Odyssey Cruises Reviews

My extended family took an Odyssey Dinner Cruise to celebrate my niece’s and nephew-in-law’s first year wedding anniversary, and we had a great time. The service was great. Kudos to our servers Deyja and Angel who took care of our every need! The food was surprisingly tasty, and it was fun to dance when the DJ “spun” his tunes. Of course, the view of the Chicago skyline was incomparable, in the daylight, during sunset, and after dark. It was nice being able to go to the top deck to take photos. The ship holds lots of people, but you’re really spread out, so the feeling is more intimate. I highly recommend this dinner cruise.

My husband and I were very hopeful that the 4th of July Dinner Cruise we booked would live up to many of the reviews. I can only say that it did NOT disappoint. The staff was fantastic - SO friendly and attentive. The food was very good and we were given several entrée choices. The bar was stocked with good quality liquors and wine. And the one thing we noticed almost immediately was how well-run and organized the night was. I would most definitely recommend Odyssey and hope to enjoy the experience again.

My wife and I booked Odyssey Chicago for the night after our wedding—our “mini-moon” celebration—because the website promised upscale dining and an elevated, romantic experience. What we actually got was a floating spring-break party with TV-dinner food. Ambience (or lack thereof) • We paid extra for a window table only to discover the ceiling was leaking. Lake water (or condensation—who knows?) dripped on us throughout the meal. • The table beside us turned the venue into a tequila-shot contest—shouting, twerking, grinding, the works. Instead of calming things down, the DJ cranked the volume so high we couldn’t hear each other or our waitress. We had to ask twice just to have a conversation. • At one point a guest twirled their dinner napkin so aggressively it caught on a ceiling fixture. They left it hanging there and used it as a “microphone” on the dance floor while staff looked on, unfazed. Food & Drink • Arugula salad: limp greens, mushy strawberries—looked days past fresh. • Ricotta gnocchi: gummy, flavorless, oddly reminiscent of stale clay. • Braised short rib: overcooked, oddly fiery-hot, and bone-dry. • The whole menu felt like reheated conference-banquet fare, not the “chef-curated” dinner advertised. Service Our server was kind but overwhelmed—understandable given the nightclub atmosphere. Management never stepped in to rein in the chaos, fix the leak, or offer any accommodation for the experience we’d clearly not signed up for. Value For the premium price (window upgrade included), we expected a classy Lake Michigan dinner cruise. Instead, we got a noisy booze cruise with sub-par food and water dripping onto our newlywed attire. Easily the worst value of our entire Chicago trip. Bottom Line If you’re looking for a romantic, fine-dining cruise, skip Odyssey Chicago. Until they decide whether they’re an upscale restaurant or a party barge—and actually deliver on their marketing—your money (and special occasion) are better spent elsewhere.

I felt very taken care of on this cruise. The whole operation seemed like a well oiled machine. Despite the fact that I had reserved for the river boat (that did not make it to Chicago in time), the lake cruise was great. I appreciated being asked if I wanted any upgrades due to the inconvenience. I asked for flowers at the table for my boyfriend who was turning 40. Not only did they do that, but they gave us champagne glasses unexpectedly. They just showed up at our table. A few minutes later, a bag showed up for us to place the glasses in. All of this happened while we were on the dance floor. The crew did a remarkable job making it an enjoyable and seemless event. The cookies at the end were the icing on the cake. The food overall was delicious, the music was good, and the scenery was excellent. Thank you for making this such a wonderful experience for us! We will be back.

We had a birthday celebration on Memorial Day weekend on the Odyssey Dinner Cruise full dinner service. Our waitstaff was phenomenal! They were attentive and friendly and added a wonderful touch to our fun. The food was excellent, not one complaint ... the views of course were what we were there for and with the fireworks that kicked off the summer season it made for a night to be remembered! Dancing, cappuccino, dessert... absolutely delightful! Not cheap but when you add everything you do for three hours and where you are in Chicago... it's on par and worth it.

We went with our adult children on the cruise in the Chicago River. It was a rainy day and the open glass windows/roof were great! They also had a very nice nd delicious lunch and an extensive drink menu. Service was also really good. Only thing to watch, we had a table by the door and it was cold with guests going outside. Would recommend attending.

While in vacation in Chicago with me son I booked the Odyssey. The crew, food and view were wonderful. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something unforgettable.

This was worth our trip!!! We celebrated our wedding anniversary on the Odyssey and it was a perfect fit for our evening - the window table, the view, the food, the friendly attentive wait staff, the special dessert, the dancing, the fun - PERFECTION!!!!!

Was a blast. The food was very good. I would highly recommend the lobster bisque and braised short ribs. Was very romantic. We received rose petals on our table and a free most delicious cheesecake for our anniversary. We lucked out and got a window table and it was such a beautiful view. Alex was our waiter and he was very attentive and friendly. Only complaint would be the music, was great throughout until later. I feel that if the wanted people to dance they should of played romantic music not pop. Over all it was so much fun!

We went on the Odyssey Saturday night cruise and overall it was a good night, the cruise boarded at 6pm and set sail at 7pm: 1. Welcomed and seated and provided a complimentary glass of champagne 2. Orders taken 3. Food arrived - we were unaware the food was beginning to come out before the cruise set sail, this wasn’t the best as people were still arriving standing in their coats while you’re being served - also while the food was tasty it was also luke warm for both the starters and mains. 4. After the mains I went to the top deck to enjoy the beautiful cold breeze and breathtaking views of the city - this was by far the highlight of the evening. 5. Dessert buffet - nice selection and pretty tasty nothing amazing though 6. Back to the top deck for the remainder of the evening. I’d rate the following: Service 4/5 Ambience 4/5 Food 3/5 Views 5/5 If you love beautiful city views at night and being on the water - then I would definitely recommend it.

We celebrated Christmas Eve on the Odyssey dinner cruise. Although a little pricey, the food and service made for a wonderful evening. You were welcomed with complimentary champagne cocktails, and our daughter even received sparkling grape juice so as not to feel left out. You had multiple options for starter and entree courses followed by a dessert buffet. The servers were so friendly and attentive throughout the entire evening. The staff was always offering to take pictures for you to help capture the experience. Our cruise was an intimate crowd, which was perfect! There were times we were the only people on the top deck viewing the city skyline or in the coffee bar area. The boat moves very slowly so there is no issues with balancing in heels. After dinner there was dancing as the ship headed back to dock. As you left they offered you a cookie and hot cocoa. We all had a very nice time!

Amazing cruise... Amazing food...Amazing views..Amazing service .We took the cruise for our 10th anniversary and when we boarded the vessel we were greeted by the staff with Happy anniversary made us feel very special..

We do this cruise almost every summer, usually with out-of-town guests. Never been disappointed with the food or service & the view of one of the world’s most beautiful cities is never better.

Boarded at Navy Pier, and the entire crew was friendly and helpful. The food was good, the DJ played a good assortment of tunes, and the ride was smooth throughout and the views of downtown Chicago were panoramic. Definitely would recommend to all. Good time!

We had an issue initially with our view. The waiter Matthew was wonderful while we waited to see if it would be resolved. Just before departure the issue was resolved and our new seats were fantastic. Daniel was our waiter and gave exceptional service. Very thankful for the management for treating us so professionally. It was a night to remember and look forward to coming back in the future.

A group of 6 of us did a evening dinner cruise on a Thursday. The boat is great, the cruise itself is awesome. You can watch the sunset on the Chicago skyline and then have a great night view of the skyline and Navy Pier. Our waiter Elmer was fabulous. The food is not so great, very mediocre. The cocktails are very expensive even for Chicago. All in all we had a great time. It was very expensive, after the window seat upgrade, drinks and tip it was almost $400 a couple. I was disappointed with the culinary experience, however very pleased with the great memory we will have.

My wife and I celebrated our 28th anniversary with an Odyssey dinner cruise, and the entire experience was absolutely wonderful. Even though they were shorthanded, the wait staff was very attentive, and provided great service. Our meals were delicious, as were the dessert options we sampled. We also received a special anniversary dessert that was outstanding. The ambience, including the DJ and views from the observation deck, made it an unforgettable memory that we'll cherish for years to come.

We did a brunch cruise for the 2018 air and water show. We had a wonderful experience, the staff was excellent, our server (Abby) was fun and personable, the food was excellent, and the views were beautiful. It was a fun experience watching the air and water show by boat! I highly recommend the odyssey!

Good stuff: THE FOOD IS GREAT!! I had a picky teen with me and she ate the food. They had a dessert bar and I had the best bread pudding I have EVER had. There was a DJ and the view was amazing. The food was hot even the roll. The servers are good and fast and the crewman are so polite. My daughter left her phone and helped her find it. 2 tables actually dropped glasses on the floor, they were cleaned super fast. Also, I am not a boat person, one of the servers offered to help me go to deck and take pictures. The view was spectacular, even though it was cold and rainy. The night time cruise would be perfect if someone was trying to propose or for something really special. The lunchtime might be better for more professional and families (with older kids, over 10). The only reason I gave 4 stars is that it's pricey, but worth it if you're trying to do something special. The wine prices are what you would expect, but regular soda was $4. Wish they had price for non-alcoholic drinks posted somewhere.

