spirit of washington cruise washington dc

Sightseeing and Dining Cruises

City cruises.

City Cruises (formerly known as Hornblower Cruises & Events) offers water experiences beyond compare. Choose from a variety of cruises including: dinner cruises, brunch cruises, lunch cruises, cocktail cruises, sightseeing cruises, and holiday cruises. All of the vessels are conveniently docked at The Wharf, giving you the perfect launch point to explore the nation’s capital from the water.

Odyssey Savor delicious entrees and desserts as this glass-enclosed vessel drifts by the sights—accompanied by a relaxing atmosphere and live music.

Spirit of Washington Cruises A unique mix of dining, entertainment, and views, Spirit of Washington offers offers lunch, dinner, and holiday cruises, plus a variety of themed cruises.

Elite Private Yachts Host your own event or plan an unforgettable jaunt on the Potomac by chartering one of our two private yachts. Our sleek vessels are the perfect backdrop for weddings and other special occasions.

Water Taxi   Come to The Wharf’s Transit Pier to catch a ride on the Water Taxi to Georgetown in DC, Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, or National Harbor in Maryland—and enjoy the scenic views of the nation’s capital from the Potomac. Sightseeing Cruises See the famous monuments of Washington, DC from an entirely new perspective on this narrated sightseeing cruise. You’ll travel along the Potomac River while taking in breathtaking views of the Washington monuments and famous landmarks.

Sightseeing cruises depart from Transit Pier (970 Wharf St SW). Dining cruises (all others) depart from Pier 4 ( 580 Water St SW ).

Learn about Getting to The Wharf , including metro and parking directions.

Get Your Fill at The Wharf

Fresh seafood is a given on the waterfront. But The Wharf offers more, including a wide selection of distinctive choices for food, drinks, and entertainment while you eat. Watch the chefs prepare your meal. Listen to music. Or just people-watch while you savor the flavors of The Wharf.

Do It All on the Waterfront

Whether you like to be on the Potomac or prefer the sparkling views from land, The Wharf offers ample things to do and ways to enjoy the water. Dine in one of our fabulous restaurants. Browse our shops. Or join us during one of our festivals. Take a look at our upcoming events to plan your next visit.

Spirit of Washington

Hours updated 1 week ago

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Review Highlights

“ But yes, after this lunch cruise , we're definitely booking a dinner cruise and hope the same crew will be there. ” in 20 reviews

“ There are panoramic windows all around the dining hall and it was an incredible sunset and view of the harbor and the Potomac river . ” in 5 reviews

“ The food was buffet style and I was glad they had it organized by table because I was not sure how that was going to work. ” in 10 reviews

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Location & Hours

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580 Water St SW

Washington, DC 20024

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What kind of music do they play?

On our 4th of July cruise, they played a variety of music including 80's, Classic Rock, R&B, recent pop, line dancing style (including macarena, electric slide, and newer styles). There was a variety of ages on board but those of us on our 40's &… more

My fiancé is turning 30 and we normally like r&band hip hop on this cruise do they play that type of music?

Yes! We had a wonderful time and danced a lot.

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

223 reviews

On 4/14/2024, my friends and I went on the Spirit of Washington, for brunch/mimosa, and had a great time. the energy was amazing. The length of time on the boat was just right. The customer service from Zanina, Ismael, Luther and Eric was top tier. The food was ok but the bottomless mimosas made up for it.

BFF's about to board the Spirit of Washington...

We booked a Friday evening dinner cruise with City Cruises. This is one of the cruise ships, The Oddesy is the other. This ship has been newly remodeled and is now called Spirit of Baltimore. The ship is roomy and very elegant. We were allowed to board at 6:00. The cruise began at 7:00. The crew is very accommodating. They offered a dinner buffet on our particular cruise. Dinner began before the ship left port. They called tables up in an orderly fashion. The food was top-notch, offering several salad and side options. There were a variety of entrees. I enjoyed the baked salmon. Several different desserts were on a separate table as well. Once the cruise started, they had a DJ. He started out playing what I would call dinner music. This soon turned into loud hip-hop music. I thought it distracted from the ambiance of the cruise. The cruise lasted just over 2 hours. We spent a lot of time on the rear deck as it was a bit quieter. I gave them a 3 star rating. The food was 5 star, the ambiance 1 star. I felt like I was on a hip-hop party cruise. The food and views were excellent. I just wish the cruise had rather nice dinner music or a narration of the sights along the Potomac.

