Chautauqua Belle — Attraction in Town of Chautauqua

I took a friend to introduce her to Chautauqua yesterday, showing her the sights, visiting wineries, and we were going to cap off the day with the 5 p.m. sailing of the Chautauqua Belle. If you look at their website, it very clearly states that they depart from Mayville at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Only maybe you shouldn't plan on that 5 p.m. actually happening.

We arrived at the docking area around 4:20 in the afternoon, plenty early, wanting to make sure we would get tickets. Instead of that, we were told that there weren't enough people and they were cancelling the final cruise of the day.

I was speechless. It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon - not a cloud in the sky and 80 degrees... not to mention the fact that forty minutes remained until the boat was scheduled to depart.

Defeated, we went across the street to get ice cream. As we sat there, at least five or six more vehicles turned down towards the Belle's dock and turned right back around a few minutes later. Something tells me they would have had quite enough people to take on that final voyage of the day, but they didn't feel like doing it.

And what of the people who'd made reservations? Something tells me they were called mid-day and told not to come for one reason or another. Clearly, not everyone buys tickets ahead. I'm sure they often get walk-up traffic. We were assured that we could come back on Sunday, but they don't seem to realize that some of us are only visiting for a day trip. No dice on Sunday.

Very disappointing and I won't be recommending the Belle to anyone else so they won't end up with their plans cancelled at the...

I find their horn to be loud to the degree that I call it noise pollution. The loud horn is not an integral experience that the Chautauqua Institution would willfully choose for Chautauquans. Rather, the loud horn is advertising gimmick self-promoting ticket sales. The loud horn is specious vaudeville -- please, no thank you to the loud horn.

Until they stop making noise with their loud horn, please don't spend money riding the Chautauqua Belle.

PS: I was on the Chautauqua Institution grounds all season. I submitted this review only now (winter), as google did not ask for a review till only now. PPS: I am shocked to read in your response that the engines are steam. How very sad for the planet -- 3 to 5 times the CO2 (creating global warming): "a typical steam engine achieving only around 5-10% efficiency while a modern internal combustion engine can reach efficiencies of 25-35%" PPPS: Some years back, I read my Navy grandfather's 400 page book on Maritime regulations. Y'all are way over what is required by regulation for...

Okay. I was looking forward to a lovely cruise on this beautiful Lake Chautauqua day, with my friends. I'm an old guy, but experienced and wise (fairly). I was SO turned off by the LOUD music, which one couldn't get away from, and later, by the continuous banter of the owner. Granted, it's his boat. Be as self-serving as you want. Frankly, I probably would never go back. Perhaps to a private party, which I hear can be fun. For a first time, it was a bust for me. We all took Advil, so at least there were no headaches. One of my 70 year old friends remarked she was 'Happy she didn't put in her hearing aids.' Explain to me, first, why the volume has to be so loud, and second, TMI on the history. Five little elevator speeches, about interesting stuff would serve your clients better. Fold some nice background music in between. Think about it. PS: Write a historical book about, The Belle, the Lake, and the immense history that you know. Sell it onboard and online for a...