City Cruises Chicago: Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise

A yacht buffet with skyline points for every bite. I love the 360-degree rooftop views as the ship cruises Lake Michigan, and I also love the live DJ plus onboard games that keep the mood light instead of stuffy. The meal is a real sit-down affair too, with a multi-course-style buffet that feels like a floating weekend plan.

My main caution is weather and deck time. On cold or rainy outings, you may spend more time inside (and feel a bit more rushed for photos), and the buffet experience can feel tighter if you wait until later in the line.

Key things to know before you go

• Two yacht options: your cruise is on either the Spirit of Navy Pier or Spirit of Chicago
• Navy Pier check-in timing: boarding starts 30 minutes before departure
• Brunch perk: unlimited mimosas for brunch only
• Big skyline viewing deck: open-air rooftop for photos, plus climate-controlled indoor decks
• Onboard fun: live DJ on interior decks and rooftop games like giant Jenga and shuffleboard
• One reservation for your group: you’re seated together only when everyone is on the same booking

The vibe on a City Cruises Chicago Lake Michigan cruise

This isn’t a quiet, sit-back-and-say-nice-view kind of cruise. It’s more like a moving dinner party with Chicago scenery as the backdrop. You get the comfort of indoor space when you want it, then you can head out to the rooftop deck when the weather cooperates.

The best part for me is that it works for multiple travel styles. If you’re on a date or a grown-up group, the DJ and dance floor can turn dinner into a night out. If you’re traveling with kids or a mixed-age crowd, the onboard games and nonstop activity help everyone stay engaged.

Boarding at Navy Pier: the part that trips people up

Plan to arrive early and follow the dock directions carefully. These cruises depart from Navy Pier, and the yachts are down the south-side dock near the end. Walk in through the main Navy Pier entrance, then proceed down the south-side dock—your boat will be along that dock, near the end.

Here’s the practical tip: check your order details to learn which yacht you’re on (Spirit of Navy Pier or Spirit of Chicago). There are ticket booths for each yacht, and the name of the boat is displayed both on the front of the ship and above the ticket booth.

Also, know this meeting point detail: the cruise ends back at the pier, and the listed address is 600 E Grand Ave. In other words, it’s not just about the broad Navy Pier area—you’re checking in right at the dock where your yacht is tied up.

What to bring is simple:

• A passport or ID card
• Closed-toe, flat shoes (for safety on the decks)
• Casual, casually stylish clothing (think comfortable, not fussy)

If you’re sensitive to temperature swings, bring a layer. One common reality: even when the city is fine, it can get cold out on the water.

Two hours on the water: how the skyline viewing works

You’ll take in Chicago landmarks all along the route, with a steady flow of famous buildings from the lakefront. The cruise is timed so you’re not staring at the same view for the whole ride. Instead, you’ll get a sequence of back-to-back photo moments—especially from the rooftop.

As you head out and cruise, the sights include:

• John Hancock Center (a landmark that’s easy to spot and a favorite for skyline photos)
• Water Tower Place (great for that classic north-side Chicago feeling)
• Lake Point Tower and Aon Center (downtown skyline texture that looks different from the water)
• 311 South Wacker and the Crain Communications Building (you’ll see more of the city’s mid/near-downtown shape up close)
• Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium (Museum Campus is a major “we’re really in Chicago” moment from the lake)
• CNA Center and Willis Tower (the downtown skyline icons that anchor so many Chicago photos)

A quick deck strategy that helps: use the rooftop for photos during the clearer sight lines, then move back inside if wind or rain starts to bite. The ship has climate-controlled interior decks, so you’re not stuck out in the elements.

The buffet meal: brunch, lunch, or dinner with real variety

This is the main reason many people book. You’re not just paying for the boat ride—you’re paying for a substantial buffet that’s built like a meal, not a snack table.

Brunch option (and the mimosas)

Brunch guests get unlimited mimosas, and the buffet includes a mix of breakfast and heartier mains. The sample brunch spread includes:

• Breakfast pastries, scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, and breakfast potatoes
• Salads and late-riser items like green bean salad and red beetroot salad
• Hot mains like baked ziti pasta and mashed potatoes
• Fish and chicken options, plus a hand-carved slow-roasted strip loin
• Desserts like raspberry mousse, lemon pound cake with strawberries, coconut vanilla cake, and red velvet or brownie options

Lunch and dinner options (same buffet spirit, different mains)

Lunch and dinner are also buffet-style with salads, pasta sides, and multiple entrée choices. Sample menus include:

• Organic mixed field greens, spinach and kale salad, and several bean-based and beet salads
• Roasted broccoli florets, creamed corn casserole, baked ziti pasta, and mashed potatoes
• Fish and chicken options such as oven-baked Atlantic flounder filet and honey and sesame chicken
• Italian beef meatballs (present on lunch/dinner menus)
• Beef short ribs (dinner only in the sample menu)
• Desserts like raspberry mousse, lemon pound cake, and coconut vanilla cake (and dinner-only carrot cake or red velvet/brownie options)

Two important practical notes:

1. The menu is subject to change, so treat the sample list as a guide.
2. If you have allergies, tell your server before ordering. The cruise operator says they do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions (and it’s smart to call ahead too if you can).

The best way to approach the buffet line

A buffet on a cruise is convenient—until you hit the end of service momentum. One past experience included a bit of disappointment that certain items were not replenished quickly late in the line. You can avoid that feeling by grabbing the things you care about most early—especially meat and rolls—then circle back for seconds.

