City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise

Chicago’s skyline makes its best case from the water. On this Lake Michigan cruise, you can eat at a reserved table, then step onto the rooftop deck for broad views of landmarks such as the Willis Tower, the John Hancock Center and Adler Planetarium.

I like two things in particular: the mix of a proper meal and open-air sightseeing, and the fact that the DJ, dance floor and games give you options once the boat is underway. It’s more than a meal with a view, but it’s not a quiet architecture tour either.

One thing to weigh: the buffet and outdoor-deck experience can depend on timing and weather. Cold or rainy conditions may keep you inside, and buffet dishes may not all be replenished late in service.

At a glance: meal, skyline and shipboard fun

• Start at Navy Pier: Board near the Sable Hotel, with check-in at the Spirit of Chicago ticket booth.
• Choose brunch, lunch or dinner: Each option has a different buffet; brunch includes unlimited mimosas.
• See Chicago from the lake: The route includes views of downtown towers, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium.
• Bring a layer: The rooftop is open-air, and a jacket can help when the lake breeze picks up.
• Expect music and activity: A live DJ, dance floor, giant Jenga and shuffleboard keep the boat lively.
• Allow for two to three hours: The advertised duration is two hours, though the stated cruise range is two to three.

Navy Pier is your launch point

The cruise departs from Navy Pier, at 600 E Grand Ave. Once inside the pier, head to the dock on the right side and continue along the south side. The Spirit of Chicago ticket booth is near the entrance to the Sable Hotel, and the Spirit of Chicago is described as halfway down that dock.

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and the cruise leaves promptly. Arrive with time to find the right dock and check in. The boat may be the Spirit of Chicago or Spirit of Navy Pier, so check your departure details rather than assuming the name on your paperwork will match the vessel at the dock. One past sailing had a mismatch between the boat and the paperwork.

You’ll be greeted on boarding and seated at a private table reserved for your party size. A ship photographer may offer a photo before you sit down; it’s optional and costs extra. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Navy Pier.

The lake turns the skyline into the main attraction

From the water, the city’s tall buildings read as a group rather than a row of street-level facades. The route passes sights including the John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place, Lake Point Tower, Aon Center, 311 South Wacker, Crain Communications Building, CNA Center and Willis Tower. You’ll also pass the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium, whose lakefront setting gives them a different feel from the downtown towers.

The ship doesn’t stop at each landmark. This is sightseeing while underway, not a hop-on, hop-off boat tour, so use the time outside to take in the skyline and the time inside to eat and enjoy the entertainment. The route names Buckingham Fountain among the Chicago highlights, but it isn’t listed as a stop. Don’t book expecting to get off the boat or see every landmark from the same angle.

The rooftop deck is the place for the widest views and fresh air. Interior decks are climate-controlled, which matters on a windy or rainy day, but the deck is where you’ll get the unobstructed view. Chicago weather can change the feel of the trip: one family had cold rain that kept them from enjoying the outside deck for photos. A light jacket is a sensible choice even when the day starts mild.

Buffet choices vary by departure

The meal is part of the ticket, and your choice of departure determines which buffet you get. Menus can change, but the sample brunch spread includes fruit, pastries, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes. Later in the meal, you may find salads, baked ziti, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, flounder, honey-and-sesame chicken and hand-carved strip loin.

Brunch also includes unlimited mimosas, along with unlimited coffee, hot tea and iced tea. Other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase from the cash bar. If you’re choosing brunch partly for the drinks, remember that the included mimosas apply only to that meal option.

Lunch and dinner lean toward salads, vegetables, pasta and hot entrees. Sample items include mixed greens, spinach and kale salad, bean salad, bow tie pasta salad, roasted broccoli, creamed corn casserole, baked ziti, flounder, honey-and-sesame chicken and Italian beef meatballs. Dinner adds braised short ribs and more dessert choices, including red velvet cake and chocolate chip brownies.

The menu offers variety, but this is a buffet on a moving schedule, not a restaurant where you order each dish at your own pace. If you have a food allergy, tell your server before ordering. The crew says it will do its best to accommodate dietary needs, but the menu is subject to change, so call ahead if you need to discuss a specific restriction.

A practical point: getting to the buffet earlier may give you the best choice. One diner found that some items were not replenished, leaving late arrivals without certain foods. That won’t necessarily happen on your sailing, but it’s a good reason not to wait until the last minute if there’s something you especially want to try.

