15 Chicago Dinner Cruises Worth Booking

1.Chicago Signature Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 348 reviews · from $89Our pick

Board at Navy Pier for a 2 to 3 hour Lake Michigan dinner cruise with assigned seating, an all-you-can-eat buffet, skyline views, and a DJ-led dance floor. You will see the Willis Tower, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, and Chicago’s glowing shoreline, weather permitting.

“All the crew was excellent, food was great. Especially like to thank Mr. Clayton Ramsey for everything he did for me great job Mr. Ramsey”

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2.City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 348 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $66

Spend about two hours aboard City Cruises Chicago from Navy Pier, enjoying a chef-prepared buffet, skyline views, a live DJ, games, and dancing. You’ll see Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium from the water. Boarding starts 30 minutes early, and the boat name may require confirmation at the dock.

“Really great experience, food fantastic, cruise so pretty as you can see the Chicago skyline and Navy Pier. Only negative experience music was geared to only one age group although there were all ages abc ethnicity.”

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3.Chicago Premier Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 344 reviews · from $49Best value

Board at Navy Pier for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a three-course chef-plated dinner, tableside service, drinks, skyline views, and a DJ. You’ll see landmarks such as Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and Willis Tower from the water. Summer departures may include fireworks.

“Every other table had fresh tulips and a candle on it, but since I was by myself I didn't get those things. They said they didn't have a table set up for me-party of 1. They only have 1 vegetarian option so if you don't like that one option they they can't make anything else. I got a Read more”

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4.City Cruises Chicago: Premier Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 334 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $88

Board The Odyssey at Navy Pier for a 2 to 3-hour Lake Michigan cruise with a plated three-course meal, table service, live DJ, dancing, and skyline views. You’ll pass landmarks from Navy Pier and Grant Park to the Willis Tower, with outdoor decks for photos and fresh air.

“Loved the salad and desert. The chicken dinner was okay”

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5.City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 217 reviews · 2 hours · from $66

Board at Navy Pier for a two-hour City Cruises Chicago ride on Lake Michigan. Choose brunch with unlimited mimosas, lunch, or dinner, then enjoy a prepared buffet, skyline views, rooftop games, dancing, and a live DJ. The cruise is family-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and best for casual celebrations.

“The ship was beautiful and well cared for. The staff was courteous and very helpful. The food was good.”

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6.City Cruises Chicago: Fireworks Signature Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 85 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Sail Lake Michigan from Navy Pier for a buffet dinner, Chicago skyline views, DJ music, dancing, and a fireworks finale when weather allows. The climate-controlled boat suits celebrations, though you should allow extra time to find the correct ship and reach the boarding point at the end of the pier.

“Great service and very pleasant atmosphere! Our group was happy with the food and the music as well.”

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7.City Cruises: Chicago Fireworks Premier Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 72 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $142

Board a City Cruises yacht at Navy Pier for a two to three hour dinner on Lake Michigan. You’ll have an assigned table, a seasonal dinner, DJ entertainment, skyline views, and a prime look at Navy Pier’s fireworks when weather allows. Champagne is included for passengers age 21 and older.

“For what the experience costs the service first of all was terrible worst service ever they did not have our table ready and we did not even get our dinners till after the fire works and on top of if it was cold just not good !”

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8.City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Fireworks Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 57 reviews · 3 hours · from $116

You will board City Cruises’ Spirit of Chicago or Spirit of Navy Pier at Navy Pier for a three-hour Lake Michigan evening cruise. Expect a multi-course buffet, Chicago architecture views, live DJ music, rooftop decks, games, a cash bar, and a fireworks show when weather allows.

“Reserve copa de champagne y fotografia y se pago por dicho servicio pero no se recibio una vez en el yate.”

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9.City Cruises Chicago: Premier Plus Brunch Cruise on Chicago River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $84

Set out from 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive at 11:30 a.m. for a 2-hour Chicago River brunch cruise. You’ll get a three-course plated meal, unlimited mimosas for ages 21 and older, architecture commentary, music, and access to climate-controlled indoor spaces and outdoor viewing areas.

“i paid for chobani yogurt, a dry chicken breast, and a bowl of sugar called tiramisu. also bring a coat because it’s arctic cold. as a local, the docent tried but was mehh. overpriced and not worth it. take the architecture tour.”

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10.City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $84

Spend about two hours aboard City Cruises Chicago’s climate-controlled boat, enjoying a plated lunch while an onboard narrator points out Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Civic Opera House, Union Station, Willis Tower, and more. Expect assigned seating, attentive service, outdoor photo areas, and a fully stocked bar for drinks.

“The boat was great. Very clean and the glass surrounding was easy to see out. However the sound system was hard to hear and if your back is to the bow of ship, you have to keep turning around to see the buildings that are being talked about. Our server, Aden, was a gem.”

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11.City Cruises Chicago: Premier Lake Michigan Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Board at Navy Pier for a two-hour brunch cruise on Lake Michigan. You’ll enjoy a prepared buffet, unlimited mimosas, coffee and tea, DJ entertainment, and views of the Willis Tower, John Hancock, Navy Pier, Adler Planetarium, and North Avenue Beach. Seating is assigned.

“Food and service were excellent, the ship was good too. The cruise could have been more interesting than just going round in circles within the breakwater, limiting view to just the immediate city coastline”

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12.Christmas Eve Lake Michigan Gourmet Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 12 reviews · from $193

Board the Odyssey Lake Michigan at Navy Pier for a 2.5-hour Christmas Eve cruise. You’ll enjoy a private table, three-course dinner, DJ music, Chicago skyline views, outdoor decks, and unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea. Alcohol is available for purchase.

“Muy divertido! La cena muy rica y el DJ genial. las vistas a la ciudad desde el lago fueron increíbles! Muy recomendable. El staff muy amable.”

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13.Chicago New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 11 reviews · from $273

Spend New Year’s Eve aboard a City Cruises vessel leaving Navy Pier at 9:30 pm. You’ll have a freshly prepared buffet, live DJ, dancing, heated indoor space, outdoor viewing decks, fireworks if weather allows, and a midnight Champagne toast. Plan extra time to find your assigned boat.

“Horrible check-in instructing and meeting point. Security was awful, but the servers and everything were fine. The issue was to get into a bout”

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14.City Cruises Chicago: Fireworks Premier Plus Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $147

Board near the NBC Tower for a two-hour Chicago River dinner cruise aboard a glass-enclosed vessel. Enjoy a plated multi-course meal, DJ music, skyline views, and, on select Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 29 through August 31, Navy Pier fireworks from the deck.

“I had an absolutely amazing experience! At first, things started off a bit chaotic! I accidentally purchased my tickets for the wrong date. I panicked, but thankfully I was able to reach out to the vendor and was connected with a wonderful woman named Samantha. She was truly invested in helping me make my birthday wish come true, and she did just that. The boat ride and dinner were nothing short of a dream. The food was exceptional, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations. My husband and I had the joy of standing on the back deck, soaking in the breathtaking views of the city while watching the fireworks…”

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15.Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago River

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $116

Spend two hours aboard City Cruises’ glass-enclosed Odyssey Chicago River for a plated Thanksgiving lunch, Chicago architecture views, coffee and tea, festive music, and outdoor-deck access. Choose turkey, cod, short rib, or vegetable ragu, with drinks available to buy.

“Awesome service friendly staff beautiful views and fun music .. the food was decent and I just wish my pumpkin pie wasn’t frozen in the middle because it was delicious”

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