We spent a few days in Chicago and decided that a dinner cruise could be fun. We ordered and had out from the homepage, and the information ahead quite high expectations. It was dress code with shirt and jacket; not jogging shoes and shorts and it was supposed to be a casual smart boat trip. When we got on board the DJ was in full swing and the music was so loud that it was impossible to have a regular conversation. There were people in both shorts and slippers. Not exactly what was “promised” in advance. The food was totally ok, but not some culinary highlights, which in a way was promised on the website. Our waitress was nice and did as good as she could. The other travellers were basically larger groups of people, which I think were on kick-off or the like. This was a party boat, more than a cosy dinner cruise. What was really good was the opportunity to walk on top deck to take pictures of the Chicago skyline. Overall, the price was too high and not worth the money. Stay away from any drinking bonds, because you lose money on it.

The views from the ship are fantastic, the wait staff is outstanding and the food is amazing. You can wander the ship in between courses so no need to quickly eat. Our waiter would find us in either the second floor bar or on top of the ship when our food was ready to be served. Please ask for Tobar to be your waiter, he made our dinner cruise extra special.

The cruise I think would be better in the summer with warmer weather. We could really not go up to the observation deck because it was a little too cold. The first is good but not great. The service was very good and attentive. The ship is very clean and well maintained. It was a very relaxing cruse and dinner.

I enjoyed an evening cruise with a group of 62 other women and had a fantastic time. The food was delicious, the views were incredible and the dancing was so much fun!! I’d do this again in a heartbeat...as long as the weather was about 30 degrees warmer than it was the end of April.

This cruise was a class act. The crew was very accommodating and the service was exceptional. The observation deck, view and live music was worth the trip. The DJ inside played a nice variety of music for all ages and everyone seemed to enjoy dancing. I would only recommend requesting a window seat as we were not aware this was an option when we booked over the phone. This is a must do for all first time Chicago goers!!

Took my mom for Mothers day and it was absolutely wonderful. We ate, enjoyed the view, met the captain, had a lovely evening spent.

From beginning to end, this was a wonderful evening. Boarding time for the fireworks/dinner cruise was 7:30 pm with sailing at 8:30. Suggest arriving by 7, as the line to get onboard is long and slow. We had a table for 2 toward the center of the dining room. No need to pay extra for a window table, as the boat goes back and forth along the same part of the shoreline and it's easy enough to see out of windows on both sides. Plus, fireworks viewing is outdoors after dinner. Our server, Nicolette, was terrific - friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Her assistant, Pedro, was also friendly and efficient. The food was fine, nothing special, but we weren't there for the culinary experience. There was dj music and a dance floor in the dining room and a live guitarist outside on the top deck. With fireworks scheduled to begin at 10:15, we headed outside and staked out 2 chairs by about 9:30. The back of the boat faces Navy Pier during the fireworks, but the top 2 decks have less engine noise and fumes. We then returned to the dining room for dancing and dessert buffet until 11:30. The final touch: as we walked down the gangway, staff were waiting to hand us freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Be aware that the online prices advertised increase by about 30% once you hit "purchase" due to administrative fees. That made us think twice, but it's worth it for a one-time experience. Also recommend purchasing a 4 drink package in advance for $30. It entitles you to anything other than full bottles of wine. If you pay individually onboard, some cocktails are $16 each. Not an inexpensive evening, but one we thoroughly enjoyed.

Cannot recommend this experience enough. I celebrated an anniversary here and it was nothing short of special, fun and romantic. I really, really recommend booking a dinner here

While visiting Chicago for work, we decided to try the Sunday brunch cruise. The food was great and the service was amazing! Although it was pricey, I’d definitely recommend this as a great way to see awesome views of the city while enjoying brunch.

Bought the tickets as a surprise for an anniversary celebration. I just moved to the area so I didn't know really what to expect! I was really impressed by the friendly service. This is especially true for the sweet girl who was our server for dinner and up on the observation deck. The views at night were just amazing. The food was really good as well. I would highly recommend this dinner cruise.

We booked the Odyssey dinner cruise through groupon and saved a substantial amount of money. The 3 hour cruise on Lake Michigan slowly wends its way north and south of Navy Pier and gives a phenomenal panoramic view of the beautiful lakefront. Dinner is a leisurely affair and the food was good. Drinks are extra and are a little pricey. They have a d.j. and dancing on the inside second floor and a wonderful singer/guitarist playing on the top deck. I would suggest eating early and then claim a seat on the top deck and just enjoy the view and the entertainment. On Wednesday and Saturday nites there is an amazing fireworks show on the lakefront so i would advise booking your dinner cruise on either of those nites. We found this to be a good value for the money(about $200 for two) and a great way to spend an evening in the best city in the country.

My wife and I decide celebrate our 28 yrs anniversary on the odyssey’s boat and everything from the beginning to the end was like we expect, all the employees are very profesional, the food was delicious and was beautiful surprise our desserts.!!!! A+++

I brought my one yr old daughter and she smiled the entire time. Every one (from the staff to the passengers) were just welcoming and has amazing energy. The food was delicious. I just would ask for more side dishes.

Went on the Odyssey Cruise for a public tv event...Jeffrey Baer was on board to speak..Great time listening to him. Unfortunately we had to stay in the harbor for our "sailing" because of rough water and rain. Glad they made that decision. That being said the food and service was very good! Drinks were good as well with a well stocked bar. We had a buffet dinner and the the food was very good and more than adequate. I would definitely go back again to see the city from the lake on a more beautiful weather night but that's mother nature. Ship and facilities were very nice and staff was very attentive.

My husband and I took the tall ship Windy cruise, but this boat was sitting right next to ours. I did not take this cruise, but the boat itself is grand. It's huge. We saw it leave the dock, and it is huge. Awesome is an understatement. A boat this size should not be affected by small, rolling waves (as ours was). You won't get sick on this one. I almost wish we had taken this cruise instead of the Tall Ship Windy. I have not been on this ship, but from looking at it tied to the dock, and seeing it leave the dock, I highly recommend this cruise. I will definitely take this cruise at some point in the future.

We felt like royalty on our lunch cruise on the Odyssey. Besides the original and delicious versions of different foods, the wait staff saw to our every need and want. Then to top it all off, we were able to view the Chicago skyline from the top deck on a warm summer day.

Excellent service from sales rep Josh dweller to Zayrah the boat restraunt manager for our private event for my daughters bday party. The food was just delicious!

I'm from Chicago, but decided to do this touristy dinner cruise for fun and to check it out. -the ship is beautiful, very impressive while you board -there are 3 decks--top deck is outdoors, great place for cocktails before dinner and they had live music which was very nice -we had dinner on bottom deck--amazing views of the city as we went up and down shoreline -service is was extremely attentive and friendly -they give you a free glass of champagne when you sit down which is nice -food was decent--surprisingly good for ship dining -salmon was delicious -bisque was a little fishy and a bit too heavy with cream -they put out a dessert buffet bar--not great, just some cheesecake squares and mediocre eclairs -we went on Saturday night when they have fireworks--and they're good about announcing when the fireworks will happen -easy to get a good spot to see fireworks--plenty of room -they take a photo of you when you board and find you during the evening to see if you want to buy it--it was a nice photo, but of course very overpriced Overall, it was a great tourist-in-my-own-city experience--amazing views of the skyline and lots of fun!

Views are nice but the food is trash. Please invest in a better chef and try not to serve store bought frozen food for a ridiculously high price. The steak is not steak, it is roast beef. The mimosas are pretty much orange juice. Waste of money. Zero stars.

My wife and I did the Saturday night fireworks cruise and had a really amazing time. Ship is beautiful and the food was amazing. Great drinks and cocktails. Table service was a little slow, but the wait staff was nice. Really enjoyed the fireworks. Perfect location to see them. Although it's a little pricey, for a nice night out, I highly recommend it.

Booking online was efficient as well as boarding! Seats by the window afforded us great view. Mimosa was a nice ice breaker! There was a variety of food selection for the brunch cruise. Top viewing deck allowed us to view Chicago's skyline from the water!

We went on the cruise to celebrate my sister in law’s birthday. The cruise was 2 hrs but boarding started an hour before sailing . They had a small dance floor with a DJ. They took our orders with choice of salad or soup , choice of entree (chicken, salmon , gnocchi) , and 3 choices of dessert. All were delicious. They also gave us cookie when we disembarked

about $100 per person without drinks food is very basic (salad and overcooked salmon with too much spices) what is great is the amazing view of Chicago skyline when arriving at night so if you are invited go for it !

