Washington DC > Scenic & Sunset Cruises Experiences

Washington DC Dinner Cruise

Washington DC

From: $173

Item #: CRU-WAS-0020

(12 Reviews)

Dinner in Washington DC on a scenic cruise

Dinner on a Scenic Cruise in Washington DC

Add a splash of sightseeing to wining, dining and entertainment on the water, and experience an evening of sheer delight aboard the Washington DC Dinner Cruise!

Admire stunning sights from the Spirit of Washington's panoramic windows, exterior decks and rooftop lounge as you float past breathtaking DC attractions
Enjoy freshly prepared buffet cuisine in the chic, climate-controlled comfort of a dining room on one of the ship's three interior decks
This 2.5- to 3-hour Potomac River cruise features cash bars and a fun array of Top 40 dance hits, spun onboard by local DJs
Embark on a memorable evening that you'll talk about for years to come with family, friends or a special someone!

From: $173

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Overview

Add a splash of sightseeing to wining, dining and entertainment on the water, and experience an evening of sheer delight aboard the Washington DC Dinner Cruise!

Admire stunning sights from the Spirit of Washington's panoramic windows, exterior decks and rooftop lounge as you float past breathtaking DC attractions
Enjoy freshly prepared buffet cuisine in the chic, climate-controlled comfort of a dining room on one of the ship's three interior decks
This 2.5- to 3-hour Potomac River cruise features cash bars and a fun array of Top 40 dance hits, spun onboard by local DJs
Embark on a memorable evening that you'll talk about for years to come with family, friends or a special someone!

Full Description

Surround yourself by dazzling city sights and harbor lights on the Washington DC Dinner Cruise! With just one step onto the Spirit, you'll know you're in for an evening out on the water that's beyond compare.

Once you are escorted to your table, order drinks and explore the ship while the crew casts off for an exciting evening on the Potomac River. The Spirit of Washington comes with full-service cash bars ready to get a favorite drink in your hand. So grab a beer, wine or cocktail, then stroll one of the four magnificent exterior decks before settling in for dinner.

This scenic cruise from Washington gives guests a DC sightseeing opportunity unlike any other. The gorgeous views you'll encounter once you depart provide the perfect backdrop for a number of memorable snapshots! Marvel at historical landmarks and renowned DC attractions like Fort Lesley J. McNair, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Admiral's Row, the Torpedo Factory, Jones Point Lighthouse and much more all from a truly unique perspective.

Ready to enjoy the main event of this festive Washington DC Dinner Cruise? Make way to your dining room table and prepare to savor a most delicious buffet spread. Creative, contemporary cuisine awaits every type of appetite on board. Indulge in a favorite dish or try a little bit of everything! Start with a variety of salads to choose from, then have your fill of delectable entrees and sides, such as (subject to change):

Oven-baked fish filet
Chicken
Whole-roasted pork loin
Braised beef short ribs
Baked ziti
Vegetable sides
Casserole

Save room for dessert and pick from platters of fruit, cannoli, cakes, cobbler, and custard. Sip a cozy tea or coffee as your food settles, admiring the sparkle of the city skyline through the Spirit of Washington's impressive panoramic windows.

As this scenic DC cruise gradually makes its way back to the dock, finish your evening off with some relaxing on the rooftop lounge with family and friends. Or let the pulsing tunes of the DJ entice you to the dance floor to move your feet to vibrant beats!

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, looking for fun things to do in DC, or impressing someone with a unique date on the water the Washington DC Dinner Cruise is your ticket to an unforgettable evening on the Potomac River!

Location

Pier 4, 6th & Water Streets - Washington DC

Availability

When Do I Choose A Date?

If giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience; otherwise, you can choose one after checkout.

April - November:
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*Rates do not apply for holidays, Valentine's Day weekend and specialty cruises

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Important Details

Essential Information

Coffee, tea and iced tea are complimentary
Additional beverages may be purchased on board: juice, soda, mixed drinks, fine liqueurs, specialty waters, champagne and wine
Rates are inclusive of taxes and fees

Duration

Dinner cruises running Wednesday through Saturday will last approximately 3 hours. Dinner cruises running Sunday through Tuesday will last approximately 2.5 hours.

