Alcatraz Cruises
Pier 33
San Francisco, CA 94107 (415) 981-7625
31 reviews
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
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27 Reviews for Alcatraz Cruises
If you don't like wind or chapped lips, stay on the main deck and don't go up top. If you want a beautiful view of the city, go to 3rd floor of the boat for some great views of the city.
They sell coffee, tea / little snacks on the boat. DON'T BUY ANYTHING. It's crazy expensive on the boat and a waste of money if you buy anything.
The staff is great. it's just a 20 minute ride but the only way to make it out to the rock.
Purchased my tickets online Super easy!
Great walk from Parking Garage to location
No Long lines to pick up tickets
The crew members were really nice.
The overall appearance of the ship inside and out including the restrooms was super clean.
I would definitely recommend.
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It just had to be you, Kevin. You're the only thing keeping me from giving Alcatraz Cruises a five star review. A small group of Yelpers including myself took a trip to Alcatraz recently.
The trip from Pier 33 to the Alcatraz dock is pretty short, but the ride was comfortable and our boat, the Islander, was clean and well kept. Online ticketing and print at home tickets are so convenient. A crew member simply took our tickets and scanned them before allowing us to get in line to board the boat. Oh, but before that happens a photographer stops each group to have them pose for a photo that they'll try to sell you at the price of $22 for two five by sevens. The departure time was quite accurate. Once everybody boarded the engines rumbled and the boat took off.
If you fail to grab hot coffee before you board, there is a concession stand on board the boat offering hot drinks, and nachos among other things. There are three levels in which to sit. We chose the top deck, and it seemed to have the fewest people.
The crew was courteous and professional. There was a narrator on board situated inside the wheelhouse. His job is pretty simple. He reads from a sheet and offers a bit of history about Alcatraz. The name of our narrator was Kevin, and his mastery of the English language was quite poor. Anthony L wasn't exaggerating in his review. This guy's English skills were horrific. I am still clueless as to what he tried to describe to us, but at least among our group his narration was good for a lengthy laugh. Can you imagine what type of confusion sets in for a visitor not familiar with the English language?
Enjoy the ride and the beautiful sights around the Bay. Alcatraz Cruises will get you to the island and back quite comfortably. Just ignore the man they call Kevin; he's just good for background noise.
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Dear Kevin,
Included in this review of the min cruise over to the island is an invitation from me to you to get a better understanding of how to get a hold of your English skills. I am willing to teach you how to read properly from a piece of paper without any stuttering or any mess ups that plagued your reading of simple words from the Captain's wheel house. Although, you seemed to try and put out a decent effort, it pained me to listen to you try time and time again to regain your spot in the scripted lines. And if you thought you were able to hear people laugh at you over the roar of the engine, you're right. There were quite a few of us laughing at your expense. I, myself, am guilty of ripping you several new ones. So I extend to you an offer to help you be a better reader and reciter. Good luck on your future reads.
Seriously, I thought I was listening to a kid that was in the second grade but when I looked into the wheel house, there was a tall kid that was trying his hardest to read off a piece of paper. You can tell that because he had his head down and he never looked up. And the occasional frustrated head scratching to the back of the head is a dead give away. And when he stepped out of the wheel house and made his way downstairs, he was Asian. I didn't even know that. I was too busy laughing to pay any attention to the accent he apparently had.
We were lucky to have a pretty calm ride over to The Rock. Very calm waters and the wind was only gusty at times. Very nice night with plenty of sunlight out. Nothing much more to say since this is just a 13 minute boat ride. Thanks to Kevin for making it a more entertaining review. Couldn't have done it without his lack of education and the awesome lack of attention the State of California has for the welfare of our students. CLASSY!!!