My friend and I visit Chicago every year at Christmastime but had never taken an Odyssey Cruise. We took the Sunday brunch cruise and it was fabulous. Our server, Luis was great and super friendly. The ambiance was very nice and decorated beautifully for Christmas. The food was top notch, delicious and presented well. The narrator, Peter was great with recognizing points of interest. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and might possibly make it an annual activity when we go to Chicago. I highly recommend Odyssey Cruises.

Odyssey II crew in Chicago, Navy Pier did an amazing job today. My parents had their 40th wedding anniversary and they decorated our table as well as wrote a happy anniversary note. Happy anniversary was also written on their desert plate. Great job 🥰 Food was really good. Great atmosphere :)

A great way to spend a New Year Eve. A little pricy, but well worth it. The staff have excellent service. The food was good, and plenty of it, and the music was great. Where else would get such a good view of the fireworks!

I really can't recommend this cruise for the Air and Water Show. It was over $125 person for the base package plus the window table. The buffet was decent and the service was ok. However the boat does not get anywhere close enough to the show to actually enjoy it. You get a much better view on the shore for free. Additionally, their site promises a free mimosa or champagne during boarding which was not provided. This is a pretty big form of deception and seems like a common occurance based on other reviews. At first I thought a 2 hour cruise would not be long enough, but by the end I couldn't wait to get off the boat. One thing to be aware of- even though you buy your ticket and table in advance, they are still first come, first served during boarding. It feels a little like being a sardine. I would not cruise with Odyssey again unless they fixed these issues.

We came over from London & wanted something a bit different for New Years Day. This was an Amazing trip. Food was excellent, staff friendly & helpful. Our server was Terrance & nothing was too much trouble for him. Very clean and well presented ship - fabulous experience. Music was also very well selected for the time of day & clientele Thoroughly recommended and value for money.

We booked a dinner cruise on the Chicago River with Odyssey Cruises in February. On arrival we learned that excessive ice in the river made it unsafe for the boat to go out. BUT the company generously offered a choice of (1) a full refund or (2) dinner on the boat while docked at the pier AND a voucher for a future cruise! We chose option 2. The atmosphere waa lovely, with white tablecloths and attentive servers and managers. The center tables were raised so you could see over the heads of the diners seated at the periphery, a thoughtful design. The glass roof made the boat feel like a dome car on a train. I remarked to a manager that the food was better than I expected and asked who catered. He informed me that there is an on-board galley with chefs preparing the meal—and had the executive chef stop by to chat! We were surprised and pleased that the company treated its guests so well and look forward to using our vouchers.

We booked a Friday evening dinner cruise for my husband's 40th birthday-paid extra for window table. Wait staff was great, food was pretty good-we had chicken and salmon. Received a slice of cake with a birthday candle. DJ was good but everyone stayed on the deck most of the night, few danced.

Went on the Odyssey Lunch Cruise at Navy Pier in Chicago with two of my friends. It was so much fun!!! The boat itself is huge and very nice. Everyone that worked there were very friendly. Food was really good. We had a table by the window which was totally worth the extra price because the views were amazing!!! It was a two hour cruise and we wish that it had lasted longer!!!

We booked for the Odyssey cruise but were placed on ‘Spirit of Chicago’. The three course chef prepared plated meal on the website was a buffet on the ship with limited options. Menu items on the website were available only as ‘up charges’. Disappointing experience for the price paid. I sent an email to them afterwards but received no reply. Buyer beware.

Once we strolled the Naval Pier, we splurged and took a Lake cruise on a yacht to see the city Skyline while having a buffet lunch. The lunch was exceptional and the service was great (complimentary mimosas were nice). The Yacht had 3 decks with the third deck being the top deck with 360 degree unobstructed views during the 2 hour trip.

I took a group of 6 co-workers on the dinner cruise and we had a wonderful time. Both the food and service is excellent. The crew went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great experience. They gave everyone a complimentary photo of their group whether just a couple or a larger gathering. The ship is very nice and comfortable, you could not feel any rolling or even much in the way of motion. Every table has great views. Perfect way to spend an evening.

This dinner cruise for us two was $450 including extra wine and tips. The views were phenomenal, the food was edible, but not great, the fireworks viewing was exceptional. I think being on a large ship was good since in was very very windy. They have a great upper deck for viewing. If they charged $100/person, they could fill up the boat. All and all, not worth $450.......maybe $250???

Ok so anytime you go someplace and they are preparing your food for a lot of people you have to worry. It was actually delicious. We had the surf and turf and the lobster simply melted in your mouth. The atmosphere was perfect, staff was gracious and very attentive and they had premium alcohol. It simply was a fabulous way to ring in 2019. I would definitely go on another cruise with them!

We had guests from Serbia and chose to treat them to a wonderful evening on the Odyssey. The boat itself is immaculately taken care of. The dinning room is as if you are at a fine dinning establishment and really you are. The dinner is exceptional (pay up for the shrimp cocktail app and champagne) to start your evening. They have great music and a dance floor which we really enjoyed. We went up to the outside deck and enjoyed cocktails while looking at the most amazing skyline view. There is a bar up on the outdoor deck so that you don't have to worry about navigating on the stairs with a drink in hand. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening. We will not wait until we have more out of town visitors to do this again that's for sure.

Went on the Valentine's Day Lunch cruise on a Saturday as a gift from our kids. What a great time. Food and service were outstanding. It can be as romantic or entertaining as you make it. It was during NBA All Star weekend so there was a special basketball photo booth set up on the upper deck with a coffee bar. All other areas had a Valentine theme which was very nice. Middle deck had a DJ and dancing. It was very cold & icy, but we managed a few minutes on the upper open air observation deck. My wife received a rose upon our departure which was the topping on the cake. Mostly geared for adults. I would recommend to anyone. The only reason for 1 missing star is the fact we didn't go past the breakwater as advertised due to the ice. We just went around in circles for 1 1/2 hours. Can't wait to go back in the summer.

What a fantastic evening dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. The whole experience was brilliant. The staff on board were so welcoming and attentive with nothing being too much trouble. We were served by Almar who even managed to find us on the top deck of the boat to bring us both another cocktail. I was really impressed by his enthusiasm to make the experience a most memorable one. The food was excellent and obviously the great Chicago skyline on a clear and warm night was breathtaking. Don’t miss out if your in town it was worth every penny.

Matthew was an excellent server! The food was delicious, and the whole experience was wonderful!!!!!

Reserved the window seats for 3 for the first time. Food is good and comes with complimentary champagne. You can hardly feel the ship is moving. Make sure you go on the upper deck for skyline views after dinner. Don't really need the window seats! Save you $30. Dance a little and relax. If you like, $30 for your photo before you leave. We actually saw a guy in T, short and sandals at the table next to us while the dress code says not accepted. My son will definitely love not wearing dress shoes to come!

We booked the new Odyssey boat that offers Chicago river cruise and tours for my mother's 80th birthday last Sunday (June 30th). The boat is lovely (reminds me of the glass topped boats on the Siene in Paris) with air conditioned white tablecloth service. The food is actually very nicely presented and served. In between courses you will hear an announcer explaining the architectual nuances of all the great buildings along the Chicago river. When the guide is not speaking they pipe in pleasant background music. Our waiter was very nice but he seemed to be overstretched a bit so some of our guests had to wait a long time for drinks, etc. The cruise runs rain or shine since it's enclosed, but the front bow of the boat is open so you can enjoy the outside view if the weather is nice. All in all, it was a lovely day for my Mom and I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to do the tour in a more upscale way over a meal (vs those large touristy boats).

We will never make that mistake again!! We went for our 15th anniversary actually 2 stars are for the sea view and we are grateful to be reseated by the window!! First of all, we were expecting that it’s going to be a buffet style like the last time we went there few years ago and we were surprised that it’s a la carte menu which wasn’t clear in the ticket leaves you with 4 main entrees options only!! One of them was literally like a potato salad so it’s not really an entree.. Food tastes terrible I’ve never described food that bad before but I couldn’t find another word .. the steak is bitter mushroom sauce is dark black!! Desert is ok.. The whole experience is never equivalent to the money paid or to the expectations for this special occasion..!!

We went on the dinner/fireworks cruise on June 10 and had a great experience loved the food and the fireworks afterwards it was a great way to end our weekend in Chicago for my daughter's birthday it will be one that neither one of us will forget so if you have the time then I would highly recommend this cruise .

We had a group of 7 attend. Dinner was phenomenal. The service was amazing! I would definitely recommend this dinner cruise for couples or larger groups.

