This tour sells EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS. The operator picks your Alcatraz time. Great, works for us because we’re idiots who didn’t look to find out how far ahead you need to book Alcatraz nor did we make any other plans. So we made the day we booked this on a flex day.
A few notes:
1. I did not need to print my blue and gold boat tour ticket. The blue and gold ticket office had an email I could send it to and redeemed it that way.
2. I went the day before to the blue and gold ticket office. They were able to book me on a boat trip that day instead! Sweet! Less time crunch- 2 trips in one day is a lot.
3. For both 1 & 2, I don’t know if this was specific to the agent I got at blue and golds ticket window. Be polite.
4. Boat to Alcatraz has a lot of flies. Like.. a lot. Sit inside if this bugs you.
5. THIS IS THE “STUPID TOURIST” PRICE. IF YOU PLAN YOUR ALCATRAZ VISIT IN TIME, THE TWO TRIPS ARE ABOUT HALF THIS PRICE. But! If you are like me and did not plan well, this is THE way to get to Alcatraz.
6. Book ahead of time for your Alcatraz trip. I would skip the bay cruise if you have a time crunch or can buy your Alcatraz ticket in time. It’s an automated tour that really doesn’t tell you much and the fog can be dense. For us, since we didn’t have Alcatraz tickets and we like boats, this worked out. If I had a time crunch for my day, I’d skip the gate cruise.