ON THE WATER · BUFFET CRUISES IN THE USA
Every trip has one evening that has to count. These 15 buffet cruises in the USA earn it, priced and timed so you can pick in minutes and get back to the packing.
Cruise the Ohio River from Newport for two hours with reserved indoor seating, a buffet dinner, music, and views of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Choose a date-night cruise or Sunday family sailing. Coffee, tea, iced tea, and water are included; drinks from the cash bar cost extra.
“Had a great time on our Anniversary great food and very happy with cruise”
Board at 6 p.m. near Olympia Cafe for a two-hour Savannah River dinner cruise. Expect Southern buffet favorites such as shrimp and grits and prime rib, live musicians, dancing, and upper-deck views. The boat sails at 7 p.m. and returns at 9 p.m.
“everyone on the second deck was great all the staff and musicians”
Board the Spirit of Washington at Pier 4 for a two to two-and-a-half-hour Potomac cruise with lunch, dinner, or brunch options. You’ll have a private table, attended buffet or plated meal, music, and views of Alexandria, National Harbor, the Washington Monument, and more.
“The atmosphere was nice. The food choices could be better.”
Spend about two hours aboard a modern City Cruises dining ship, with a buffet lunch, coffee, tea, onboard bars, DJ music, and views of the Washington Monument, Alexandria, Reagan National Airport, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Expect assigned seating and a social party atmosphere.
“We loved this short cruise. The staff were very friendly and the food was great. The only negative is the loud music. It was hard to have a conversation with family and friends due to the loudness of the music.”
Board at Penn’s Landing for a 2.5-hour dinner cruise on the Delaware River. You’ll get an all-you-can-eat buffet, assigned seating, skyline views, DJ music, dancing, and outdoor decks. It suits birthdays and date nights, but loud music and uneven food quality may not suit a quiet dinner.
“It was great, you shouldn’t change anything. It was a smooth ride and the hosts were great and showed attention to us and our needs. Our waiter was Joy and she made us feel welcomed and made sure it was announced that it was my wife and I anniversary. I would recommend this experience to my friends and family. My wife and I said that we would do it again if we were back in the area.”
Board City Cruises San Diego for a two-hour brunch on the bay. You’ll have a private table, seasonal buffet dishes, unlimited Champagne, mimosas, and sparkling cider, plus views of Coronado Bridge, the Star of India, Naval Air Station, Point Loma, and Petco Park.
“Well organized, excellent service, great, food ready when we boarded. The cruise up the bay was scenic and pleasant. The ship itself was clean with plenty of room to move around. If visiting San Diego again I would certainly do it again.”
Board Spirit of Boston at Commonwealth Pier for a 2 to 3 hour harbor cruise with a chef-prepared buffet, private table, live DJ, dancing, and open-air decks. You will pass the USS Constitution, Zakim Bridge, North End, and Castle Island while enjoying Boston from the water.
“Excellent views of Boston while on the water! Good food and fun activities!”
Board at Gangplank Marina for a 2-hour Washington DC brunch cruise with a buffet of breakfast and lunch dishes, bottomless mimosas, coffee, tea, DJs, and Potomac views. Expect assigned seating, three climate-controlled dining rooms, outdoor decks, and a lively party mood rather than a quiet sightseeing boat ride.
“It was awesome experience our waiter Wayne was exceptionally attentive!!!!!! The whole staff was amazing”
Spend 2.5 hours aboard the Spirit of Norfolk on an Elizabeth River dinner cruise from downtown Norfolk. Enjoy an attended buffet, coffee, tea, music, skyline views, Navy vessels, and access to the large outdoor observation deck. Alcoholic drinks cost extra.
“Excellent customer service! Amazing staff!! Very clean.. Overall highly recommend!!”
Spend about three hours aboard City Cruises Washington DC for a buffet dinner, Potomac River views, sunset sightseeing, and DJ-led dancing. You’ll see landmarks such as the Washington Monument and may pass the memorials, Kennedy Center, or Alexandria, though the route can vary.
“Food was decent. People working were super nice but service was chaotic at first. Took a long time to get our initial drink. They made it up to us and we had great views and overall a good time.”
Spend two hours aboard a yacht from North Harbor Drive, enjoying a full brunch buffet, private table seating, champagne or sparkling cider, music, and bay views. Use the open-air roof deck for photos of the USS Midway, Hotel del Coronado, Star of India, and Coronado Bay Bridge.
“The food was great. The service exptional. The views were wonderful. Throughly enjoyed every aspect for the cruise. Worth every cent.”
Spend four hours aboard a Circle Line cruise for Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks. You’ll get a buffet of burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, salads, and desserts, plus beer, wine, soft drinks, a specialty cocktail, DJ music, and views of Lady Liberty and Manhattan.
“Once in a lifetime experience I enjoy every minute of it. Money well spent and I’m planning my next trip now.”
Sail Norfolk’s Elizabeth River for two hours aboard a City Cruises buffet vessel. You’ll be seated by the crew, enjoy salads, hot entrées, desserts, coffee, and tea, then head outside for Navy ship and skyline views. DJ entertainment, games, cocktails for purchase, and onboard narration round out the trip.
“It was a very rewarding ride! My husband loved it, we enjoyed it a lot, the food and drinks were great and the crew did a great job to entertain us with their dances and excellent service! I definitely recommend them and I would happily do that tour again. Thanks”
Sail from Norfolk’s Waterside District for about 2.5 hours with a buffet dinner, skyline and river views, music from a DJ, dancing, and access to upper decks. Arrive 30 minutes early at 173 Waterside Drive. The cruise suits dates, birthdays, families, and groups, though drinks and photos cost extra.
“The atmosphere was perfect. The music was outstanding. The food fabulous. We loved it will and definitely be there again!”
Board the Spirit of Baltimore at 561 Light St for a two-hour brunch cruise with a buffet, coffee, tea, unlimited mimosas, music, dancing, and Inner Harbor views. Server Unique is praised for attentive service. The mood is lively, though music, temperature, and food quality can vary.
“Wonderful, lively, fun day cruise experience 😀 I enjoyed the food, music, and dancing. The service was superb. I had so much fun I didn't want to leave.”
Pick a river, a harbour or a kind of evening.