The DJ and games set a lively tone

After the meal, you can head for the dance floor, listen to the DJ or try rooftop games such as giant Jenga and shuffleboard. The entertainment makes this a social outing, with a more animated mood than a sightseeing cruise focused on narration and quiet views. It can work for families as well as couples and groups, though little ones may be on the move, so anyone seeking a hushed evening should keep that atmosphere in mind.

Music tastes vary, and the DJ’s playlist may not match every group. Some people have asked for more Latin or African music. If you have a request, you can ask the DJ, but don’t count on a particular genre or song being played.

Service is one of the experience’s strongest points. Staff have been praised for being courteous and attentive, with individual servers Jacky and Artisha singled out for helpful service on particular sailings. Those names are useful examples, not a promise about who will be working your cruise. Cleanliness has also drawn praise, though one diner noted that a bathroom was not fully clean. As on any busy boat, conditions can vary.

Is $66 a fair price?

At $66 per person, the value depends on whether you want the whole package. Your ticket includes the cruise, a buffet meal, DJ entertainment, a dance floor, rooftop games, unlimited coffee and tea, and a guaranteed table for your party size. Brunch also includes unlimited mimosas. The service fee is included, which makes the base cost easier to compare with a meal and activity booked separately.

Alcohol beyond the brunch mimosas and souvenir photos cost extra. There’s no hotel transport, either. If you’re mainly after a meal, you may find a restaurant offers more control over the menu and pace. If you want a meal, skyline views and some shipboard entertainment in one outing, the price covers several parts of a Chicago afternoon or evening.

The trip’s main value is the change of perspective. You’re not just looking up from the street at the towers; you’re seeing them across the lake, with the shoreline and parks in the same view. That combination is especially useful if you’re short on time and want a relaxed activity that doesn’t require changing venues halfway through.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I’d consider it for a family outing, a casual date, a birthday group or anyone who likes a meal with music and a view. The guaranteed table is helpful if you want your party seated together. To improve your chances, make one reservation for the whole group; separate bookings may not be seated together.

It’s less suited to someone who wants a quiet boat ride, a detailed guided account of Chicago’s architecture or a guaranteed stretch outdoors. The live DJ and social atmosphere are central to the experience, while the weather determines how much time you’ll want on the rooftop. It is wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride free, but you need to select the free infant ticket option when booking.

For clothing, most people choose comfortable, casually stylish attire. Flat, closed-toed shoes are recommended for safety. Bring a passport or ID card, and remember that smoking is allowed only on the outdoor observation decks, not inside.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Chicago views, a buffet and a lively onboard setting in one outing. I’d favor brunch if unlimited mimosas appeal, lunch for a daytime meal, and dinner if you’d like the evening menu, which includes short ribs in the sample spread.

Skip it if you’re counting on a quiet sightseeing trip, a specific DJ playlist or perfect weather for rooftop photos. For the best chance at a smooth outing, arrive early, dress for the lake breeze, and make one reservation for your entire group.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Navy Pier at 600 E Grand Ave. Enter the pier, head to the right-side dock and check in at the Spirit of Chicago ticket booth near the Sable Hotel entrance.

How early should I arrive?

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Arrive at the boarding location at least 30 minutes early, since the cruise begins promptly.

How long is the cruise?

The listed duration is two hours, while the stated cruise range is two to three hours. Check the available departure details when you book.

Which boat will I be on?

The cruise uses either the Spirit of Chicago or the Spirit of Navy Pier. Check your departure information, as the boat name may not always match paperwork.

What food is included?

Your selected brunch, lunch or dinner buffet is included. The sample menus feature salads, hot entrees and desserts, and the menu may change.

Are drinks included?

Coffee, hot tea and iced tea are unlimited. Unlimited mimosas are included with brunch only. Other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase.

Can the cruise accommodate food allergies?

The crew does its best to accommodate dietary needs. Tell your server about any food allergy before placing your order, and call ahead if you need to discuss a restriction.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

The cruise is described as an activity for all ages. Infants are free, but you must select the free infant ticket option to ensure admission.

Can my group sit together?

A table is guaranteed for your party size when you make one reservation for the whole group. Separate reservations may not be seated together.