Philadelphia: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

The best part of this Philadelphia cruise is simple: you get a meal, a moving view, and a place to sit without planning three separate activities. From Penn’s Landing, the Spirit of Philadelphia carries you along the Delaware River while you watch the waterfront and Ben Franklin Bridge from the dining room, dance floor, and rooftop lounge.

I like the reserved private table, which gives your group a home base during the meal. I also like the choice of daytime or evening departures, since brunch offers bottomless mimosas for guests age 21 and older, while dinner gives you the chance to see Philadelphia after dark.

The main catch is value. At $68 per person, the cruise works best if you want the full package of food, views, entertainment, and two hours on the river. If you mainly want a good meal, the buffet and extra drink costs may make the price feel high.

Key points before you book

• Three ways to cruise: Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner, with each option offering a buffet meal and river views.
• Bottomless brunch mimosas: The brunch sailing includes unlimited mimosas for guests 21 and older.
• Reserved climate-controlled table: You have an assigned indoor dining space, useful when the weather is cold or wet.
• Rooftop views: You can leave the dining room and walk up to the open-air roof lounge for broad views of the Delaware River.
• Entertainment beyond the meal: An onboard DJ, dance floor, and games keep this from feeling like a quiet sightseeing boat.
• Penn’s Landing departure: The meeting point is 401 South Columbus Boulevard, but check the pier directions carefully before you set out.

Boarding at Penn’s Landing

Your cruise begins at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia’s Delaware River waterfront. The listed meeting point is 401 South Columbus Boulevard, and you should allow enough time to find the correct side of the pier before boarding.

This matters more than it sounds. One booking problem involved directions leading someone to the opposite side of the pier during heavy rain. The practical fix is to check the meeting instructions before leaving your hotel and avoid arriving at the last minute. If the weather is poor, warm clothing and a little extra time will make the start much easier.

The host or greeter speaks English. The cruise is wheelchair accessible, though the activity information does not give detailed dimensions for ramps, lifts, or restrooms. If you need a particular accessibility arrangement, confirm it with City Cruises before booking.

Once aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia, you will have access to the climate-controlled dining room, outdoor decks, dance area, onboard games, and open-air rooftop lounge. The indoor room is your most dependable spot for the meal, while the outside decks are where you go for fresh air and the broadest views.

The first hour: settling in with a buffet meal

The cruise is designed around a reserved table and buffet service rather than a formal restaurant meal. That setup lets you eat at your own pace and return for more food, but it also means the experience depends on how much you enjoy buffet dining.

The menu includes salads, vegetables, pasta, main dishes, and desserts. The lunch and dinner selection lists organic mixed greens, spinach and kale salad, green bean salad, kidney bean, black bean, and chickpea salad, beetroot salad, and bow tie pasta salad.

The hot selection includes roasted broccoli, creamed corn with cheddar cheese, baked ziti, and mashed potatoes. Main dishes include oven-baked Atlantic flounder, honey and sesame chicken, and Italian beef meatballs. Dinner adds braised beef short ribs, giving the evening sailing one more substantial choice.

Dessert includes seasonal fruit, raspberry mousse, lemon pound cake with fresh strawberries, coconut vanilla cake, carrot cake, and a red velvet and chocolate chip brownie at dinner. The menu is broad enough to suit a mixed group, though it is not designed as a high-end tasting menu.

That distinction is important at $68. You are paying for the meal plus the boat, service, entertainment, and views. The buffet alone would not justify the price for everyone, particularly if you have a small appetite or prefer Philadelphia’s restaurant scene. For a birthday, family outing, or social evening, the package makes more sense.

Coffee, hot tea, and iced tea are included. Alcoholic drinks, soda, and juice cost extra, except for bottomless mimosas on the brunch option. Seasonal cocktails, wine pairings, and beer are available from the fully stocked bar for purchase.

Brunch, lunch, or dinner: choosing the right sailing

The meal you choose changes the mood of the outing more than the basic route.

Brunch is the most distinctive option because bottomless mimosas are included for guests age 21 and older. It suits a relaxed celebration or a group that wants the cruise to feel like a social event. Infants are free, but you still need to select the free infant ticket option so they are admitted.

Brunch also gives you daylight views of the waterfront. That makes it easier to see the Ben Franklin Bridge and the river activity around Penn’s Landing. If your main goal is sightseeing, daylight is the safer choice.

Lunch gives you the same general cruise structure without the included mimosas. It can be a practical pick if you want a daytime activity and do not need a late finish. The drawback is that it may feel less special if you are hoping for an evening atmosphere or nighttime city views.

Dinner is the most event-like choice. The menu adds braised beef short ribs and a dinner-only brownie, while the boat provides a change of scenery as you eat. Still, departure times matter. An early evening sailing may not deliver the nighttime mood you had in mind, so check the exact start time before booking.

