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BB Riverboats

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BB Riverboats - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

BB Riverboats

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BB Riverboats - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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BB Riverboats

Type: Tours and Excursions , Water Sports

Last updated on July 14, 2015

10Best Says

101 Riverboat Row Newport, KY 41071

859-261-8500

EXPERT TIPS BY: Terri Weeks Cincinnati Local Expert

• Best Attractions & Activities : "BB Riverboats does a great job of catering to different interests. From the Pirates of the Ohio Cruise for kids to the Craft Beer & BBQ cruise, there's something for everyone. Be sure to check out their website to find the perfect cruise for your group."
• Recommended as Best Attractions & Activities Because: The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's rare animals, education programs and beautiful gardens make it a favorite among zoo lovers.

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Best Things to Do in Cincinnati

• 10 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
• 9 Contemporary Arts Center
• 8 Eden Park
• 7 BB Riverboats
• 6 Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden
• 5 John G. & Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park
• 4 Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati Reds
• 3 Kings Island
• 2 Newport Aquarium
• 1 Cincinnati Museum Center

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BB Riverboats

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BB RIVERBOATS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

B B Riverboats

Review Highlights

“ My husband and I recently took the Historic Cincinnati Sightseeing tour with BB Riverboats , on the 3pm departure. ” in 14 reviews

“ I've been on many of the cruises, even having a season pass at one time, and I've enjoyed it every single time. ” in 2 reviews

“ Rick Menninger and the team made this trip on the Ohio River such a special event for us. ” in 11 reviews

Location & Hours

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101 Riverboat Row

Newport, KY 41071

Serving Newport Area

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

BB Riverboats is one of Cincinnati's top attractions and specializes in Lunch, Brunch, Sightseeing, and Dinner cruises on the beautiful Ohio River. Bring your sweetie, invite the family, or show that out of town guest what Cincinnati has to offer in a very unique way. Come and find out why everyting is better on the river! …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Is there dancing along with the music on the cruises?

Yes, there is dancing!

What type of music is played during the New Years cruise? Is there line dancing? How much are drinks approximately?

They have a DJ onboard, and he takes requests. My drink was 10.00 because of the Signature glass.

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162 reviews

We went on the Music and Sightseeing Cruise last Friday. The workers instructed us to walk through a large crowd of people, no one had a mask on, except us, that were gathered to get food from a buffet, no social distancing. The workers wore mask, but several had their noses out! Very few cruisers had mask on. We found 2 uncomfortable plastic chairs and sat by ourselves outside, trying to distance. The cruise was nice, but the night was spoiled, due to disregard to Covid restrictions that were stated when I bought tickets. This was the first time we have gone anywhere since March, we were very disappointed!

A few weeks back I took my family on BB Riverboats' Pirates of the Ohio Cruise on board the Belle of Cincinnati. The cruise on the Ohio River departs from Newport, Kentucky and lasts for one and a half hours. All kids pick up their free pirate hat, eye patch, and treasure map before boarding. The treasure map is filled out during the cruise using clues from the sightseeing tour. My kids are a little too young for this, but that didn't stop me from participating in the fun. During the cruise there are a variety of pirate games for the kids to participate in. There is a limbo, sword fighting, water pistol fight (followed by swabbing the deck), and then everyone gets to walk the plank to find treasure at the end. This was our first time cruising with BB Riverboats but it will certainly not be the last. The Pirates of the Ohio Cruise is offered Fridays (Memorial Day through Labor Day) from 3:00 - 4:30 PM. We had so much fun on this pirate cruise, we may end up doing it again before the summer is over.

My best friend, Judy and I took the brunch cruise today on B&B; what a wonderful afternoon! The crew was fantastic, the Captain was spot on, felt safe and sound. We didn't eat but had to go below and check it out, it was old school brunch, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, meat assortment, potatoes etc all served in chafing dishes, like I said, very old school, but it looked and smelled amazing. The weather was glorious and we sat on the top deck and enjoyed this beautiful city we live in. So relaxing! Can't wait till next time...we're eating next time!

