For an expertly crafted tour of DC by boat, look no further than Entertainment Cruises DC which operates the Odyssey and the Spirit of Washington cruises year round. I recently had the opportunity to do a dinner cruise on The Odyssey, along with fellow bloggers Cecile and Laetitia. Now, I am normally fairly skeptical of dinner cruises (or cruises in general), but as it turns out, I had a great time and was pleasantly surprised with my experience. Whether you are a DC resident or just visiting, this is really an experience worth checking out. Here are the top reasons why:
1. Breathtaking views
Although I have been in the DC area many years now, the sights of the DC monuments are always something. The Odyssey is a stunning glass enclosed ship, with big open windows on all sides. No matter where on the boat you are, you will always have a great view. The ship also has an open air terrace all around the periphery, so you can get out for fresh air and a fresh perspective of the city.
2. Avoid the CROWDS
bar on the odyssey
Now, if you are a DC local or if you have been here during the warmer months, you know what the crowds can be like. If crowds stifle you, then this cruise is perfect for you. It would be a great way to entertain out of town guests in a special way too. Another plus, access to board is easy, from the Waterfront metro.
3.Drinks! Food! Dancing!
A multi course meal is included, with appetizers, choice of entrée, and dessert. At our dinner, we enjoyed shrimp fritters, goat cheese dip, short ribs (delicious!), lobster gratin, and bread pudding. There is also a live band or DJ, and before the end of the night, a lot of people were on the dance floor. Fun all around.
Things to know:
· The dinner experience is about 3 hours in total, with cruising time close to 2.5 hours. However, there are multiple options available – daytime or night.
· There are vegetarian options available – we had a good cauliflower steak!
· They take a picture as you board, and bring the developed photos right to your table for you to purchase, if you’d like.
Pro tip: Stop by Cantina Marina at the waterfront before or after the cruise for waterfront drinks!
a good time ;)
Sounds pretty good, right? It’s a perfect way to see the Cherry Blossoms, the 4th of July fireworks, or really, just to see the city! Also, they recently launched a bottomless brunch cruise – enjoy brunch on a boat with bottomless mimosas, bites, and breathtaking views!
Start planning your waterfront escape here, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates! Happy Cruising!
We were guests of EC Washington, but all opinions here (good and bad) are my own.