I attended a weekday lunchtime cruise on the Potomac as part of a work retreat. It was a nice time, mostly because it offered a nice environment to socialize with my colleagues. While I wouldn't recommend the Spirit of Washington generally speaking, I have to acknowledge the following- - A pleasant ride with very nice views of the Virginia coastline. The gorgeous weather really helped. - Very good service, including a FANTASTIC DJ who contributes to a fun party atmosphere. The interior of the boat was like a restaurant, a bit claustrophobic because of the tight table arrangement and low ceiling. The lunch buffet was quite unremarkable, especially if you're a vegetarian (unless if you're one of those salad-loving vegetarians, they offer three). I wouldn't take this trip alone or with few people, but if you're with a large party it can be fun. Check out the top deck if the weather is pleasant.

It has been well over 30 years since I've been on the Spirit of Washington. I was told they're under new management. I could tell (in a good way) from the new menu and the way the cruise went. We did the lunch cruise on a Sunday. I was with a party of 10, celebrating my mom's 60th birthday. Our server, Dwayne was really good. He was attentive, patient and very engaging. The food was pretty good. The DJ played a variety of music for us to dance to. It was a pleasant experience for all, even the 5 year old and 2 teens enjoyed themselves. Would definitely return for dinner and brunch.

We had an absolutely amazing evening. The staff had us cracking up and encourage you to get on the dance floor. The food was decent. Overall great experience.

4-stars for a great time on the spirit of Washington. This may seem overdue, but it is worth sharing my experience. During a solo trip to D.C. in June, I was seeking an opportunity to see the beauty of the potomac river. The Spirit of Washington popped up as a must-see experience in TripAdvisor. I simply booked my ticket online and showed up at boarding for an evening cruise. I've done something similar in New York City, where I'm from, but this seems a bit more upscale. When I arrived at the dock, they checked my ticket and directed me to the gate. There is a photographer ready to take your photo for a charge. I opted out but it is a nice touch, especially if you are able to catch a shot during sunset. Getting onto the boat was also seamless as the hostess checks you in and seats you immediately. The boat was not very packed but it was enough for a fun experience. I opted for a seat on the upper level. We left promptly and sailed for about 2 hours. The ship itself is very nice. It seems modern, clean, and brightly lit. Outside on the decks, there was plenty of space to stand and see the views. There are also a few seats but limited. If you aren't a fan of the crowds, you can easily see the beauty from the comfort of your seat. I took my time to look out from the lower and upper decks and loved them equally. It was especially beautiful to see the sun set on a perfect evening. The views were also unmatched. Seeing the potomac river during the sunset was really beautiful and I enjoyed every moment. Within a few minutes of sitting down, my server came over and greeted me. Yelp has a great offer for a free drink of choice when you check-in, which I took advantage of. I got the 'Cherry Lime Collins' which was refreshing. They offer a full bar, so the options are plentiful. About 20 minutes or so into the ride, they began to serve food. The food is nothing to rave about unfortunately. Everything was pretty bland. Among the options, were garlic mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, pasta in a pesto sauce, mixed field greens, honey sesame chicken, braised beef short ribs, and a baked crusted fish fillet. The best thing was probably the fish, potatoes, and broccoli. I had high expectations for the chicken, but it was bland. The salad ran out very quickly and staff took awhile to replenish. Dessert was an assortment of cookies, brownies, and fresh fruit, also nothing amazing. I guess I had anticipated a bit more in terms of food, so I would say I was disappointed but not surprised based on past reviews. Among other things, I also noticed people going up for more food but using the same plate. This is an absolute no-no for food safety. I did not see staff monitoring the buffet station, so I wish they would do that a little better. Granted, I only saw one person, who knows how many other people did that. Once dinner was over, the party began. The DJ was great and he welcomed everyone to the dance floor. He played a mix of old and new hits from a range of genres but mostly pop, R&B/hip-hop, and some salsa. The dance floor is on the lower lever and a great size but not many people were up and moving. People were either outside on the deck or sitting down chatting. So the few that did get up to dance, were lively but they would leave after one or two songs, then come back later. Staff also joined in for a few songs, which made it all the more fun. I loved that there were people of all ages dancing. From children to elderly, everyone was having a wonderful time. We danced and danced until the boat came back to the dock. Overall, I had a wonderful time. 4-stars for an enjoyable experience but the food needs improvement. I would've given 4.5 stars if I could, instead. Total cost was $173 for the ticket which includes taxes. I think it is reasonable for this type of experience. I left a tip for my server although I'm not sure if it is required. Staff were very nice and attentive. I had no issues and everyone that I encountered was willing to help me whenever asked. I even made conversation with some as they noticed my NYC accent. The facilities were also spotless and clean, no issues. This is a great experience for families, couples, or even friends looking for a unique experience out. I will definitely be returning and I've already started looking at City Experiences in other cities.

See all photos from Monique M. for Spirit of Washington

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Business Owner

Dec 5, 2022

Hi Monique, we’re thrilled to get this kind of feedback.Thank you for taking the time to review us. Hope to see you again in the near future!

