I recently went on the Holiday Dinner Cruise with City Cruises in DC, and it was such a unique and memorable seasonal experience. If you’re looking for something festive that shows off DC in a completely different way, this is worth considering.

Food and Drinks

They offer a holiday dinner menu that may shift depending on whether you go around Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s. Here’s what I tried:

Blue Crab and Potato Chowder - Good.

Pan-Seared Chicken Breast - mambo sauce, a true DC tradition, absolutely slapped.

Orange Olive Oil Cake - flavorful without being overpoweringly citrusy.

Before we set sail, I had the chance to try shrimp wontons and mini beef Wellington bites. I was with a special group, so I don’t know if these are typically offered and I wouldn’t count on it being a standard part of the experience. The bar selection on board was also very good and had plenty of options.

To set expectations, this is not meant to be a fine-dining, award-winning chef situation, though the food is solid and enjoyable. You are not going on this cruise primarily for the food.

Atmosphere and Experience

The real highlight is the atmosphere. The views of DC at night from the water are stunning, with monuments and bridges lit up around you. It feels festive, peaceful, and special, especially during the holiday season.

This is a great option if you have family visiting or you just want to do something unique for the holidays. It’s a fun change of pace from the usual seasonal activities and a memorable way to enjoy the city.

Overall

Good food, great drinks, and truly incredible nighttime views of DC. I highly recommend this experience if you’re looking for something different to do during the holidays.

We did the DC Premiere Bottomless mimosa brunch (10:30-1:30). You are able to board 45 minutes early prior to departure (so more time to drink and find a good window seat). Our tickets were $115 a piece and it’s well worth the price. In the beginning on departure they do a mini tour of the attractions and monuments you sail by. It’s very kid friendly, babies and toddlers were on board for our cruise. It was such a memorable experience. The food was amazing, and fresh (every 10 minutes fresh food was replaced on the buffet). We had a server who would refill our water and bring us more champagne, napkins etc. So I definitely recommend bringing some cash so you can leave a tip. We were also able to ask for a bottle to leave on the table in a chiller so we didn’t have to track our server down for refills. *They do not skimp on the bottomless*. They had a fun DJ on board, and a dance floor. It does get loud though, but you can step outside and find a seat or walk around the boat. Such beautiful views of DC and lovely weather when we went. Highly recommend and we will be back!

We did the basic sightseeing cruise leaving out of Alexandria, VA., on a Sunday afternoon. I found a Groupon for the cruise so the price was great. The narrated information about what we were seeing was loud enough to understand most of the time. It's a great way to see the sites of Washington, D.C., from another angle. The service was great with all questions being answered about where things were on the boat. We were on the top deck and all passengers up there must come down before the boat goes under the bridges. The narration was kept fun and educational as we made our way to the harbor.

Taking the Odyssey dinner cruise is a highlight of DC. For the price it’s a lot of fun and the best way to see a view of the Potomac and DC skyline/monuments you just can’t easily see otherwise. The dinner is solid. I loved the roasted red pepper bisque and the roast beef was good (a little on the dry side). I wouldn’t describe personally pass on the shrimp cocktail…just regular shrimp and not much to share given the price (just order another drink instead). The DJ was entertaining with plenty of people dancing. But honestly you should grab a drink and just enjoy the expansive deck and DC views. Going out for another round on The Wharf is easy when the cruise is over.

Me and my man went on City Cruises DC for Mother’s Day and it was such a vibe from start to finish! The food was a solid 10/10 from the salmon to the potatoes and even the bacon, everything was seasoned right and cooked to perfection. The mimosas were so good and kept flowing, and the staff was super friendly the whole time.
The DJ played all the hits old school, new school, R&B, and even some line dance music. People were up dancing, laughing, and having a good time. It felt like a whole celebration on water! I didn’t even know we could walk around the boat like that if I had known, I wouldn’t have picked the window seat! Next time, we’re definitely mingling more.
And the best part they gave all the moms roses, which was such a beautiful and thoughtful touch. It made the day feel even more special.
From boarding to the last song, the whole experience was worth it. If you’re looking for something fun to do in DC whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, or just a nice day out City Cruises will not disappoint!
❤️💞