Philadelphia Lunch Cruises

Enjoy this cruise, lunch, and a show with amazing views of Philadelphia by water.

Take in two leisurely hours of fun while you see the city's spectacular skyline.

Feel right at home as you cruise in climate-controlled comfort. You'll be seated at your table where attentive servers will take your drink orders and invite you up to the buffet.

Enjoy a bountiful meal as you gaze at an endless stream of riverfront sights. Listen to talented entertainers dazzle you with song. Unlike a restaurant or banquet hall, the cruise ship brings an ever-changing view of the Philadelphia skyline to you. You won't find such an array of attractions anywhere else.

Schedule Notes

Most Saturday cruises depart at 11:00 am, but Saturday cruises sometimes depart at other times between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. Please check the Availability Calendar for specific Saturday lunch cruise times.

One or two Saturdays each month from April through October, Gospel entertainment is featured on one or two of the three decks on the Spirit of Philadelphia. The third deck features the standard lunch cruise entertainment. To order the Gospel Lunch Cruise, please Click Here. Gospel Lunch Cruise Dates for 2010 are April 17, June 19, July 10 and 24, August 7 and 21, September 11 and 25, and October 9 and 23.

Sightseeing on the Lunch Cruise:

Your cruise departs from Penn's Landing where Columbus Boulevard meets Lombard Circle. Your excursion covers the Delaware River with spectacular views of the Philadelphia and Camden Skylines. No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a view from the deck of our festive ship. And while you're enjoying all the highlights, you can dine, dance and have a great time, too.

1. Penn's Landing
The place where William Penn, Philadelphia's founder, first touched ground. Today, Penn's Landing is a riverside park and the place where Philadelphians gather in the summer to hear music and on December 31 to usher in the New Year.

2. Delaware River
Originally named after Lord Delaware who was the first governor of the Virginia Colony. An important body of water to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is used for commerce as well as pleasure.

3. Shot Tower
It looks like a smoke stack with a lid on top, but it's really America's first shot tower built in 1808. Shot towers revolutionized the making of musket balls and other solid projectiles based on the principle that molten lead will form perfect round balls when poured from a high place.

4. Old Swedes Church
This church hosts the oldest, active congregation in the country. It was founded in 1643, and it presently known as Gloria Dei Church.

5. S.S. United States
This huge ship (990 feet long - 80 feet longer than the Titantic) still holds the record for speed crossing the Atlantic. Passengers over the years have included Philadelphia's Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, and presidents of the United States. This was the ship used in the movie "An Affair To Remember" with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. Norwegian Cruise lines are purchasing her and bringing her back to full glory as a modern cruise ship.

6. Gazela and Tugboat Jupiter
The Gazela is a 177-foot-long square-rigged vessel built in 1883. In her first incarnation, she was a Portuguese fishing boat still operating as recently as the 1960's. She was the oldest tall ship to participate in the OpSail Tall Ship Festival in 1976, and also took part in the Statue of Liberty's 100th birthday celebration in New York Harbor in 1986. The Jupiter played a significant role in the development of commerce and transportation in the Delaware Valley. She is believed to be the oldest tug still active that represents Neafie and Levy's work. The tug's mechanical systems are a good example of the evolution of a typical workboat from 1900 to the 1950's. Currently, she takes part in educational programs, festivals, and boat parades. Jupiter is also used as a functioning tug, moving the Ship Guild's other vessels. The operation and maintenance is performed by a volunteer group of active and retired tugboat professionals and enthusiasts.

7. Old Christ's Church and Burial Ground
The church is one of America's most historic shrines and as such Philadelphians have always revered it. The church's steeple, at 196-feet high is to this day a visible landmark from many parts of the city. It is referred as the "200-foot steeple" by their guides. One can only wonder then, at what it meant to those ships of two centuries past coming up the Delaware river after months at sea.

8. Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman Bridges
The Ben Franklin Bridge was the largest single-span structure in the world when it opened in July 1926, and is still the largest suspension bridge in the United States. It is brilliantly illuminated at night, with special laser lights that "perform" as the high speed line train crosses over from one city to the other. The Walt Whitman Bridge is named after Philadelphia's famous poet, the dynamic bridge boasts a 2,000-foot span. The only way to cross this bridge is by car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.