I have been on these cruises numerous times and have always had a wonderful experience. Saturday was not a good experience. We paid a lot of money for the 2 of us. The food was pretty subpar, the service was disinterested. What was worse was the LOUD, OBNOXIOUS and VULGAR so-called music. It was full of vulgarity and there were numerous children. We were less than 20 feet from the DJ and we could not hold any kind of conversation. My wife scheduled this for my birthday but there was no indication of the type and volume of music. Had we been on the upper or lower deck it would have been better. In any case there were many underdressed women cramming the dance floor making getting to the restroom or out on deck nearly impossible. And there was supposed to be a tour explanation of the sites. Overall, this was a piss poor outing for us. As much as I love boats and the food I have had previously had on these excursions, I cannot see myself doing this again.

July 2021 - COVID Review: My husband and I went for the dinner buffet cruise to celebrate my milestone birthday on a Saturday night! The staff were so fun and kind! Our server was Alexis and I was so surprised to have received a hand-written birthday card from her already at the table when we went to get seated! The food options were good and the DJ kept a lot of people on the dance floor! The ship also has a nice rooftop with seating where you can go to enjoy. It was a really nice and memorable 2.5 hour ride on the Potomac and we even got to see the sunset.

Dec 22, 2021

Hi VyVy -Wow, this is great to hear! Thanks for letting us know about your special occasion! This sort of feedback is exactly why we do what we do, so we really appreciate you reaching out! Thanks again, and we hope to see you back soon.

Food is very poor, service non existent and overall value is terrible. View up top was saving grace, but only enough seats for about 5% of the passengers. Find another option.

I really enjoyed our time on the Spirit of Washington. I've chartered a private boat tour through Entertainment Cruises before, but the food was horrible. When my team decided to do a lunch buffet tour on the Spirit of Washington, I was kind of worried that it wouldn't be fun or good. I'm happy to report that I was wrong. From the time we showed up to when we left, it was awesome! We drove up from Richmond and after coffee on the road, needed to find a restroom. Note that right now, parking is difficult because of all the construction so we ended up parking a good bit away and walking. One of the workers overheard us looking for a restroom and let us in early to go. He then let us hang out until our cruise started about 30 minutes later. The ship is really nice. We were seated on the first deck and our server was quick to greet us and offer drinks. I had a margarita that was good, but skewed on the sweet side. Others had a tiki cup with a spiked lemonade and like it. The buffet included a selection of salads, sides and meats. There were also several desserts. We helped ourselves and then quickly moved to the outside deck. The food was good. There was a chicken, flounder, meatballs, etc. everything was tasty. The best part of the whole event was sitting outside in the sun and being on the water. I'm a beach girl so I judge quality of life by how many months in the year I can wear flip flops. This made me miss the ocean, although the water was brown and murky. The sun, breeze, boat and beverages made it a terrific cruise.

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Embark on a fun and leisurely lunch cruise aboard the Spirit of Washington, a three-deck ship with climate-controlled indoor decks, a rooftop lunge, spacious dance floors and a DJ. Savor a chef-prepared buffet with unlimited tea and coffee, and enjoy panoramic views of the city skyline and landmarks like the Washington Monument and National Harbor. up to 2 hrs 1 or more people

Good To Know

• Enjoy an extensive lunch buffet while cruising on the Potomac River.
• The Spirit of Washington features three climate-controlled interior decks, outdoor observation decks, and a roof-top lounge.
• Departs from Pier 4 in The Wharf Marina. Boarding starts 30 minutes prior to your scheduled cruise time.
• Nearby parking is limited due to construction at the District Wharf. Please allow time to find parking or ride the train.
• Recommended for friends, colleagues and the whole family. Kids ages two and under cruise free!
• Creative cocktails, wine and beer are available for purchase at the well-stocked cash bar.
• Must be age 21+ with a government-issued ID to be served alcoholic drinks.
• Try the onboard games or hit the dance floor as the DJ spins today's hottest tunes.

Description

Spirit of Washington DC Signature Lunch Cruise Reviews

Spirit of Washington DC Signature Lunch Cruise is located at City Experiences by Hornblower • Pier 4 • Washington , DC 20024

Nearby Things to Do

• Odyssey Washington DC Premier Lunch Cruise
• Washington DC Premier Brunch Cruise
• Spirit of Washington DC Dinner Cruise
• Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise
• Smithsonian National Museum of Air & Space Tour

Nearby Hotels & Lodging

• Cambria Hotel Washington D.C. Capitol Riverfront
• Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Washington, DC/Downtown
• DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC - Crystal City
• Club Quarters Hotel, Washington DC, White House
• Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/US Capitol

Frequently Asked Questions about Spirit of Washington DC Signature Lunch Cruise

Where does the washington dc signature scenic lunch cruise depart from.

