Chicago

Chicago Buffet Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan

Chicago, USA
Spirit of Chicago Lunch Cruise with Buffet
  • 2 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Perfect for families, groups, and corporate outings, the Spirit of Chicago lunch cruise lets you kick back and enjoy a great meal while taking in the sights of Chicago's most famed landmarks. See and photograph the dramatic city skyline, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium. The cruise includes a delicious buffet lunch with salads, entrees, desserts, and unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. There's also a DJ, games, and a dance floor to keep your group entertained.
  • Lunch cruise on Lake Michigan aboard the Spirit of Chicago
  • See the Chicago skyline and attractions from the water
  • Buffet lunch with freshly-prepared food
  • On-board entertainment includes music, a dance floor, and games

What's Included

  • A two-hour cruise on Lake Michigan
  • Delicious lunch buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads and desserts (view menu)
  • Unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea and water
  • Guaranteed table for your party size
  • Onboard entertainment with DJ, dance floor, and games (giant jenga, foosball, etc.
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Beverages
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

    Boarding: Navy Pier. Parking: City Cruises does not own or operate any parking lots in the area. Local parking is available at 600 E Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60611 for our Navy Pier Departures. Alternative parking is available at 460 E. Illinois St. and 403 E. Grand Ave. (one block from Navy Pier).

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Step aboard your boat and meet the other members of your group. Depart from the dock, beginning your cruise on the water.

Stop by the observation deck to take in the views or take a seat beside one of the panoramic windows to relax as the cityscape goes by. Immerse yourself in the energy of the city as you gaze at the landmarks along the Chicago skyline, including the Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and Shedd Aquarium.

Indulge in a delicious buffet lunch featuring freshly prepared entrees, salads, and deserts, as well as unlimited nonalcoholic beverages. Then, enjoy an afternoon of entertainment with a live DJ, games, and a dance floor onboard.

Have fun in the lively atmosphere and connect with your group until the end of your excursion.

City Experiences By Hornblower

Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • There is no smoking inside the boat
  • Infants aged 2 years and under are free of charge (meal not included)
  • Stroller accessible
  • For men, appropriate attire includes slacks and a polo or button-down shirt. For women, nice slacks, capri pants or a sundress is recommended.
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Infant seats available
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Seating is only guaranteed together for the number of tickets confirmed on this voucher. Reservations may not be combined.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Filter by:

Q:Where is the departure point for the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:The Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan departs from Navy Pier: 600 E Grand Ave Chicago, IL 60611.

Apr 2021

Q:Is there parking near the departure point for the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Local Parking is available at 600 E Grand Ave. Alternative parking is available at 460 E. Illinois St. and 403 E. Grand Ave. (one block from Navy Pier.) There may be a fee for parking.

Apr 2021

Q:Is the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan handicap accessible?

A:Yes. Please be sure to notate any special needs or requests in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there any age restrictions on the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:There are no age restrictions. Children ages 3-11 enjoy a discount rate and infants under 3 years old go free as lap children.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there high chairs available for my child during the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Yes, high chairs are available for use during the lunch cruise.

Apr 2021

Q:How should I dress for the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Business casual attire is appropriate; such as khaki pants and collared shirts. Please no shorts, tank tops, flip flops, or gym shoes.

Apr 2021

Q:How early should I check in for the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Boarding time is 30 minutes prior to departure.

Apr 2021

Q:Can I smoke on board the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Smoking is allowed on the outside decks only. Please dispose of all refuse in proper receptacles. Do not throw anything into the water. Please help us keep our harbors clean.

Apr 2021

Q:Where do we sit on the boat during the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:As you board, our Captain and Marine Crew will direct you to your deck. From there the Host/Hostess will show your party to your assigned table(s). Seats are assigned based on needs and capacity for each cruise.

Apr 2021

Q:Are there vegetarian selections available during the Chicago Lunch Cruise on Lake Michigan?

A:Yes, vegetarian options are available with notice. If you require any dietary restrictions or have food allergies, please notate them in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Apr 2021