As we were waiting to board, with thunderstorms pounding the area and in the forcast for the entire evening, I was regretting the reservation. But, once the clouds cleared, everything was nice. Each level has a DJ, and after dinner, they have dancing. The service for dinner is somewhat slow...we had prepurchased a seafood appetizer. The food was okay, maybe a little better than one might expect in the situation. The staff were all courteous and pleasant. I explored the boat - the top level has outdoor seating. The level below that featured a wedding, with ths couple getting pictures on deck with Chicago's skyline in the background. When you arrive, there's a booth by the boat (large and beautiful), to pick up tickets. The line can be long ffor entry, but the rain shortened it for us long enough to attain entry. Nice ride, nice tour...well worth it.

I went on a lunch cruise with my family. Everything was very well organized from their web site, ticket pick up, and food service. The food was excellent. Two of us had the lobster bisque which was fabulous. The other person had a Caesar salad. Two of us had the braised beef and one had the ravioli. Both were really good. The desserts were great too The staff was outstanding. Very friendly and made you feel welcome. The ship is well appointed and provides great views of Chicago Have a great time

From the moment we stepped on the vessel, the wait staff were very attentive and helpful. We were served drinks immediately and our food came quickly. The food was delicious! The only thing we didn't like was the music selection played by the DJ. Most of what was played was Hispanic music, which is fine, but it would have been nice to have a variety for those of us who don't know Spanish. It was still a nice time with my family and it was a good excuse to get dressed up.

A great dinner and a good evening! The salmon was excellent and the atmosphere could not be beat. I would recommend it.

my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary on this cruise and it was utterly amazing. The table was set up so romantic with rose petals and complimentary glasses of champagne. The meal was breathtaking and delicious. It was so elegant we almost didnt want to take a bite but when we started it was so good we could not put the fork down. The Dj gave us a shout out and played songs in honor of our special occasion . Lastly the observation deck was a great site to see. Best anniversary gift. Thanks Odyssey.

I booked my cruise 45 days in advance to celebrate mine and my husband's birthday. I received a call from Odyssey less than 48 hours before telling me they had over-booked. They offered to change to a brunch or the following day. Neither would work for me so o asked for a refund. It turns out that in the 45 day time frame, my bank had issued me a new debit card and therefore the one odyssey had on file was no longer valid. They said there was nothing they could do to issue my refund and told me to call Visa. Thanks Odyssey for not only ruining our weekend but also making me have to waste more of my time tracking down my own refund!

I was a little skeptical after reading reviews, especially about the food reviews. Our group of 5 including 3 adults and two 14 yr olds, thought this was great! We liked the complimentary champagne mix and kiddie cocktails upon leaving the shore. We thought the food was very good with a good selection for all to pick what they wanted. You can eat right away if you want and then have time to go to the upper decks while cursing. It wasn't too crowded, so we were ale to get some great pictures. on all 3 decks that we went to. Fun, relaxing night. DJ played some of our requests. Everyone was very nice and did their best to make sure all enjoyed. It does go back and forth along the same area but that area changes as the sun goes down. Nice night, would do again.

We booked a brunch cruise while in Chicago. This ship is the nicest of the ones at the pier. Every morsel of food was delicious. We were greeted with a complimentary mimosa. Service was spectacular. Once the ship took off from the dock and we could see the shoreline, it was literally breathtaking. They offer special treats for special occasions so don't hesitate to ask. I could see flowers, champagne, special cakes, etc at some of the tables. The tour lasts for 3 hours. It was a fabulous way to spend the day. Very elegant.

We went on the boat on 26th September and it was well worth it. Amazing service, food and the views were just outstanding! It was our anniversary trip to Chicago and this was just such a lovely evening. The boat was immaculate and so were the facilities. I would definitely recommend this as an evening out. Probably more for couples really as it is quite romantic.

Awesome service provided by all parties involved: waiter, busboy, manager, captain, cooks, and music director.

We really enjoyed the lunch cruise on the Michigan River. The food was really good and served promptly. The ambiance was wonderful as we glided on the river. It was a great trip and I would do it again. Window seats are great, but you can get up and go outside as well and view the riverfront.

First time on this cruise. Not enough salad dressing for the 1st course meal. Time between the 2nd course was too long, not enough staff for the amount of people on the cruise. Only received 2 drinks but paid for 4, and I was told use it or lose it. DJ did not have enough of mix of music for all cultures. Was not worth $300.00 plus for 2 people.

Had a huge business-buffet cruise on a chilly, foggy night yesterday. No need for Dramamine, staff was awesome, food was really good, good size dance floor, and rooftop was super nice with couches to see the city’s skyline. We were able to get our parking for $25 vs. usual $38 due to our group size. Not sure, but it appeared this was the largest of the tour boats docked at the pier. I am a Chicagoan and really enjoyed the event. If I was a tourist, I would HIGHLY recommend. Three hours in duration plus you have all the Navy Pier attractions and shopping to enjoy.

This was our last night treat after 4 weeks vacation on the road in USA. The whole evening went perfectly - just as we had hoped. Food was excellent - salmon cooked perfectly. We upgraded and the addition of shrimp appetiser and premium drinks was very good value. Our server, Jerome, was outstanding. Overall a great night. Not cheap but good value.

My Wife and good friends went on a dinner cruise last Friday night. We had been on 2 other Odyssey dinner cruises before and had a very enjoyable time. This time was different. The service was horrible. It was so unorganized. Very confused very slow. Servers running past us we couldn’t get them to stop when they did finally bring us our dinner my wife was given a dinner that was not even on the menu. It took fifteen minutes before we could get someone to stop so we could tell them and another fifteen minutes for them to bring her the correct dinner. The whole place was very loud. We will probably never be back. We payed so much money for such a horrible experience.

My wife and I visited Chicago on our 29th anniversary weekend. In making the reservations, we casually mentioned that it was our anniversary. When we boarded, we were escorted to our private table for two next to the window (conveniently near the bar...and a short walk to the stairs to the top deck, as well as the rest rooms). The view of the Chicago skyline was great, and the lunch food and service were both phenomenal!! They even served our dessert with a celebratory candle. We had the BEST time. I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone visiting Chicago.

My husband and I recently celebrated our 2nd anniversary as a couple here-- it was a memorable night! The date started with a good pic (30$ for 1 and 40$ for 2) which was pricey(bought 1 anyway - see attached photo). Upon entry, my husband and I were greeted for our anniversary-- which was really impressive(they obviously have the info about the guests). We then were seated on a special table decorated with rose petals and a nice anniversary card. The server was also very professional (good job LaDar..) and he also greeted us for our anniversary. All the food we ordered were good except the wedge salad with bacon(too bland and dressing was below my standard ranch). The veal, chicken and duck were all tasty. I got the cheesecake for dessert which could have been tastier if the lime was not that powerful. The odyssey signature dessert is the one I'd recommend for first-timers. The weather was so cold the night we were there so we didn't get the chance to enjoy the view and have more time at the upper deck-- we still took a few pictures anyway. They played good dance songs at the end of the night and the best part for my husband and I was the love songs for the couples! Our anniversary date would never be complete without that dance-- and thumbs up to the DJ/staff/management for making it happen. The dance floor would have been really more elegant that night if the group of loud teenagers who were also there would have toned it down a little--they made the place feel more like a HS prom night with all the wild screams! As a whole, our anniversary date here became an amazing experience for my hubby and I. I will definitely recommend this cruise for any couple who would want to have a special date to remember!

While a big boat that might be best suited to dinner cruises and private events, it is not the optimum tour boat experience for tourists visiting Chicago. Not enough outdoor decks or guidance on what one is seeing. The other boat companies do a better job in this space. Food is average and the drinks are small and not cheap. Beautiful boat though and it does out far enough out in the lake to get a true perspective of what the Chicago Skyline is truly like.

Today we had the pleasure of taking the Odyssey Lake Michigan Brunch Cruise. My future in-laws took myself and future husband to celebrate our engagement. What a beautiful and relaxing 2-hr cruise. There was so much food to choose from, including complementary mimosas. I want to give a SPECIAL THANKS to our server, Quinton “Q C” and busser, Chris, they were excellent, attentive and very personable. We had a fantastic time. While we were up deck taking pictures, our server had brought out a piece of cake, rounded with a rose pedals in the shape of a heart with writing on the plate “Congratulations” it was such a beautiful treat and this cruise was nothing but memorable. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SHIP! I would love coming back for a dinner cruise. Thanks again for such outstanding service, Quinton and Chris. Hope to see you again soon.

Loved it food was excellent we had super pics of the sunset over the city the survive was excellent thanks to Tracy. The music and entertainment was lit had a super time.

Had a business dinner cruise with this company. It was awesome. I was fearful that it was going to be super cold and I would be miserable, but it was toasty inside. Food and service was superb.

This is the 3rd time I have been on board this sight-seeing tour boat. First time I had vegan food. We stayed dockside due to the rough weather. Maybe that was the smelly problem.

