City Cruises Chicago: Premier Plus Brunch Cruise on Chicago River

Chicago’s skyline is best read from the river, where the city’s grand towers rise directly above you. City Cruises Chicago turns that view into a two-hour brunch cruise, pairing a three-course plated meal with building commentary, music, and river scenery on the main and south branches.

I like two things right away: unlimited mimosas are included for guests 21 and older with valid ID, and you get a proper sit-down meal rather than a buffet plate grabbed in a crowded line. The front and rear outdoor areas also give you room for photographs between courses.

The catch is value. At $84.74 per person, this is a celebration meal with a moving view, not a cheap way to eat brunch. Food portions and service speed can vary, and some people find the narration more prominent than the music and party atmosphere.

Key points to know before booking

• Three-course plated brunch: Choose from the available menu options and expect table service rather than a self-serve spread.
• Unlimited mimosas for adults: You must be at least 21 and carry valid identification. Wine, beer, and creative cocktails cost extra.
• Four major skyline sights: Look for Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and Willis Tower from the river.
• Boarding starts at 11 a.m.: The cruise departs at 11:30 a.m., and late arrivals may miss the boat.
• Indoor comfort with outdoor photo spots: The main interior deck is climate-controlled, while open areas let you step outside for views.
• A social, dressy outing: Cocktail attire is requested, and the maximum group size is 200 people.

Brunch with Chicago’s skyscrapers overhead

This cruise works because it gives you several Chicago experiences at once. You eat, sip mimosas, hear short commentary about the buildings, and watch the city pass by without changing trains or walking several miles.

The river route is especially useful for first-time visitors. From street level, Chicago’s towers can feel like a wall of stone and glass. From the water, you get the full height of the buildings and a better sense of how the river cuts through the Loop and Near North Side.

The mood depends partly on your table and partly on the crowd. Some sailings feel like a polished birthday or anniversary lunch. Others become lively, with music, dancing, and plenty of conversation. The boat can get noisy when it is full, which is worth knowing if you want a quiet meal.

The onboard guide provides commentary about the architecture between landmarks. I like that this adds context to the view, but you should not expect a nonstop architecture lecture or a dedicated architecture cruise. On some departures, narration takes up much of the ride. On others, there is more quiet time for conversation and contemporary music.

Boarding at 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive

The meeting point is 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611. Boarding begins 30 minutes before the 11:30 a.m. departure, so plan to arrive close to 11 a.m. Late arrivals will likely miss the boat.

The approach can be confusing. Directions around the NBC Tower area are not always clear, and the route includes stairs down toward the river. If you are using public transportation, give yourself extra time to find the entrance. A practical landmark is the NBC Tower area, followed by a turn near the corner and stairs down toward the boarding point.

This is not the moment to arrive at 11:28 with coffee in hand. Allow time for the walk, finding the correct stairs, and boarding. Once aboard, early arrival has a real benefit: you can get seated without rushing and settle in before the first mimosa arrives.

The cruise returns to the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but tell the operator about dietary restrictions as early as possible. The company says it will do its best to accommodate them.

A three-course meal, not a bargain brunch

The included meal is a chef-prepared, three-course plated brunch. Menu choices vary, but the experience includes options for each course. This is a more formal setup than a basic sightseeing boat with a snack counter.

The food has been a strong part of many sailings. French toast and bacon receive particular praise, and some diners describe the meal as both good in quality and ample in quantity. Main courses can be satisfying, but portions are not guaranteed to suit everyone. One useful piece of advice is to arrive hungry, especially if brunch is replacing lunch.

There is also a clear warning in the mixed feedback: not every diner finds the starters or dessert convincing, and some consider the overall amount too small for the price. That does not make the meal poor by definition, but it does change how you should judge the booking. You are paying for food plus a city experience, not $84.74 worth of restaurant food alone.

