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Public tours are in full swing aboard the Diamond Queen

Join us Saturdays & Sundays in May at 1 PM, 2:30 PM, 4 PM, and 5:30 PM for a one-hour narrated tour along the Detroit River featuring the skyline of Detroit and views of Canada

From historic landmarks to unforgettable waterfront views, there’s no better way to experience the city.

Step inside the pilot house with Capt. Steve. From this view, it’s all hands, horsepower, and a whole lot of experience guiding the Tralee along the Detroit River. Every lever, gauge, and radio tells part of the story behind life on the water.”

#DetroitRiver #TugboatLife #greatlakesshipping

Rain or shine… the river still has stories to tell.

A little rain just means softer skylines, mist over the water, and a whole different kind of Detroit magic. Some of our best tour memories happen under cloudy skies cozy jackets, raindrops on the river, and the city shining through it all.

At Diamond Jack, we sail rain or shine… because the river never stops moving

It starts quietly.

A freighter holds steady while a Warner Supply barge eases alongside no rush, no wasted movement. Off to the side, the Gaelic Tugboat nudges everything into place, guiding with a kind of precision you only notice if you’re looking for it.
Fuel flows. Lines hold. The river keeps moving.

Most people will never see this part the coordination, the timing, the trust between crews but it’s what keeps everything going long after the big ships pass by.

Captured by Captain Mike Nicholls… a moment of the river doing what it’s always done working.

A reminder that even when the sun disappears…
the journey keeps moving forward.

It starts quietly.

A freighter holds steady while a Warner Supply barge eases alongside no rush, no wasted movement. Off to the side, the Gaelic Tugboat nudges everything into place, guiding with a kind of precision you only notice if you’re looking for it.
Fuel flows. Lines hold. The river keeps moving.

Most people will never see this part the coordination, the timing, the trust between crews but it’s what keeps everything going long after the big ships pass by.

Captured by Captain Mike Nicholls… a moment of the river doing what it’s always done working.

A reminder that even when the sun disappears…
the journey keeps moving forward.

It starts quietly.

A freighter holds steady while a Warner Supply barge eases alongside no rush, no wasted movement. Off to the side, the Gaelic Tugboat nudges everything into place, guiding with a kind of precision you only notice if you’re looking for it.
Fuel flows. Lines hold. The river keeps moving.

Most people will never see this part the coordination, the timing, the trust between crews but it’s what keeps everything going long after the big ships pass by.

Captured by Captain Mike Nicholls… a moment of the river doing what it’s always done working.

A reminder that even when the sun disappears…
the journey keeps moving forward.

Watching the skyline drift by, hearing the stories behind the city, and seeing Detroit from the water never gets old.

Dockside with Capt Steve sharing another look inside the hardworking vessel Tralee. From stories on the water to the details below deck, every corner has a story to tell.

A mother’s love is the heart of a home…
steady through every season, comforting in the hard days, and celebrating even the smallest moments.

It’s in the early mornings, the late nights, the sacrifices no one sees, and the love that never asks for anything in return. We celebrate the women who nurture, guide, support, and love so deeply.

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend to all the moms, grandmas, bonus moms, and mother figures who make life so beautiful.

Right in the middle of the tour… special delivery

There’s nothing quite like watching the J.W. Westcott pull alongside the Diamond Queen to deliver a package while cruising the Detroit River.

A true piece of Detroit maritime history happening in real time and one of those moments that makes every tour a little different.

There’s a whole side of the river most people never see...

Captured from above by Captain Tyler Dalton of Gaelic Tugboat this is Viking Polaris being fueled at the Port of Detroit. Quiet, precise work happening behind the scenes while most just see the ship come and go.

The river is always working.

Today we’re talking all things Tralee including the hardworking fender that helps protect this historic tugboat where it matters most. From tough jobs on the water to the details that keep her going strong, every part has a purpose.

Stay tuned for more stories, history, and behind-the-scenes aboard the Tralee.

It’s almost that time… Opening Day sets sail May 2!

Join us out of Cullen Plaza as we kick off another season on the Detroit River rain or shine.

May public tours run every Saturday & Sunday at:
1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:30 PM

The countdown is on… Detroit, are you ready to cruise?

To the man who started it all Captain Bill Hoey.

He saw more than boats… he saw a future on the water. What began with Arnold Line ferries and a hardworking vision became something Detroit would never forget. Captain Bill transformed those early ferries into what would become Diamond Jack’s River Tours a Detroit tradition and a place where the river became part of the city’s story.

From carrying passengers across the water to creating unforgettable public tours, private charters, school trips, celebrations, and some of Detroit’s most memorable moments on the river, his dream grew far beyond the dock. He didn’t just build a business he built an experience, a legacy, and a connection to Detroit’s waterfront that continues today.

Captain Bill believed the river was more than water it was history, adventure, and community. Because of his vision, generations have been able to see Detroit from a different perspective.

Though he may no longer be here, his legacy continues to sail forward through his family, who proudly carry on the tradition he created.

As the 2026 season begins May 2, we invite you to join us in celebrating Captain Bill Hoey the man whose vision turned old ferries into Diamond Jack’s River Tours and created a lasting legacy on the Detroit River.

We can’t wait to welcome you aboard!