Cocktails and drinks: what’s included vs. what costs extra

Non-alcoholic drinks are included: unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea. That matters more than you’d think on a boat, because you don’t have to ration water or wait for refills.

Alcohol is a different story. A fully stocked cash bar offers cocktails, wine, and beer, but those are for purchase. If you book brunch, that’s the one time alcohol is included in the form of unlimited mimosas.

If you’re doing dinner and want a steady drink without surprises, budget for bar purchases in advance. It keeps the night from feeling expensive at the very last moment.

DJ energy, dance floor, and rooftop games

This is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience. The cruise isn’t quiet background music. You’ll have a live DJ, with music on interior decks, plus a dance floor. If you want activity instead of conversation-only, it delivers.

You also get rooftop games, including:

• Giant Jenga
• Shuffleboard

If the weather is good, these games are a fun way to make the cruise feel like an event rather than a waiting room on the water. If the weather turns, you can still enjoy the DJ and stay inside, with the skyline view shifting to “glance out the window” mode.

Music taste is personal. One guest noted the DJ didn’t match the specific music genre they expected (African music). If music selection is a big deal for you, keep expectations flexible. The entertainment is part of the package, but DJs have their own style.

Getting great photos: what to do when the weather cooperates

Chicago from the water is a serious photo opportunity, but you’re dealing with wind and sometimes rain. If it’s clear, the rooftop deck makes a huge difference because you’re not blocked by interior glass.

If it’s cold or rainy, you’ll still be able to view landmarks from inside thanks to the indoor decks, but you may not be as comfortable standing outside for long.

Practical photo moves:

• Take your rooftop photos early in the cruise while you still feel energetic about the cold.
• Use windows or sheltered areas for quick shots if you need warmth.
• Wear closed-toe shoes so you can move confidently on deck.

Service and comfort: why the meal feels smoother than a land buffet

A lot of the experience quality comes down to service flow. Multiple people highlighted excellent staff and attentive servers, including named staff members like Jacky and Artisha. That matters on a moving ship where everything is slightly compressed in time: you need your water, you need the buffet line to move, and you want your table to feel taken care of.

You’ll also be greeted personally when you board. There’s a chance to get a photo taken by the ship’s photographer before you’re seated at your table. Those souvenir photos are available for purchase, but the moment itself is part of the structured experience.

Another comfort point: you’re seated at a guaranteed table for your party size. And there’s a key rule to keep seating together—make just one reservation for the whole party. If you split into separate bookings, the operator can’t guarantee you’ll sit together.

Who this cruise suits best (and who should rethink it)

This cruise works best if you want three things at once: a real meal, skyline sightseeing, and an upbeat onboard atmosphere. It’s also a good fit for groups who don’t want to coordinate multiple restaurants.

It may be less ideal if you’re hunting for a quiet, adult-only, low-key boat ride. One comment called out the presence of children and suggested cruises like this should lean more adult. That doesn’t mean it’s chaos—it means it’s not designed for pure quiet.

Also keep in mind that on bad weather days, the outdoor deck will be less convenient. You’ll still enjoy the cruise, but your experience shifts more toward indoor viewing and DJ entertainment.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

At about $130 per person, you’re paying for:

• A timed 2-hour (sometimes up to 2–3 hours) cruise experience
• A buffet brunch/lunch/dinner (your main ticket value)
• Live DJ entertainment and a dance floor
• Rooftop deck games
• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks (coffee, tea, iced tea)
• Brunch includes unlimited mimosas

The cash bar means alcohol isn’t “free-for-all,” but you have control over how much you spend. If you plan to drink cocktails or wine at dinner, budget for it.

Is it a bargain? Not really. But it can be good value compared to paying separately for a restaurant meal plus tickets to a special event. This is one of those purchases where the value depends on your priorities: if you want food and fun with skyline views in one package, it makes sense. If you mainly want the cheapest way to get a boat on Lake Michigan, you might want to compare options.

Should you book City Cruises Chicago for your next Chicago day?

I’d book this cruise if you want a low-effort plan that feels like a real event: skyline views, a filling buffet, and entertainment that doesn’t require extra planning.

I’d think twice if you:

• Know you’ll be unhappy if the deck time drops due to cold or rain
• Want a very quiet, adults-only mood
• Care about specific buffet items and don’t want to rely on timing—grab your favorites early

If you go, do two things that improve the night fast: arrive early for clean check-in, and plan layers for wind off the lake. Then settle in, take your photos when the rooftop works, and let the DJ and games do the heavy lifting.

FAQ

How long is the Lake Michigan lunch or dinner cruise?

The cruise duration is listed as 2 hours, with starting times depending on availability. The activity information also notes the duration can range from 2 to 3 hours.

Where do you board the cruise?

Both Spirit of Chicago and Spirit of Navy Pier yachts depart from Navy Pier. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. You enter through the main entrance of Navy Pier, then go down the south-side dock near the end, and check in at the ticket booth for the yacht named on your confirmation.

What’s included with brunch, lunch, or dinner?

You get a buffet brunch, lunch, or dinner (depending on the option you choose), onboard DJ entertainment, dance floor access, rooftop games, and unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea. A guaranteed table for your party size is also included.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Alcoholic drinks are not included. The bar is fully stocked and alcohol can be purchased. Unlimited mimosas are included with brunch only.

Can the cruise accommodate food allergies?

The provider says they do their best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Inform your server before placing your order, and it’s also suggested you call ahead or share needs with the staff.

Is the cruise refundable?

No. The activity is listed as non-refundable.