Accept a dinner cruise for what it is and enjoy yourself. My husband & I were able to have a nice evening together doing something different. The Food - Some I liked, some I didn't.... Having been on dinner cruises before, I was not expecting 5 star quality. We were both pleasantly full by the end of the evening. The Service - We had a nice waitress, all of the staff were pleasant. The Boat - Not too big, not too small. My husband & I walked around on the top level before the dinner service started, holding hands & stealing a few sweet kisses. There was a band, not necessarily our type of music, but very fitting for the cruise & they were good. We paid extra to make sure we were seated by the windows, that was our preference, but not a high recommendation since you can walk freely about the boat the whole evening. The Website - Could have been a little clearer about our particular dining experience. I chose the "beer & BBQ" solely based on the evening that my my husband & I were able to go.... We did not realize we were going to be given samples of beer, a bonus, however if my husband had known he would not have ordered a beer before dinner started.

I was very excited to take this boat ride but was a little disappointed. We took the hour and a half history tour and it was pretty boring. The tour guide/captain only gave us a few facts and I would have loved to hear more. The boat was clean and I think that if you did the dinner or lunch tour it would have been better. I better also mention that the whole cruise from boarding to the very end was met with very loud, horrific 90's music. I got a deal on Groupon for $23 for two tickets.

I took my husband on a riverboat cruise for his birthday, and we had a great time! Making the reservations on their website is a little wonky, but if you call them, they are very helpful. The dinner buffet during the cruise was quite tasty, but I wouldn't recommend it for vegetarians. There are a variety of special options you can order. I chose to surprise Nathan (the husband) with a birthday balloon. Be sure to ask what they offer, and you can really customize the cruise. And bring your camera! You will see fantastic views of the Cincinnati skyline and the beautiful riverside.

See all photos from Amanda C. for B B Riverboats

Went on the afternoon historic sightseeing tour. Great experience during covid. Relaxing afternoon with amazing sights. Expensive but yummy drinks. Tip: get a free glass of water at the bar instead of spending $5 on a bottle.

First the positive. The boat operators did an excellent job as the trip up and down the river was smooth, the scenery was incredible and it was an absolutely beautiful day on the water. Most of the staff were extremely friendly. We were on the Belle of Cincinnati and it had a lot of room on the top deck to accommodate a large crowd. That said, the narrating of this sight seeing tour was terrible. The speakers didn't work well and weren't loud enough to hear over any conversations going on around you. We strained to hear what little history was being shared. It was a monotone discussion that centered very heavily around the bridges, cost of the bridges, etc... You would get one or two sentences, then a music break with random songs from the 80's and 90's. Then the narrator would talk as we were traveling under very loud bridges. How does a company who does this for a living not know to stop talking when going under bridges? We can barely hear anything under ideal circumstances. The history shared was dull, statistical and sparse. You need to get someone engaging to lead as you normally get on a red double-decker bus tour in any large city. Have some energy, tell us fun facts and human interest and bring this area to life. The current script actually features cost of a neighborhood of new homes as much as it does anything else. Then you get the announcement that this concludes the talk or narration of the trip. At this point we just laughed and wondered if they thought they ran out of history. If you don't want to put any effort into this seemingly important part of your product, then have a contest with any grade level to write fun and interesting history narratives of the river and use them. You've got to do better. Finally, when you have a large group of people standing in line to board for over 30 minutes, and then just as we are about to board announce to the entire area that lines don't matter so go ahead and go around the line to the front, well, how is that appropriate?

Aug 9, 2017

Thank you for taking the time to review us and share your comments about the afternoon. Although it is not the type of feedback we like to receive, we are thankful for customers such as you who give us feedback, good or bad, so we can continue to improve our product. We pride ourselves on being the largest and longest running excursion boat company in the Cincinnati area. We strive to provide our guests with the best experience on every cruise. There are times, unfortunately, when we fall short of that goal. We would love to hear more about your experience on board. Please send your contact information in a private message and our customer service manager will contact you to discuss further.

