City Cruises Norfolk: Lunch, Brunch or Dinner Buffet Cruise
★★★★★ 4.4/5 | 532 reviews | City Cruises
📍 Norfolk, Virginia — Elizabeth River / Downtown Norfolk
Tour Details
From £51 per person
Duration: Approximately 2–2.5 hours
Cancellation: Full refund when cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time
Guide: English / onboard commentary and entertainment may vary by sailing
Ticket: Mobile ticket accepted.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you book through our partner links. Prices and availability may change.
About This Activity
Combine sightseeing, dining and waterfront entertainment on a relaxing cruise along Norfolk’s Elizabeth River.
This experience gives you the choice of a brunch, lunch or dinner cruise, allowing you to select a sailing that fits your Norfolk itinerary. While onboard, you can enjoy buffet dining, views of the city’s waterfront and skyline, and perspectives of vessels associated with Norfolk’s major naval presence.
The cruise is designed as more than a simple sightseeing boat ride. Depending on the selected departure, the atmosphere can range from a relaxed daytime meal to a livelier evening experience with music and entertainment.
The large outdoor deck provides an opportunity to step away from the dining area and enjoy the river scenery from outside. The experience can work well for couples, families, groups and visitors looking for a special way to combine a meal with Norfolk sightseeing.
Quick Facts
Location: Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Duration: Approximately 2–2.5 hours
Activity: Dining, sightseeing and river cruise
Language: English
Provider: City Cruises Limited
Tour Highlights
Scenic Elizabeth River Cruise
See Norfolk’s waterfront and skyline from a different perspective as the vessel travels along the Elizabeth River.
Choose Brunch, Lunch or Dinner
Select a daytime or evening sailing based on your schedule and the type of atmosphere you prefer.
Buffet Dining Onboard
Enjoy a buffet-style meal with a selection of dishes that varies according to the selected sailing and meal service.
Views of Norfolk's Naval Waterfront
The cruise offers views of Norfolk’s working waterfront and naval vessels along the Elizabeth River.
Outdoor Deck & Entertainment
Spend time on the outdoor deck and enjoy onboard music or entertainment, depending on your selected cruise.
Full Tour Description
Your experience begins at Otter Berth near Town Point Park in downtown Norfolk, where you check in before boarding. Guests should arrive early because boarding begins approximately 30 minutes before departure.
Once onboard, settle into the dining area and prepare for a leisurely cruise along the Elizabeth River. Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, the experience combines a moving waterfront view with a meal and time to relax.
You can choose between brunch, lunch and dinner options, depending on the available sailing schedule. The food selection varies by meal and departure, but the experience is built around buffet-style dining with a variety of main dishes, salads, sides and desserts.
As the vessel moves through Norfolk’s waterfront, you can look out toward the city skyline, riverfront and naval activity. Norfolk is closely associated with the U.S. Navy, so the cruise provides an interesting perspective on the area’s maritime character.
For visitors who prefer being outside, the vessel provides access to outdoor deck space where you can enjoy fresh air and take photographs of the surrounding waterfront.
The atmosphere depends significantly on the sailing you choose. Daytime cruises can be a more relaxed way to enjoy lunch or brunch, while dinner departures can provide a more social and festive setting with music and onboard entertainment.
The experience is particularly suitable for travelers celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other occasion, but it can also work as a straightforward sightseeing activity for visitors who want to experience Norfolk from the water.
After approximately two to two and a half hours, the cruise returns to the original boarding area in Norfolk.
What's Included
✓ Cruise along the Elizabeth River
✓ Buffet meal according to the selected brunch, lunch or dinner sailing
✓ Onboard entertainment, depending on the selected departure
✓ Access to onboard lounge and outdoor deck areas
✓ Coffee, tea and other included non-alcoholic beverages as specified for the selected sailing
Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages and other additional drinks where applicable
- Transportation to and from the departure location
- Personal purchases and optional onboard expenses
- Any services or items not specifically included in the selected booking option
Important Information
Meeting point: Tower Millennium Pier
Lower Thames Street
London EC3N 4DT, United Kingdom
What to bring: Bring your mobile booking confirmation, a valid form of identification if required, and a light jacket or extra layer. The open-air deck can feel cooler once the sun goes down.
Age / eligibility: The activity is not suitable for children under 13.
Additional notes:
- Arrive at the pier before the scheduled departure time.
- The experience is best suited to visitors looking for sightseeing combined with food, drinks and entertainment.
- Canapés are light refreshments rather than a full dinner.
- Additional drinks are available for purchase.
- The supplier does not certify that the food is completely free from nuts or traces of nuts.
- Weather and minimum-participant requirements can affect operation on some bookings.
- Evening light varies significantly throughout the year, so the exact amount of daylight or darkness during your cruise depends on the season.
Cancellation & Booking Information
The current booking information indicates that travelers can receive a full refund when cancelling at least 24 hours before the scheduled experience start time. Cancellations or changes made inside the applicable 24-hour window may not be refundable.
Because cruise schedules, prices, available meal options and cancellation conditions can change, always check the final booking page before completing your reservation. The terms shown at checkout with the booking partner take precedence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the City Cruises Norfolk buffet cruise?
The experience generally lasts around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the selected sailing.
2. Where does the Norfolk buffet cruise depart from?
The cruise departs from Otter Berth at 173 Waterside Drive in Norfolk, Virginia, near Town Point Park. Boarding begins approximately 30 minutes before departure.
3. Can I choose between brunch, lunch and dinner?
Yes. The experience offers different sailing options built around brunch, lunch or dinner. The available meal type, menu and entertainment can vary according to the date and departure you select.
4. Is the Norfolk cruise suitable for families?
Yes. The cruise can accommodate families, and current booking information indicates that infants and children can participate. Infants must sit on an adult’s lap, while stroller and wheelchair accessibility is available.
5. How early should I arrive for the cruise?
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding begins 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing, and late arrivals may miss the boat.
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