
City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 63 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise worth booking?
City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise is a 2.5-hour experience in Norfolk, United States, from $94 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 63 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (63)
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- From
- $94 per person
Celebrate a special occasion, host a group event, or experience a unique date night. Great for parties of all sizes. A Signature Dinner Cruise gives you the chance to dine, dance, and play games in our lounge spaces as well as catch spectacular views of the mighty ships and submarines of the Navy's Atlantic Fleet from our skyline deck. Includes 2.5-hour cruise along the Elizabeth River Delicious dinner buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts Spectacular views of the Navy's mighty Atlantic Fleet Onboard entertainment with DJ music, access to lounge spaces, and interactive games Unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea
What you get
About this experience
Celebrate a special occasion, host a group event, or experience a unique date night. Great for parties of all sizes. A Signature Dinner Cruise gives you the chance to dine, dance, and play games in our lounge spaces as well as catch spectacular views of the mighty ships and submarines of the Navy's Atlantic Fleet from our skyline deck. Includes 2.5-hour cruise along the Elizabeth River Delicious dinner buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts Spectacular views of the Navy's mighty Atlantic Fleet Onboard entertainment with DJ music, access to lounge spaces, and interactive games Unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea
What's included
Included
- Unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea
- Onboard entertainment with DJ music, access to lounge spaces, and interactive games
- Delicious dinner buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts
What you'll see and do
Norfolk
Skyline
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Norfolk
Departing from Otter Berth | 173 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA. Please arrive at the meeting point early – boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Departing from Otter Berth | 173 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA. Please arrive at the meeting point early – boarding begins 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Cruises
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. Guests must arrive early, as late arrivals will likely miss the boat.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 62 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
10 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
62 verified traveler reviews for City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great food and vibe the...
Great food and vibe the staff was very friendly the music was diverse for young and older adults will definitely do this again
via Viator
It was my first time...
It was my first time doing something like this. I had a great time. The music was good. The food was awesome. And the crew was great.
via Viator
Great Customer Service, the Food was poorly executed
The condition of the boat, customer service, and the ride along the Elizabeth River were excellent. My wife and I got to see some views we would not otherwise have seen. My biggest regret is the food that was served. We boarded the boat at 7 p.m., and the food had already been on hot plates on the buffet. The buffet line didn't open until at least 7:40, which meant that the prepared food sat on hot plates for another 40 minutes. All of the protein was dry, and the salads did not taste fresh. Your dessert table was clearly store-bought and not made fresh. I spent over $300 for my wife and me to enjoy a dinner out, cruising along the Elizabeth (this was our first and last time), and I read online reviews that said the food was good, but it was NOT. We had told our waitress that we were celebrating our 20th anniversary. To celebrate, she found us on the upper deck and gave us a store-bought, nearly melted ice cream sandwich. The thought was very nice, but the execution was terrible, just like the execution of preparing and cooking the food was terrible. This was a one-time-only experience for us, and we will not be returning to City Cruises again.
Response from the operator: Thank you for notifying us regarding this situation. We’re incredibly sorry to hear about your experience and would like to investigate the situation further. To connect with a team member, please email us directly at customer.feedback@cityexperiences.com with the contents of this review. Thank you for your time, and we hope to hear from you to resolve this issue soon.
via Tripadvisor
First time
The food was great, and the music was great. They charged for wine $67 for 3 glasses. Great cruise, perfect setting I’ll do it again.
via Viator
My experiences
The food was ok. We started eating while shipped is park which is unfortunate. The interactive games is only Jenga, cornhole and foosball. Music could be better.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $94 to $174
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 22
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by City Cruises, who run 37 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 51.7.
See everything City Cruises runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Norfolk.
How much does City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $94 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Norfolk usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise take?
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Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Norfolk is not rushed.
Is City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 63 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Norfolk, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Around 22 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Norfolk can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Norfolk and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Norfolk within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Norfolk?
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Norfolk, VA packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Norfolk by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Norfolk experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include A Day Full of Fun at Virginia Living Museum, Half-Day Self-Guided Tour E-Bike Rental in Norfolk, Norfolk's Combo Tickets - Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Norfolk?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Norfolk, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Norfolk?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Included: Unlimited coffee, hot tea, and iced tea; Onboard entertainment with DJ music, access to lounge spaces, and interactive games; and Delicious dinner buffet with freshly prepared entrees, salads, and desserts. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Departing from Otter Berth | 173 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA. Please arrive at the meeting point early – boarding begins 30 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Norfolk. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise?
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Across 63 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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