Experience Provider Info

Complete information for your Experience Provider, including contact information, will be included on your booking confirmation email once you or your gift recipient have scheduled the experience. Our Product Management team handpicks top-rated experience providers, removing the guesswork for you and ensuring your peace of mind.

Maximum Participants

The cruise ship can accommodate up to 500 people.

Spectators

Only those on board will be able to enjoy this experience.

Weather Dependent

This experience takes place indoors and will not be affected by weather conditions.

What To Wear

We recommend casually stylish attire such as nice pants or jeans, polos, button-down shirts, and sundresses or skirts. Although allowed, we strongly discourage t-shirts, casual jeans, shorts, and sneakers.

FAQs

What type of food is served?

The cruise features all-you-can-eat dinner buffets with delicious choices prepared on board by the executive chef and their galley staff. With advance notice, special meals for guests with allergies can be arranged.

Sample Buffet Dinner Menu
*subject to change

Fresh Salads:
Organic Mixed Field Greens
Organic Spinach & Kale Salad
Mediterranean Couscous & Chickpea Salad
Roasted Red Beet Salad
Orzo & Bay Shrimp Salad

Sides:
Roasted Broccoli Florets
Creamed Corn & Cheddar Cheese Casserole
Baked Ziti Pasta
Mashed Potatoes

Entrees:
Oven Baked North Atlantic Sole Filet
Honey & Sesame Chicken
Whole-Roasted Pork Loin
Braised Beef Short Ribs

Desserts:
Seasonal Cut Fruit
Cannoli
Chocolate Drizzle Rice Krispy
Cheesecake
Chocolate Cake
Strawberries & Vanilla Custard
Apple Cobbler

What is the dress code?

Are there any age requirements?

There are no age requirements for this cruise. Please note, children under 3 can board for free. Please notify Virgin Experience Gifts at the time of booking if you will have additional guests under the age of 3 so seating can be planned accordingly.

Where does the cruise go?

The ship cruises past several historic and national sites along the Potomac River including the Washington Monument, Fort McNair, General's Row, Old Town Alexandria and the Torpedo Factory.

How do I get to the ship?

The ship is docked at Pier 4 where 6th & Water Streets meet in SW Washington, DC.

Is the ship wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The ship can accommodate wheelchairs for boarding and provides a handicap-accessible restroom. Please notify Virgin Experience Gifts of any special-assistance members in your party prior to the cruise so you will be provided with appropriate assistance upon arrival.

Are gratuities included in the price package?

Gratuities are not included in the package price and are suggested for all on-board purchases and outstanding service.

How is seating arranged on board?

The ship features cabaret-style seating. The majority of tables accommodate 4 - 8 people and guests are sometimes seated with other parties. Review our enhancement packages for private seating upgrades.

What is the layout of the ship?

The cruise ship is spaciously designed with 3 climate-controlled interior decks, outdoor strolling decks at the bow and stern and the largest outdoor patio deck in Boston topside. It is handicap accessible and Coast Guard approved for up to 600 passengers. Amenities include full-service bars, two dance floors (or staging areas), spacious bathrooms, flexible seating arrangements and huge, panoramic windows.

Does the ship sail in inclement weather?

This experience takes place indoors and will not be affected by weather conditions.

Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations

Returns
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 30 days. All refunds will be made to the original purchaser.
Exchanges
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be exchanged for anything else in our marketplace at any time. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Experience Gifts.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have scheduled a date and have received a booking confirmation, all bookings are final and no rescheduling or cancellations will be allowed.

Other Washington DC Experiences

Customer Reviews

This experience has a customer rating of 3.5
based on 12 reviews.

