8 Festive City Cruises for a Special Holiday Treat

I love the holiday season, and what better way to celebrate than with a festive sightseeing cruise with City Cruises from City Experiences?

The holidays feel extra magical from the water and City Cruises celebrates the season with sightseeing, brunch and dinner cruises in 22 cities around the world, all decked out in holiday cheer.

Here are the highlights of City Cruises from major U.S. ports to book this holiday season. You’ll find even more festive sailings across Canada and Europe on the City Experiences website.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Save 40% on all December dining cruises when you book with code CYBER40. Hurry, this festive deal ends December 2 and you won’t want to miss it!

This post is sponsored by City Experiences.

1. New York City Holiday Cruises

The Big Apple is big on holiday magic and one of the best Christmas vacations for families. City Cruises by City Experiences brings that same sparkle to the water. Choose from a selection of holiday-themed cruises that range from visits with Santa to elegant plated holiday dinners with bottomless mimosas.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Wrap up and head to the top deck before dessert to snap pictures of the Statue of Liberty lit up for the holidays.

2. Boston Holiday Cruises

Energize your holiday spirit with a festive lunch or brunch cruise with Santa. Take in sweeping harbor views and indulge in a buffet of holiday favorites while the city sparkles around you.

Want something more grown-up-focused? Book a New Year’s Eve dinner cruise with fireworks viewing or a brunch cruise with a countdown at noon for those of us who can’t last until midnight.

SheBuysTravel Tip: For the best skyline photos, grab a seat on the port side as the ship loops around the harbor. The light is perfect right before sunset.

3. Chicago Holiday Cruises

The Windy City’s skyline sparkles and shines during the holidays and one of the most festive things to do in Chicago is toast the season from the water. Chicago’s holiday and New Year’s Eve cruises offer everything from elegant plated dinners to casual brunch buffets and even kid stations for picky eaters.

If the vision of bursts of light coming to life atop Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers sounds amazing, book the Lake Michigan fireworks cruise and have your camera ready. From evening cruises with cocktail attire to a more casual New Year’s Day brunch buffet with a dedicated kid station, there are plenty of ways to celebrate, Chicago-style.

4. Marina del Rey Holiday Cruises

If your holiday vibe leans more “coastal cocktail” than “ugly sweater,” Marina del Rey dinner or brunch cruises combine California cool with holiday sparkle. Cruise past palm trees wrapped in lights along Marina del Rey’s famous coastline and soak up the panoramic views and winter sunshine from the open-air deck.

On the evening dinner cruises, the DJ sets the mood while the harbor lights twinkle and reflect on the glass-like water. Daytime options are great for families and for an unforgettable party at sea. Choose the Premier New Year’s Eve dinner cruise, complete with a champagne toast and a curated, freshly-prepared buffet.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Book a sunset sailing. The golden-hour light bouncing off the water gives you instant holiday-card-worthy photos.

5. Philadelphia Holiday Cruises

Philadelphia turns into a winter wonderland along the Delaware River, and City Cruises brings that festive feeling right to your table. Philadelphia cruises include a selection of Christmas and New Year’s cruises that are suited to both early birds and the late dining crowd.

Young – and young at heart passengers will enjoy cruises with Santa and family-friendly entertainment and those opting for a more late-night experience can dance the night away and clink champagne glasses at midnight on New Year’s Eve as festive fireworks light up the night.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The sunset views and city lights are just as stunning as the midnight fireworks.

6. San Diego Holiday Cruises

If your version of a white Christmas is all about the white wake behind your boat, San Diego’s Christmas Day and Parade of Lights cruises are for you.

The Premier Christmas Day Brunch Cruise is a fan favorite two-hour cruise with a brunch buffet that caters to breakfast tastes and offers delicious savory lunch items like glazed Atlantic salmon and spicy birria with fire-roasted peppers. Oh, and free-flowing champagne. For an even more festive feel, book the Parade of Lights Dinner Cruise, where the bay fills with boats decked out in glowing holiday décor.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Request window seating — it’s worth the small upgrade for uninterrupted views of San Diego Bay.

7. San Francisco Holiday Cruises

A City Cruise on San Francisco Bay is a spectacular way to take in celebrated landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz while the crew serves up festive fun and scrumptious holiday food. A casual Christmas brunch with Santa offers the opportunity for holiday photos, games and bottomless mimosas for the adults. For those seeking a nighttime viewing experience paired with an effortless holiday, the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner cruises with live entertainment provide a refined way to unwind and celebrate.

8. Washington, D.C. Holiday Cruises

Seeing the nation’s capital lit up for the holidays, from the water, is an iconic way to celebrate. A City Cruise on the Potomac River gives you front-row views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and other historic landmarks, all glowing with seasonal lights.

The elegant Christmas Eve dinner cruise gets you home early enough to get a good night’s sleep ahead of the Christmas morning festivities. Whether you prefer brunch or dinner, a more casual buffet or a more upscale plated meal, there’s a sightseeing City Cruise for you in Washington, DC.

Find the Right Holiday City Cruise

Booking a City Cruise by City Experiences is super easy:

1. Head to the City Experiences website, go to Search Cruises/Destinations.

2. Choose your city (you do not have to type in a date to move forward).

3. You can review all offerings on that page or filter by category and/or price.
   SheBuysTravel Tip:: Don’t miss “EXCLUSIVE DEALS and HOLIDAY BOGOs” on the left side of the page.

4. Select an experience and check availability.

5. Dates, pricing, cruise duration, where to meet…everything is on that page.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Book Now! Christmas and New Year’s cruises often sell out before Thanksgiving.

Good to Know Before You Cruise

• Pricing: City cruise pricing is per person and varies by location. Kids under three are generally free, but make sure to read the fine print.

• Details: Meeting places, embarkation times and parking info are all included. No surprises! Arriving early is always a good idea.

• Alcohol: Unless specified, alcohol isn’t included but can be purchased for an additional charge.

• Add-ons: Various add-ons are available at checkout, including window seating* and upgraded beverage packages.

• Weather: City Cruises happen rain or shine. If severe weather is threatening, the cruise meal and celebrations still go on, just dockside rather than at sea.

• Alcohol & upgrades: Unless noted, alcoholic drinks are extra — but you can easily upgrade to include champagne, cocktails, or premium beverage packages.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Spring for the window seating to ensure you’ve got dreamy water views while dining.