Reference

Gateway Clipper Fleet: quick facts

The essentials in plain language, taken from the rest of this website. Updated October 14, 2026.

In one sentence

Gateway Clipper Fleet is Pittsburgh’s family-owned riverboat company, sailing sightseeing, dining, family and holiday cruises plus private charters and weddings from Station Square (350 W. Station Square Dr.) since 1958.

The basics

Who we are: Gateway Clipper Fleet, a family-owned riverboat cruise company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sailing the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers since 1958. More than 25 million passengers have sailed with us.
Where we board: the Gateway Clipper dock at Station Square, 350 W. Station Square Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15219, across the Monongahela River from downtown. Private charters can also board at other docks around the city.
What we offer: public sightseeing, dinner, dance, family and holiday cruises; game day shuttles to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park; private events for up to 400 guests; weddings; proms; group cruises and school field trips.
Phone: tickets and general questions (412) 355-7980. Events, charters and weddings: info@gatewayclipper.com or (412) 355-7965 (replies within 1–2 business days). Group sales: (412) 355-7951.

The fleet

Boat	In service since	Max guests	Dinner seats	Standing reception	Wedding dining	Notes
Empress	1966	400	316	400	Up to 260	Our largest boat. Formerly the Party Liner.
Three Rivers Queen	2013	250	218	228	—	Three-deck paddlewheeler. Rent the whole boat, the 1st or the 2nd deck.
Princess	1999	250	180	190	Up to 150	Steel paddlewheeler with a newly renovated interior and great-size windows.
Duchess	1975	200	180	190	Up to 130	Formerly the Liberty Belle, launched for the Bicentennial.
Countess	1979	90	—	50	—	Open-air and the fastest boat in the fleet.

The Three Rivers Queen hosts weddings from November through March. The former Majestic is retired and no longer part of the fleet. See our fleet.

Tickets and prices

Public cruise prices on this website are all-in per adult: taxes and fees are included.
Buy tickets online on each cruise page, or call (412) 355-7980. Digital gift cards work on any public cruise.
Private events, weddings and proms are priced per person plus a 24% service charge and 7% PA sales tax.
Minimums vary by vessel, and some packages have a per-person minimum. For a full quote, including minimums, fill out our request form and a sales manager will contact you.
Group, field trip and tour & travel bookings: final payment is due 30 days before the cruise.

Public cruises sailing now

Captain's Dinner Dance Cruise: Dining, 2.5 hr, 18+ recommended · adult-themed evening. $88.35 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Oct 17, 2026.
Haunted Three Rivers: Holiday & Seasonal, 1 hr, All ages. $36.66 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Oct 16, 2026.
Three Rivers Sightseeing: Sightseeing, 1 hr, All ages. $33.53 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Oct 16, 2026.
Light Up Night Dinner Dance Cruise: Holiday & Seasonal, 2.5 hr, All ages. $157.12 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Nov 21, 2026.
Skyline Dinner Cruise: Dining, 2 hr, All ages. $72.76 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Oct 16, 2026.
Barbecue Lock & Dam Dinner Cruise: Dining, 2.5 hr, All ages. $62.37 per adult. Next sailing: Thu, Oct 15, 2026.
Autumn Serenade Lunch: Dining, 2 hr, All ages. $62.37 per adult. Next sailing: Wed, Oct 14, 2026.
Halloween Family Fun: Kids & Family, 2 hr, Kids & families. $36.66 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Oct 24, 2026.
Santa Fun Family: Kids & Family, 2 hr, Kids & families. $36.66 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Nov 28, 2026.
Moonlight Dance Cruise: Dance & Music 21+, 3 hr, 21+. $36.00 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Oct 23, 2026.
Boo & Brew Dance Cruise: Dance & Music 21+, 2.5 hr, 21+. $36.67 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Oct 24, 2026.
Holiday Captain's Dinner Dance Cruise: Holiday & Seasonal, 2.5 hr, 18+ recommended · adult-themed evening. $88.35 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Dec 5, 2026.
New Year's Eve Cruises: Holiday & Seasonal, 2–3 hr, 21+ dance · dinner 21+ recommended. From $89.05 per adult. Next sailing: Thu, Dec 31, 2026.
Pirate Family Fun with Friends: Kids & Family, 2 hr, Kids & families. $36.66 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Nov 7, 2026.
Winter Captain's Dinner Dance Cruise: Dining, 2.5 hr, 18+ recommended · adult-themed evening. $67.56 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Jan 16, 2027.
Holiday Sparkle Dinner: Holiday & Seasonal, 2 hr, All ages. $72.76 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Dec 4, 2026.
Holiday Lunch: Holiday & Seasonal, 2 hr, All ages. $62.37 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Dec 5, 2026.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Holiday & Seasonal, 2.5 hr, All ages. Prices on the cruise page. Next sailing: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.
Winter Family Fun: Kids & Family, 1.5 hr, Kids & families. $36.66 per adult. Next sailing: Wed, Dec 30, 2026.
Valentine Family Fun: Kids & Family, 1.5 hr, Kids & families. $26.18 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Feb 6, 2027.
Valentine's Dinner: Holiday & Seasonal, 2.5 hr, 18+ recommended. Prices on the cruise page. Next sailing: Fri, Feb 12, 2027.
WXDX X Out Cancer Dance Cruise: Dance & Music 21+, 2.5 hr, 21+. $36.17 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Oct 30, 2026.
Y108 Honky Tonk Dance Cruise: Dance & Music 21+, 2.5 hr, 21+. $41.91 per adult. Next sailing: Fri, Nov 20, 2026.
Easter Dinner: Holiday & Seasonal, 2 hr, All ages. Prices on the cruise page. Next sailing: Sun, Mar 28, 2027.
Bunny Family Fun: Kids & Family, 2 hr, Kids & families. $35.00 per adult. Next sailing: Sat, Mar 27, 2027.
Game day shuttles: Station Square to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park on Steelers, Pitt, Pirates and concert days. $8 one way, $15 round trip; kids 6 and under ride free.

Before you board

Dress code: Casual for sightseeing and kids’ cruises. Dressy casual for the Captain’s Dinner Dance Cruise. Layers for the top deck.
Age rules: 21+ for Dance & Music cruises, with ID. 18+ recommended for the Captain’s Dinner Dance Cruise.
Cashless: Cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay onboard. Cash at the Ticket Office and for the shuttle.
Weather: We sail rain or shine. We’ll contact you if conditions cancel a cruise.
Tickets: All sales are final. Add Ticket Assurance to cancel up to 5 hours before boarding.
Arrival: Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Boats leave on time.
Food on dining cruises is prepared by our culinary team and brought aboard.
More: plan your visit, policies & safety, terms & conditions.

Common questions

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive 30 minutes before departure. Boats leave on time and cannot return for late guests.

Do you sail in the rain?

Yes. The Empress, Queen, Duchess and Princess have heated and air-conditioned decks; the Countess is entirely open-air, so check the forecast. If the Captain must cancel for weather, you’ll receive a gift card for the full value of your booking.

Is the boat cashless?

Yes. Snack bars and bars onboard take cards and mobile pay only.

Is there food onboard?

Dining cruises include a buffet. Sightseeing, kids’ and dance cruises have a snack bar onboard.

Are there age rules?

Dance & Music cruises are 21+ with ID. The Captain’s Dinner Dance Cruise is recommended for 18+. Sightseeing and kids’ cruises welcome all ages; infants have a reduced fare on kids’ cruises.

Do veterans ride free?

Veterans and active military ride Three Rivers Sightseeing free with ID.