Service is another variable. Friendly, attentive staff can make the cruise feel special. Leslie, Artisha, Edward, and chef Michelle have each been singled out for warm service or strong work on particular sailings. At other times, the main course has taken too long to arrive, which matters because slow food service cuts into the time you can enjoy the views and mimosas.

If you have a food allergy or restriction, speak up before ordering and ask what alternatives are available. The operator aims to accommodate dietary needs, but the available menu is not fully described here, so do not assume every request can be met.

Unlimited mimosas and the extra drink bill

The main drink feature is simple: unlimited mimosas are included for anyone 21 or older with valid identification. This is a major part of the value for couples, birthday groups, and friends planning a social afternoon.

The service can be very good when the dining room is running smoothly. Staff may keep glasses filled at the table, and early boarding gives you a chance to begin the meal without delay. But the mimosa mix may be heavy on orange juice, and refills can slow down if the restaurant service falls behind.

All other alcoholic drinks are extra. Creative cocktails, wine, and beer come from the cash bar, so check the cost before adding them. If you want several drinks beyond mimosas, the final bill can rise quickly.

I would also avoid treating bottomless drinks as the main reason to book. You are on a moving boat, eating a three-course meal, and looking at architecture. The best version of this outing is paced and social, not a race to consume as much as possible.

Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building from the river

Two of the most recognizable sights come early in the city’s visual story: Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building.

Tribune Tower rises 463 feet across 36 floors at 435 North Michigan Avenue. Its neo-Gothic design gives it a distinctly old-world profile, complete with the vertical lines and decorative detail you expect from a grand early twentieth-century skyscraper.

Its origin is part of the appeal. An international design competition held in the early 1920s turned the tower into a major event in twentieth-century architecture. From the river, look for the strong upward thrust of the building and its contrast with newer, smoother towers nearby.

Across Michigan Avenue, the Wrigley Building occupies 400 to 410 North Michigan Avenue. Its white exterior and clock tower make it easy to spot, especially when set against the darker tones of surrounding buildings.

The two buildings are close together on land, but the river gives you a wider view of both. This is a good example of why the cruise is more than a meal with scenery. You can compare their design, age, and materials without standing in traffic on Michigan Avenue.

The boat does not stop for a walking visit at each building. Think of these as carefully framed views from the water. Your best photographs may come from the outdoor deck, but keep your phone ready indoors too because the boat’s position changes quickly.

Merchandise Mart at the branches of the river

The Merchandise Mart is one of the cruise’s most impressive sights because of its scale. When it opened in 1930, it was the largest building in the world, with four million square feet of floor space.

Its Art Deco form sits near the junction of the Chicago River’s branches. That location makes the building feel tied to the river rather than simply placed beside it. As the boat moves through the downtown waterway, you get a better sense of its massive footprint than you would from one nearby sidewalk.

This is one of the moments when the narration is useful. A short explanation about the building’s size and commercial purpose helps you understand why it dominates the riverfront. If you prefer a relaxed brunch with minimal commentary, the guide’s remarks may feel a bit frequent. The volume is usually manageable, but the balance between narration, music, and quiet changes by sailing.

The river itself is part of the sightseeing. Traffic can be heavy, and the operator may modify the route in high traffic or severe weather. That means the exact angle or order of the views is not guaranteed.

Willis Tower and the changing skyline

The cruise also brings you into view of Willis Tower, still commonly called the Sears Tower. At 110 stories and 1,451 feet, it remains one of the defining markers of Chicago’s Loop.

From the river, its height is easier to appreciate than from the base. The tower’s dark vertical mass has a different character from the ornamental Tribune Tower and the light-colored Wrigley Building. Seeing these buildings in one outing gives you a quick lesson in Chicago’s changing architectural language.

The route uses the main and south branches of the Chicago River. That is enough to show you a broad slice of the central skyline, but it is not the same as a dedicated architecture cruise designed around detailed commentary at every turn. If your top priority is architectural information, compare this brunch cruise with a sightseeing architecture cruise before booking.

