ON THE WATER · LUNCH CRUISES IN THE USA

Lunch Cruises in the USA: the 15 Best Tables Afloat

33 tours  ·  from $44 a head

The 15 best lunch cruises in the USA you can book today, with the fare, the sailing time and what actually arrives at the table. Number one fills its tables for a reason; start there.

New Orleans: Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Lunch Option - Boarding from the French Quarter
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New Orleans: Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Lunch Option

1.Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Lunch Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,576 reviews · from $44Our pick

Spend two hours aboard New Orleans’ authentic Sternwheeler Steamboat Natchez, listening to live jazz, hearing river narration, and touring the steam engine room. Add a fresh Creole lunch with coffee and iced tea. The boat leaves from the French Quarter, with the Riverboat City of New Orleans filling in during annual maintenance.

“Great experience and very relaxing. The music was fun and the tire guide was very informative”

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General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville - The Cumberland River views and the downtown skyline
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General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

2.General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,362 reviews · from $111

Board the General Jackson Showboat for a roughly four-hour Nashville cruise with hotel pickup from select downtown hotels. Choose lunch or dinner, enjoy a Southern meal in the Victorian theater, then watch live music, comedy, and dancers. Daylight lunch cruises suit sightseeing, while dinner adds an orchestra and evening atmosphere.

“The show was very good. The food was a good buffet and there was a lot, Waiter for drinks but there were several bars for drinks. Of course the views of downtown from the General Jackson.”

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Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise in New Orleans - The Boat Is More Than a Floating Dining Room
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Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise in New Orleans

3.Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 889 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43Best value

Cruise the Mississippi from Toulouse Street aboard a historic paddle-wheel boat for two hours of live jazz, narration, and optional Louisiana brunch. Expect gumbo, shrimp and grits, pain perdu, cinnamon rolls, river views, indoor seating, and drinks for purchase.

“Nice day cruise with informative narration and history. Having the jazz music added to the ride, how could you not be put into a good mood?!?”

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NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise - Choosing brunch, lunch, or dinner
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NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

4.NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112

Board at Pier 61 for a 2 to 3 hour cruise with a reserved table, three-course meal, live music, narration, and panoramic views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Statue of Liberty. Choose brunch, lunch, or semi-formal dinner, with unlimited mimosas available on selected brunch sailings.

“Little pricey but a nice time. Would have been interesting to have someone outside that could be exploring the different areas/landmarks as you passed them (or were upcoming for photo opportunities)”

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DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise - Boarding at Pier 4
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DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

5.DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 803 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $58

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.”

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Cincinnati: Riverboat Cruise with Lunch and Entertainment - What the Buffet Includes
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Cincinnati: Riverboat Cruise with Lunch and Entertainment

6.Cincinnati: Riverboat Cruise with Lunch and Entertainment

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 728 reviews · 2 hours · from $56

Board BB Riverboats at Newport Landing for a two-hour Ohio River cruise with reserved seating, a three-course buffet lunch, coffee and tea, and live entertainment. Banjo Bob has provided local stories and old-time music on some sailings, while open upper decks offer broad views of Cincinnati and Kentucky.

“Everyone was very friendly and the guide was very knowledgeable. The BB Riverboats are a great way to see Cincy an KY from a different point of view.”

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Savannah: Sightseeing Lunch Cruise - Following the Savannah River toward the port
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Savannah: Sightseeing Lunch Cruise

7.Savannah: Sightseeing Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 717 reviews · 2 hours · from $62

Spend two hours aboard a Savannah Riverboat with a Southern lunch buffet, live English narration, and views of the river, port, local wildlife, and Old Fort Jackson. Captain Zaccheus and other onboard guides bring Savannah’s past to life, while attentive servers such as Jaleea, Renay, and Lucy add a personal touch.

“Savannah is a beautiful city. We loved the Hop Off and On Trolley which allowed us to see more of the city in a short amount of time. The River Cruise was very nice. The food was good and the service excellent. I would highly recommend.”

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DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise - Brunch on a Moving Buffet
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DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

8.DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 613 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $73

Cruise Washington’s Potomac River aboard The Odyssey for a buffet brunch or three-course dinner. You’ll dine at a private table, see the Washington and Lincoln Memorials from the water, and use three climate-controlled decks. Brunch includes unlimited mimosas, coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.

“It was a fun evening with great food and entertainment!! All staff were very nice and welcoming. It was a “a good feeling “ atmosphere! Thanks to all!!”

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City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise - What your $58.52 covers
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City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise

9.City Cruises DC: Scenic Buffet Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 418 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $58

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.”

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City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan - Navy Pier departure: allow extra time to find the boat
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City Cruises Chicago: Signature Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

10.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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City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise - Pier 3 boarding and the first views
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City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise

11.City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $104Top rated

Spend about two hours aboard City Cruises from Pier 3, with brunch, champagne, mimosas, music, and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon, and both bay bridges. Tables are assigned in advance, and window seats are not guaranteed.

“Excellent and fun. Great staff. Super helpful staff. We would definitely do it again. Good and music were awesome.”

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City Cruises Chicago: Premier Lunch or Dinner Cruise - Finding The Odyssey at Navy Pier
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City Cruises Chicago: Premier Lunch or Dinner Cruise

12.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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City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise - Boarding at 11 a.m. near the Embarcadero
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City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

13.City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 311 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

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.”

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City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise - A buffet with more than the usual cruise fare
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City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise

14.City Cruises Boston: Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 306 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $77

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!”

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2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River - The southern run: Hawthorne Bridge to Sellwood
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2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

15.2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 269 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend two hours aboard Portland Spirit cruising the Willamette River, with a reserved table, Northwest lunch, live piano, and views of Portland’s bridges, parks, homes, and landmarks. Commentary is available on the outer decks, and gluten-free and vegan options can be arranged.

“This was a very pleasant afternoon. Come prepared to eat a lot. Excellent staff, first rate pilot and wonderful food.”

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New in Lunch Cruises in the USA

★ 4.0Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $803 reviews
★ 5.0Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $782 reviews
★ 4.3City Cruises Buffet Lunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $7420 reviews
★ 4.5City Cruises Elizabeth River Buffet Lunch CruiseFrom $69109 reviews
★ 4.0Marina Del Rey: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $1434 reviews
★ 4.0City Cruises Baltimore: Signature Lunch CruiseFrom $88123 reviews
★ 4.5City Cruises Baltimore: Signature Bottomless Mimosa Brunch CruiseFrom $8924 reviews
★ 4.0Boston Signature Lunch CruiseFrom $85132 reviews
★ 4.7City Cruises Buffet Breakfast and Brunch CruiseFrom $99130 reviews
★ 4.5Boston Harbor Brunch CruiseFrom $106143 reviews
★ 4.7Marina del Rey: City Cruises Champagne Brunch CruiseFrom $100133 reviews
★ 4.7Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through DowntownFrom $88170 reviews

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