I recently took a group of 38 to Kentucky for a trip to The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum and found BB Riverboat cruises in my search for something to do in the evening. Our trip, originally planned for last April, had to be rebooked due to COVID. Rick Menninger and the team made this trip on the Ohio River such a special event for us. From our arrival for the Captain's Dinner Cruise to our meal, the DJ, the delicious food, the very friendly staff, and the beautiful weather, it was a highlight of our trip!! Thanks to our server, Gage, who did and outstanding job taking care of our group!! If you're in the Cincinnati area and are looking for a great evening activity, check put BB Riverboat cruises!!

My first BB Riverboat experience came about today, and all because two beautiful people fell in love. Aww, right? Two of my friends became Husband and Wife today in a private ceremony aboard one of their ships, with all of us watching (and crying, of course.) Hey! Don't judge! Honestly, I was just blown away! I knew I would be wanting to come home right away and review BB while it was fresh in my mind, in hopes that others like me who didn't know they existed might see this and become aware of the wonderful opportunity we all have as residents and visitors of this beautiful area of Ohio. What a local treasure! Do you have any idea how few cities have the luxury of hosting a company such as this? Outside, it was raining delicate ethereal swirls of mist as we walked aboard. It was picturesque overload! The rustic charm of the boarding room with its rich dark wood immediately washing over me, I knew we were in for a treat. The boat was much larger than I expected, and really beautiful! Little details like heart shaped railings around the decks truly added a dose of old world charm everyone should be able to appreciate. There was an elevator for those unable to use the stairs, outside decks to walk and an outdoor level up top. Once inside, we settled in and enjoyed as the warm-hearted staff made us feel welcome and at home. I cannot say enough about our server, I wish I knew her name to give her some much deserved recognition! She had purple highlights in her hair---you know who you are! Thank you for your company and service today! They really seemed to know how to hire quality individuals who really appear to care about their duties. From a special event standpoint, I must say the hot buffet was the best I have ever seen at a private small event. I observed high quality, rich, well prepared food served beautifully. Options for all dietary lifestyles. The tables were set elegantly, very fitting for such an occasion. The servers wore crisp uniforms and attended to all the guests in such a way that it looked easy for them! Of course we all know that is not the case in reality. They did a great job! There was tasteful holiday music playing at just the right volume in the background, a well kept bar, and delicious coffee, teas, and wine. The boat itself could use some updating, perhaps, but really it wasn't necessary. The ride was smooth and relaxing despite the choppy waters, and seemed to last and last. When it was time to disembark, I was ready, refreshed, and contemplative, in my happy place. I can't wait to bring my kids! Please check out this local gem, and make time to take advantage of how fortunate we are as a locale to have them. You won't be disappointed!

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BB Riverboats

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BB Riverboats - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The best river cruises for boutique European cruising

From wine tasting along the Douro to Italian feasts with top chefs in Venice, browse the most amazing river cruise itineraries

From the Douro to the Rhine , Europe has some of the world's most scenic rivers that are best experienced on a small ship, where you can sail from little towns to historic cities via relaxing long stretches of countryside.

We've rounded up the best river cruises for boutique sailing, selecting those that combine the most carefully put-together itineraries aboard the loveliest ships, including a super-luxe option to explore the Venetian Lagoon in autumn 2024.

River cruises are also the perfect introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers, while those who already know and love the joy of discovering destinations by small ship will enjoy exploring new itineraries accompanied by famous faces, such as chef James Martin and historian Lucy Worsley .

Here are Good Housekeeping's pick of the best river cruises for exploring Europe's wonderful rivers, plus a few options for those who want to travel further afield.

