Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise Experience in Philadelphia

A meal on the Delaware River gives you a different angle on Philadelphia: the skyline shifts behind you while the Ben Franklin Bridge and working waterfront take center stage. I like the mix of a proper sit-down meal and open-air viewing, and I like that you can choose a relaxed daytime cruise or a dinner sailing.

The trade-off is that this is a meal-and-scenery outing, not a detailed city tour. You get two hours on the water, but the schedule and menu can change with weather, river traffic, and seasonal ingredients.

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• Three meal options: Choose a signature lunch, dinner, or bottomless mimosa brunch cruise.
• A two-hour river ride: The listed lunch sailing runs from noon to 2 pm, departing and returning at Penn’s Landing.
• Landmarks from the water: Look for the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Naval Shipyard, and Battleship New Jersey.
• Indoor and outdoor views: You can watch from the climate-controlled interior or head to an open-air deck.
• Food and music are part of the fare: Lunch includes a chef-prepared buffet, a live DJ, and unlimited coffee, tea, and water. Alcohol is sold separately.

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Penn’s Landing sets the scene

The cruise begins and ends at Penn’s Landing, on the Delaware River waterfront. Arrive 30 minutes before departure so you have time to find the boarding location and get settled. The lunch cruise is scheduled to leave at noon and return at 2 pm, giving you a compact outing that fits into a day of sightseeing.

This is a practical choice if you want a break from walking without giving up the city views. You stay aboard for the two-hour trip, with the option to move between the climate-controlled interior and the open-air deck. On a clear day, the outside viewing area is the place to take in the river and skyline; if the weather turns, you can retreat indoors.

The exact schedule may shift because of river traffic or weather. Keep that in mind if you’re arranging a tight connection or a timed activity after the cruise. The cruise returns to Penn’s Landing, so you won’t need to plan a separate ride back to your starting point.

The river ride and its landmarks

The appeal of this cruise is not a long list of narrated stops. It is the changing view from the water: Philadelphia’s skyline, the Ben Franklin Bridge, and landmarks along the riverfront. You’ll also see the Naval Shipyard and Battleship New Jersey, both of which help give the river journey a sense of place beyond the downtown skyline.

The 360-degree views are a good reason to spend some time on the observation decks. From the water, bridges and waterfront structures read differently than they do from the street. You can take in the city at an easy pace, without having to follow a guide or hurry between sights.

The trade-off is that the experience is scenic rather than deeply interpretive. The details provided don’t promise a narrated history or guided commentary, so don’t book this as a substitute for a focused history tour. Instead, think of it as a relaxed way to see the riverfront while your meal is served.

A buffet with a choice of mood

The lunch, dinner, and brunch options share the basic idea: a meal aboard a two-hour cruise, with music and river views. The lunch package starts at US$78.15. Dinner starts at US$127.80, while the bottomless mimosa brunch starts at US$108.90. Prices can vary, so check the amount shown for your chosen date and package before booking.

Lunch is the least expensive option and suits you if you want a daytime outing with a meal built in. The listed lunch package includes the buffet, live DJ entertainment, scenic views, and unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water. It is described as casual, with games and entertainment, which makes it a natural fit for a laid-back afternoon rather than a formal dining occasion.

Dinner costs more and is framed as the more romantic choice, with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts. The buffet has been singled out for praise, as has the calm, scenic river ride. The crew has also been described as friendly, respectful, and professional. Those are useful strengths if you want the meal itself to be a central part of the evening, though the overall experience still depends on your taste for buffet dining and DJ music.

Brunch is the option to consider if you want the daytime setting with a mimosa-focused package. The package name specifies bottomless mimosas, but the information provided does not detail the full brunch menu. If you have a particular dish in mind, check the current menu before you pay.

Menus can change with the season and ingredient availability. The lunch package lists a sample menu, but you should treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee. If you have dietary needs, the cruise can accommodate halal-certified, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-intolerant, lactose-intolerant, and allergy-related requirements. Contact the operator in advance to clarify what you need and how it will be handled.

