City Cruises Chicago: Premier Plus Brunch Cruise on Chicago River

Chicago’s best brunch view may come from the river, not a dining room. On this two-hour Premier Plus cruise, you eat a plated three-course meal while Chicago’s towers slide past the windows and open decks. The route covers the main and south branches of the Chicago River, with narration and music between landmarks.

I like the unlimited mimosas and the chance to see several major buildings without arranging separate sightseeing stops. I also like the climate-controlled interior, which matters on a chilly or rainy Chicago day. The catch is value: at $84.74 per person, the experience depends heavily on solid food, prompt service, and a full glass. Those details have not been consistent for everyone.

Key points to know before booking

• Three-course plated brunch: You receive a chef-prepared meal at your table instead of lining up at a buffet.
• Unlimited mimosas for adults: You must be at least 21 and carry valid identification. Other drinks cost extra.
• Chicago architecture from the river: The route passes the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and Willis Tower.
• Board early: Boarding begins 30 minutes before the 11:30 a.m. departure, and late arrivals may miss the boat.
• Comfort in changing weather: The interior is climate-controlled, with outdoor areas for photos and fresh air.
• A social, dressed-up outing: Cocktail attire is requested, and the boat can become lively with music and dancing later in the cruise.

A brunch table with a moving Chicago view

This cruise combines three things that do not always work equally well: sightseeing, a full meal, and a social brunch. The strongest part is the setting. From the river, you get a low, open view of Chicago’s architecture, with buildings rising close to the water instead of appearing as distant skyline shapes.

The meal is served as a three-course plated brunch. That gives the outing a more formal feel than a basic sightseeing boat, and it means you can stay at your table while the city moves past. Menu choices have included items such as French toast, bacon, yogurt, chicken, and tiramisu, though the precise selections are not provided in advance here.

The meal has drawn both praise and criticism. Some diners found it delicious and ample, especially the French toast and bacon. Others felt the portions were small for the price, with complaints about dry chicken, disappointing starters, or a dessert that was too sweet. I would book this for the overall experience, not for a destination brunch menu.

Service can shape the whole afternoon. Staff members named Leslie, Artisha, and Edward received especially warm praise for friendly service, full glasses, photography help, and a personal touch during birthday and group celebrations. At other times, entrée service was slow, and one diner reported receiving only one mimosa before the main course arrived. The lesson is simple: the boat and views are dependable reasons to go, but the meal and timing may vary.

Boarding at 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive

The meeting point is 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive, and the boat returns there after the cruise. The location is near public transportation, but finding the actual boarding area can take patience. Several people had trouble with the directions, especially around the NBC Tower, stairs, and nearby parking.

Plan to arrive 30 to 40 minutes early. Boarding opens 30 minutes before departure, and the boat leaves at 11:30 a.m. Arriving early does more than protect you from missing the cruise. It gives you time to find the entrance, settle at your table, and start the meal without rushing.

Parking is not included, and nearby spaces can be difficult to find. If you are driving, allow extra time and do not assume the building name alone will lead you straight to the boat. Public transportation may be simpler, but the activity information does not specify a particular station or route.

The maximum group size is 200 people. That is large enough for a proper event atmosphere, not a quiet private boat ride. You can expect a roomier, more polished setting than a small river taxi, but conversation may become difficult when the dining room is full.

The Tribune Tower and Wrigley Building from the water

Early in the route, the river gives you a useful angle on two of Michigan Avenue’s most familiar buildings.

The Tribune Tower rises 463 feet over 36 floors. Its neo-Gothic design came from a famous early 1920s international competition, an event that helped make the building an important part of 20th-century architectural history. From the river, its vertical lines and Gothic details read clearly against the more modern towers nearby.

Across Michigan Avenue, the Wrigley Building offers a different visual lesson. It occupies 400 to 410 North Michigan Avenue and is known for its bright, decorative exterior. Seeing it opposite the Tribune Tower helps you compare two major buildings from the same part of the city without standing in traffic or craning your neck from the sidewalk.

The narration gives context as the boat passes these landmarks. It is not a dedicated architecture cruise, so do not expect a nonstop lecture or a specialist-level architectural class. The commentary is mixed with ambient music and quieter stretches, allowing you to eat and talk. Some people will appreciate that balance. If you want constant architectural detail, a purpose-built architecture cruise may suit you better.

Merchandise Mart at the river junction

The boat continues toward the Merchandise Mart, a 1930 Art Deco commercial building at the meeting point of the Chicago River’s branches. When it opened, it was the largest building in the world, with four million square feet of floor space.

Its position matters as much as its size. The building sits at a key point in the river system, so the approach gives you a clear sense of how Chicago’s waterways fit into the downtown plan. This is one of the stops where the river itself becomes part of the story.

The route travels along the main and south branches. High river traffic can force a route change, and severe weather can also alter the plan. That means the four featured buildings are useful landmarks to expect, but no river itinerary should be treated as completely fixed.

If narration is important to you, listen during the approach to each building. The commentary comes in portions, with music or conversation between landmarks. One criticism of the cruise is that the narration can occupy more time than the relaxed brunch atmosphere some people expect. Another advantage is that you are not forced to choose between eating and listening for the entire two hours.

