City Cruises Chicago: Premier Lunch Or Dinner Cruise

Cruise with City Cruises on a lunch or dinner sailing that runs 2 to 3 hours. Dine onboard during the trip, choosing either the lunch or the dinner option. Tickets start at 94 dollars and the cruise holds a 4.2 rating from 484 reviews.

Overview

The Odyssey Lake Michigan sets out from Navy Pier, at 600 E Grand Ave, for a two to three hour lunch or dinner cruise along the Chicago shoreline. Before boarding, guests are greeted at the pier and can have a photo taken by the ship's photographer. Once underway, everyone is seated at a private table for a three course plated meal prepared by the onboard chef, with tableside service throughout.

The route hugs the shoreline past a long list of recognizable buildings: the John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place, Lake Point Tower, Navy Pier, the Aon Center, 311 South Wacker, the Crain Communications Building, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the CNA Center and Willis Tower. After dining, guests can head to the outdoor observation decks for 360 degree views of the skyline, or stay inside where a live DJ plays and there is a dance floor.

The dress code rules out jeans, shorts, sandals, sleeveless shirts and sports shoes, with jackets and cocktail attire suggested for dinner. Alcoholic drinks and souvenir photos cost extra.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Board at Navy PierBoarding begins 30 minutes before departure at 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago. Guests are welcomed and can have their photo taken by the ship's photographer before stepping aboard.
2. Cruise the shorelineThe Odyssey cruises along the Chicago shoreline, passing sights including the John Hancock Center, Water Tower Place, Lake Point Tower and Navy Pier.
3. Seated three course mealGuests are seated at a private table and served a plated three course lunch or dinner, depending on the option chosen, with unlimited coffee, hot tea and iced tea included.
4. Downtown skyline sightsThe route continues past the Aon Center, 311 South Wacker, the Crain Communications Building, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the CNA Center and Willis Tower, with views from the observation deck.
5. Music and decksAfter dining, guests can dance to the live DJ or relax on the outdoor decks or the interior deck while taking in the skyline.
6. Return to portThe cruise arrives back at the starting point, which depends on the selected option.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from the dress code to how the seating works.

• Dress code. Attire is smart-casual, and jackets and cocktail attire are strongly suggested for the dinner cruise. Jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, t-shirts, gym shoes and flip-flops are not permitted.
• Arrive early. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, so plan to be at Navy Pier ahead of that. One reviewer found parking in the Navy Pier West garage easy and reasonably priced, close to the ship.
• Food and drink. The three course plated meal is included, along with unlimited coffee, hot tea and iced tea, and the service fee is covered. Alcoholic drinks, some premium dinner items such as lobster tails and filet mignon, and souvenir photos cost extra. Tell the server about any food allergies before ordering.
• Group seating. Guests who want to sit together must be on the same booking. If separate bookings were made, contact City Cruises ahead of time so they can seat the party together.
• Atmosphere. Travellers highlight friendly staff and a lively atmosphere with music, which matches what several reviews describe. One reviewer noted that nobody ended up dancing on their sailing.
• Views and photos. The observation deck offers 360 degree views of the skyline and the lake, and reviewers often praise the skyline views from the water.

Common issues. A recurring complaint is timing: one reviewer reported the boat turned back to dock before dessert, and another said the sailing ran closer to two hours than the three they expected. The listing itself gives the duration as two to three hours, so the actual length can vary. Some travellers also feel the food could be hotter and better seasoned, and the platform's own review summary notes the same. Smoking is only allowed on the outdoor observation decks, and the menu can change.

Common Questions