We all 20+ of use came on the Odyssey Chicago Cruise ship an it was lovely! Our brunch menu was very good with some things we had was, Prime Rib with Baked Salmon with some Breakfast items as well. The staff was very accommodating to our needs. The upper deck was breathtaking views with seating an then, make some beautiful pictures. What a day to spend a Beautiful Afternoon! Enjoy!!

Food is good, not excellent. Service is slow but very polite. Atmosphere was generally great except for the excessively loud patrons who appeared to have far too much to drink. Staff did nothing, but there were other areas of the boat available to visit. Worse aspect: they allow smoking on the top deck. Quite out of place for the atmosphere they intend to create.

A group of six went on the ‪Sunday Brunch‬ Cruise. I recommend paying the high rate to park in the Navy Pier Parking Garage because you will literally be right next to the cruise boarding location. The cruise was scheduled to board ‪at 12:15‬, but they were about 10 minutes late. If the weather was nice, that would have been okay. But it was really hot outside and it wasn’t any fun waiting. Getting on the ship was challenging because we had to walk up a ramp that was very steep. I can’t imagine that it was ADA compliant. Our table was extremely close to the table behind us and the seats were too close for comfort. Thankfully, no one sat at the table on the other side of us, and we were able to push our table back some. The food was absolutely amazing! Hence the rating of 4. I couldn’t have asked for more in terms of quality and taste…so bravo!! It was a buffet, and as some of the items ran out, it took too long for them to be replenished. The cruise was on Lake Michigan, so after we saw the skyline of the city, there wasn’t much more to look at. That was disappointing. In my opinion, the cruise was way too long. I was almost done eating by the time we left the dock and you can only look at the skyline for so long. An hour into the cruise, we were ready to get off. With that said, I’d be interested in trying the architectural cruise in hopes of better views.

it was cold when i did it imagine if its nice out?? it was still awesome!! i danced and made friends! do it!

I was hesitant about this as it seemed slightly cheesy and overpriced. And it is still a tad bit overpriced. But it was an awesome experience. The ship is beautiful, classy, elegant. The views are absolutely spectacular! The service was above my expectations, they did a fantastic job! We did the dinner cruise with skyline view. I absolutely recommend this to anyone for any occasion.

Just off a brunch cruise. The food was actually really nice which was a pleasant surprise. Our waitress Mercedes was excellent and very attentive. We hadn't realised that the ship would not leave the harbor area but it was still OK. Entertainment on board was a magician. I thought, great, it will be nice for him to come to our table and amaze us with few tricks. But he never: every time I looked where he was, he was entertaining just female passengers, even if they were traveling with male companions directing all his attentions to them. At one point he came to the table next to ours but when he was finished, turned on his heels and disappeared. I mentioned this to the entertainment manager. I was willing to pass it off as a half joke but something they could pay bit more attention to especially when it was so obvious when you started to observe what was going on. Well it went really bad when he said that the magician wouldn't just entertain the female passengers and that I was wrong. Not the right answer, try this: I am sorry that this is your experience/think what has happened but let me assure you that blah blah blaah. You don't tell your customers that they are lying.

I did not have high expectations...I'm not big on tours or cruises...but this dinner cruise was such a beautiful way to see Chicago!

Took the Saturday Evening Christmas Cruise. Everything was fantastic. Ship is beautiful. Food is great. Staff is wonderful. You won't be disappointed.

This was a great place to host our sons rehearsal dinner event. Racheal (the event coordinator)was great to work with planning our event.The views of the city and skyline from Lake Michigan were breath taking. The food and beverages were delicious, DJ was great,staff efficient. This was a great alternative to hosting such a memorable event inside a restaurant. The only thing that fell short of my expectations was the decor. I had requested and paid for extra flower centerpieces on the tables and this did not happen. Some tables did not have any centerpieces on them and a few had small water bowls with 2-3 orchid petals floating in them, unlike the 6 inch vases with the orchid stems as i was promised "multiple on the tables". When i mentioned this to the boat manager she informed me she did not receive this information, which I found hard to believe since Racheal had diligently met every request made at personalizing our event and was so helpful the entire planning process. Overall, it was still a perfect venue for our party.

This was our first time for the dinner cruise. We paid extra for a table by a window. That was well worth it. The food was good and nicely presented. There was a dessert buffet and had a variety. I had a margarita, which was about 2 oz. in a regular margarita glass for 15.00! The waiter was okay, but his assistant was friendly and visited us more. We got to go to the observation deck and that was great. The Sapphire deck we were on was pretty and table settings elegant. The DJ did a good job and there was dancing. Overall, a very nice dinner cruise.

This dinner cruise is a bit pricey so I would not recommend it outside of special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, etc. The price per person isn't bad but the "administrative fees" and taxes are as much as one ticket admission. Parking isn't always available so try to get there early. The sooner you get there the sooner you can eat and start moving around the ship. The upper deck has the best view of the Chicago Skyline. It would be a good idea to check the weather beforehand as well. I wouldn't recommend getting a window view at night because it would soon be too dark and you can always go to the top deck for a nice view. Drinks are not included. I pre-purchased drink tickets for $30 for 4 drinks. Otherwise drinks are $16 each. Dinner comes in courses with a variety of dishes. You have a choice of chicken, beef, pork, or fish for main courses. Sweets are available from a dessert table. There is a small dance floor if you want to burn some calories. The DJ plays a variety of music. The food manager comes around to make sure you're enjoying the experience. The serving staff is professional and helpful. Overall this is on my list for top things to do in Chicago. Sincerely, Thetraveljunkees.com

One of the best ways to enjoy and appreciate Chicago's magnificent lakefront and skyline is to take a lunch, brunch or dinner cruise on Odyssey Cruises. You can cruise the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. But how can you pass up a chance to escape on a three-hour cruise on the lake, enjoy a three-course meal and take in the stunning skyline views. Located at 600 East Grand Avenue at Navy Pier, Odyssey Cruises can accommodate any group at any time. The voyage goes north to North Avenue Beach and south to the Adler Planetarium and Burnham Harbor. Lakefront dinner cruises last two to three hours while lunch and brunch cruises on the lakefront last two hours. And the three-course meals are first-rate. How about first courses of Caesar salad, jumbo shrimp cocktail, lobster tail or lobster soup? Entrees of Atlantic salmon, crab cakes, mushroom ravioli, glazed chicken breast or braised beef short rib? And desserts of Eli's Original cheesecake, sorbet, chocolate cake, signature warm butter cake or fruit and fresh strawberries? It's very refreshing and downright stimulating to sit on the deck and observe the grandest city in the world?

Attended a group dinner cruise with this company. Service was very good along with the food. All though due to weather not being good we were not allowed to leave the harbor area but still sailed the entire time within the harbor and sat idle for awhile to enjoy the view. We all had a great time.

Buffet dinner aboard the Odyssey in Lake Michigan on a beautiful evening - what’s not to like. Gorgeous views of the downtown skyline. Plenty of room for your 500 best friends on 3 or 4 different decks. Great crowd vibe because everyone is having a blast!!!!

We celebrated my husband's 60th birthday o the Odyssey cruise. We had a blast!!! The food was delicious. We upgraded and got the seafood tower, it was fresh and feed 6 of us. The food ws delicious. The DJ and music was great. I would highly recommend for a night out for any occasion.

Me and My Girlfriend cruised on the odyssey for our first time. It was beautiful. The only problems was 1 our table was not ready when we boarded the boat and 2 the music could have been better. Outside of that everything was great. The food was amazing the scenery was everything. Just an amazing night

I thought the cruise was a little on the pricey side. The staff was more the helpful and went out their way to make we were well taken care of. We went for the Valentine brunch and there was a nice selection of various dishes to choose from. The DJ went around and greeted everyone and also played a nice variety of music. Overall the cruise was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This is a great way to see the Chicago Skyline from the lake. My wife and I went on the Brunch cruise, 10:30 to 12:30. They had a wonderful buffet of both breakfast and lunch items. Desserts were also very good. The table service for drinks was very good as well. This was a very nice experience. Our waitress even got us drinks up on deck. The views are wonderful and we were able to watch the practice for the air show. Everything is paid for in the ticket except alcoholic drinks.

I booked the premier dinner fireworks dinner with a first class package. Worst experience of my life, staff was horrible spent 3 hrs on the boat only to get served bread. Waitress forgot to put in our dinner order and didn’t realize we never got our food we spent half the time trying to find our waitress to get food and drinks. booked a first class package with premium open bar only to get there and be told i can’t order certain things the liquor options given were super limited for paying $100 per person and i couldn’t order any of the cocktails they offered because that wasn’t included in open bar. I had to flag the manager down numerous times because we didn’t receive any drinks or food. The manager was at a loss for words at how bad our experience was and how poorly the staff treated us. Save your money it is definitely not worth the price you pay. The manager gave me his card to call city experience to get a refund when i called i was told i could only get half my money back because i went on the boat. So how was i supposed to know the experience was going to be bad without going. If i were at a restaurant and received that treatment i would have gotten up and left but since i was suck on a boat i couldn’t leave and that’s why i still got charged half. Don’t book with city experiences or Odessy! Story is way longer a horrible but shorten it for the review.

