ON THE RIVER · DINNER CRUISES IN THE USA

Dinner Cruises in the USA: 11 Worth Booking

11 river trips  ·  from $69 a head

Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 11 dinner cruises in the USA earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing.

Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show - Dinner by the river, served cowboy style
Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in the USA, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

1.Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,302 reviews · from $108Our pick

Join Canyonlands By Night & Day two miles north of Moab for a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner, then board a flat-bottomed boat on the Colorado River. Guides such as Izzy and Rory share local stories before a 40,000-watt canyon light show brings the area’s creation and settlement stories to life. Bring a jacket and expect hard seats.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the meal - delicious meats and sides as well as salad bar. Appreciated the fact that it was a family owed business in Moab. Boat ride on the river was unique and was a nice way to spend an evening.”

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2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment - The two-hour route and what you will actually see
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2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment

2.2 HR Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Onboard Entertainment

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 794 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $92

Spend about two hours aboard a Savannah riverboat with a buffet dinner, live music, and room to dance. Boarding begins at 6:00 p.m. for the 7:00 p.m. sailing at River Street. You will see the waterfront, Talmadge Memorial Bridge, working port activity, and city lights, though the dinner cruise is not guided.

“Disappointed with the food. Good menu but not seasoned. Should offer other than rare steak. Best was the salad, rolls and peach cobbler. D J outside top deck were awesome.”

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2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River - Piano music, table service, and the first course
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2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River

3.2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 480 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $129

Board the Portland Spirit in downtown Portland for a 2.5-hour dinner cruise with a reserved table, live piano, and a three-course Pacific Northwest meal. Cruise past OMSI, Tilikum Crossing, Oaks Amusement Park, Elk Rock Island, Lake Oswego, and Portland’s lit bridges. Bring warm clothes and headphones for the narration.

“Cruise is great. Be sure to take your headphones if you want information on what you are seeing. Bring warm clothing as it can get cold on the observation deck which is where you get the best views. Food was excellent, service was excellent.”

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2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River - From Hawthorne Bridge to Tilikum Crossing
2-Hour Experiences, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in the USA, Lunch Experiences, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

4.2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River

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

Spend two hours aboard Portland Spirit with a reserved table, freshly prepared Northwest lunch, live piano music, and views of Portland’s bridges, parks, homes, and landmarks. Historical narration is available on the outer decks, while the dining areas use personal headphones. The cruise begins and ends at 1010 SW Naito Parkway.

“Great lunch, had the Steelhead, wait staff was great. Boone reminded us of our grandson. Very respectful and polite.”

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Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown - How the two-hour lunch unfolds
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Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown

5.Portland: 2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 170 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Settle into a reserved table for a freshly prepared Northwest lunch as Portland Spirit Cruises carries you along the Willamette River. Your entrée, live piano music, and broad city views are included. Listen to historical narration outside, or use your phone with the Listen Everywhere app when available. Plan on extra charges for drinks, salad, appetizers, and dessert.

“All personel polite and friendly and well trained - so welcoming!! Lunch was delicious and we enjoyed our pictures. Would suggest more dialog about what we were seeing on the shoreline! I would take guests again!!”

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Portland: Dinner Cruise on the Willamette River - Boarding and finding the dock
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Portland: Dinner Cruise on the Willamette River

6.Portland: Dinner Cruise on the Willamette River

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 133 reviews · 2h 30m · from $129

Spend 150 minutes aboard a Portland Spirit dinner cruise on the Willamette River. You’ll enjoy a locally prepared three-course meal, live piano music, Portland skyline views, and optional historical narration. Reserved tables, English service, and wheelchair access are provided, but drinks, gratuity, parking, and appetizers cost extra.

“We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The food and the view were amazing. I highly recommend it.”

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Norfolk: City Cruises Elizabeth River Buffet Lunch Cruise - The buffet: a full meal, not just a snack
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Norfolk: City Cruises Elizabeth River Buffet Lunch Cruise

7.Norfolk: City Cruises Elizabeth River Buffet Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · from $69Best value

Cruise Norfolk’s Elizabeth River for two hours with an attended buffet, coffee, tea, live narration, DJ entertainment, and views of Navy vessels. You’ll board at the Otter Berth beside Waterside Mall. Window seating is not guaranteed, and drinks cost extra.

“Had a wonderful time. Food and service was excellent. Will do again.”

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Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River - Boarding near Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
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Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River

8.Knoxville: Sunset Dinner Cruise on Tennessee River

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 44 reviews · 2 hours · from $104

Spend two hours aboard Volunteer Princess Cruises, sailing Knoxville’s Tennessee River at sunset. You’ll have a private table, a three-course dinner with beef tenderloin and oven-roasted chicken, plus access to a fully stocked upper-deck bar. Dietary requests can be made in advance, and the cruise runs rain or shine.

“It was great overall, the price was not too bad, views were stunning, the food was fantastic, the boat ride was smooth, and the crew was so welcoming. 10/10 recommend.”

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City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise - Boarding at 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
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City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise

9.City Cruises Chicago: River Architectural Lunch Cruise

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

Spend about two hours aboard City Cruises Chicago for a plated lunch, skyline views, and live commentary on landmarks including Tribune Tower, Merchandise Mart, Civic Opera House, Union Station, and Willis Tower. You get an assigned table, climate-controlled seating, unlimited coffee, tea, and water, plus outdoor photo areas. Staff members named in guest feedback include Heather, Isis, Aden, and Edgar.

“Food was amazing. Great service. Very comfortable boat. Overall a wonderful lunch boat cruise - definitely recommend.”

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City Cruises Chicago: Fireworks Premier Plus Dinner Cruise - A plated dinner with real choices
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City Cruises Chicago: Fireworks Premier Plus Dinner Cruise

10.City Cruises Chicago: Fireworks Premier Plus Dinner Cruise

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

Board near NBC Tower for a two-hour Chicago River dinner cruise aboard a glass-enclosed ship. You’ll enjoy a plated multi-course meal, guaranteed seating, DJ music, skyline views, and, on select Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 29 through August 31, a view of 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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Chicago: Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago River - Finding the Odyssey Chicago River dock
Chicago River Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in the USA, Lunch Experiences, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Chicago: Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago River

11.Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago River

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 4 reviews · from $116

Spend Thanksgiving aboard City Cruises’ glass-enclosed Odyssey Chicago River yacht. You’ll enjoy a three-course meal with turkey and classic sides, views of Merchandise Mart, DuSable Bridge, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and the Old Chicago Post Office, plus a DJ, outdoor deck, and festive drinks for purchase.

“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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Other lists on this water

Canal Cruises333Dinner Cruises279Nile Cruises486Sunset River Cruises75Luxury River Cruises100River Sightseeing Cruises89
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