9. Independence Seaport Museum
Located on Penn's Landing, the Museum captures the region's maritime heritage with family-oriented, interactive exhibits, magnificent ship models, artifacts and art! They maintain two historic landmarks along the Delaware that you are invited to climb aboard - Admiral Dewey's 1892 cruiser OLYMPIA and the WWII submarine BECUNA. After your cruise, if you have time, you can search for treasures in their nautical gift shop. The Sub Becuna was Commissioned in 1944 to serve as the submarine flagship of the Southwest Pacific Fleet under General Douglas MacArthur, the guppy-class Becuna was credited with destroying thousands of naval and merchant ships including a battleship. The Becuna became a training submarine at New London, Connecticut, and was decommissioned in 1969. The Flagship Olympia is the oldest steel-hulled American warship afloat, the U.S.S. Olympia served as Commodore George Dewey's flagship during the Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898.

10. Sports Complex
A large complex used for sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment. This Sports Complex is comprised of 4 large stadiums. These are home to the 76ers Basketball, Flyers Hockey , Philadelphia Eagles Football along with Phillies Baseball Team. Philadelphia supports 10 professional sports teams! If you go there, look for the "Rocky" statue.

11. Naval Shipyard
The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was the first Naval Shipyard in the Nation. It ceased operations on September 27, 1996. Many decommissioned ships are still docked there to view. More recent, this is the new site for Cruise Philly!

12. Camden Waterfront
The Camden Waterfront is a bustling area with many major attractions. Camden, New Jersey is home to Campbell's Soup, who built the beautiful new baseball stadium where the River Sharks play. The Aquarium, Tweeter Center, and the U.S.S. Battleship New Jersey make this an exciting place to come back and visit.

13. Philadelphia and Camden Skyline
As we come back to dock, don't miss the breath taking view of history blended with modern times. Be amazed at the transformation on the New Jersey side of the river, and, on the Pennsylvania side, amidst all the new tall buildings, don't forget to look for William "Willy" Penn who still stands on top of City Hall today? At one time it was the rule that no buildings could be any taller than this one.

Entertainment

The ship is alive with entertainment. Enjoy your favorite tunes woven into an interactive live musical revue. While you relax and have fun, every window displays an endless stream of city sights. Whether you want to dance in the moonlight or gaze in wonder at the Philadelphia skyline, you'll find a different experience every minute.

Food Service

As irresistible as the view is our menu, which offers you a satisfying array of choices and flavors. Relax with a refreshing beverage. Then your host will invite you to a buffet of popular favorites featuring several entrees, vegetables, salads and side dishes. You'll finish off with your choice of dessert and coffee or tea. Cocktail service is available throughout the cruise at your table or from one of the bars.

Lunch Cruise Menu
(subject to change)

Gardener Salad - California Baby Lettuce tossed with Grape Tomatoes and a selection of Champagne Vinaigrette and Peppercorn Ranch dressings

Italian Pasta Salad - Freshly cooked Pasta mixed and mingled with Green and Red Peppers, Celery, Sweet Onions and savory Italian Dressing

Classic Potato Salad - A mix of Mashed and Cubed Potatoes, Diced Onion, Celery and Sweet Pimentos blended with a Creamy Herb Mayonnaise

Entrees:

Wild Alaskan Salmon* - Fresh Salmon nestled on a bed of Tender Spinach and topped with a Lemon-Herb Butter
*Alaskan Salmon is eco-friendly and sustainable

Classic Baked Chicken - The most flavorful cuts of Chicken tossed in a Buttery Blend of Seasonings and baked to perfection

Asian Beef & Chicken Stir Fry - Seasoned Chicken and Beef a la Julienne, wok-seared with fresh Chinese Vegetables

Penne Pasta - Tossed with extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and parmesan cheese with your choice of our classic garden tomato sauce or a vodka blush sauce

Accompaniments:

Spanish Rice - Red Long Grain Rice seasoned with a traditional Spanish Catalan blend
Fresh Local Harvest Seasonal Vegetables

Desserts:

Sweet Dessert Trio:
Moist Berry-flavored Cake
Oreo Dream Bar
Brulée Raspberry White Chocolate Cheesecake
all served with a variety of sauces and whipped cream

Rates do not apply for specialty cruises such as Easter and Thanksgiving.

Boarding time 30 minutes prior to departure.

The rate for this tour applies to cruises from May through October. This tour does not include a hotel pick-up. Prices include tax and gratuity on food service. Bar service (beverages, tax and gratuity) not included. Child price applies to ages 3 to 11; children ages 2 and under are free. Reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-698-7953.