tour was underwhelming. I expected to learn more about Newport and boating while onboard. It was peaceful but not as exciting as I had hoped.

Great staff - on time easy process to purchase and day of. They even had blankets for us on the sunset cruise. Loved it! The sails were up and smooth sailing- overall recommend.

The captain of the Madeline and the crew were very personable . They told great stories about the Newport area and were very knowledgeable about the surrounding boats that past us by . The Madeline was a beautiful sailboat and it is well taken care of . The price was right for this 1 and a half hour sail . We would definitely go again !

Loved our time on the sunset cocktail cruise. They take you out to where the really, really, really big boats are. I would suggest sitting up front as close as possible so you can make sure you have first dibs at the drinks. Bathroom on board but you have to walk down some very narrow and steep steps to get to it. Cruise from start to finish (waiting in line to disembarking) is about 2 hours. Definitely worth it! Very reasonable prices for an activity like this in such a touristy place.

Such a nice cruise, interesting and accurate history of Newport harbor and real estate explained! Great cocktails, dogs allowed!

We took Madeline for a sunset cruise. We lucked out and had perfect weather. It was beautiful, peaceful and romantic. You were able to purchase drinks if you'd like and they were reasonably priced. In the past, we also did the rum runner and the Aquidneck cruise with champagne. Those cruises were amazing as well!

We had a wonderful sunset crew with friendly staff, drinks were reasonably priced and fun was had by all. highly recommend!

My mom and I did a sunset tour when we visited in August. We sailed on the Adirondack, which was perfect since that's the area we were visiting from! My mom was very nervous about a sailboat but once she saw how gorgeous it was and met our friendly captain, Ben- she was able to totally relax and enjoy. We sat near the captain and he answered all of our questions. This is not a narrated tour, which made it nice to just enjoy the scenic views. Drinks were available for purchase but this was a calm and quiet type activity, not a boat party. The sunset was so beautiful the night we went and the cool breezes were refreshing after a hot summer day. Definitely bring a jacket or sweater. The sail was perfectly smooth and we could imagine what it might have been like in the Gilded Age. If you are looking for a quiet or romantic evening, enjoy being on the water, or love looking at or photographing sunsets, I think you'll love this particular cruise. I'd go on another sunset cruise with them or try any of the other options they offer next time I visit in the summer!

While spending a weekend in Newport we decided to do the sunset cruise. This cruise was really nice and it was great to be out in the water especially at this time of the day. Both our captain and bartender were great and made our cruise very enjoyable. Love the flow of rum punches and the sea breeze. I wish the cruise had been a bit longer even if they had to raise their prices since an hour goes by really fast.

Such an enjoyable sunset cruise! The crew was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone was comfortable.

We had a great time on the Adirondack II's first sunset sail of the season! Captain Elyse gave us just enough expertly-staged drama to know we were on a schooner, and mates Kiera and Lee took care of their captain's and our every need with energy, grace, humor, and steady sea legs. After breaking out the beer and cocktails, they provided blankets just when the spring chill was starting to bite. We will be back for another trip.

The captain and his mate were incredible! Great trip, I highly suggest. You will see lighthouses mansions and rea nice boats.

I had some friends visit from out of state and they wanted to do something different. So, I made the reservation for us, and we went. Luckily, there were just about ten people on the boat and the two ladies managing the cruise were outstanding! They gave us a great tour of the Newport harbor and did an amazing job of providing us with plenty of beverages. I hope to take other friends who come to town on the same cruise.

Our trip on Rumrunner II was amazing!!! It was informative and fun! Highly recommend it.

One of my favorite experiences during our weekend trip to Newport! We went on the morning glory sail which included mimosas. If you are looking for the sunset cruise, book a few weeks early - they were sold out for the day we wanted but the morning cruise was great as well. It was a bit windy but we were very comfortable on the water temperature-wise even without jackets since it's summer. The crew was fantastic!

Friendly, knowledgeable and courteous crew provided a wonderful private tour on "Full Moon" for the 15 participants in my Vistage Worldwide CEO leadership retreat. Our 90 minute ride was relaxing, and set the tone for the productive and enjoyable learning experience that followed.

Had an incredible experience on board with Captain Shanon and Hunter. They were knowledgeable, engaging and entertaining. Highly recommend adding a sunset cruise to your Newport itinerary. The size of the Elenor was perfect.