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i struggled for days on how to write this review. i had one good experience and the rest was bad.
lets see i guess i'll start from the beginning......
after CoCo's tiffany and i had wanted coffee and bella told us there was a coffee shop right at the peer. when we get there we have about 15 minutes before boarding time. we wait almost 15 minutes in the coffee line, we were willing to even pay $8 for a cup of coffee and finally when we get to the front they tell us we can't take the coffee on board because it has alcohol in it. not a good start!
we get on the cruise boat and make our way up the top we hear over the speaker someone talking so we all pay attention to what we have to decipher as english. this kid either was just hired or he needed to take some more ESL classes. you would think the criteria for a reading job would be to be able to read.....(i know i'm being mean but it had to be said). everyone on the top deck was trying to not listen to allen (the reader).
i couldn't fight my urge for coffee any longer and the boat had a concession stand selling coffee so i decided to get some. i asked for some thing sweet and they said they didn't have anything like that so i just ordered a coffee. they gave me the cup to pump my own and right before i started pumping the over head said that there was no drinks aloud on the island tour (at this point i knew the review was not going to go well).
once we get on the island things were great. the tour guide that took us up to prison was great and the automated tour within the prison was great as well. i did get some creepy feelings in some parts of the cells. the creepiest feelings were from the hospital in alcatraz.
i would have to say the best part of the tour was going with friends and doing the tour at night. i hope that we just got the bad luck of being with a bad batch of workers. as a tourist its an experience but as a local i don't recommend it. once was enough for me =)
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Really fun cruise! The staff is informative and helpful. The best part is that once you dock on the island, you explore on your own. You're not married to your group at all. It's a must when visiting San Francisco.
The last time we went to Alcatraz was 13 years ago. If I recall correctly, it was through the Blue & Gold fleet and the ride was a little rougher. I do recommend the Cellhouse Audio Tour. Very informative and not too long and drawn out. (A big plus if you have kids.) Give yourself at least 3 hours there, there's more to see than just the things the audio tour will take you to. If there's room and it's a nice day out, sit up top! You'll get an excellent view of the SF Bay.
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The staff was excellent! One member noticed my pin (Families of Fallen Soldiers) and I told him of my husband's death in Iraq. They were so kind. They introduced me to some people on the island and introduced me to a man named Frank who used to be a prison guard. I also received a special tour and was treated like a queen. My little boy had such a good time, he received a little Alcatraz badge and they made him feel very special. All I could do is cry. I highly recommend this tour to anyone.
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Although this type of thing can normally reek of cheesy, visiting Alcatraz is pretty cool I have to say. But I'll review Alcatraz itself on its own listing, this is about the cruise tour services specifically.
At $25 per person, it can easily add up to become pricey but as there isn't really much other choice and you do spend a large portion of time doing the trip, you can just write it off. The boat ride was pretty decent - faster than I expected, and the included audio tour was actually pretty great. More on that in the Alcatraz review. Do listen when people tell you to bring a jacket though since it does get extremely windy on the boat, and it's so much better to stand on the top level rather than on the somewhat depressing inside seating areas. The return trip was much better - less crowded and loud, and altogether more pleasant.
Do arrive early enough so that you don't get squished in the huge line after you pick up your tickets from the grouchy ticket lady, but unless you want to be the first person to arrive on that top deck to ensure a good tourist shot, don't worry about getting there *too* much in advance. Just make sure you have enough time to pick your tickets up, get in line, and not miss the boat, since they do leave on time (at least they did for us). In the queue, you have the opportunity to take a cruise-photographer's cheesy "Alcatraz background" tourist shot. Don't try asking "do we have to do this or can we just skip it?" since they'll grumpily tell you "yes, you do have to." I have to say, I was pretty annoyed that when we returned and saw the photos up, we actually looked good and it was a really great picture of us since we didn't want to get it at the requisite ripoff price of $22.
Overall, it's a good way to visit Alcatraz all things considered, and if you're interested at all it's worth doing at least once. It would be pretty interesting to do a day tour first to see everything, then explore the night tour for a different experience, but I guess maybe next time. Do book in advance though, since the spots fill up quick. I tried to do it online but it didn't go through properly, so I called and the staff promptly sorted it all out which I appreciated. And hey, there's always the tourist entertainment on the boat trip which is priceless. It's not every day I get to see a giant guy telling his story of "hell yeah, I just went out there and shot me a brown bear THIS big!" to a group of awestruck bro-dudes.