Sail the magical Venetian Lagoon and hear Russell Watson sing

Venice is a captivating city, almost frozen in time, where astoundingly beautiful buildings line a maze of canals — it's no wonder the sheer decadence of this place captures the hearts of so many. Part of the thrill of visiting Venice is getting swept up in its narrow streets, peering into windows displaying intricately painted masks and feasting on plates of risotto in piazzas. Join Good Housekeeping's fantastic music-themed Venice cruise with world-renowned tenor Russell Watson, which includes an exclusive intimate concert in this stunning and historic city and seven nights on board a luxury ship. You'll explore the lagoon's elegant waterways aboard S.S La Venezia. It's an incredible eight-day itinerary that takes you around the Venetian Lagoon to visit places such as Chioggia, Torcello, Mazzorbo and Burano.

S.S. La Venezia matches Venice's splendour in its opulent fittings, filled with accents that honour its location, including exquisite Venetian masks and Murano glass. Everything's included on this five-star cruise, from delicious food and wines to a choice of excursions around the islands.

When? October 2024

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Taste Portuguese wines on a Douro River cruise

The gorgeous Douro Valley is an enchanting and peaceful pocket of Portugal, famed for its port wine and loved for its storybook-style beauty. Terraced vineyards rise steeply from the winding river and are dotted with whitewashed Quintas - the region's terracotta-roofed wine estates - making it a particularly scenic area for a relaxing river cruise.

Sit on the sundeck of a ship to watch the scenery pass by, and delight your palate with some of Portugal’s most sensational wines on an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Douro River. You'll be able to explore the area and learn more about its port production — with plenty of opportunities to sample it yourself on visits to rustic Quintas

After arriving in Porto to board the A-ROSA ALVA, you’ll sail to Régua, a pretty riverfront town that’s produced port since the 18th century. You'll follow the Douro, hopping from place to place to where Portugal borders Spain before turning back. A highlight is visiting a Quinta in Pinhão where, depending on the season, you might get to take part in the traditional grape harvest, picking and crushing the grapes underfoot .

When? June and September 2024

Visit Germany's famous Christmas markets along the Rhine

There are so many enchanting cities and villages along the banks of the Rhine, and they really come into their own in December. Germany is famed for its atmospheric Christmas markets, and many of the best in the country can be found along the Rhine, making a Christmassy cruise a fabulous way to explore them.

There's Mainz, one of the oldest cities in Germany, where you can visit a historic Christmas market on the Domplatz, set against a backdrop of the illuminated Mainz Cathedral. You'll want to visit Koblenz too, a city considered to have one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, and one of the largest in the Rhineland.

Join Good Housekeeping for a festive voyage along the Rhine on the the beautiful ship A-ROSA Aqua and you'll visit Mainz and Koblenz as well as Frankfurt and Cologne, where the market takes place right in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral.

On board your ship you'll find a sauna, fitness area, and whirlpool to enjoy between your market trips, and ample breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets in the ship's lovely dining venues.

When? December 2024 FIND OUT MORE

Glide along the Danube and see the Lipizzaner horses in Vienna

The banks of the Danube have seen the rise and fall of empires and provided inspiration to some of Europe's greatest artists and composers. This grand river winds its way past mysterious hillside castles and ancient medieval towns and meanders through a range of culture-rich cities, including four European capitals . A river cruise is an unbeatable way to explore some of the cities straddling the Danube, allowing you to visit several towns, villages and cities on one trip, without having to organise local transport yourself.

One of the finest cities that the Danube flows through is Vienna, once the home of Mozart, where manicured gardens, chic coffee houses and baroque palaces will have you feeling like you've stepped back in time. It's also the home of the Royal Lipizzaner Stables at the Spanish Riding School, where grand Lipizzan horses perform a mesmerising type of equine ballet. On Good Housekeeping's Danube River cruise you can visit the Royal Lipizzaner Stables with historian Lucy Worsley. You'll enjoy an aperitif and a talk before watching the training of the young stallions in the imperial atmosphere of the Baroque winter riding school, as classical Viennese music plays.

