Top 5 Shannon River Cruises & Sailing Tours: Reviews & Insights
Have you ever thought of seeing the real Ireland, beyond the well-worn tourist paths? Well, guess what? One awesome way to do just that is by taking a cruise or a sailing adventure down the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river! So, I mean the Shannon offers such totally beautiful scenery, cute villages, and, as a matter of fact, loads of history dotted all around its banks.
1. Shannon Princess Barge Cruise
If relaxation and soaking in comfort sounds great, it’s almost as if the Shannon Princess Barge Cruise has your name written all over it. So, it’s not just a trip; rather, it’s a super fancy experience. Basically, you’ll be sailing on a classy barge. That, I think is like, a floating boutique hotel with roomy cabins, great meals prepared with locally gotten ingredients, and, you know, attentive service. Actually, the pace is nicely slow so, I mean you can watch the calm countryside slip by while enjoying your time.
The boat, usually, can hold approximately ten passengers. And as I was saying, this tends to give a more intimate, personal sort of vibe compared to those massive ocean cruises. Arguably, one cool thing that makes this cruise extra special is, in a way, the attention to what people would want. They even take into account any requests that people may have! Oh, it’s more or less like having your tour, your adventure and a chef all combined into one trip, pretty much.
Why Pick the Shannon Princess?
What actually sets this barge cruise apart from everything else? So, I guess there a few compelling points:
- Excellent Dining: So, I mean you have a chef right on board who’s totally into dishing up locally gotten food. In other words, expect some very authentic Irish meals and food that will be amazing!
- Small Group Size: The tour has a very little amount of passengers, as a matter of fact. It often allows for more engagement with your people onboard and it makes your trip way better and personalized.
- All-Inclusive: By the way, you can pretty much forget about taking your wallet everywhere. Usually, it covers your meals, your drinks, and trips when you’re off the boat, it seems!
What Folks Say
Those who have hopped on the Shannon Princess rave of how great their adventure went and of the crew who were amazing. Yet, the food experiences also received high points! In short, it’s like this trip goes far more than they bargained.
“The crew made our trip special with so much grace and kindness. The food and side tours were spectacular. Thank you for making our vacation truly memorable”
2. Carrickcraft Cruisers
Would you rather become the captain of your own adventure? Usually, Carrickcraft Cruisers enables just that. What happens is this? So, you basically charter your boat and design what happens. So, the journey involves the Upper and Lower River Shannon where each have very interesting traits.
And, actually, they offer a bunch of boats that fits a range of groups from just a handful of family, up to, you know, ten people! After a fast lesson of how the controls and safety functions work, you get the whole boat and you’re totally good to go and free to explore.
Why Pick Carrickcraft?
- Freedom: I mean you set your itinerary, right? Usually, you call the shots. You’re in control!
- Skill: That doesn’t take a ton of boating experience, right? Usually, Carrickcraft tends to cater more to people who are pretty new to things or people who aren’t too experienced.
- Family Friendly: You know that a good amount of their boats can house several families, actually? As a matter of fact, the setup of some allow small groups or bigger crowds!
What Folks Say
Tourists really talk about the thrill in steering a cruiser boat. And just a little something to be concerned with is this? Basically, planning ahead makes a huge deal so, I mean you know where you’ll be sleeping in addition to what places interest you most. Usually, the most rewarding experience revolves around figuring out where places would work best and planning ahead.
“Carrickcraft provided a thorough tutorial on boat operation which made our holiday all the more enjoyable. Exploring the river at our own pace was priceless.”
3. Emerald Star Canal Boats
What if you fancy a balance between the privacy a bareboat can have, but in need of just some guidance for security? So, Emerald Star Canal Boats balances this in the best way. Usually, this place offers cruiser boats to sail around at your pace, but offer ground staff and other bases scattered all around Shannon if anything pops up.
This really enables visitors to roam totally at their pace knowing there are individuals always by! As a matter of fact, a great choice if you have had experience steering boats, and wish just for some peace for those little hiccups.
Why pick Emerald Star?
- Help readily on site: In general, there is staff and various stations that tend to cover the river, and if problems pop up, help isn’t too far.
- Mix independence to it: Typically, take things at your own rhythm having some support on standby.
- Boats: So, a good collection for most groups from couples to friends.
Experiences Discussed
Most love the thrill cruising freely! The insight in being by one’s self in combination to feeling a sense of security makes this perfect. You know a frequent reminder seems to revolve around how crucial preparation becomes so routes will be laid down ahead to boost your entire experience on your own.
“Emerald Star provided us with the ideal balance of independence and support. The bases along the route were reassuring.”
4. Sailing Ireland
And how does something classy sound now? Meaning you should choose Sailing Ireland, just saying! Instead of casual cruising, they use very good, elegant sailboats for smaller gatherings and even some individual rides, arguably making it something interesting for someone that likes to chill on water in quite the serene experience.
A skilled guide becomes very helpful so someone’s steering safely on your adventure. Typically, trips get more personable enabling conversations to pop up as things arise. I’d probably choose it since not only will one cruise at a good vibe, expect the possibility in having boat skills come your way.
What separates Sailing Ireland?
- Skilled Sailing Expert: Having somebody who’s amazing driving will come by enables someone to relax!
- Customizable: Routes become flexible with a variety of places that can be accommodated suiting preferences.
Tales From Those Around
Several others discuss just what it felt like using such pretty sailboats that felt really small on a more private environment. It also seems the sailing masters create fantastic learning environments. One idea to keep around seems revolving around how trips usually hinge upon different climates during which timing something like the Summer season appears ideal for weather.
“Sailing on the Shannon with Sailing Ireland was a serene and educational experience. The skipper was incredibly knowledgeable.”
5. River Run Adventures
Looking for something wild on waters? Just saying that one choice may appear perfect! Generally, River Run Adventures balances casual boat driving with loads of adventurous engagements from riding bikes through land tours nearby. This might seem neat, right? Well picture pausing and wandering different locales then go back and start boating again as much as someone pleases.
Usually, itineraries work out into what participants needs since someone has quite the freedom of what calls for you the best.
How is River Run Extraordinary?
- Multi Engagements: Not restricted by just being a driver. The ability of wandering terrains enriches that vibe someone requires for one experience!
- Set At Any Speed: Move at speeds you would love for all trips since an amount becomes incredibly diverse matching to a range individuals need
Those Talking About Adventures With Them
Many seem stoked by what adventures are available while balancing boat engagements in some. But what gets often stated refers to a way the entire crew caters to whatever style that suits tourists traveling from several nations or regions of existence. Again knowing weather forecasts could add extra merit so one does proper engagements inland especially!
“The flexibility and range of activities offered by River Run Adventures made our trip unforgettable. Biking and boating—the perfect mix!”