Sightseeing tours start this month!
Sightseeing Tours Begin This Thursday, June 6th!
The sun is finally shining, and the 2019 sightseeing tour season is finally here! Starting Thursday, June 6, our sightseeing tours will start setting sail every Thursday through Sunday at 1 PM and 3:30 PM. From ship watching to history lessons to food and drinks, Diamond Jack can offer you the unique experience you’re looking for.
Our 2-hour narrated tours are the perfect activity on a hot summer day. Whether you’re hosting guests from out of town or looking for a date idea, Diamond Jack is perfect for everyone. Kids, adults, grandparents – everyone has a great time when they set sail with Diamond Jack!
And with college students finally out for the summer, we’ve finalized our summer staff and are almost done with all the training. Our workers go through extensive Coast Guard drills as well as learning all about the history of Diamond Jack and the Detroit River.
If you’re interested in joining us for a sightseeing tour, don’t wait too long! We currently have a special June coupon for $16 sightseeing tours all throughout the month. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – all days are just $16!
Just go to our coupons page and print off the coupon. Present it when you purchase your tickets at the dock and remember that each coupon is only good for one passenger.
Note from the Diamond Jack team: On June 30th, 2019, the Detroit Rivard (Cullen) Plaza Dock will be closed due to a private event. Therefore, both the 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM Detroit tours will be closed for the day. However, the Wyandotte tours will still be going out at their scheduled time.
Private Charters in Full Swing!
Even though we’ve been impatiently waiting for sightseeing tours to start, our private charters have been in full swing for over a month!
We’ve hosted school field trips, corporate events and many more! Over Memorial Day Weekend, Detroit hosted the Movement Music Festival and we even hosted many of the festival goers!
If you’re trying to find out what to do for your next group outing, don’t hesitate to call Diamond Jack! We strive to give each guest a unique experience with stellar customer service. We want to make sure everyone on board has a great time and will stop at nothing to ensure that happens.
We offer a variety of catering menu options, from “Motown BBQ” to “Taste of Italy” to “South of the Border”. With a bar available, flexible departure times and convenient parking, it is the perfect activity for any group!
Highlights of the Tour: Belle Isle Bridge
The Belle Isle Bridge, officially named the MacArthur Bridge spans the Detroit River between Detroit, MI and Belle Isle. The bridge was completed in 1923 for just over $2.5 million and it replaced an iron bridge with wooden decking that caught fire and was destroyed in 1915.
It was originally named the George Washington Bridge but was renamed after General Douglas MacArthur in 1942.
Belle Isle Bridge features 19 total arches that span across 2,193 feet. It carries five lanes of East Grand Blvd. and was restored in 1986 for $11.5 million.
In 1913, William Edmund Scripps (of the Scripps publishing family) flew a flying boat underneath the original Belle Isle Bridge.
The historic bridge is one of the very first attractions you see on the Detroit Tour that departs from the Rivard (Cullen) Plaza Dock. We’ll take you right underneath!
Ask the Captain a Question
Do you have questions for the Captain? We have answers! Whether you’re curious about the inner-workings of a boat or have any other sailing-related inquiries, we’ll provide you with answers straight from one of our captains. Submit your questions to info@diamondjack.com.
Each month, we will pick a select few as winners and publish those questions (with the answers) on our next newsletter and on our website! The winners will receive two free tickets for a scenic cruise with Diamond Jack’s River Tours!
Congratulations to this month’s winners – Stacey, Barbara, and Cynthia!
Q: How many coats of paint do you think are on the Diamond Jack hull & railings?
A: There are 1 to 2 coats for paint on most of the vessel and as it chips – we will clean the area to the bare steel and apply primer & repaint.
The hull gets a fresh coat of paint every 5 years so there is at least 5 coats on the bottom.
Q: When you are docking the Diamond Jack boats, it seems to me, the boat is moving sideways. How is this possible?
A: The Diamond Queen is a twin screw boat – meaning it has 2 propellers – by putting the 1 engine on go ahead and 1 engine in reverse you can make the boat move sideways
On the Diamond Belle & Diamond Jack which are single screw (1 propeller) we use the current & wind to make the boat move sideways.
Q: If you are out on the water and an unexpected thunder & lightning storm pops up, is it better to drop anchor and stop the boat, or better to keep moving and head for shore?
A: Since we are in the Detroit River and always close to shore and docks it is better for us to keep moving & return to our docks.
Featured Reviewers
With the new season finally here, we figured it would a good idea to see what some of our 2018 customers had to say! We love giving Michiganders and visitors a fun and unique look at Detroit. Check out what some of our guests had to say following their trips and tours:
“Rented the boat for a function. We did an evening cruise. It was early September. It was a little cool so bring a jacket or sweater. Had a catered dinner on the ship the food was good. You could walk around the 3 levels. The lights were very nice to watch. The staff was friendly and helpful. Like any captive place drinks were a little pricey. Overall very nice.”
– Elizabeth
“I highly recommend the Diamond Jack and the Diamond Belle boat trip to anyone that wants an outstanding experience on the Detroit River waterfront. The staff is friendly and helpful, the catered food on the boat is great and you cannot find a better way to show off the beautiful waterfront that Detroit and Windsor share. This is an experience that is different from any run of the mill corporate event and also provides a great opportunity to take customers on. Don’t wait to take your friends, family, visitors or customers for a boat ride on the Diamond Belle or Diamond Jack!”
– Mary Anne
“This tour is a good way to entertain out of town guests. I have done this 5 times in the past 2 years and doing it again tomorrow… and every time I enjoy it as if it’s my first time. Thanks for services”
– Salem
“A great way to spend a short afternoon with family and friends seeing the Detroit River and finding out about things you never knew existed”
– Daniel