Music is part of the dinner and daytime atmosphere. The onboard DJ plays popular hits, and there is a dance floor. If you prefer oldies or quiet conversation, the music may not match your ideal cruise. The DJ and games are a plus for groups who want activity, but they can be less appealing if you are treating the boat as a calm dinner venue.

Delaware River views from the dining room

The main sightseeing feature is the river itself. As the Spirit of Philadelphia moves away from Penn’s Landing, you can watch the historic waterfront from your table rather than from a bus window or crowded sidewalk.

The Ben Franklin Bridge is the key visual landmark named for the cruise. You will get different angles as the boat moves, and the view changes again when you step outside. The indoor dining room provides comfort and shelter, while the open-air decks give you the clearest sense of being on the river.

I would treat the sightseeing as a pleasant part of the meal, not as a full Philadelphia history tour. There is no listed historical guide or narrated commentary. The English-speaking host handles the activity, but the focus is dining and entertainment rather than detailed interpretation of the city.

That can be an advantage. You are free to talk, eat, take photos, and move around without following a lecture. If you want stories about Philadelphia’s founders, Old City, or the waterfront, pair this cruise with a walking tour or another sightseeing activity.

Rooftop lounge, dance floor, and onboard games

After eating, head outside for the open-air rooftop lounge. This is where the cruise feels most different from a restaurant. You can look over the water, take in the city from a higher deck, and return inside when you want warmth or air conditioning.

The rooftop is also useful for pacing your evening. A full buffet meal followed by dancing can feel like a lot, so a walk around the deck gives you a break. Bring warm clothing, even if the weather feels comfortable when you board. The river air can be cooler, and the activity specifically recommends warm clothes and closed-toe shoes.

The onboard DJ supplies the soundtrack, and a dance floor gives the cruise a party element. Games are also available and are described as suitable for the whole family. This makes the experience more flexible than a standard dinner cruise. Children can watch the scenery or play, while adults can spend time at the table, bar, dance floor, or rooftop.

Smoking indoors is not allowed. The activity information does not state the full smoking policy for outdoor areas, so follow the crew’s instructions on board.

How much value do you get for $68?

The $68 price includes the Spirit of Philadelphia cruise, buffet brunch, lunch, or dinner, unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea, plus the onboard DJ. Brunch also includes bottomless mimosas for eligible guests.

It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, alcoholic drinks outside the brunch mimosas, soda, juice, or souvenir photos. These extras can raise the final cost, especially if everyone in your group orders drinks.

I see the price as fair for a special outing, not as a bargain meal. You are buying about two to two and a half hours of entertainment and river scenery along with dinner. The value improves when you use the whole boat: eat at your table, spend time on the rooftop, enjoy the games, and listen or dance to the DJ.

The value drops if you board mainly for the food. The menu is generous, but the experience is not centered on a chef-led meal or local Philadelphia specialties. It is a general American buffet with seafood, chicken, beef, salads, pasta, vegetables, and cakes.

For a group celebration, the reserved table is a real benefit. You do not need to compete for a seat or split up while people eat. Make one reservation for the entire party, since separate bookings may not be seated together.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups who want a low-effort Philadelphia evening with several things happening at once. It works especially well when some people want sightseeing, others want a buffet, and others want music or dancing.

Brunch is a good fit for an adults-only celebration because of the included mimosas. Lunch suits people who want a daylight river outing. Dinner is best for a social evening, provided you confirm the departure time and accept that the music may be more upbeat than traditional dinner-cruise background music.

You might choose another activity if your top priorities are fine dining, detailed city history, or a quiet boat ride. The food is practical and varied, but the price depends on the full experience. You should also think twice if everyone in your group dislikes buffet meals or plans to skip the entertainment.

City Cruises offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility if your Philadelphia plans are still shifting. Bring a passport or ID card, warm clothing, and closed-toe shoes.

Should you book the Spirit of Philadelphia?

Book this cruise if you want Philadelphia views without arranging a separate meal, show, and waterfront walk. The reserved table, rooftop lounge, buffet variety, DJ, and 2 to 2.5 hours on the Delaware River create a full evening out of one booking.

Choose brunch for the strongest built-in drink value, lunch for a straightforward daytime outing, and dinner for a more social atmosphere. Before paying, check the departure time, pier directions, and drink costs. If you approach it as a moving party with dinner, not as a gourmet restaurant or history tour, the experience is more likely to meet your expectations.

FAQ

Where does the Philadelphia cruise depart?

The Spirit of Philadelphia departs from Penn’s Landing at 401 South Columbus Boulevard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

What meal options are available?

You can choose a buffet brunch, lunch, or dinner cruise.

Are mimosas included?

Bottomless mimosas are included with the brunch option for guests age 21 and older. Other alcoholic drinks, soda, and juice are available for purchase.

Is the meal served at a private table?

You receive a reserved private table in the climate-controlled dining room. To help your whole group sit together, make one reservation for the entire party.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, warm clothing, and closed-toe shoes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.