City Cruises Norfolk: Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise

Norfolk’s Spirit of Norfolk turns a meal into a moving waterfront view. For about two to two and a half hours, you’ll cruise the Elizabeth River, pass the city skyline and Navy vessels, and eat from a buffet while music fills the ship. It feels part dinner, part sightseeing ride, and part social night out.

I like the wide outdoor patio deck, which gives you room to step away from the dining room, and I like the crew’s attentive service. Servers such as Showann and Dee have made a strong impression on past diners. The main caution is the food: many meals are good, but hot dishes can cool before you reach your table, and a few diners found the cooking only average.

Key points to know before you book

• Norfolk’s Navy waterfront: The route gives you views of the Elizabeth River, the city skyline, shipyards, and the Atlantic Fleet.
• Three buffet formats: Choose brunch, lunch, or dinner, with menus and entertainment shaped around the time of day.
• A proper night out: Dinner cruises may include a DJ, dancing, and lively onboard entertainment.
• Plenty of outdoor space: The ship has a large patio deck for fresh air, sun, skyline views, and evening strolls.
• Plan your clothing carefully: Dressy-casual clothing is required, and boarding starts 30 minutes before departure.
• Good value for a special occasion: At $68 per person, the cruise makes the most sense when you want dinner, scenery, music, and a celebration in one package.

A meal with Norfolk’s working waterfront outside the window

The best part of this cruise is the setting. Norfolk is a major naval port, and the Elizabeth River gives you a close look at the city’s maritime character. From the ship, you can watch the skyline shift as you move along the water, with Navy vessels and shipyard views adding substance to what could otherwise be a simple sightseeing ride.

You are not just looking at a postcard view. The waterfront is tied to Norfolk’s daily life, military role, and port activity. A captain or crew member may point out vessels and explain what you are seeing, although the narration is not always easy to hear when the dining room is noisy. If learning about the ships matters to you, move to a quieter spot or listen from the open deck when possible.

The newly renovated Spirit of Norfolk provides the setting. After boarding, crew members escort you to your table. You can order drinks, settle in, and then move around the ship once it gets underway. The boat has indoor dining areas and climate-controlled decks, so changing weather should not ruin the basic experience.

Choosing between brunch, lunch, and dinner

City Cruises offers three versions of the same basic idea. Each combines a buffet meal with river views and music, but the mood changes with the departure time.

Brunch is likely the easiest fit for families and daytime celebrations. You get daylight views of the river and skyline, and the open deck is at its best when the weather is pleasant. Brunch also avoids the late-night feel of the dinner cruise.

Lunch works well if you want sightseeing without building an entire evening around the boat. You can see the Navy waterfront clearly, enjoy the buffet, and still have time left in the day for Norfolk.

Dinner is the more festive choice. Depending on the sailing, you may hear background music or a DJ, and dancing can become a major part of the night. Several past diners enjoyed the music, dancing, and staff performances, while one older couple found the DJ’s choices less suitable for their age group. You should think of dinner as entertainment as well as dining, not as a quiet restaurant meal.

The cruise runs from about two hours to 150 minutes. That is enough time for a full meal and a walk around the ship, but not so long that the ride becomes tiring. Still, exact departure times vary, so check the schedule for your chosen date.

Boarding the Spirit of Norfolk

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and you should treat that time as a firm deadline. Late arrivals may miss the boat, and the ship does not operate like a restaurant where you can simply arrive whenever you like.

Bring a passport or ID card. Infants can ride free, but you must select the free infant ticket option when booking so the child is included in the reservation.

If your party is splitting the cost across separate bookings, take care. The company cannot promise seats together when reservations are made separately. One reservation for the full group is the safest way to keep everyone at the same table.

The stated dress code is dressy casual. The rules say no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter tops, T-shirts, gym shoes, or flip-flops. In practice, some diners have reported that the clothing rules were not always enforced, but you should still dress according to the published standard. For a dinner cruise, neat trousers, a dress, a skirt, or a collared shirt would be the sensible approach.

The buffet: good range, uneven results

The attended Grande Buffet is designed to serve a broad group, not to function like a small chef-led restaurant. That distinction matters. You get several salads, side dishes, main courses, and desserts, so the meal offers plenty of choice. But buffet food can lose heat while people are being seated and served.

The sample dinner menu gives you a good idea of the range. Salads include Caesar, Greek salad, and a summer berry and farro salad with spinach and sumac vinaigrette. Sides include Mexican elote-style corn, roasted potatoes, and roasted summer vegetables.

The dinner entrées are more varied than the usual basic buffet lineup. Options include oven-roasted salmon with bok choy and miso citrus soy sauce, baked orecchiette pasta, birria-style chicken, Caribbean jerk-braised pork, and hand-carved tri-tip steak with caramelized onions and balsamic beef jus.

That spread gives you choices if you eat vegetarian, prefer seafood, or want a heavier meat dish. The menu also marks vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-conscious items, which is useful for sorting out what may fit your needs. One diner with allergies appreciated that the food was labeled.

The weak point is temperature. Some diners found the hot food no longer hot by the time they ate. I would head to the buffet soon after it opens, take smaller portions first, and return for seconds. That approach lets you try several dishes without piling lukewarm food onto your plate.

Food quality seems to vary by sailing and personal taste. Many people found the food delicious or excellent, while others called it merely okay. Desserts received mixed treatment too. The dinner menu includes baked peach berry crisp and an individual dessert station with seasonal fruit, but dessert is not the main reason to choose this cruise.

For children, the buffet may be less dependable than a land-based family restaurant. One useful suggestion was to add more familiar child-friendly food such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or sweet potatoes. If you are booking for picky eaters, do not assume every child will find an easy favorite.