Music, drinks, and the onboard feel

A live DJ provides music during the cruise. That gives the meal a social, lively feel, and the daytime options also include games and entertainment. If you want a quiet dining room, this may not be the best match. If you enjoy music in the background and a more festive setting, it adds to the occasion.

There is a fully stocked bar, but alcoholic drinks are not included in the lunch package and are available for purchase. You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol in the United States, and you’ll need a valid ID as proof of age. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so plan to use the onboard options.

Coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and water are included without limit on the lunch cruise. That small detail adds value, especially if you’re settling in for the whole two hours rather than treating the trip as a quick sightseeing ride.

Is the price worth it?

At US$78.15, lunch is not a bargain meal, but you are paying for more than a buffet. The price combines a two-hour river cruise, views from the water, a meal, DJ entertainment, and nonalcoholic drinks. If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch and a sightseeing activity, the package may make sense as an easy, all-in-one outing.

Dinner and brunch cost more, so the value depends on whether the meal and mood match what you want. Dinner is the priciest option, but it pairs an evening setting with entrees, salads, desserts, music, and river views. Brunch sits between lunch and dinner in price, with the added draw of bottomless mimosas. Compare the package details and current price before choosing; the meals and inclusions are not identical.

This is a better buy for someone who values a relaxed occasion than for someone focused on getting the lowest-cost meal or the most sightseeing per dollar. The cruise lasts two hours, and the views are a central part of the experience. If your priority is a close look at historic sites or a structured account of Philadelphia’s past, put your budget toward a dedicated city tour instead.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I’d consider this for couples looking for a scenic meal, families who want a seated activity with some entertainment, or anyone who wants a change of pace from walking around the city. The lunch cruise may be the most flexible choice for a daytime plan, while dinner makes more sense if you want an evening outing. Brunch suits you if the meal and mimosa package are the main attraction.

Families should include infants and children in the passenger headcount, even though children aged 0 to 2 ride free. Children aged 13 and older are charged the adult rate. The cruise is wheelchair-accessible, though you should check the venue’s official accessibility information if you need details for a particular mobility requirement.

If you’re prone to seasickness, medication is available onsite upon request. The cruise takes place on the river, but the information does not specify how much movement to expect, so it’s sensible to plan ahead if you are concerned.

A few useful details before you book

Your voucher is valid only for the date and time selected, and you can present it on your phone. No refunds are available for cancellations, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable. That makes the 30-minute early arrival especially important.

Keep an eye on the selected package. The options have different prices and meal formats, and the listed inclusions for lunch should not be assumed to apply in exactly the same way to dinner or brunch. Menus and schedules can change with seasonal availability, weather, and river traffic.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a two-hour meal with river views and like the idea of music and a buffet as part of the outing. The lunch package offers the lowest starting price and includes nonalcoholic drinks; dinner has the strongest appeal for a special evening, while brunch is the pick for a daytime meal with mimosas.

Skip it if you want a quiet meal, a detailed guided tour, or a low-cost way to see Philadelphia’s sights. The value here is the combination of food, music, and a moving view of the waterfront. If that sounds like a good use of two hours, Penn’s Landing is an easy place to start.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia and returns to Penn’s Landing.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours. The listed lunch sailing runs from 12 pm to 2 pm.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

What meal options are available?

You can choose a signature lunch cruise, a signature dinner cruise, or a signature bottomless mimosa brunch cruise.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase and are not included in the lunch package. You must be at least 21 and show valid ID to drink alcohol.

Are children allowed?

Yes. Infants and children must be included in the passenger headcount. Children aged 0 to 2 ride free, and children aged 13 or older pay the adult rate.

Can the cruise accommodate dietary requirements?

The cruise can accommodate halal-certified, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-intolerant, lactose-intolerant, and allergy-related dietary requirements.

Is the cruise wheelchair-accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair-accessible. For details about specific accessibility needs, check the venue’s official information.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. Cancellations are not refundable.