2-Hour Fairport Cruise, No Lock

Tuesday to Saturday Afternoon Cruise runs through Colonial Belle. Rated 4.2 across 53 reviews. Runs 2 hours. From $36.

Overview

The Colonial Belle casts off from Packett's Landing in Fairport at 12:00 pm, with boarding starting fifteen minutes before, for a two-hour narrated run along the Erie Canal. Crew members give live commentary in English as the boat travels, and this is the no-lock version of the operator's afternoon cruise: the vessel stays on the canal without passing through a lock.

It suits travellers who want canal scenery and commentary in a set two-hour window rather than a longer lock outing. Families, seniors and visitors building a day around the Rochester area all fit the format, and parking at the landing is free. Discounted rates are available for seniors aged 60 and over, children, veterans and active military, and groups of 25 or more on public cruises.

Reservations are suggested, and online booking can close within 24 hours of departure, after which the operator's office phone is the route to current availability. A lunch package can be added for an extra charge, since the cruise on its own covers the boat ride and narration. There is no hotel pickup, so you arrange your own way to Fairport.

What's Included

Not Included

Hotel pickup

Itinerary

Meet at Packett's LandingThe cruise starts at Packett's Landing in Fairport, with free parking on site. Reservations are suggested.
Board the Colonial BelleBoarding opens shortly before the scheduled departure. The first deck is listed as handicapped accessible.
Cruise the canalThe boat heads out along the Erie Canal while the crew narrates in English.
Optional lunch packageA lunch package can be added for an extra fee. Travellers who want it should arrange it when booking.
Return to Packett's LandingThe boat comes back to the same landing in Fairport, where the cruise ends.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points to sort out before departure day.

Getting there. No hotel pickup comes with this cruise, so plan your own transport to Packett's Landing in Fairport. Parking at the landing is free.
Arrive early. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, and reservations are suggested. Book ahead rather than counting on a spot on the day.
Lunch option. A lunch package can be added at extra cost. With a midday departure, travellers who skip it should plan food before or after the cruise.
Accessibility. The first deck is handicapped accessible. For anything beyond that, contact the operator before booking; office hours run 10:00 am to 2:00 pm daily from May through October, excluding holidays.
Season and weather. A sailing can be cancelled for inclement weather, mechanical problems or an insufficient number of passengers. Spring dates may be affected by school field trip cruises, and themed or event cruises replace the standard trip on some dates.
Language. Narration is in English, and no other language option is listed. Visitors needing commentary in another language should plan for that.

Common issues. The operator can cancel a sailing for inclement weather, mechanical problems or an insufficient number of passengers, with notification made when possible, and the schedule itself is subject to change. Spring availability may shrink because of school field trip cruises, and themed or event cruises run instead of the standard trip on some dates. Online booking may be unavailable inside 24 hours of departure. There is no hotel pickup, and accessibility covers the first deck only.

Choosing Your Erie Canal Cruise

Where does the cruise leave from?

Packett's Landing in Fairport. Boarding begins 15 minutes before departure and reservations are suggested, so allow time to park and board. Parking at the landing is free.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not part of this cruise, and travellers make their own way to Packett's Landing in Fairport. Free parking at the landing makes driving the simplest option.

Does the boat go through a lock?

No, this is the no-lock passage cruise. The boat stays on the canal without passing through a lock. The operator's schedule also includes separate narrated cruises that do include lock passage, at other times of day.

What days and times does it run?

The no-lock afternoon cruise is scheduled from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Themed or event cruises replace it on some dates, school field trip cruises can affect spring availability, and the schedule is subject to change. Calling the operator gets the most current information.

Is lunch included?

Not in the standard ticket. A lunch package is offered at an extra charge, and travellers who want it should check availability when booking. Without it, plan food before or after the cruise.

What happens if the cruise is cancelled?

A cruise may be cancelled for inclement weather, mechanical problems or an insufficient number of passengers, and the operator notifies passengers when possible. Terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice. Online booking may also be unavailable within 24 hours of departure, in which case the office at (585) 223-9470 is the best source of current information.