City Cruises

We went on a dinner fireworks cruise August 30th. It was an absolute amazing experience. The food was delicious. The dessert so tasty. Staff on board was very welcoming and checked on us frequently. Definitely recommend if you haven't been on a cruise. The music was not good though the dj did take requests.

My husband took me on a lunch date at Odyssey to celebrate my birthday, and it was such a lovely experience! We actually had our wedding with Spirit a while back, so it was extra special to be back on the water for another celebration. Compared to Spirit, which has a buffet-style setup that’s more laid-back with more food options, Odyssey is definitely more formal with plated meals and a fine dining feel. We really enjoyed spending time on the open deck. The views were beautiful and added so much to the experience. The service was great, and everything felt relaxed yet elegant. Definitely a must-try for special occasions, date days, or just a unique way to enjoy the city during the day! ☀️🚢💛

The two stars are for the fireworks show experience and the city view. But $500 for two people for the food that they offered? WOW, it tasted as if it was all frozen boxed food. The only thing that was good was the cheesecake. I honestly would suggest to go to a 5star restaurant and only book the fireworks show cruise ride. The food is not worth it at all. Not even the drinks. Plus we were the third couple to walk in and be sat. My drink order was taken and my drink did not come until after my food was served. Which was 1.5hr later.

This review is way over due! My family and I had our first trip to Chicago July 4th weekend and we booked city cruises for my youngest daughters surprise proposal. The cruise staff from the event manager, the wait staff, photographer, DJ and the captain were a pivotal part of what turned out to be a wonderful day for my daughter and her new fiancé. The crew were not only extremely accommodating, but they were kind and and attentive to every detail. I could not have asked for a better crew and a more wonderful experience. Thank you City Cruises from the bottom of my heart!! The Ramirez Family

We had a fantastic time attending the Randy Houser dinner cruise concert. From the moment we boarded the boat, all the staff were friendly and very helpful. The buffet food was excellent, and our waitress was super nice and very attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. The concert itself did not disappoint either — it was truly a memorable performance. Overall, it was a great experience that I highly recommend!

Cruise was scheduled from 7pm-10pm. Began the cruise at 7:40pm and ended at 10 on the dot. Food was alright but needed more salt for my liking. Atmosphere was romantic: dimmed lights, 🌹 red roses, classic music (looked elegant). Waiter was very attentive left him a tip because gratuities were not included in the package. Music could have been better. DJ tried getting the mood for people to dance by 9pm. Once people were dancing on 2 songs he would switch it to a different genre. Not feeling the crowds mood.

Review: Chicago River Brunch Cruise – Beautiful Views, But Several Misses I recently attended the Chicago River Brunch Cruise with a friend and his wife, and while the skyline views were lovely, there were several aspects of the experience that left a lot to be desired. Let’s start with the directions — or lack thereof. If you’re from out of town, plan to arrive at least 30–45 minutes early. We spent an extra 12 minutes walking around trying to find the correct location because the directions provided were unclear and unhelpful. We arrived just 10 minutes before departure and missed out on most of the early service. Once onboard, it took quite a while before we were even acknowledged. I actually had to ask someone to help us find our waitress — not the best way to start a brunch experience. It became clear that 90% of the boat had already received mimosas and appetizers, while we were just getting settled. Some basic communication or signage before boarding would go a long way. Our waitress was kind, but by the end of the cruise, we were informed the kitchen was behind and were asked if we’d like our dessert boxed to go. Then it arrived on plates — confusing. I had the cheesecake, and sadly, it was disappointing: very lumpy, not creamy, and no graham cracker crust. Definitely not the indulgent dessert I was expecting on a brunch cruise. Another issue: the bathrooms. They were technically clean, but the odor was overwhelming — enough to disrupt the dining experience. Now for the silver lining — Edgar Santa. If there was one redeeming element of this experience, it was Edgar. His infectious smile, uplifting energy, and genuine care for every guest stood out. He made a point to brighten everyone’s day and ensured we felt welcomed, even when other parts of the experience fell flat. He’s a star — do not let this gem of a human go unnoticed. He saved the day. Final thoughts: Beautiful views, but poor guest orientation, delayed service, subpar dessert, and foul-smelling restrooms make it hard to recommend this without major improvements. That said, if you go — ask for Edgar!