3 Island Cruise onboard Faith

If you want a no-stress Malta day where you’re on the water most of the time, the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith is an easy way to do it. You start in Sliema, cruise the coast with live narration, then get real time in the water at Malta, Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon.

I like this format because you get comfort onboard (including showers and air-conditioned areas) and you also get value built in with lunch and the included drinks during lunchtime. It’s the kind of trip where you can relax in the shade, then jump in when the boat stops.

One key consideration: your experience depends on conditions and the way the day is run. A few reviews describe trouble with communication, plus some people felt the drink setup did not match what they expected, so do a quick check on the day’s specifics when you’re there.

Key things to know before you go

• Three timed stops: about 1 hour in Malta Bay, about 1 hour in Gozo Bay, then about 3 hours at the Blue Lagoon
• Swim and snorkel time: the day is built around getting in the water, not just sightseeing from the deck
• Onboard comfort: showers, air-conditioned areas, and plenty of seating (including shade)
• Included lunch with drinks during lunchtime: plus live commentary while you cruise
• Small-group potential: one sail I read about had 31 people on board, even though the max is listed higher

Entering Malta by sea, starting in Sliema on Faith

This cruise is built for the “I want the views, but I do not want to drive” crowd. You meet at Sliema Ferries Terminal, and the day follows a simple rhythm, cruise, stop, swim, eat, repeat. It runs about 8 to 9 hours, with the listed start time at 9:00 am and the return to the same meeting point.

What makes it feel like a good fit for first-timers is that you are not stuck with one long stop only. You get short moments in Malta and Gozo, then a longer payoff at the Blue Lagoon. In other words, you can take the day at your pace. If you want to be in the water, you can. If you want to hang back, you can do that too.

The ship, Faith, is described as comfortable, with areas to sit out of the sun. That matters in Malta in summer, when even “short” amounts of sun exposure add up fast. Add showers onboard and you have a practical cleanup plan after swimming.

Price and value: what you pay includes the best parts

The price listed is $90.12 per person, which is the big selling point here: a day on the water with lunch and round-trip transport included. When a cruise includes food and basic drinks, you avoid the usual boat-trip math of, “How much will this cost once I’m thirsty?”

You get lunch plus unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime according to the included items. Alcohol is also shown as available to purchase, which can create confusion. I’d treat this as an important detail to confirm on the day, especially if you care about what is included beyond lunch time.

One more value note from what I saw: the food is described as hearty and tasty, and there’s mention of a snack bar too. If you come hungry, you’re not guessing whether you’ll eat well.

Onboard comfort and the live narration you can actually use

This is not a silent ferry. You’ll hear live commentary on board while you cruise along the coast. That’s the part that turns the trip from “a boat ride” into a day with context, like what you’re passing and why it’s memorable.

That said, clarity can make or break the experience. Some reviews mention the narration being hard to understand, either because of how fast it was delivered or a language barrier. If you’re sensitive to audio, bring a bit of patience and do your own noticing, looking out at coves, cliffs, and the coastline as you go.

Comfort-wise, the details matter: showers and air-conditioned areas are listed, and reviewers also mention lots of seating in shade. If you plan to swim, shower access helps you feel human again before your next stop. If you’re just relaxing, shade and AC mean you do not roast between water breaks.

The Malta Bay stop: quick swim time and a break from the sun

The first stop is in a bay in Malta, about 1 hour with an admission ticket listed as free. This is a shorter stop, so think of it as a warm-up. You’ll likely have enough time to get in the water, grab a few photos, and then get back on board for the next leg.

Because the stop is short, plan to be ready to move quickly. A review suggested that they did not get a heads-up to bring a swimsuit, even though there was swimming time. My practical advice: assume you’ll want to swim at every stop and pack your swimsuit in an easy-to-reach place. Even if you skip one stop, you’ll be grateful the suit is there.

Also, if you care about seeing specific coastline spots, keep your expectations flexible. Some days may bring a smoother ride than others, and that affects how close the boat can safely position itself.

The Gozo Bay hour: what this stop is good for

Next up is an Island of Gozo bay stop, also listed at about 1 hour with a free admission ticket. This stop works well for people who want a taste of Gozo without committing to a full day on land.

In a perfect world, you get off, you stretch your legs, you swim if you want, then you return to a boat that already feels familiar. One review described the quieter stops as a nice change from the crowding at the Blue Lagoon later.

If you’re the type who likes to keep momentum, this hour is about right. If you’re the type who wants long walking time, you may find it too brief. This is a sea day, not a land tour.