View More Reviews:

Lovely time on The Spirit of Washington. The dinner cruise was a fun Family Date Night - good for our family with a 12 & 10 year old, but probably too long of an event with younger kids. Also, as this is a bit pricey (especially since drinks are not included...) it would have been better for a couples night out, but we all had a great time and enjoyed our evening out!

— Johannah E | Dec 31, 2018

Response from Virgin Experience Gifts

We are so glad to hear you had a wonderful cruise, and your kids enjoyed themselves too. Good advice on a couple's night out. Thanks for sharing and let us know if we can get you out on a date night sometime soon. Enjoy your week! Best, Brooke

My wife and I were there for our 35th anniversary, and I informed Cloud 9 Living of this when scheduling the cruise. The original cruise we booked was full so they upgraded us to the gourmet cruise for no additional charge. I felt that was great. The only disappointment was that all of the of the other guests had flowers and an anniversary card and a lit candle, but we did not.It was probably a simple oversight but on special occasions its the little things that make those events even more special.

— Thomas R | Oct 16, 2015

Food was excellent! Music could have been a bit more diversified.

— Erika W | Jul 05, 2015

This was a terrible anniversary experience. With two toddlers at home we are definitely not foods snobs. However, the cold cafeteria food served at the buffet was exceptionally bad. When we arrived on the boat the food was already sitting out soggy and cold. After sitting at our table we learned there was no food service and had to wait 45 minutes for a server to bring our drinks.

— Constance G | Oct 13, 2014

This cruise was a lot of fun but the cloud 9 living description was misleading. I wouldn't have bought this experience if I had known it wasn't going to be romantic. It was a lot of fun if you want to party but not so much for your husband's birthday gift which is what I bought it for. I definitely felt I was given the wrong idea from cloud 9 prior to buying the experience.

— Shawn W | Nov 30, 2013

My wife had purchased this for me as a Christmas present, so we booked the Washington Cruise for June 30th. The staff was very friendly and the cruise was on time both leaving and returning. The food was ready as soon as the cruise started and was very good and cooked properly, but the menu was fairly limited in it's selections and left something to be desired. I think there should have been more to choose from as the menu was heavily fish oriented which was fine for me, but not for my wife. In terms of the music, the DJ had no clue who his audience was. While he did play some decent dance music, his music TOTALLY was based on one genre which was offensive to me and apparently to others as well. He made no effort to play other types of music which honestly made us leave the dining area several times for the open deck to get some quiet. A DJ needs to have a feel for his audience, and while he did play some dance music which got the crowd dancing, afterwards it was hard to take. We were also a little disappointed in the route that the cruise took as we were hoping to get some views for the Washington sites, but the cruise went nowhere near those sites and was relatively boring in what we saw. So, overall, the experience was FAIR ( 5 on a scale of 1-10).

— John O | Jul 02, 2013

The personnel was great and everyone looked like they were having a good time. The only real downside was the food. There were not enough vegetables and the steam trays were not changed out often enough so there were large gaps of time with empty trays. The beef even Rare was very tuff. Other than the food, the night was very nice.

— Donna N | Jun 30, 2013

description of the event was not accurate. no candle it dinner as promised. instead of getting a window to look out of from the boat, they placed us in front of a mirror wall. no way to see the river. My girlfriend was sharing her seat with a fire extinguisher. the music was so loud we couldn't stay in the cabin. overall it was not what they promised and a huge let down for the night I had planned.

— Michael B | Apr 01, 2013

Me and my husband had a blast, we will hopefully be doing one of these again.

— Jacquelyn H | Jun 23, 2012

Great cruise dinner on the Potomac River during Cherry Blossom festival.

— Lisa D | Apr 02, 2012

The serving crew were great the DJ was very good. It was a real fun trip and the whole crew were very friendly.

— Sam H | Jul 25, 2011

I enjoyed the experience but I thought the food was horrible. I was looking forward to the food and was highly disappointed. My friend told me the food was not the best, but I wanted to try it out for myself. I would not recommend the ride for the food only for the entertainment. Eat before you go!!!!!

— Charlene D | Jun 11, 2011

Washington DC Dinner Cruise