Length: 2 Hours

Time: 12:00 noon on selected dates, year-round
Boarding 30 minutes before departure

For Washington dinner cruise options, please Click Here.

Summary: This tour does NOT include a hotel pick-up. Rates are per person in US dollars and include food service gratuity. Child price applies to ages 3 to 11; children 2 and under are free. Reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-753-5019.

There are no refunds. All sales are final.

If changes are allowed on a tour or activity, a $20.00 per reservation change fee will be applied for any change to a reservation. Please note that some tours and activities do not allow any changes. Date changes can only be made only if we can confirm availability on the new date. While we cannot guarantee any changes can be made, all change requests must be submitted a minimum of 24 hours prior to the tour departure and must be handled on an individual basis through our Reservations Center.

Schedule Notes

PLEASE NOTE: On selected Saturdays from March through November, the regular lunch cruise is replaced by the Washington DC Potomac River Gospel Lunch Cruise, featuring live Gospel music entertainment. To order the gospel cruise, please click here.

This cruise is not available on New Year's Day, Valentines Day, during the Cherry Blossom Festival, Easter Sunday, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Eve. On some of those dates, there are special event cruises available at a slightly higher price.

Entertainment

The ship is alive with entertainment. Enjoy a "Solid Gold" show at lunch and dinner performed live by the ship's incredibly talented entertainers. Then get in the good vibrations as the DJ picks up the beat for non-stop dancing. While you relax and have fun, every window displays an endless stream of city sights. There's even a live narration during our lunch cruises. Whether you want to dance in the moonlight or gaze in wonder at Washington DC's historic waterfront, you'll find a different experience every minute.

The Sights Your cruise departs from Pier 4 at 6th and Water Streets. Your excursion covers the Potomac River with spectacular views of the city's downtown. No trip to Washington DC 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. Fort Lesley J. McNair and General's Row
Fort McNair has had many different names over the years. In 1948, the post was renamed in honor of the commander of the Army Ground Forces in WWII. McNair who was killed in Normandy in 1944, was the highest-ranking officer to be killed by friendly fire. General's Row is prime waterfront property on Fort McNair; generals and those officers of "flag rank" live here with their families while they make their home in DC.

2. Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is over 555-feet tall, the tallest free-standing stone sculpture in the world. There are no reinforcements to hod the stones together - just the weight of the stones and the way they are fitted together holds the structure.

3. National Airport
National Airport is one of the busiest Airports in US with an average of 1 flight every 30 seconds at peak periods which equals about 900 flights on a busy day. Despite this, it is one of the safest airports in the US.

4. Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria was first established in 1600s by Scottish and English tobacco merchants. Early settlers envisioned a bustling port and at one time, Alexandria was the 3rd largest port in the country, especially during the Civil War. However, as ships grew larger, the deeper and more accessible ports of Baltimore and Norfolk overshadowed Alexandria.

5. Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is a red brick building with green copper roof and low white building with a "bulls-eye" target. It was used for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes on and off from 1918 until the end of WWII.

6. Admiral's Row
The townhomes up on the hill beyond the abandoned marina remain virtually unchanged since the colonial days except for modern plumbing and electricity. They were used by ship's captains and their families when they were in port of Alexandria.

7. Jones Point
The survey marker is south cornerstone of the District of Columbia which marks the beginning of the 1791 survey that carved out the federal jurisdiction from the states of Maryland and Virginia. In 1846, this portion of the district was retroceded back to VA. Jones Point Lighthouse was built adjacent to the cornerstone in 1855.

8. Woodrow Wilson Bridge
The Woodrow Wilson Bridge is the only active drawbridge on the Potomac at this time. It is the southernmost of 7 crossings of the Potomac in DC and the last bridge for approx. 50 miles down river. This bridge is part of I95 and connects Maryland on the and Virginia.

9. US Naval Research Lab
The US Naval Research Lab celebrated its 75th Anniversary in June, 1998. This Lab is significant for the discovery of radar in the 1920s. This happened by accident during radio signal experiments between the lab and Hains Point when ships got in the way.

The Food

As irresistible as the view is our menu, which offers you a satisfying array of choices and flavors. Whether helping yourself to our lunchtime buffet or enjoying your buffet dinner, attentive servers cater to your every request so you can relax and enjoy the entertainment and sights.

Lunch Cruise Menu
(subject to change)

Featuring the Grande Buffet

SALADS
~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 Mached and Cubed Potatoes, Diced Onions, 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 Lemon-Herb Butter (Alaskan Salmon is eco-friendly and sustainable)
~Classic Baked Chicken - The most flavorful cuts of Chicken tossed with 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
~Grilled Vegetable Lasagna - Layers of tender Pasta, Roasted Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Carrots & Peppers baked in a Béchamel Ricotta 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 Lemon Mousse Shortbread
~Oreo Dream Bar
~Brulée Raspberry Cheesecake
all served with a variety of sauces and whipped cream

Boarding time 30 minutes prior to departure.

This tour does NOT include a hotel pick-up. Rates are per person in US dollars and include food service gratuity. Child price applies to ages 3 to 11; children 2 and under are free. Reserve online, or call us toll-free at 800-753-5019.

Washington Lunch Cruises	The Grande Buffet
One of the Dining Areas Aboard the Spirit of Washington	Tasty Food and Great Views
Here's to a Wonderful Afternoon!