Cruise rides, also known as cruises, are vacations where passengers travel on a large ship to various destinations. Cruises often include amenities such as dining, entertainment, and recreational activities. Passengers typically stay on the boat for the duration of the trip but may also have the opportunity to disembark at ports of call for shore excursions. Many cruises are available, including those that focus on specific activities like culture or adventure or cater to specific demographics like families or seniors. Planning this trip? Door-to-door service is available on our Flagstaff to Scottsdale shuttle service page.
The Blue Cruise
The Blue Cruise is a cruise that takes place along the Turkish coast of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. These cruises are typically done on traditional wooden sailing vessels called gulets. They are named Blue Cruise due to the color of the sea in these regions. These cruises usually start from the port of Bodrum or Marmaris and offer visitors the opportunity to explore the area's beautiful coastline, historic sites, and charming villages. The cruise includes activities like swimming, snorkeling, and visiting ancient ruins, and it is also famous for its delicious traditional Turkish cuisine on board. The Blue Cruise itineraries vary from a one-day trip to a week or more, with stops at various ports and islands.
Desert Belle Cruises
Desert Belle Cruises is a company that offers boat tours on Saguaro Lake, located in the Tonto National Forest near Phoenix, Arizona. Tonto National Forest access The company has been a popular tourist destination for many years, offering a unique way to explore the area's natural beauty. The Desert Belle is a replica of a Mississippi River paddle-wheeler and allows visitors to experience the scenic beauty of the desert from the water. Saguaro Lake cruises The cruises typically last about 1.5 hours and offer views of the surrounding desert landscape and the wildlife in the area. Along with the regular sightseeing cruises, Desert Belle Cruises also offers special events such as sunset cruises, bird-watching cruises, and dinner cruises. Lake Havasu sunset tours
Dolly Steamboat
Dolly Steamboat is a sightseeing tour boat that operates on Canyon Lake in Arizona. The ship is a replica of a classic sternwheeler, a type of paddle-wheel boat commonly used on rivers and lakes in the early 20th century. The Dolly Steamboat offers a variety of cruises, including a two-hour Nature Cruise, which goes through the secluded inner waterways of the lake, where visitors can see the desert wildlife, geological formations, and the beautiful scenery of the lake.
Arizona Shuttle is a transportation company that provides shuttle services in Arizona, USA. They offer airport shuttles, as well as transportation to and from events, hotels, and other destinations in the state. They provide various services, including shared-ride shuttles, private vans, and luxury sedans. They offer 24/7 reservation and pick-up service. For more information, contact (480) 710-3441.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I book a shuttle service with Arizona Shuttle?
You can book a shuttle service online 24/7 through their website or by phone.
Do you provide door-to-door service for all your rides?
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup and drop-off at the address you specify.
What kind of vehicles do Arizona Shuttle use for their services?
We use professional, vetted drivers in clean late-model sedans, SUVs, or vans depending on your party size.
Is it possible to have a private ride without sharing with others?
Yes, a private/no-sharing ride is available as an add-on option at booking.
Featured Arizona Boat Cruises at a Glance
Arizona may be a desert state, but it is home to several memorable boat cruises, from paddle-wheeler sightseeing trips on lakes east of Phoenix to canyon gorge adventures along the Colorado River near Route 66. The table below compares the most popular options so you can match a cruise to your itinerary — whether you are based in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, or passing through on the way to Sedona, Flagstaff, or Tucson.
| Cruise | Location | Typical Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Belle | Saguaro Lake, Tonto National Forest (via AZ-87, Beeline Highway) | About 90 minutes | Families, photography, wildlife viewing |
| Dolly Steamboat | Canyon Lake, along the Apache Trail (SR-88) | About 1.5–2 hours | Scenery, geology, nature cruises |
| Topock Gorge River Cruises | Colorado River near Topock, between Lake Havasu City, AZ and Laughlin, NV | 1 & ½ hour round trip | Route 66 road-trippers, desert gorge scenery |
A quick note on the Topock option: cruise down the Colorado River on a 1 & ½ hour round trip adventure through Topock's timeless Gorge. The Coast Guard certified vessel will accommodate 66 passengers, and the departure point is conveniently located to the hotel properties of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada — an easy add-on if your trip includes the historic Route 66 corridor.
Which Arizona Boat Cruise Is the Most Scenic?
If scenery is your priority, the Dolly Steamboat's Nature Cruise through the secluded inner waterways of Canyon Lake is hard to beat. The lake sits beneath the towering canyon walls of the Superstition Wilderness along the Apache Trail, and the cruise passes dramatic geological formations and rugged desert peaks. The Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake is a close second — its 90-minute narrated route showcases towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vistas with Four Peaks visible in the distance on clear days. For a very different kind of scenery, the Topock Gorge cruise delivers narrow, colorful canyon walls along the Colorado River, a landscape that feels closer to a slot canyon than a typical lake cruise.
Wildlife & Scenic Highlights
One of the biggest surprises for first-time visitors is how much wildlife you can see from the water in the Sonoran Desert. On Desert Belle's 90-minute narrated public cruises, passengers regularly spot exotic Arizona wildlife, including bighorn sheep on the canyon walls, bald eagles, herons, and waterfowl. The narration helps you know where to look, which makes these cruises especially rewarding for photographers. On the Dolly Steamboat, the Grimh family has offered daily sightseeing cruises of beautiful Canyon Lake for over 20 years, and their crew points out desert bighorn sheep, deer, and a variety of bird species along the way. Bring binoculars if you have them — the animals tend to keep their distance from the shoreline.