Drinks, coffee, and the real cost of the evening

The $68 price includes the cruise, buffet dining, coffee, tea, and other nonalcoholic beverages, along with access to the outdoor deck. It does not include alcohol, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase onboard.

That price is fair if you want several things at once: a meal, a boat ride, sightseeing, music, and a setting for a birthday or anniversary. It is less compelling if you are judging the experience only by the food. A buffet at this price should be considered part of a full evening, not a bargain restaurant meal.

Drinks can change the final bill quickly. Some diners felt alcoholic drinks were priced well above ordinary bar prices. Check the cost before ordering, and watch for drink vouchers if you purchase them. One diner did not realize the vouchers were on the table and was charged to a card instead.

There have also been isolated complaints about a mixed drink made with flat soda. That is a small detail, but it shows why you should check your drink when it arrives. Coffee and tea are included, though one person specifically found the lack of tea disappointing on a particular sailing.

Views from the dining room and upper deck

The indoor dining area gives you a comfortable seat while you eat, but the best views require some movement. After your meal, go upstairs to the outdoor deck. You can take your drink outside, walk under the stars, or sit in the sun during a daytime sailing.

The large patio deck is one of the strongest features of the cruise. You are not trapped at your table, and you can change the feel of the evening simply by stepping outside. On a clear evening, the deck is the place for sunset views and photographs. At night, it gives you a calmer break from the music and dining room.

Rain may limit access to the top deck or make it less pleasant, but the ship’s interior areas are climate-controlled. That makes the cruise workable in a range of weather conditions, though outdoor sightseeing will always depend on the day.

Window tables are not guaranteed. Some diners requested them and were seated elsewhere even when tables appeared open. If the view from your table matters greatly, keep expectations realistic and plan to spend time on the upper deck instead.

Music, dancing, and the mood onboard

The entertainment depends on the cruise you choose. Some sailings use relaxed background music. Others feature a DJ and a livelier party atmosphere.

Dinner cruises can turn into a dance night after the meal. The DJ, dancing, and occasional dancing by staff have been a major part of the fun for many people. If you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or family milestone, this added energy can make the cruise feel like a proper event rather than a meal with scenery.

The music will not suit everyone. One complaint was that the DJ played too much current music for an older crowd and did not include enough slow songs or selections from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Another diner found the music too loud, and narration could be hard to hear over the noise.

This is not a silent sightseeing trip. If you want a quiet dinner and soft conversation all night, choose a daytime sailing or a cruise described as using background music. If you want dancing and a social crowd, dinner may be the better match.

Service that helps the cruise work

The crew is one of the most reliable strengths of the experience. Servers escort you to your table, take drink orders, check on your group, and help keep the evening moving.

Showann has been praised for taking good care of a party of seven, while Dee was singled out for attentive service. Other diners appreciated friendly crew members, including staff who helped a person with limited mobility. You may also meet the captain or co-captain, and crew members can provide information about the Navy ships along the route.

Service can make a big difference on a boat because you cannot simply leave for another restaurant if something goes wrong. Friendly attention, clear explanations, and help with seating matter here. The crew appears to understand that many people are onboard for a special occasion.

If you have mobility concerns, contact City Cruises before booking to confirm the arrangements that apply to your needs. The ship has indoor and outdoor areas, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience for:

• Couples celebrating an anniversary or birthday
• Families who want a meal and sightseeing in one outing
• Visitors interested in Norfolk’s Navy presence
• Groups looking for music, dancing, and a social setting
• Anyone who wants a waterfront view without planning a separate boat trip

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a quiet gourmet dinner. The buffet has variety, but it is not consistent enough to justify booking for food alone. I would also think twice if your group dislikes loud music, dancing, or a fixed schedule.

For the best match, choose brunch or lunch for clearer views and a calmer pace. Pick dinner if atmosphere and music matter more than a quiet meal.

Practical ways to get better value

Arrive early enough to board before the 30-minute window closes. You will have more time to get settled and avoid beginning the cruise in a rush.

Make one reservation for your full party. This is the simplest way to improve your chance of sitting together.

If you care about the view, do not spend the entire cruise waiting for a window table. Eat, then head to the upper deck for the best open-air sightline.

Take a first pass at the buffet while the food is fresh, then return for more. This is especially helpful with the hot dishes.

Budget for drinks separately. Alcohol is not included, and prices may feel high compared with a regular bar.

Check the entertainment style before choosing your departure. A DJ and dancing can be a bonus or a nuisance, depending on the kind of night you want.

Should you book the Norfolk buffet cruise?

Book it if you want a complete evening, not simply a meal. The combination of Elizabeth River views, Navy ships, buffet dining, a large outdoor deck, and music gives you several ways to enjoy the time onboard.

At $68 per person, the value is strongest for celebrations and group outings. The food is broad in range but not always consistent, and drinks cost extra. Go with sensible expectations, arrive early, dress properly, and plan to spend part of the cruise outside. For a special Norfolk night with scenery and entertainment built in, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long does the City Cruises Norfolk buffet cruise last?

The cruise lasts about two hours to 150 minutes, depending on the selected sailing.

What meals are available?

You can choose from brunch, lunch, or dinner buffet cruises. The menu and entertainment vary by cruise type.

What does the $68 price include?

The price includes the cruise, buffet dining, coffee, tea, other beverages, and access to the outdoor deck.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard but are not included in the ticket price.

When should I arrive for boarding?

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Arrive early because late arrivals may miss the boat.

What should I wear?

Dressy-casual clothing is required. The stated rules prohibit jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter tops, T-shirts, gym shoes, and flip-flops.

Can infants ride for free?

Yes. Infants are free, but you must select the free infant ticket option when making the reservation.