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This tour is so well done! My tip is to take the 4pm tour sometime between October and December: the sun will set at just the right time and present you with a STUNNING view of the city from Alcatraz.
The audio-guided tour was fascinating and so well made. If you asked Ken Burns to make a documentary on Alcatraz Island, it would sound just like this (who knows, he might've actually been involved in the recording). Like I said, timing is key, and taking the late-afternoon/early-evening tour was a great choice to set just the right mood for the experience.
If you're reluctant to fork over 25 bucks for a ticket, believe me: whether you're a tourist, a local, a history buff, or just a big geek like me, it's well worth it!
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Great time - nice boat, fast service, well versed staff...
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We went on a cold, rainy evening and I was CHILLED to the bone when we got back, but it was a really good tour. Note that there is no heat inside the prison.
The audio tour is awesome.
Their ferries leave promptly 10 minutes prior to the time printed on your ticket. Even if you're there but there are people waiting to take your spot, they'll forfeit your seat for you.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your trip fewer than 72 hours in advance, they'll try to rip you off. They write on their tickets that the ticket price is non-refundable and you have 48 hours to wait in a "stand-by" line if you want to use the ticket in the future. After 48 hours, the ticket expires.
Fortunately for the consumer, CA law says that any pre-paid purchase cannot expire (the "gift card" law) and this also applies to the ferry tickets.
Rather than letting the condescending and rude staff who run the cruise steal your money, be sure to buy with a credit card so that you can dispute the charge if something unexpected comes up. The staff won't listen to your common sense, but your credit card company will.
If you have an issue with this company, be sure to complain to the U.S. Park Service who contracts with these guys.
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Rubric: 5 = Mindblowing 4 = Excellent 3 = I see the charm 2 = Disappointing 1 = Never again
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Wasn't sure what to expect - even with all of the positive reviews and personal recommendations. I feared being bored and unimpressed and having no way off of a likely tourist trap than the ferry, which I was certain would leave me waiting.
To increase the odds of having a good time, we signed up for a night tour. I started to look forward to it. The evening was beautiful - cool but not cold, and clearer than I thought possible. We decided to walk to Pier 33 for fun, but ended up stymied by a few no-thru streets and wasted so much time retracing our steps that I was convinced we were going to miss the boat - We ran the last mile flat-out and leapt onto the ferry just as they were reeling in the gang plank - riding the adrenaline more than the boat out to the island.
The ferry ride is pleasant - smooth and steady, and with good views and narration over the PA. The ferry circles the island and the guide points out landmarks while offering a much better look at the island than can be had ON the island. Not much in the way of creature comforts (some snacks are available for purchase), but the ride's not long enough to justify more.
The island is an ideal venue to listen to stories - the kind told 'round the campfire when everyone is happy and relaxed and ready to be carried along by a good yarn. And that's what you get - the entertainment consists entirely of stories, with the prison and island acting as visual aids. Pretty darn cool visual aids - if the hospital is open, check it out - funhouse creepy!
Many of the stories are recorded, listened to through headphones, and act as a guided tour. So you get a polished presentation spiced with comments from those who were there, but it isolates you from everyone else - and that takes some of the fun out of it.
After the taped tour, the guides position themselves around the island - to tell stories connected to the feature they're standing near. This was great - interactive, with beautiful views of SF and the obvious enthusiasm of the guides.
Some stories were retold, and the concluding film should be punted, but it WAS a good time. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the ferry ride and the tour - and the night tour is the way to go!
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I was actually quite impressed by the end of the tour although was expecting something extremely boring (was kind of forced to go). Anyhow, the boat ride was okay, but the audio tour inside the cell blocks was really the best part. Very entertaining, and you feel like you're in your own little world as you listen to the stories. Take your out of town visitors, but make sure you book online, or better yet, call by phone to get the discounted family-pack tickets. Freakin' cold though... grab a beanie or something.
The boat ride is COLD on the way back! Nice tour, a little pricey but it's on time and efficient. The audio tour on the boat ride is amusing. Reserve online because on weekends this thing books fast, so do it at least a week or two ahead of time.