Willis Tower and the changing skyline

The view toward Willis Tower, still commonly called the Sears Tower, brings the route into the Loop. At 110 stories and 1,451 feet, it is difficult to miss. From the river, the building helps you read Chicago’s skyline by scale. Older low-rise structures, Art Deco blocks, neo-Gothic towers, and modern high-rises all appear in a compact sequence.

This is one reason I find a river cruise useful on a first visit. You cover a lot of visual ground without spending the afternoon walking between buildings. You also get a sense of how the river cuts through downtown, something that is easy to miss when you stay on the streets.

The boat has outdoor areas, including space at the front for photographs. Use them when the weather is comfortable, then return to the air-conditioned interior when it is not. One person found the boat too cold, while others praised the air conditioning during warm weather. Bring a light layer if you tend to feel chilled indoors, especially since the temperature may be set for a full dining room.

Rain does not necessarily ruin the outing. The interior remains useful for views and dining, and one birthday group found the cruise attractive even in wet weather. Still, poor weather can lead to a cancellation, with a different date or full refund offered in that case.

What the meal and drinks are really worth

At $84.74 per person, this is not a cheap way to have brunch. You are paying for the meal, the boat, the river route, the service, the entertainment, and the convenience of combining sightseeing with dining.

The price makes more sense if you value bottomless mimosas and plan to use the beverage package. People who enjoy a long brunch with friends may find the format worthwhile, especially for a birthday, anniversary, girls’ weekend, or other celebration. The atmosphere can become lively later, with music and occasional dancing.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a good meal or a serious architecture lesson. Other alcoholic drinks, including creative cocktails, wine, and beer, are not included and come from the cash bar. Even the included mimosas may be mixed lightly with a generous amount of orange juice, so expectations should stay realistic.

Food quantity is another important point. Some diners described the meal as ample, while others were still hungry after the entrée. If you have a large appetite, treat the meal as a pleasant part of the outing rather than the sole reason to pay the fare.

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated as much as possible, but you should mention them when booking and confirm options before departure. Food allergies deserve special attention. Do not assume every substitution will be available once the boat leaves the dock.

The mood onboard: polished, social, and sometimes loud

The requested dress code is cocktail attire. You do not need to treat this as a formal gala, but neat, dressed-up clothing fits the setting better than casual sightseeing clothes.

The atmosphere depends on the group onboard. The boat can feel classy and calm, with contemporary music in the background and quiet breaks in the narration. It can also become noisy when the dining room fills. Later music may encourage dancing, which is a plus for a celebration and a drawback if you want a peaceful meal.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Friendly servers have helped with photographs, kept drinks coming, and made birthdays feel personal. The boat also provides a captain’s hat to at least some younger passengers, adding a small family-friendly touch.

Children can participate, but the mimosas are strictly for adults 21 and older with valid identification. One 12-year-old enjoyed the food, views, and tour, so families can make it work, though the cocktail-attire setting and alcohol-centered brunch may appeal more to adults.

Who should book this Chicago River cruise

I would recommend it for couples, friends, and families marking an occasion. It is especially useful if you want one planned activity that combines lunch, skyline views, photographs, and a bit of architecture without moving between several downtown locations.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to central Chicago buildings. You will see the city from an angle that walking tours cannot offer, and the air-conditioned cabin gives you a reliable place to sit if the weather changes.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a detailed architectural education, a quiet meal, or excellent value based only on food. A dedicated architecture cruise may provide more building information, while a regular restaurant brunch may offer more menu flexibility for less money.

The boat receives a strong overall rating of 4.5 from 57 ratings, but the spread is wide. That matches the practical picture: the setting, service, drinks, and special-occasion mood can be excellent, while food portions and timing are the main risks.

Final call: book it for the setting, not just the brunch

I think this is a good choice when you want a festive Chicago outing with a meal attached. The strongest reasons to book are the river-level architecture views, unlimited mimosas for eligible adults, outdoor photo areas, and the chance to celebrate without planning every detail yourself.

I would skip it if $84.74 feels high for a meal that may be modest in size, or if you want an expert architecture tour above all else. Arrive early, confirm dietary needs, bring a light layer, and keep extra money available for drinks beyond the mimosas. With those expectations, the cruise can be a memorable way to spend two hours in downtown Chicago.

FAQ

How long is the Premier Plus brunch cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

What time should I arrive?

The scheduled start time is 11:30 a.m. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and late arrivals may miss the boat. Arriving 30 to 40 minutes early is a wise plan.

Does the cruise return to the starting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are mimosas included?

Yes. Unlimited mimosas are included for guests age 21 and older who have valid identification.

Are wine, beer, and cocktails included?

No. Creative cocktails, wine, and beer are available separately from the cash bar.

What buildings can I see from the river?

The route includes views of the Tribune Tower, Wrigley Building, Merchandise Mart, and Willis Tower. The route may change if river traffic is high or severe weather affects operations.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

The operator does its best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Tell the operator about your needs when booking and ask about available alternatives.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or insufficient bookings causes the cruise to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.