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.0
260 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 260 reviews
Excellent birthday celebration
RIGOBERTO_G, Apr 2024
Great experience, good food and awesome atmosphere made for a birthday celebration an even better day.
Great experience for me...
Pearl_E, Apr 2024
Great experience for me and my family . The weather was good. I think the food could be better. The only complaints I have is that we did not know the the appetizer is no included in the menu, so we had to pay again for the appetizer and the drinks.
Good
Bre_W, Apr 2024
Buffet was good, atmosphere and music was good. I rather seen less children but i enjoyed the cruise.
⭐️
Francisco_G, Mar 2024
It was a great experience. Good food , music, amazing views to the city and the staff was ver friendly and nice.
Almost 5 stars except…
Cassandra_B, Mar 2024
I enjoyed the brunch the food was delicious. The music was just okay at first but once the dance floor opened the music was great. If I had one complaint it would be the cruise itself. I thought that we would be making a trip up the Chicago river but we just basically made a circle and that was very disappointing. The boat should at least show more sites rather than just Navy Pier otherwise it was okay.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hi Cassandra- We’re so sorry to hear your experience did not meet expectations. Please know we greatly appreciate the feedback you have provided us, and we will pass this along to the respective team. Thank you for your time.
Definitely worth it
Juliette_J, Dec 2023
the food, the music, the dancing and interacting with the crowd. The food service was good and the food selection was pleasing. multiple food options
Horrible Experience!!!
Kelly_K, Nov 2023
The cruise was awful. There was a DJ playing songs that no one has ever heard of; the entire trip! We were on top of other people. The tables were so close together. The food was awful and the chicken smelled like body odor! We hated every single thing. The waitress told us she just bought a house and that we needed to tip her. I will never go on another cruise again!!
Response from Host, Nov 2023
Hi Kelly- Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. Please know it is never our intention to provide a less than exceptional experience aboard our vessels, and it’s reviews like yours that help us continually improve. Again, we truly appreciate your feedback and thank you for your time.
Disappointing
Ian_D, Nov 2023
T I remember mostly not getting served by the waiter. We had to go to the bar to get any drinks. They said they didn’t have us on their list and then we don’t drink liquor and all the soda machines were broken the soda taste like Alka-Seltzer very disappointed will never ever book another trip with this organization
Will.do again
Hantamalala_R, Nov 2023
Very nice small cruise. The food is perfect. The view amazing. I remove 1 star because the DJ was mean. We asked him to make.a special announcement for our son's birthday, he asked us to send it via Spotif. We did, but he didn't read it until we left the boat. Another family came to him after us (Caucasian) and asked the same thing for their daughter. 2 min later, he did the announcement . That's an Unprofessional behavior.
Great Buffet Spirit Cruise
Arrica_T, Oct 2023
It was my birthday, the food was great music was great the atmosphere was great and overall the waitress artist was outstanding she went above her job to make sure we were good.when visiting Chicago again my husband and i will take the dinner cruise.
Remained docked, but satisfied with what we received.
Leilani_G, Oct 2023
Unfortunately, we remained docked, due to mostly the weather and I do believe because of low attendance the boat did not sail. : (( Which is why I'm sure people actually book the lunch cruise for the cruise experience. You did have an option of getting a refund/credit but we were from out of town and needed to eat anyway, so we stayed and got free alcoholic drinks and a picture included. Pleasantly, the food was fantastic!!!! I'm picky and there was plenty of delicious, perfectly prepared food, a good selection of music, and the staff were accommodating. The other patrons on board were nice, which also contributes to a good experience. I plan on returning again hopefully with better weather because I do want the full experience.
Great Time
David_B, Oct 2023
This made my wife’s birthday quite memorable. My wife has a allergy and they were able to make a version of the food she could eat. The views were amazing as it really showed off Chicago. I would recommend this to anyone.
40th anniversary tour
Aggie_M, Oct 2023
Great buffet selection so don't have a breakfast!! Staff were friendly but the only downside was that one of our tables had collapsed slightly and we had asked at least 3 members of staff to fix it but had to arrange things ourselves so we could have our lunch. It was a beautiful day so got some lovely pictures of Chicago from lake Michigan.
A MAGNIFICENT ANNIVERSARY TRIP
Linda_M, Oct 2023
My Server name was Shanny, and she and other staff pampered us the whole cruise! She left a note congratulations us on celebrating our 46th Wedding Anniversary, she brought us Delicious Cheese Cake, shetold the DJ, who announced our Anniversary and Everyone clapped! And I saw my Best Friend on the cruise! It was MAGICAL! ⚘️💕
Much gratitude and appreciation. Thank you.
Dwayne_J, Oct 2023
It was a great experience. I really enjoy myself with my significant other. We had a great time. Great customer service good food awesome lake view top it all it was my birthday
A RELAXING TIME!
Donna_B, Sep 2023
The cruise was very relaxing & enjoyable. The view of Chicago from the ship was beautiful. The lunch buffet was nice & good. I could have stayed on the ship longer; the time passed by too quickly.
Fun and tasty experience on Lake Michigan
TATIANA_K, Sep 2023
Our experience was very rewarding. I brought a guest that was visiting from another country. Staff was very accommodating and moved us to a window seat so my friend could take pictures. The area was clean, staff friendly, buffet had a good selection of choice foods. Only downside was that no one came to our table to ask if we wanted coffee, we needed some to warm up because the room was very chilly. Otherwise, will recommend to others and take buffet cruise again. 👍
Cruise
Constance_M, Sep 2023
The view and the food was good and the waiter who brought us drinks. The only problem was the buffet line..long and people up front by buffet cutting in line.
You have to try this
Michael_C, Sep 2023
Amazing experience and well worth the cost. Decent food but the atmosphere and vibe is superb. The staff was very inviting.
Had a great time the...
Donald_M, Sep 2023
Had a great time the staff was great the food was great and the music was festival just wish we had better weather. Over all we had a great time and look forward to doing it again.
...
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