While you're going through the line, you can take the requisite tourist pic with the Alcatraz background. We were Asians, we had to do it.
I'm writing this review in reference to the night tour. I've done the day tour years ago (as in back in the late 80's when I was still a kid). On a clear night, this is the best view of the city you can get. The night tours are actually more informative than the day ones. When you head out to Park, they give you MP3 players where an automated voice explains to you the history of Alcatraz as well as some of its most infamous residents (Capone, Birdman, etc). You also have a choice to 3 checking out 3 special info sessions about the island (the kitchen, Alcatraz's history, and something else I forgot).
If you're pregnant or injured (like I was when I went here), they have that covered by putting you in a vehicle and driving you around while everybody else walks.
Great stuff. If you go on the weekends, plan to get tix in advance at least 2 weeks. If you're bringing more than 10 people, plan on getting tix 1 month in advance.
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While Alcatraz was never anywhere I wanted to see, since I was in SF, I figured it was worth the money. For $24.50, you get a boat ride out to the Rock, with an audio guide available for the cell house tour. You are free to roam the island, which has more than just the prison, and return on any of the ferries going back.
I thought it was a pretty cool tour. Definitely worth doing if you haven't, and are at all curious. But, on the weekends, it is worth it to buy tickets in advance. I found that a lot of tours were sold out for the weekend, which could be disappointing.
Oh, they make you take a picture in front of the island before you are allowed to board. I think it's a rip off of $22 for 2 5 x7s.
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Very organized, very fast to get out to the island, and they leave the island every 30 minutes, so whenever you feel like coming back, just hop on the next boat.
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Super fun! I really enjoyed touring the Alcatraz. I don't know how they organize their sales, but I was forced to purchase the tour that included Angel Island because the tour to Alcatraz only was sold out and that was the only weekend I could go. I hadn't been to Angel Island before, nor did I know much about its history, but I thought I would check it out. It was pretty uneventful, compared to my morning on the Alcatraz, and I think I could have done without it. In addition to that, they only allocated an hour for us to tour the Alcatraz, and that wasn't nearly enough to see everything and do the 45-minute audio tour. I was pretty disappointed that I had to rush through to catch my boat to Angel Island.
The good thing was that we were allowed to go back to Alcatraz, so that I could finish my audio tour... but I would have much rather done it all in one swoop instead of have to go back, get in line and do the audio tour again...
Those that pay for the Alcatraz tour will enjoy the trip better. It's better to have the freedom to take your time, rather than feel rushed.
I had friends in town, so I finally made the trip to Alcatraz. While I thought Alcatraz itself was pretty cool, the people who run this trip were a bit uptight. From the moment we arrived to take the boat trip over, the staff barked orders at us! Not sure id they thought this would add to our experience, but I found it really offensive! I don't feel it was necessary or appropriate!
I would recommend the trip over to Alcatraz, but not with this tour group!!
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A little bit more expensive than I would have expected, but efficiently run. They were accomodating when I didn't make it in time for my scheduled departure, putting me on the next ferry 30 minutes later.
Last night was one of those mysterious social coordination miracles that went off to perfection. Everyone made the boat on time, the weather held and was unusually warm, the tour was unbelievably excellent, and no one puked on the ride over or back.
Book reservations in advance. Tickets are $23. Take the 6ish if possible otherwise 7pm is the other choice and it leaves you with enough time to see enough and hear the tour. Get the audio sets quick and start at the same time with your group so everyone is hearing roughly the same story. Please note that the park closes early in the fall and winter.
This one is a little tricky but if you can meet a park ranger and befriend them, ask them to take you off the regular tour and cruise to the west side fo the island. Its empty and spooky and the sunset is amazing on that side if you want to put some player mac moves on a date. That leads into the next piece of advise, take a date out there. Its a money ice breaking place and no one, at least no one I'd be into, would be bored with this place. I actually want to go back and so does my date. She's the shit and surprise surprise, the whole evening was amazing after that start. Its like the boat ride eliminates all bs from the work week and everyone becomes laid back when you step off on...The Rock. The Rock, about as fun to say as Salsa, but with a little more edge to it wouldnt you say?? I love this place forever forward.