We had an amazing experience, the ambience, the DJ and the customer service was phenomenal! Highly recommended!

The boat is nice BUT when it comes to food what a desaster!!!! Definetly not fine dining like I was told on the phone when I booked! They had a DJ and the atmosphere was very nice everybody had fun all ages! My tip if you are looking for good food that's not the place for that kind of money you can definetly go to a real fine dining restaurant!

Attentive staff you start with a trio of appetizers. Which were on small dishes. Shrimp with watermelon which was an interesting flavor combination, goat cheese and strawberries again interesting flavor combination and lastly a small salad with way too much garlic. Rolls were average at best. U had the salmon which was cooked perfectly. A little heavy in the dill. My husband had the crab cakes which he enjoyed. The deserts were a warm salted yellow cake that had a tough crust. Nothing I would ask someone for the recipe for. They had dancing which many enjoyed. Was it nice? Absolutely. Was the meal worth the price? No. However the view made the evening. So depends on what your looking for in your evening.

My Husband and I booked a lunch time cruise on the Odyssey boat departing from the south side of Navy Pier. We had booked our river cruise through our hotel, and were aware that an upgrade to premier was available. We decided to take the upgrade to premier, as this seemed appropriate, as we would not be doing this trip again, and wanted to enjoy every moment spent on board. The up grade informed us that apart from our lunch, we would be entitled to a glass of champagne each on arrival, and an open bar there after. We arrived on time to board, and were told that our waiter would know that we had upgraded, and to just give our name to be seated accordingly. We gave our name, and were seated without any acknowledgment of our upgrade, which we had to point out. Our waitress was very polite,and took our orders for aperitifs, for pre dinner drinks, together with our lunch order from the menu, which was very restricted. The appetisers arrived almost ten minutes later, whilst we were still moored up. The aperitifs pre-lunch drinks that we had ordered, had not yet been delivered. My cold lettuce and sun dried tomato starter, and my husbands warm lobster soup were delivered. My husband then had to seek out a waitress to remove his starter to keep warm whilst he insisted we have our aperitifs first. After they were finished, he had to call for his starter. By this time, we had ordered a glass of Chardonnay each, which should have been an easy thing to do. No, no, although we had upgraded, we were told that only certain drinks were available to us. The wine menu was extensive, and we picked what we thought was available (open bar)! No, no... Only two reds and two whites available, all the rest are extra over your remit! We ordered a glass of Chardonnay each to start, which did not arrive. My husband went to the bar,to enquire about the delay to our order, only to find our two glasses waiting on the bar. He brought them back to our table himself. (No waitress). We had previously ordered our main courses, and expected to be asked about which wines we would like to have with them. No one came forward to ask. My husband again went to the bar to ask for the wine menu and tried to order his choice, only to be told yet again that his choice was not covered by our upgrade. Frustrated, he politely asked which choices were available. Apparently there were only two red wines available in glasses only. He ordered them at the bar and returned with them to the table. "Premier upgrade, I think not"! We were offered another glass later on, but well after the main course had finished. Before dessert arrived, my husband again went to the bar to enquire about a dessert wine. The bar person had never heard of a white dessert wine, and offered a Red Malbec as the sweetest wine available.......! The boat trip lasted exactly two hours, and went in very small circles around the immediate water bay, and on the whole was a very disappointing experience for us both. Would we do it again, certainly not.

The customer service was wonderful. Many fees added to total so be aware. The boat is nice. Great views of harbour. The food is your typical menu if you go to a wedding. Just average chicken/beef dinner. Nothing special. The drinks are super sweet and to be honest, I upgraded to drink package and didn't find it worth it but depends on how much you drink I suppose. Super safe, smooth and comfortable. It's a bit chaotic in there so be aware of that. Wait staff seem quite busy.

We went on the lunch cruise and had a fantastic time. The food was very good and the atmosphere was even better. We were served our food quickly (per our request) so that we could head to top deck to view the city. The staff was very accommodating and efficient. The weather was absolutely perfect and the views of the city were ideal! We will be back to try a dinner cruise!

Lovely, a tad pricey...but special occasion...server was excellent...dance floor was sweet..dessert bar was tasty

We took this cruise after seeing the play "Hamilton" at the Majestic Theatre. Although it was still cold in March, we still went up to the top to get a sunset pic with Navy Pier in the backdrop. The staff were wonderful, the food was fantastic, entertainment was great, with a DJ and great music. It was a couple hours long and worth the trip to see Chicago lit up at night. Beautiful site to see.

Best dinner cruise so far! My family and I were able to enjoy the views of Chicago! It was a bit chilly outside but the views from inside the boat sufficed! The food was good and the ambiance was good. The DJ turned the music down to accommodate my grandfather which they did not have to. Overall it was a great dinner or the family.

My previous review spoke about the non-sailing winter cruise. We returned for our replacement cruise o June 13, 2019. We had wanted a fireworks (Wednesday) replacement, but that was not available with the vouchers. We again had a wonderful experience. The food and service were outstanding. It was not crowded, and we were free to roam about the decks on a beautiful evening. There were 5 in our party, and we were well taken care of for the whole evening. A little trouble with the boarding ramp - it was very steep - but the crew was there to assist. Overall a delightful was to spend an evening in Chicago, we plan on repeating.

We went on the champagne Friday night cruise for the third time. First time was great, we order the menu dinner. Both dinner and service was good. The following year we ordered all the bells and whistles. They completely messed up our dinner. They forgot our salad, steak came out cold...cold...cold. and not cooked to our request. The server was completely confused about our preordered meal. If we wanted dessert we were told to Get it off a table. The only reason we went for the third time was because they gave us vouchers for a free basic package. Even with the vouchers it cost over three hundred dollars and totally not worth it. They just can't cook steak, mine was supposed to be medium rare, my daughters was supposed to be medium...we received well done and cold steaks. The lobster was ok but for the price a plastic cup with cold butter really was not acceptable. Don't go on this dinner cruise its simply not worth it.

My husband did not know I had already booked the Odyssey Cruise in Chicago, so he booked a cruise as well. When I found out I tried to cancel one of the reservations. While it would make sense to have a non cancellation policy for say a week ahead of time, let’s stretch it and say one month. It is January and I can’t cancel the cruise for April 6th. That’s just egregious. So if anyone is going to be in Chicago on April 6th get in touch with me I can get you a discount on my redundant tickets. BUYER BEWARE!!!!

We took the dinner cruise four of us, cost a little over 1,000.00 included soup or salad, dinner and dessert table. Drinks were included all premium. Dancing as well after the fireworks. It was a lovely night with awesome fireworks. The skyline views of Chicago beautiful of course! Music during the works as well. I had salmon for dinner however was a little dry they quickly chanced it over to the beef tips that were so tasty. We would definitely do this again. I am not one for crowds so we decided to do the cruise we had about 35 -40 people on our level. Three levels so did not feel crowded at all, every table had a window seat. There were some issues on the pier so we were not able to disembark until we had the all clear. The pier was empty when we left. It was looking very bad as trash spewed all over, shoes left behind everywhere. Then we heard the news of what happened glad they kept us on the boat longer for safety reasons!

First class champagne brunch! Staff were excellent and attentive. Food was great. Lovely scenery. Facility was clean. You can move around the boat easily and get wonderful photos of the Chicago Sky line.

Lunch cruise. Seated middle of room, so asked for window seat, told that table assignments were set but we could sit there if the people didn’t come. When booking there was no option to pay more or anything to reserve a window, so why not first come first served? Food was ok, nothing special. Lobster bisque was not good. Rolls are served cold. Service was slow. After lunch, headed to top deck to see sights. Big group had taken most seats, lots of drinking and loud. Pretty boring for a non drinking couple. Very slow pace, just moving around inner lake area. Wouldn’t do again.

This is a nice mini cruise. The food is good and the drinks are OK. It's a really nice date. You can enjoy Chicago architecture while listening to music. The DJ was adequate. I recommend for impressing a date or for special occasions.

Our Leadership Team sailed the Odyssey as an evening dinner event. We had a fabulous time and found the price to be well worth the experience, food, and drinks. I would highly recommend for a couples 'date night', and it was really great for an adventurous twist as a business dinner.

Food choices were complete. Our table had one of each choice and all were happy with serving and taste. Dessert bar required self control.

We were recently in Chicago on business. One evening we booked the dinner cruise for 3 people. From the time we boarded and until the end of the evening the crew was courteous and helpful. The food was good. We had the short rib on potatoes. The kitchen was accommodating with my menu change. The view was beautiful, a great way to see the skyline of Chicago. Recommend it.

