The Traditional Harbour Cruise

Мы наслаждались прогулкой на лодке и увидели красивые пейзажи. Повествование оставило желать лучшего, потому что было трудно записать записанный звук. Лодка, которую мы назначили, была старой и переполненной.

Sliema is the departure location for many Malta tours, both seagoing and land-based. On our first day we wanted to get an overview of the city, its layout and main points of interest. We usually do this with one of the ‘hop-on, hop-off’ buses in the city that we’re visiting. This time we decided that a harbour tour was more appropriate given the out-sized place that seafaring and maritime history play in the development of Malta, and of Valetta. We caught the local ferry from Valetta to Sliema (10 mins) to Sliema harbour. The boat was described by the captain as a traditional Maltese boat, few hundred years old, with obvious updates and refurbishments. The English commentary was interesting and informative. The crew friendly and helpful. The tour price is excellent, and it was one of the few boats leaving Sliema that morning that wasn’t crowded (Valetta and Sliema can be overcrowded at times). A small bar offered drink and snacks at reasonable prices. The 90 minute tour was value for money and an excellent introduction to the city and its history.

Tour great but a lot of travel with the boat and transfer buses. Also, the pick up bus from the Diplomat is not directly across the road, you need to walk left to the bus stop. We weren't told that.

One of three operators doing harbour cruises from Sliema with their reps touting for business on the waterfront. “I See Malta” tried upselling us some sort of ticket including two open top hop on off bus tours but as we were only here for a short break it wasn’t going to be worthwhile and we instead chose Malta Sightseeing mainly because it was the next one to depart, the rep offered us 25% discount if we booked there and then, saying it went at 12 then admitted it was actually 12.15! Of the three operators this one’s boat seemed the most rustic and I’m amazed the access arrangements met Health & Safety legislation with a short “gangplank” bobbing up and down with the swell in the harbour and passengers helpfully told to leap on at the lowest point! The tour itself was actually pretty good, having done it before I knew things could get a bit choppy on the open water between the two harbours but maybe avoid if your sea legs aren’t that good. Commentary purely in English was informative but the renditions of Rod Stewart “I am sailing” over the microphone was naff. Supposedly an hour and a half but more like an hour and twenty minutes but for the length of the tour it’s fair value. Anyway it enabled us to move smartly across to the next landing stage and just get the next ferry back to Valletta.

My husband and I enjoyed this cruise because, not only were we told about the various buildings pointed out to us in the different creeks and the Grand Harbour, but also the history of Malta going back hundreds of years.

Very long boat trip to Gozo with an unscheduled half hour stop to pick up more people which ate into what little time we did have there. The driver of our minibus decided that he would take us to a shop where we could sample local goods for free, which reduced our time by another 20 minutes at least. We were completely powerless to stop this and we, along with most of the other people on the bus, were furious. He then told us that he would be late to pick us up as he had to do the school run!! We ended up getting a taxi as we were so angry with him, he ruined our trip. The boat trip was informative, the crew were great, and the stop off on Comino Island was very pleasant 👌

A rocky start when we arrived and they turned us away saying not their cruise despite it being directly opposite McDonald's in the harbour as per our joining instructions and there being no other harbour cruise vessels in sight. Quickly resolved however and the cruise was very good with lots of interesting info. Don't expect too much from the 'drinks available ' tag as its a crew member in a kiosk on board. It's not polished, it's not slick and it's not a gleaming polished yacht but it's exactly what it says on the tin - a traditional harbour tour on a traditional vessel. Would recommend if you really want a local tour of the harbour area. Fantastic perspective of the magnificence of the fortified defences of malta.

Happy with the tour, which was informative. The trip was on the boat named DEN. Not so impressed with attempting to get on the boat at arrival. 2 staff members chatting on board made no attempt to welcome us or even see how apprehensive we were with boarding. The swell was rocking the boat quite alarmingly at quayside and you had to gauge the moment to haul yourself onboard whilst trying to keep your balance. We are over 70 years of age and had to do this with no friendly assistance whatsoever. Even onboard there was no welcome of "hello" - just hands out to see our tickets. Same procedure on disembarking....no one to help make sure you got off safely. The main guy just stood in the middle of the "gangway" proffering his tips bowl. We didn't leave a tip. My tip now - be a bit more engaging when people need assistance.

We had great difficulty finding the boat we were booked to go on. There were no cruises leaving at 2pm and we eventually sailed at 12.15. The cruise was great once we sorted out the problem. It was a good job we arrived early to ascertain where we should go.

Most interesting cruise in the two bays surrounding Valletta. It’s a 90-minute tour and you have a chance to see the densely built bay area, the historical Valletta from the sea, the more industrial dockyards and the modern - and ugly - skyscrapers of Silema. As we took the cruise in January it wasn't crowded or too hot, but I guess it may get both in summer.