When? September 2024

Sail further afield with a cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia

While Europe has more than its fair share of enchanting rivers, you're also spoilt for choice if you fancy a river cruise further afield.

Asia has several waterways which provide ideal routes for discovering new countries and cultures. Flowing through Myanmar, China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world and home to an incredible range of wildlife.

It makes the ideal destination for a river cruise that combines culture, delicious cuisine and wildlife-spotting. You might spot species like the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, giant freshwater stingray and giant catfish swimming alongside you.

Good Housekeeping is offering an immersive adventure along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam. You'll sail in a Luxury Balcony suite aboard the Mekong Jewel, a luxurious and beautifully decorated ship, to visit unforgettable sights like the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat temples and incredible cities like Phnom Penh and Hanoi.

There'll be ample opportunities to learn about the turbulent history of the region too, with visits to the infamous Killing Fields and a glimpse of the Viet Cong's network of tunnels dating back to the Vietnam War.

When? December 2024

Enjoy an Italian feast with James Martin in Venice

One thing that's synonymous with Italy is good food, and that's exactly what you can enjoy on this eight-day sailing around Venice and the Veneto region.

Tick off Venice's spectacular sights, including the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Basilica, which you'll visit after dark on our Good Housekeeping cruise . As part of our GH trip, you'll also get VIP access to the Doge's Palace, the stunning Venetian Gothic palace that dates back to 1340.

Sailing on the luxurious S.S. La Venezia , which accommodates only 126 guests and has a wonderfully intimate feel, you'll also visit the colourful, charming islands of Burano (pictured above), Mazzorbo and Torcello, all situated in the Lagoon of Venice.

If all of that wasn't exciting enough, the cherry on top will be meeting acclaimed chef James Martin, who will join you on board for the day to give a talk and partake in a Q&A and book-signing session. In addition, the much-loved Saturday Morning host will cook a delectable gala dinner one evening, too.

Discover local traditions as you sail the Ganges in a luxury ship

Another Asian adventure awaits on the Ganges, India's most sacred river. Sailing along this important body of water allows you a unique insight into life along its banks. It meanders 2,500km through the country from its starting point high in the Himalayas down through sprawling cities, tiny villages, and spectacular nature.

A Ganges cruise is a wonderful way to see some of India's best attractions, with highlights including the Rajbari temple complex in Kalna, the artisan village of Matiari, and the neoclassical Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad.

Join Good Houskeeping's once-in-a-lifetime tour of India , which includes seven-night cruising in luxury down the Ganges. After exploring India's Golden Triangle – including a trip to witness both sunset and sunrise over the iconic Taj Mahal – you'll board the opulent Ganges Voyager II, a spectacular ship adorned with hand-painted murals, to explore the culture and history on the river banks. Of course, another highlight of India holiday is the cuisine, and you'll be joined on board by Michelin-starred British-Indian chef Atul Kochhar, who will share his passion for Indian cooking in a live demonstration.

When? November 2024

Discover the wonders of Egypt and sail the Nile

A brilliant option if you're itching to explore another continent is Egypt, where the Nile holds awe-inspiring archaeological treasures along its banks.

A cruise along this fabled river allows you to easily visit magnificent temples like Kom Ombo, Philae, and Edfu and to see the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. There are several more fascinating monuments to see along the way, including the towering twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Join a cruise along the Nile with Good Housekeeping and you'll see all this and more while sailing on board the exceptional luxury ship, River Tosca. Making this river cruise even more special is the company of historian and author Lucy Worsley.

Lucy is an expert in Agatha Christie, who took inspiration from this region for one of her most famous works, Death on the Nile. You'll have afternoon tea at the hotel which features in the novel and Lucy will share her knowledge of the famous author's work during several Q&As and talks.

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