We booked the fireworks cruise on Wednesday evening. Very nice boat, though difficult to access (very steep ramp). The cruise itself and the fireworks were pleasant by all means. The food, however, did not nearly justify the lordly sum we paid! In our opinion not a must while in Chicago!

The tour discussion is loud and the acoustics aren’t great so it can be real loud. No real deck in the stern but plenty in the bow. Food and beverage is what you’d expect in a catering hall. Servers are pleasant as is the crew. Full bar. Bring your IDs.

This was the best thing we did while visiting Chicago! Worth every penny. The dinner was very good, and the views of the city were unbeatable. We got some amazing photos, ate a great meal, and danced!

We attended the 4th of July dinner cruise. The boat was clean. The service was good and our server was always around for us. The food was way better than I expected. It is banquette style food, but was delicious and well presented. Watching the fireworks off the back of the boat was awesome. Chicago put on a wonderful display. About the only complaint i had was the bathroom had a very strong sewage odor. Don't know if there was a problem or if it was just a boat thing. Overall had a great time and will most definitely do again.

Once again the folks at Odyssey delivered. After some issues with check in, Jose the manager made everything right for our 2 couple group and we had a terrific cruise—I s spite of the rain cutting the Blue Angels exhibition short. The food is decent buffet fare, but the service is standout, drinks are good and the skyline views are perfect! Our second trip with Odyssey and we’ll be back. Great for both tourists and locals—a unique view of a great city!

I spent a lot of money taking my wife out on The Odessey for her birthday. The food was terrible and the price an absolute ripoff. The worst event I have been to in my three months in the US.

Hi ! We booked the lunch trip for an anniversary.Staff is pleasant but not attentive beyond standard duty.My husband was asked about his drink choice like this:" What would you like to drink Babe".Later she politely resumed to the appellative Sir. Kids had their menu with mozarella sticks as fave,sadly.We chose an appetizer,entree and dessert (See menu in the picture.) A voice over gave a brief intro of the city history while waiting for food ,and that was not the best timing,it was too much distraction.We had a manager stopping by to ask if all good right after appetizer,then none.Wait staff has to go around the table with water and wine instead of waiting to be handed glasses - is their job.Soup was ok,bit sour,kids fried food was not ok,roasted chicken too dry.Braised beef was placed over a very dark and salty sauce which I dreaded.A better suited sauce would have been made with red wine.Mashed potatoes were mediocre and peas of low quality.Salmon was presented​poorly but edible. Dessert wise we only recommend the chocholate​ cake with - scam alarm- mixed berries meant a tiny dollop of cream with 2 pieces of fruit...laughable!!!The sauce was really good and very scarce! White wine was regular . The music played was nice but people did not dance,instead kids jumped around which was fine. The outside seating area was cold and heating lamps could be a nice addition,if safe.The kitchen was in disarray and saw wait staff eating. At departure we were offered chocolate chips cookies,a warm touch and have been greated by the captain and his help. The boat trip was a going around circles affair leaving us to wish for a Wendell cruise on the Chicago river channel. To see Chicago and learn about it take another venue.To eat well do not pick lunch cruise,to just hang out you will be just fine.Odyssey was upgraded recently but the bar area still lacks.

Great atmosphere, wonderful views of the city at sunset and at night, fantastic food and the best service. great value for cost.

We were on board for a special birthday party. I think there were 30 of us. A large group but not huge. The staff greeted us with smiles and seated us without delay. The food was unbelievably slow coming out. Other diners were finished by the time we were served. My fish was ice cold, it was tasty but icy. 5 of us got our meals at our table, then around 10 minutes later 2 more came out and finally about 5 minutes after that the last person was served. After dessert I was shocked to hear the waiter ask me if I would like another drink, until that point I thought it was a serve yourself at the bar. BTW it might be relevant to inform your passengers they will need that tiny stub you give them as they board to get a drink at the bar. The boat itself and the cruise was great! The service was not great and the food was average.

We did an Odyssey lunch cruise for our anniversary and to celebrate a engagement from some friends. The ship is super nice. The staff is incredibly attentive and very much customer oriented. I wasn't sure how good the food would be, but it was actually excellent. You have choices of entrees and appetizers. You can buy a drink package or just order from the wait staff. Any time during the cruise, you can leave the dining deck and walk up to the observation deck for amazing views of the Chicago skyline. The observation deck has wonderfully comfortable sofas and chairs and is just a great spot to sit and watch the water and the city. I was most impressed with the staff. Everyone we had contact with was so happy to do whatever we wanted to be happy. It was a great experience and one that we wll do again on our next trip.

This was the first time that my partner has ever been on any floating object on water but she and I had a great time. The food was soooo good! I had the chicken thyme and herb meal. She had the baked Salmon and honestly our food was better on this 2 hour cruise than any restaurant in our hometown. The customer service was absolutely amazing. We had Deja as our waitress and Corryn as her helper. They were both sweet, kind, accommodating, patient, and got anything we asked for right away. The DJ was great, played a variety of good music, and we had a great time dancing. The view of the Chicago skyline was great. My partner got sick when the boat kept turning back and forth but she was okay in the end. I really loved the extra fresh baked cookie when we left the boat. It was a nice little ending gesture.

For my Golden Birthday, I decided to book a reservation with the Odyssey Cruises. They definitely did not disappoint. We went on the night cruise on Sunday, July 23rd. It was slightly more expensive than the brunch (approx. $92/person). The atmosphere was great, staff was super friendly and welcoming. SPECIAL SHOUTOUT TO LAURA AND LAUREN, they were both so wonderful and sweet. I received a special birthday treat of chocolate cake and they sang Happy Birthday to me. The view was AMAZING. As for the food, the salad was great, the salmon was awesome and the dessert buffet was delightful!! My only critique would be to improve the chicken entree course. It was good, the chicken and potatoes come with an almost honey mustard sauce, but I feel like garlic roasted potatoes might help improve it.

Booked a cruise during restaurant week, and super bowl Sunday. Weather all week had not been good, received a text in the afternoon informing us that the cruise portion would not happen, but dinner was still on. When we picked up our tickets we were informed that we would be receiving a voucher for a free return cruise each, and that it would be an open bar as well. We had a fantastic experience. The food was excellent, the service outstanding. overall experience excellent. we were able to go out on deck and take pictures, and best of all it was not crowded. The DJ played Sinatra/Como/Martin during the dinner service, then switched to dance music later. Received the vouchers the other day, only restrictions are Sun- Thurs and within a year. Already planning a firework Wednesday cruise this summer. Best customer service I have received in a long time.

We took the odyssey dinner cruise to celebrate our anniversary and it was a fantastic and romantic experience, our table had two complimentary glasses of champagne and rose petals on it at our arrival. Our server was very nice, friendly and attentive. I had the salmon for my entree and it was perfectly cooked and delicious, dinner was very tasty and comparable to a good restaurant. We danced some after some wining and dancing and the night went so fast, we were docked back in port before we even knew it

We were lucky enough to win our holiday to the USA and this was part of the prize . It was a brunch cruise . The captain and various staff were there to greet us on board, we were shown to our table by our waiter and offered a complimentary Mimosa ( turned out to be Bucks Fizz) . Everything set up for fine dining , the lounge and bar area were luxurious . The large Buffett was lovely, something for everyone . When the chef cutting the roast striploin found that my husband is a butcher , he got special attention and an extra large slice ! Most aboard seemed to be celebrating birthdays etc and there was a (yes,cheesy) MC helping us all celebrate with them . One chap got down on one knee, thank goodness she said yes . A very breezy day but I went up top till the smokers arrived . The only disappointment was that we didn't sail outside the breakwater , I'd been hoping for different views and perhaps a commentary. For a celebration, thoroughly recommended.

It was my brother 60th birtday friends and family came. Foodcwasn't good for any of us. Daj played music that wasn't inclusive to are group. Horrible 5ime and waste of money. Never will do Odyssey again.

The city view was very beautiful. Since the water was rough we stayed inside the breakwater. We had been on an Odyssey cruise twice prior and this was a little disappointing. The staff was extremely friendly and efficient, however, the food was only mediocre. In the past they had a small music combo that we enjoyed but this time there was only a DJ.

I took a friend for a birthday gift. I purchased the tickets on Groupon for a steal. This is one of the better vessels. We did the dinner cruise the food was really good, this was not a buffet. I had the fish option. I didn't purchase any upgrades such as alcohol or appetizers but they are available. This can be a unique way to celebrate a special event or if you just want to do something different. Be mindful that kids are still allowed, so while I was trying to escape and have a quiet evening I was distracted by two children dancing on the dance floor while their guardians continued to stay seated. The rooftop is excellent for spectacular views but depending on the weather it could be rather chilly. If you are debating between Spirit and Odyssey choose the Odyssey although slightly more in price it proves to be more enjoyable and worth the cost. Also, if you have a seafood allergy you might want to be cautious because they have seafood options and you can smell them in the dining area. If you can find a deal definitely consider sailing on the Odyssey.