Are Arizona Boat Cruises Family Friendly?
Yes. Cruises of roughly 90 minutes to two hours are an ideal length for children — long enough to feel like a real outing, short enough to avoid meltdowns. The narrated format keeps kids engaged by turning wildlife spotting into a game, and all of the boats mentioned above feature shaded seating and restrooms on board. These cruises also pair well with other family stops in the area, such as the historic mining town of Tortilla Flat along the Apache Trail, or a Phoenix-area itinerary that includes the Desert Botanical Garden or the Phoenix Zoo.
Do Cruises Operate Year-Round?
Most Arizona lake cruises run year-round, thanks to the state's mild winters — but schedules can vary by season, and holiday cruises, sunset cruises, and special-event departures are often offered only at certain times of year. Always check the operator's official website for the current schedule before you plan your day, especially if you are visiting in summer, when departures may shift to earlier or later in the day to avoid peak heat.
Best Time to Visit
The most comfortable months for a desert lake cruise are generally October through April, when daytime temperatures in the Phoenix metro area are mild and the light is excellent for photography. Spring adds wildflower blooms along the hillsides, while winter cruises offer crisp, clear views of snow-dusted Four Peaks. Summer cruises are still popular — sunset departures are the best bet in June through September. If you are building a longer Arizona loop that includes Williams and the Grand Canyon Railway, Sedona's red rocks, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon near Page, or Canyon de Chelly, consider adding a lake cruise early in your trip while you are acclimating to the desert.
Should Reservations Be Made in Advance?
Yes — book ahead whenever possible. Weekend departures, sunset cruises, and holiday sailings frequently sell out, and smaller vessels have limited seating. Reserving online through each operator's official website takes only a few minutes and guarantees your spot. If you are coordinating a cruise with an airport pickup or a hotel transfer, book your transportation at the same time so the timing lines up.
What Should I Bring?
Pack light but smart: sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses (the desert sun reflects off the water), a light jacket in winter months, water, a camera or phone with plenty of storage, and binoculars for wildlife. Closed-toe shoes with grip are a good idea for boarding. Arrive at the dock at least 20–30 minutes before departure — the Saguaro Lake marina and the Canyon Lake marina both have limited parking that fills quickly on weekends.
Choosing the Right Cruise for Your Trip
Base your choice on logistics as much as scenery. If you are staying in Scottsdale, Tempe, or Mesa, Saguaro Lake via the Beeline Highway (AZ-87) and Canyon Lake via the Apache Trail (SR-88) are both easy half-day trips. The Apache Trail route is winding and slower, so allow extra drive time. If your trip centers on Lake Havasu City, Laughlin, or a Route 66 drive, the Topock Gorge cruise fits naturally into that itinerary. Visitors continuing north toward Flagstaff, Williams, or the Grand Canyon can slot a morning lake cruise in before the drive north.
Getting There: Phoenix Shuttle from PHX Sky Harbor
None of the lake cruises are directly on public transit, so most visitors drive — or book a shuttle. If you are flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), a door-to-door shuttle from the airport to your hotel in Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, or Prescott puts you within easy driving distance of both Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake the next morning. For groups continuing to northern Arizona, our Flagstaff to Scottsdale shuttle service connects the high country with the Valley, and our Phoenix to Tucson route and Phoenix to Page, AZ route pages cover other popular legs of a statewide trip.
Arizona Shuttle Location, Phone and Hours
Airport Shuttle of Phoenix is located at 4600 E Washington St, Ste 300, Phoenix, AZ 85034, conveniently close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Airport Shuttle provides service to any address or door in the state on your schedule, 24/7. For more information or to reserve a ride, call (480) 710-3441. You can also book a shuttle service online 24/7 through their website — there is no need to wait for business hours to lock in your airport transfer or cruise-day transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Cruise Tours
Which Arizona boat cruise is the most scenic?
The Dolly Steamboat's Nature Cruise through Canyon Lake's secluded inner waterways is widely considered the most scenic, thanks to its towering canyon walls and geological formations. The Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake is a strong runner-up, with dramatic desert vistas and frequent wildlife sightings.
Can you see wildlife during the cruises?
Yes. Passengers on both Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake cruises commonly see bighorn sheep, bald eagles, herons, and other desert wildlife, and the narrated tours point out where to look.
Are Arizona boat cruises family friendly?
Yes. Most public cruises run about 90 minutes to two hours, which suits children well, and all the featured boats offer shaded seating and restrooms on board.
Do cruises operate year-round?
Most Arizona lake cruises operate year-round, but schedules and special cruises vary by season. Confirm current departure times on each operator's official website before your visit.
Should reservations be made in advance?
Yes. Weekend, sunset, and holiday departures often sell out, and vessel seating is limited, so book online in advance to secure your spot.
What should I bring on an Arizona lake cruise?
Bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, water, a camera, binoculars for wildlife, and a light jacket in cooler months — and arrive at the marina 20–30 minutes before departure.
How do I get to the cruises without a car?
Book a door-to-door shuttle to your Phoenix-area hotel or directly to the marina area. Arizona Shuttle offers 24/7 reservation and pick-up service; call (480) 710-3441 or book online.