For many people, though, the combination is the point. You can listen for a few minutes, take photos, return to your meal, and let the skyline keep moving.

Indoor comfort, outdoor photos, and what to wear

The interior deck is climate-controlled, which is welcome on warm Chicago days. Air conditioning has been appreciated on hot sailings, but one person found the boat extremely cold. Bring a light layer even in summer so you can adjust without losing the meal.

There are outdoor areas at the front and back of the boat. These are the best places for skyline photographs and fresh air, though you will want to return to your table for service and commentary. The boat is designed for movement around the vessel, but this is still a meal cruise, not an open-air sightseeing boat for the full two hours.

The requested dress code is cocktail attire. You do not need to turn brunch into a formal gala, but neat, dressy clothing fits the setting better than casual sightseeing clothes. Comfortable shoes still matter because you may use stairs and walk to the boarding point.

The atmosphere is usually polished but not stiff. Music may play between landmarks, and some sailings become lively enough for dancing near the end. If you prefer a calm meal, choose your companions carefully and expect a full boat, with a maximum of 200 people.

Is $84.74 a fair price?

At $84.74 per person, the price makes sense when you value the whole package: a three-course meal, unlimited mimosas, a moving view of the skyline, onboard commentary, climate control, and two hours of entertainment.

It is less compelling if you are judging the booking strictly as a meal. Portions may leave a hungry diner wanting more, and extra drinks cost more. Slow service can also make the price feel high because you lose time waiting for food or refills.

I see this as a special-occasion purchase. Birthdays, anniversaries, a girls’ weekend, and a first visit to Chicago are good matches. You are buying an easy, organized afternoon with a view, rather than assembling separate brunch, river sightseeing, and skyline plans.

For a family, the calculation depends on the children. A 12-year-old may enjoy the food, views, and novelty, but the adult drink value will not apply to younger passengers. A group that wants loud music and a party may be happy, while a group seeking a serious architectural lesson may prefer another cruise.

Practical booking advice for a smoother afternoon

Book ahead if your schedule is fixed. This experience is often reserved about 25 days in advance, which suggests that popular weekends and celebration dates can fill before your trip.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. I would allow even more time if you do not know the NBC Tower and Cityfront Plaza area. The boarding point can be hard to spot, and missing the departure means losing the entire booking.

Keep your identification with you if you plan to drink mimosas. Bring a light jacket for the indoor deck and outdoor photo areas, and mention dietary restrictions before the meal begins.

The cruise needs good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, you will receive a different date or experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Who should book the Chicago River brunch cruise?

Book it if you want your sightseeing wrapped into a comfortable social meal. It suits couples, families with older children, birthday groups, and friends who will use the mimosas and outdoor decks. The strongest parts are the skyline views, friendly service when the dining room is running well, and the ease of seeing several major buildings without planning a separate route.

Think twice if you need generous portions, fast service, or a quiet, highly detailed architecture lesson. The experience can feel overpriced when the food disappoints or the narration dominates the music.

My practical call: book this for the occasion and the river views, not for brunch alone. Arrive early, dress in layers, budget for extra drinks, and treat the meal as one part of a two-hour Chicago sightseeing experience. That is where the $84.74 price has the best chance of feeling worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the Premier Plus Brunch Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and returns to the original meeting point at 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 a.m. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and late arrivals will likely miss the boat.

Are unlimited mimosas included?

Yes. Unlimited mimosas are included for guests who are at least 21 years old and have valid identification. Wine, beer, and creative cocktails are not included and are available from the cash bar.

What meal is included?

The cruise includes a chef-prepared, three-course plated brunch with menu options for each course.

Which Chicago buildings can I see?

The route includes views of Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and Willis Tower. Commentary and ambient music are provided between landmarks.

Can the cruise route change?

Yes. The cruise uses the main and south branches of the Chicago River, but high river traffic or severe weather may lead to a modified route.