How does a three-hour sunset cruise on the Delaware River featuring a sumptuous dinner buffet and live musical revue sound to you? For about what you would pay for dinner and a movie and substantially less than you would pay for dinner and a show, the Spirit of Philadelphia offers the perfect alternative to your normal evening out routine.
Operated by Sodexho Alliance, the largest contract and management services company in the world, Spirit Cruises, Inc. is the largest and most entertaining harbor cruise company in America, operating 13 ships across the country in cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, Norfolk, Richmond, Seattle, and Washington D.C..
Spirit Cruises have entertained over 13 million passengers with their unique cruise concept that offers dancing, sightseeing, memorable meals and quality entertainment, all for an affordable price.
For more than 17 years, the Spirit of Philadelphia has been entertaining visitors and local residents with scenic lunch and dinner cruises on the Delaware River. The ship features three enclosed decks which hold up to 550 passengers in cruise-style seating.
In addition, a fourth deck offers outdoor patio-style seating for those who wish to dine al-fresco as they experience the unique views of the historic Delaware River shoreline, including the Battleship New Jersey, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the New Jersey State Aquarium, Old Fort Mifflin, the Philadelphia Naval Base and the new Kvaerner Shipyard.
Access to the Spirit of Philadelphia is very easy from all areas of the region. Passengers from the north or south using I-95 should use Exit 16. The ship docks alongside Columbus Boulevard at Penn's Landing next to the Chart House Restaurant. Ample dockside parking is available for a price that ranges from $5 to $10 depending on time of day.
Numerous cruise/dining options are available depending on the time of year that you choose to take your cruise.
Cruises feature all-you-can-eat buffets with delicious choices prepared on board by the ship's executive chefs and their galley staffs. Selections include beef, poultry and seafood with fresh vegetables, salads, rolls with butter, and dessert. With advance notice, they can accommodate requests for kosher meals, and even arrange special meals for guests with allergies. Other specialty menus are available for deck or full-ship charters.
All cruise prices include the lunch or dinner buffet and entertainment. Bar service and gratuity are not included. Special group rates and charters are also available.
Your Guide recently had the pleasure of enjoying a special dinner cruise with the employees of the Philadelphia Insurance Companies. We invite you to share in the experience of that dinner cruise with our special Spirit of Philadelphia photo gallery.
For more information on the Spirit of Philadelphia or to purchase tickets online, visit the Spirit of Philadelphia's excellent web site.
Thanks to Bob Gregory, General Manager of the Spirit of Philadelphia for his assistance in providing material for this article.