An overcast day did not deter our desire to enjoy our cruise on the Odyssey BRUNCH tour, The food was presented in a very delectable way...it was all so good. Wait staff was excellent; the DJ selected a playlist that covered mellow jazz and sensational ballads by LUTHER VANDROSS and FRANK SINATRA. I was very-well pleased.

We took a couple on this cruise as a wedding gift and thoroughly enjoyed everything about the dinner cruise. The food was really good and the atmosphere very nice. We told the waiter that it was their two month anniversary and he had Happy Anniversary written on the dessert plate in chocolate. Daniel, the server, was friendly and knowledgeable. We had a window seat and it was wonderful. Our only regret was that it is rather windy outside and a bit rainy so we did not take advantage of the outside deck.

For the price paid the food and desserts could be better for the Pre-fixed dinner. For the price paid you would expect either more food or better food. The food was ok, but wasn't great. We did this cruise for our anniversary. It was a decent experience, but I would probably not do it again. I would rather go to a nicer restaurant and take a cruise tour on one of the other boats or tours.

The entire cruise was wonderful. The waitstaff was so attentive and friendly. They found us when we went to the observation deck after dinner to see if we wanted drinks or needed anything Food was excellent and served quickly. And the view of Chicago at night was spectacular.

Booked a holiday party for 15, paid, then 2 days later they cancelled claiming the cruise was cancelled however, when I called they said it was oversold. Then, when they tried to move the date they wanted to charge me $500 extra.

I went on the Odyssey Cruise with co-workers while on a business trip in Chicago. The cruise departed at 7PM. There was a separate party/event on the lower deck and we had the middle deck and the top deck was shared. When we arrived we were presented with beer, wine and fried appetizers. There was a DJ and a dance floor and all dinning tables were arranged very beautifully. I had the salad to begin and fried zucchini fritters as my entree. There was a dessert buffet and coffee to wrap up the meal. I didn't enjoy the meal very much. The DJ began playing only after the dinner was complete. We were back at the Navy Pier around 10PM. Overall I would recommend this cruise if your looking for a nice evening out but the food needs an improvement. The staff was extremely nice and attentive!

Every one was so attentive. Table had anniversary card and rose petals on it. Lovely atmosphere. Enjoyed the music played. The food delicious and very well presented

All 25 guests were absolutely delighted with the cruise. The staff is so friendly and helpful, the food is delicious and, of course, the views are stunning.

Went for the first time to celebrate mother in laws birthday. Everything that could go poorly did. We pre ordered a drink package thinking we were getting many more drinks than what we actually did so it definitely was not worth the money because drinks still came out to $12 per drink so like even a simple bottle of beer is $12. We were one of the first groups on our level of the boat and we got our meals ordered right away. It took just about 2 hours for our meal to come out and when it did it was all cold. We also expressed our concern that we had paid an upcharged price for a window seat yet our window was all cloudy and you couldn’t truly see out it well. Our window was the only one this way. We were unkindly spoken to and told we could take our meals to a different table. Yeah well those other tables are not ours they are someone else’s with their items sitting at them so we can’t just up and move. In the end I believe we got money back for the window view and they tried to compensate by giving us souvenir glasses along with free drinks for the rest of the night (9:45-11). But it’s not stopping me from pointing out their poor manners towards us and not being prepared. The last instance was i came down to get dessert after fireworks and there were no more plates out on either side of the buffet yet servers just standing around. So I approached one and asked if she could go grab more plates she said yes. I stood around and more and more people joined me as they complained and i told them that i requested plates about 5 minutes prior. Still no plates. So someone at our table gave me their used/dirty plate so i could get dessert. And maybe then after another 3 minutes and other servers being asked about plates did they finally come out. The music was definitely wedding music and not varied so barely anyone danced. I got on the boat thinking “oh we should do this for our 5 year anniversary” and left thinking “oh heck no never again waste of money and not recommending to anyone”. When we got off the boat my family was trying to purchase pictures and ours was the only one they couldn’t find so everyone else was long gone and they were still searching for our set of pictures. In the end I’m done with odyssey and if I hear a friend talking about doing it I’m gonna let them know my opinion so they don’t waste money and a good time when they can find something else that is better.

The experience on the Odyssey II for New Year's Eve was an amazingly unique VIP experience. From the moment you step onto the gangway to board the ship, each and every crew member gave you a genuinely warm greeting. In moments, we were at our table and our server was taking our drink order. Even with a sold-out cruise, the service was quick and we never waited long for anything. Nor did we ever feel crowded or cramped. All six of us in our party were absolutely amazed at the high quality of the food. Everything came out at the right temperature and tasted fantastic. We all chose the lobster tail and filet. The stuffed lobster tail was moist and very flavorful and filets were cooked to order. Some of us chose medium and some medium rare and each came out cooked perfectly! Truly amazing in a challenging environment like that. The ship sailed up and down the shoreline giving spectacular panoramic views of the Chicago skyline all evening. The DJ played great dance / party music that appealed very well to the diverse age group of the guests. At midnight, the fireworks at Navy Pier began and we had the best view in the city from the deck of the ship. Throughout the entire evening, our servers made sure we had drinks and whatever else we needed and to make our experience fun and memorable. As someone who has been involved in the hospitality industry for a very long time, I can't say enough about how much we enjoyed ourselves and how great the service was. I would highly recommend it for anyone who would like a truly special way to celebrate New Year's.

We were out celebrating another couple's anniversary and the four of us really enjoyed ourselves. The ambiance was great (music, fireworks), the food was good, but the service leaves something to be desired.

Ship, lunch and staff were all great! I did however miss any narration of the city as we cruised. I had a first time visitor with me and hoped for her to be able to learn a bit about what we were looking at. I have also been on the Spirit which wasn't available and thoroughly enjoyed the narrated tour. For the money we paid I had hoped for a bit more. Fortunately, the weather was nice and day was mostly enjoyable.

We were married on the odyssey 2 years ago. The best experience ever. We go back every year. We have enjoyed 3 times on her. The food and service is amazing! Thank you Nikki and Tea! Dancing and music the best! A very safe and fun place to be. Family friendly! Will go back time and time again!

We went on the Odyssey Brunch Cruise for our 20th anniversary and had a very special experience! The boat was beautiful, very clean, friendly employees, great service! The brunch was delicious. They had a great variety of food. The hot food was hot, the cold food was cold, and it all was exceptionally yummy. We had two waitresses who kept our drinks full at all times, and brought us everything we asked for. The D.J. came over and talked to us, telling us some history about a water purifier plant that we passed on the boat. Everyone we met was very friendly and helpful. It was an extremely enjoyable experience. We plan to go back again.

This cruise was one of the best things I've ever done in America! Everyone was so nice and charming, the buffet was great ( salad, salmon, waffles..) It was a blast!

I have been on many dinner cruises for business and most have been scenic but subpar food. Let me say that they told us upfront that they had overhauled the boat recently. It was just a jewel! Our server was Mercedes and she was excellent. The food was really delicious starting with a complimentary glass of champagne. The DJ cranks up some dance music after dinner and they had to kick a group of us off we were still having fun!! Don't miss this. You will have a great time!

We had a very comfortable and tasty lunch cruise. Food was very, very good. Lots of choices to choose from. One can find something to satisfy their taste buds. The service was outstanding. D.J. entertainment was varied and pleasant. Very pleased with everything on this our first cruise.

We would definitely recommend the dinner cruise. All the staff was pleasant and attentive. Our waiter was awesome. The view of the Chicago skyline is spectacular!

This was a real treat. The odyssey was beautiful and the staff extremely courteous. Dj Chris made it a memorable occasion. The starter was average but the chicken main was delicious! The views of the city were sublime. The dancing was great fun. Would be great for special occasions.

Beautiful large luxury ship. The food, service and ambience were amazing. The staff went out of their way to cater to us.

Next time I will book on line to make what exactly I an paying for I didn't know you pay extra for window seat when I was there plenty of window seats with out paying but this was on a Sunday,get the drink tickets because mix drinks. Really expensive so I drank beer which was only 6.75 with drink tickets you only gonna pay 7.50 for any top shelf drink,try make sure the weather is warm enough to go to the top deck and enjoy the Chicago skyline view

I recently organized a family reunion aboard the odyssey and everybody was please with the experience. The event was super easy to organize with the odyssey events coordinator. The service, the food and of course the view were second to none. I definitely recommend the odyssey as a must do when you visit Chicago.

My husband and I attended a cruise as a date. The idea was fun and the views were nice, but the whole thing costs way more than it's worth. The food is just ok and there was not a vegetarian option for an appetizer. Service was average and it took a long time to get our drinks. You could definitely have a better quality, more romantic date in the city for the $200+ you will spend on this boat.