We had an excellent trip on the Rum Runner. The hostess was knowledgeable and friendly, and the skipper did an outstanding job. Well worth the cost.

We had a great sail on the Madeleine! Stu and Mark made the sail extra special. Can't wait to visit again!

as always - sailing in newport is one of our favorite things to do! we had the best time with the best crew. we cannot wait to come back! THANK YOU!

We came for a short stay in Newport booked a sunset cruise on the Madeline. It was a perfect trip from start to finish. The Crew was great Jeff, Sophie and Kat. Kat especially as our narrator for trip was Awesome. Overall highly recommend them.. They were great and made our night!

Very entertaining narrative by the friendly guide. The staff were eager to please and the free Del's frozen lemonade hit the spot on a summer afternoon tour of the harbor and bay area. We got to see and learn about the Kennedy Compound, see some polo ponies nearby, saw some mega yachts, learned about the history of Newport and Goat Island, see the big bridge up close, and were fascinated by the story behind the house in the middle of the bay that rested in top of a tiny rocky island. I would highly recommend this tour, and make sure to hop upstairs deck to see the bay a little better.

Great tour... crew was very friendly and up beat / easy going. they put everyone in a positive mood. Lee was excellent.. with a similar shout out to Jason. No disrespect to rest of crew... they all seemed great..but mostly interacted with these two. Would recommend this tour to anyone wanting to see the bay and learn a little bit of history about the surrounding homes... while chilling to the peaceful lap of the waves against the hull and the wind in your hair..while enjoying a cold cocktail.

Wonderful time the Captain and Mate were very helpful! We talked mostly to Cam and she was excellent! Kept our beverages full and was very attentive during the whole excursion! I would strongly recommend anyone, tourist and local alike, to spend an afternoon on this charming wooden yacht!

Stew, JP, and Antoin were AMAZING!!!! Book this cruise, awesome experience Book this for sure

Excellent cruise, excellent service!! Very informative and friendly! It was easy to book and easy to check in!

the night was cloudy so not much of a sunset the crew was okay - the young woman that spoke most of the time had a good sense of humor but I didn't know how much of what she was saying was true a brief history of Newport could have started the night instead of selling drinks

Lee and Kera were awesome! Would highly recommend to all the sunset cruise on Eleanor!

A must do! Parking isn't free so either take an Uber or pay for parking. Staff are knowledgeable and give you insight to some of the key spots along the way. The sailboat is immaculate and the onboard crew are friendly and answer all your questions. I suggest bringing your own favorite beverage but they do offer free bottled water. You can even take a snack or a sandwich with you. Bring sunscreen and a hat if necessary. Overall it was a great experience to sail around 12:30 PM to see some of the historic landmarks and learn a little about the Newport surroundings. Next time we will take the sunset cruise. Enjoy!

Stuart was amazing! It was chilly but the crew provided blankets and drinks to warm us up!

I've been on the Rum Runner II twice now and really enjoyed it both times. The first time I went with my co-workers for an afternoon cruise and liked it. This gave me the idea to take my 3 year old daughter during a recent trip to Newport. We live in Arizona now, but she had been talking a lot about seeing lighthouses prior to our trip to RI. When I called the company to inquire, they recommended we do the Lighthouses and Mimosas cruise. It was very lightly narrated, but not too much to be overly boring for kids. On this cruise, she happened to be the only kid on board, but she had a great time being out on the water and of course viewing the lighthouses. The staff was so nice and we had a great time! I would definitely recommend this company if you want to get out there on the water for a nice time in Newport.

We did the Champagne Sunset Cruise on the Madeline and it was fun! We had some really good views of the sunset and we went pretty far along the coast. The employees were friendly and had some good banter amongst themselves and the other boats. The champagne was pretty good as well. Overall I'd definitely recommend giving it a try and I don't think you'll be disappointed. My main recommendation would be to bring another coat or maybe a blanket, depending on the time of year obviously. We went this past weekend and we were quite comfortable on land, but once we got out in the bay we were pretty cold and by the end of the trip with the sun going down we were basically popsicles.