Blue Lagoon for 3 hours: the big payoff, plus crowd reality

The main event is the Blue Lagoon, with about 3 hours and an admission ticket listed as free. This is where you should expect the most swimmers, snorkelers, and selfie energy.

A reviewer who went in July noted that it can be rather crowded at the Blue Lagoon, which is exactly what you’d predict. Still, the long stop time gives you enough flexibility to find a spot to swim and snorkel, even if the boat arrival makes the first minutes busy.

What I think makes this portion worth it is the combo of time and water access. The trip is built around swimming and snorkeling in warm Mediterranean water, and the Blue Lagoon is the place where you’re most likely to feel like the day was designed for that.

Practical tip: bring goggles if you have them, and give yourself a few minutes to figure out where you can comfortably float or swim. If the water is busy, it’s not just about finding space, it’s about managing your own breathing and comfort.

Food and drinks onboard Faith: plan around lunch time

Lunch is included, and multiple reviews describe it as nice, with mention of a Maltese-style platter and thoughtful choices. That matters because boat lunches can be hit-or-miss. Here, the tone is mostly positive: you can eat well without leaving the ship.

Drinks are where you’ll want to pay attention. The tour details say unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks during lunchtime. But some reviews complained that alcohol was not included for them and that soft drinks were limited. That doesn’t mean the product is consistently bad. It does mean you should confirm what is actually provided for your sailing, especially if alcohol inclusion is part of your decision.

If your plan is mostly water, soda, and coffee or tea from your own preferences, you’ll likely still be fine. But if you’re booking expecting unlimited beer and wine all day, treat that as uncertain until you confirm.

Also, remember this is a cruise with scheduled stops. If you miss lunch or arrive late to the dining portion, you might miss your best chance at the included drinks.

When weather changes the itinerary: the day can shift

This experience requires good weather. That’s not just fine print. Reviews mention sea conditions impacting whether they could get into bays as intended, and some described not being able to see certain sights due to swell.

Here’s how to translate that into real planning: if you’re hoping to see specific places from the water, understand that the closer or farther you are from shore depends on conditions. If the sea is rough, you might get more time swimming in open water and less time near landmarks.

The good news is that the cruise still delivers the core promise, a day at sea with swims and onboard comfort. The trade-off is that “exact sightings” can be less reliable than the water time itself.

My advice is simple: treat the Blue Lagoon and swimming time as the main attraction, and treat scenery as a bonus that may vary by day.

Group size, crowd patterns, and how to have a better day

One review mentioned a small day on board, 31 people when the max is listed at a much higher number. Even if your sailing is busier, you should expect a more manageable vibe than the large, cattle-car style boat trips.

Crowds mainly show up at the Blue Lagoon. Malta and Gozo bay stops are shorter, which tends to keep things calmer. If you want quieter moments, you’ll likely get them earlier and then trade that for the Blue Lagoon’s longer swim window later.

If you want the best experience, time your swimming. Go in early when you arrive, then step out for a bit to avoid the peak crush. After that, use your remaining time to snorkel or just float and enjoy the water.

Who should book the Faith 3 Island Cruise, and who should skip it

This cruise is a strong match for you if:

• You want a simple way to see Malta and Gozo from the water.
• You care about swimming and snorkeling more than long hikes.
• You prefer a comfortable onboard setup, with shade, showers, and AC.

You might want to skip or choose something else if:

• You need very clear narration the whole time, especially in English.
• You’re booking with strict expectations about included alcohol beyond lunchtime.
• You want lots of time on land for villages, shops, or walking routes.

Also, if you’re the type who loves detailed sightseeing, you’ll probably do better pairing this with at least one separate land day in Malta. Think of this cruise as the water-based highlight, not the full picture.

Should you book this cruise on Faith?

Book it if you want an affordable, comfortable sea day with live commentary, lunch included, and real time to swim at multiple stops, with the Blue Lagoon as the centerpiece. The biggest win is that the day’s structure naturally keeps you fed, moving, and in the water without needing planning.

Skip it or confirm details first if you are tightly focused on alcohol inclusion and very specific sights. Between weather, audio clarity, and how close the boat can approach, the scenery part can flex. If you accept that the swims and the general coastline views are the main draw, you should be happy with what you get for the price.

FAQ

How long is the 3 Island Cruise onboard Faith?

It runs about 8 to 9 hours.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Sliema Ferries Terminal in Sliema, Malta, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What stops are included during the cruise?

The cruise includes stops in a bay in Malta (about 1 hour), a bay on Gozo (about 1 hour), and the Blue Lagoon (about 3 hours).

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included during lunchtime. Alcoholic drinks are also listed as available to purchase.

What happens if the cruise is canceled due to weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.