Back to advise, dress in warm layers and if it looks reallly cold, think about gloves and long underwear too (direct from my friend, miss super dope park ranger). Beer and wine are served on the Blue and Gold fleet that takes you out and it be suggested matey to sit on starboard, thats the right side, for the put put out. You'll have the best view. Trip is less then 20 minutes and its really an easy trip so sea sick softies need worry not.
And lastly, the park only lets a third of the people out at night so you antitourist, locals only, dont call it frisco city folk will be pleased and relatively isolated from those horrible outsiders. I'm compelled to ask you to be nice to them anyways and give them a chance if you happen apon one. Who knows, they could be cool since they are doing the same thing as you...
Summary: get a cool hottie you like, pack a flask, dress warm, pony up the $23 each, bring some good walking shoes and go on an awesome date on THE ROCK at night. Rubi likes a lot
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I give this 2 stars in hopes that they will shorten this tour to 2 hours. I've heard so much hype about how awesome this touristy thing to do is that I thought the night tour would be the best because of the dark topic.
If the tour ended when the audio ended it would have been perfect...but to our surprise we had another hour plus to wander around in the freezing cold, I felt like I was a prisoner.
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Would the surviving ex-prisoners of Alcatraz be bemused or disgusted at the lines of tourists waiting to get slammed into "The Hole?" What would they think of everyone checking out their 5' x 7' former living quarters, smiling, and photographing each other with digital cameras?
Although these are questions that remain unanswered, the narrators on the audio tapes for the Alcatraz tour are a mixture of former wardens and former prisoners, and they answer many other questions about life on Alcatraz, everything from attempted jail breaks to meals served to the loneliness of hearing the sounds of New Year's celebrations in San Francisco while locked in a cell.
The guides there also answer questions, about Alcatraz as a military prison prior to becoming a federal penitentiary, about the 19-month Native American occupation beginning in 1969, and about Hollywood depictions of Alcatraz and its prisoners and the real truth behind these stories. You can see where some prisoners dug a tunnel using spoons. You can see the room where "The Rock" starring Nicholas Cage and Sean Connery was filmed.
The boat ride to Alcatraz is short, and should not be a problem for those prone to motion sickness. I should know; I am the Dramamine Drama Queen.
There are, however, some recommendations I must make. Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, and WATCH YOUR STEP getting on the boat. Although I followed my own advice and my comfortable slip-ons had textured rubber soles, the ramp on the San Francisco end was extremely slippery, and I did the unintentional splits--not a good thing at my age. This happened as I was boarding the boat, so I ended up limping around Cell Block B.
If you live here in San Francisco, I probably don't need to tell you to dress in warm layers. The fog was extremely thick the night we took the tour. I never fail to be amazed at the number of tourists who wear aloha shirts and shorts--there were a few there that night.
I am surprised, and yet not, that this is only the second review. I have not met many people who live in this city who have taken the tour, and I myself did so for the first time only after ten years of living here. Maybe most locals think of this as a tourist activity, but this tour was educational and fun, and I think anyone who takes it will be pleasantly surprised.
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so i after much insane research because alcatraz switched it's official sponsors, i finally booked the tickets from this website:
http://www.alcatrazcru...
i recommend you get your tix from here and not some touristy website that will rip you off.
my overall experience was enjoyable, but i found the trip to be a bit long for my taste. my fault - i did take the day tour several months prior, so that might have had something to do with it.
no joke, it is a 3 hour tour. the boat departed at 4:30 and left the island at 7:15. but the lovely sunset is worth the night tour - unless you commute, how often do you get to enjoy that from san francisco waters?
they've changed the tour to include guides and different walk throughs and also they have opened up another part of the building which has the hospital (very spooky operating room!) and gift store.
dress warm, bring a snack and hand warmers in the winter.
highly recommended for first timers or those new to SF.
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the boats were safe & clean. that's pretty much all i needed so i was satisfied. considering how many people they filter in and out everyday i think they do a pirty damn good job.
like the others said: book in advance..esp on the weekends!
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