Stu and Hillary made this sailboat ride exceptional. Not only was the ride beautiful, smooth and amazing for a first time sailboat ride but they were the icing on the cake. Their personalities were refreshing, funny, and professional all in one especially Stu. I loved how he allowed my son to raise the sail and help dock the boat at the end. He engaged with Stu and learned a lot so much so that he wants to learn more about sailboats and handling them. The tidbits of information from the area and little facts were great! This was a great experience and phenomenal way to end our first weekend in Newport! Captain Ben was great too! Thanks!!!

We went on the Champagne Sunset Cruise on the Madeleine for our 42nd Anniversary. It was Fantastic !! Captain Dave and the Crew were Great !! The weather was beautiful and just windy enough to make the voyage enjoyably exciting. Captain Dave and the Crew piloted the ship skillfully while telling us interesting stories about Newport's history and also sharing their Nautical knowledge, all while making sure we had ample refreshments. The Sunset was beautiful !! We Highly Recommend Classic Cruises of Newport.

it was fun. nice views. felt very safe. crew was great, friendly and helpful. crew shared some interesting historical info about the sights. took my kids 7 and 8 and they also really enjoyed.

Had a great time on the beautiful "Madeline" schooner for the Champagne Sunset Cruise! With Captain Dave steering us, we had a smooth, peaceful beautiful cruise all along and around the Eastern Passage!! We had heard this was a historic ride with views of Jackie O's former compound and other memorable sites, but the friendliness of the staff, the plentiful champagne, and the gorgeousness of the sky set the tone for a truly blissful experience!! Would highly recommend for people of ages, singles, couples and just anyone who likes to have fun! We even had a 9 month old baby who seemed to enjoy the whole thing (minus the Champagne), and didn't cry at all!! Just watch the dismount, after a few glasses of champagne - it's easy to miss the stairs!!! :)

Fun filled day!! Great memories! If you check in using Yelp you will receive a discount per ticket! Crew was so friendly and informative. Can byob but no glass and in something you can hold on your lap. So glad the group we went with agreed to come! You really get to see the beauty of Newport from the water.

We did the sunset cruise this past Friday at 5:30pm and had the best time. It is a perfect little pre dinner ride around the water looking at all of the houses and architecture Newport has to offer. It isn't so much a guided tour, but just a nice boat ride. To make things even better, they serve rum punch and beer on the boat which are constantly flowing and delicious. Highly recommend adding this to your list of things to do in Newport!

Fantastic experience! Highly recommend this boat tour. I was able to book this tour months in advance. My husband and I had a blast with this tour. We took the morning glory sail and were able to start our day with a beautiful cruse through the Newport waterfront. The boat was large and accommodated a lot of people. So no worries for the boat to be crammed. The staff was amazing. They were very friendly and helpful. They provided us with history about the sights we saw and also provided great suggestions on what restaurants, or attractions to visit. We were also given bottomless mimosas! YES, thats right bottomless mimosas! The cruise lasted about 1 hour and half, which was the right amount of time. We were able to see the Newport harbor and Narragansett Bay. The sail was very scenic with beautiful views and the price was not bad for everything it included. They have a variety of cruise itineraries you can book online, depending on what time of the day you want to leave and how private you want the cruise to be. You can sail during the early day or in the late afternoon to catch the sunlight. Thus, if you are in Newport and are wanting to book a scenic trip for a decent price. I highly recommend Classic Cruises of Newport. The experience was fantastic, staff was very friendly and informative. I will definitely be booking with them again, when Im in Newport again.

This was the best boat ride! Champagne or beer included in our sunset cruise. The crew was very informative and funny at times. We called a couple other places and decided to walk the wharf. So great to get a last minute spot for 3 of us. Very picturesque!

The Quick: Probably the best thing I did in Newport, Rhode Island. Absolutely stunning views, friendly and amazing staff, and just a fun overall experience... With booze! The Details: There is so much to love in Newport, that sometimes it's difficult to decide what to do first. As an avid lighthouse lover and breakfast cocktail aficionado, the mimosa and lighthouse tour literally screamed my name. Now granted, it was a gorgeous day with perfect weather, but I believe we would've had a great time regardless. I saw so much of Newport I have never seen before I cannot wait to book another tour next summer! I highly recommend taking one of the tours that serves alcoholic beverages, it just makes everything more fun. The Damage: ~ $25 a person and we had multiple mimosas. Cheers!