The lunch cruise departs from Pier 4—580 Water Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. It's located in The Wharf Marina.

Is there parking?

City Experiences does not operate any parking lots in the area. However, you'll find parking options at the garage next to Pier 4 at 607 Water Street, 1100 4th St. SW near the Waterfront subway station, and at District Wharf at 1000 Water Street SW. Fees may apply.

What's the closest train station to the pier?

The nearest station is Waterfront Metro (Greenline), just two blocks from the pier at 399 M St. SW, Washington, DC 20024.

Are children allowed on the lunch cruise?

Yes. Children are welcome to join, plus ages two and below cruise free! Don't forget to select a free ticket for infants to ensure admittance to the Spirit of Washington.

What is the Spirit of Washington?

The Spirit of Washington is a four-level yacht-style dining vessel featuring three climate-controlled interior decks, three outer observation decks, and a roof deck. It's equipped with an onboard restroom, dancefloor, DJ entertainment, and a bar.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Spirit of Washington is wheelchair accessible and has a ramped entrance. There are stairs from level 3 to the roof deck, but guests with wheelchairs can still enjoy the three outdoor observation decks from levels 1 to 3.

Is there a dress code?

Yes. The lunch cruise requires casual attire: khakis, nice jeans, dresses, button-up shirts, and blouses.

What should I bring?

Please bring a camera or smartphone for pictures and a government-issued ID if you plan on purchasing alcoholic drinks from the onboard bar. Must be at least 21 years old to be served alcohol.

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• Washington DC
• Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
• Lunch Cruises

Spirit of Washington DC Scenic Lunch Cruise

• 2-hour buffet lunch and dance cruise in Washington DC
• See Washington DC's highlights, including the Washington Monument and Admiral's Row
• Cruise under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, the only active drawbridge on the Potomac River
• Pass by Alexandria, first settled in the 1600s by Scottish and English tobacco merchants

Inclusions & Exclusions

• 2-hour lunch (or brunch) cruise
• Buffet menu
• Coffee and tea
• Service charges
• Tax and fees
• Other drinks (not listed in Inclusions)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Pier 4, Washington DC

Returns to original departure point

What To Expect

Enjoy a leisurely lunchtime sightseeing cruise along the Potomac River and Washington, DC's beautiful waterfront, departing from Pier 4 at 6th and Water Streets. This excursion covers the Potomac River with fascinating views of DC's great landmarks and the city's historic waterfront. No trip to the nation's capital is complete without a view from the deck of this festive ship.The Spirit of Washington is a modern dining ship with both inner and outer seating areas. The three inner dining areas offers plenty of comfortable seating with large picture windows to see the sites, while the topside outer deck provides fresh air and an open view of the landscape. There are also spacious dance floors and full service bars on board.Before or after eating, grab a drink from one of the onboard bars and dance the afternoon away as a professional DJ spins the latest Top 40 hits.Throughout the cruise, listen as the captain provides anecdotes and stories about the history and happenings of the nation's capital while passing the Washington Monument, Reagan National Airport, the United States Naval Research Laboratory, Old Town Alexandria in Virginia, the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge and much more.ItineraryLunch MenuSample Menu (subject to change) Tasting DuoRoasted Summer Vegetable Salad: Yellow Corn | Zucchini | Caramelized Onions | Heirloom Tomato| Arugula | Herb VinaigretteWhipped Goat Cheese: Candied Pecan Herb Crust | Balsamic Strawberries | CrostiniEntr ees    Oven Baked Atlantic Salmon Filet: Lemon Orzo with Red Onions & Sun-Dried Tomatoes | Citrus Dill SauceMaple & Mustard Glazed Chicken Breast: Fingerling Potatoes & Chives | Haricot Verts | Dijon Mustard Cream SauceBraised Beef Short Rib: Idaho Potato & Horseradish Mash | Baby Carrots | Pearl Onions | English Peas |Cabernet Sauvignon SauceGreek Zucchini Fritters: Lemon Orzo with Red Onions & Sun Dried Tomatoes | Spring Onion & Cucumber TzatzikiDessertsDuo of Sorbet: Seasonal Sorbet | Fresh FruitGranny Smith Apple Parfait: Cinnamon Spiced Apples | Almond & Oat Crumble | Candied Chili BaconChocolate Decadent Cake: Mixed Berries | Raspberry SauceOdyssey Signature Warm Butter Cake: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream | Blackberry Sauce

Additional Info

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
• Please Note: Although we offer children 3 years old and under free admission, please enter how many children are attending in the field provided, so that we can accommodate them on the cruise.
• The ships feature cabaret-style seating. The majority of the tables accommodate 4 to 8 people and guests are sometimes seated with other parties. Please understand that we cannot guarantee specific seating on the deck

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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