We were celebrating our anniversary and had a wonderful time. The crew and staff were very courteous and paid a lot of attention to detail. You can't beat the views at night. read more

Waterways Cruises - Seattle skyline. - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We went for the dinner cruise on 8-29-26. We promptly pulled awy from the dock and off we went. The vessel is large enough to be comfortable but small and intimate setting for dining! The staff were nice, blended into a relaxing setting! The route that we visualized took us from salmon lake, lake union, viewing the wonderful waterline and skylines of the Seattle area. The food was exceptional and we even liked the music that was being piped into the dining area. Waterways Cruises was worth more than I paid read more

Waterways Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had a wonderful time on our mimosa brunch cruise. I don't remember our server's name but she was super friendly and beyond attentive. It was awesome getting to hang out with Captain Jeff in the wheelhouse and for our baby to drive the big wheel. Crew mate Austin was upper friendly as well. The bartender literally saved the day - we totally forgot a cup for our baby to drink milk out of so he hooked us up with a cup and even knew to cut the straw to a shorter length. Hallelujah! The boat we ended up on, the "Sightseer", was not their regular brunch cruise boat but it was still super cool. We didn't mind the family style seating although I think if we were to do this cruise again we'd want to at least try the other boat style just for the experience. The food was excellent and the mimosas were bottomless - as intended. We had a really great time and I could totally see us doing this at least once a year. I highly recommend it. read more

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For my first supper cruise, they didn't set a very high bar. I'll start off by commending the staff of the ship. The captain was very nice as well as everyone else. We were waited on by John and Andrea. They do an amazing job taking care of everyone aboard the vessel. One tip I might give to John is that the phrase, No Problem is a double negative and not very good verbiage for customer service. He was very grateful and said, "Thank you so much" after almost every sentence. He gave us a short rundown of the ship right after we sat at our table and let us know where the washrooms are and how to get to the upper deck. He informed us that we were free to roam at our leisure. We stayed at our table for a bit to take in the ambiance and then before we knew it, dinner was served. I suppose it is fitting as you have to pass through the marina and down a slough with not much to look at before you get to Lake Union so why not spend that time eating. When it comes to the food, I was sorely disappointed. They had a buffet set up with chicken thighs, salmon, mashed potatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, macaroni and cheese, rice pilaf, a green salad and some bread. The chicken was very dry and overcooked. The salmon was very well done and dry as well. The broccoli and mushrooms were also overcooked, and you could see charring on the broccoli, so I assume most of the food was cooked on a grill. My wife liked the macaroni and cheese and we both like the mashed potatoes and green salad. Neither of us had the rice but the bread was okay. After we finished eating, we went to the upper deck to check out the views but by that time, the cruise was half over. The boat doesn't really travel that far in one hour and then they turn around and head back. Outside on the deck, you have an awesome view of the surrounding areas. We traveled underneath a lot of bridges. Ballard, Aurora, Ship Canal and Freemont bridges to be exact. We saw a ton of house boats, gasworks park and a ton of other boaters who were enjoying the water as well. The captain did come over the PA and point out a couple of sights, but I really wish they he'd done more. We're from the Seattle area so we knew most of what we were looking at but there was a couple who were obviously new to Seattle, and I think they would have appreciated a bit more detailed information about what they were seeing. They don't even point out when you pass the houseboat that was featured in the movie, Sleepless in Seattle with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan while you're passing it. The boat was mostly quiet except when they needed to make a sharp turn and then this very disruptive motor would kick on and stop our conversation mid-sentence. Other than that, the ride was relaxing but overall, for the money they charge, I expected more and I definitely expected good food. Adult beverages are priced very high and I was even charged for club soda with cranberry juice. I can't say that I'll be taking any more of the Waterways cruises after this first experience but at least I can say that I've been there and done that. read more

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What an amazing experience it was with Waterways Cruises! My wife and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary on their happy hour cruise, we were both blown away! The whole crew on board was very attentive and friendly, they also had a decent selection for drinks and food. I would say it was a group of about 10-15 passengers and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, there were a few board games to choose from and great views from both the lower inside viewing area and the upper outside deck. The captain Jeff was a really great host and I could tell he genuinely loves doing these cruises, he enthusiastically showed us the inside of the cockpit after we told him it was our first time on a boat! read more

Waterways Cruises - Me with Captain Jeff - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This was my husband's 80th birthday celebration. They ask when you book what the occasion is for and yet no one on the crew bothered to put a candle on his cheesecake or even wished him happy birthday until we were leaving the boat. There were 10 of us so we all sang and passengers were nice enough to clap at the end. It was a beautiful night, the crew were very friendly and did a great job in their service. And the food was what you would expect on a dinner cruise. Not fabulous but presented nicely and was good. It's a great way to celebrate a special occasion. If its a birthday bring your own candle! read more

When changing circumstances -- some on my end, some on theirs -- led to not one or two but three different date changes for our Lake Union breakfast cruise, Waterways staff worked smoothly and without complaint to schedule our trip. It pays to get the trip insurance. Once aboard, the upper deck we drew proved a more spacious and preferable option to the rather crowded lower floor (and sorry to the poor couple who had to sit right next to the buffet table). The boat made a couple of rounds in Lake Union and the captain(?) mentioned some highlights, such as the houseboat featured in "Sleepless in Seattle." Two hours was a goodly amount of time to eat brunch and catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while. Two suggestions: Instead of having people get in the omelet station or buffet lines at will, which led to long lines and having to eat different parts of our meals in shifts, couldn't people choose or be assigned lineup times by table numbers? And though some question was asked beforehand about any disability issues, the deep step into and out of the boat, with no handrails, seems dangerous and risky. The workers helped, but adding a handrail of some sort seems prudent. Thank you, Waterways! read more

What an amazing experience! My husband and I had a wonderful time here celebrating our wedding anniversary! I loved the relaxed vibe, we were able to come out to the deck as much as we like and the weather was gorgeous! It was about a good 2 hour boat ride and didn't feel like a tour - the captain would chime in to tell us what certain were but not consistently. The food was spectacular - I had a surf and turf and it was delicious. The other items like salad and dessert were also really good. Tickets are very reasonable considering the experience and dinner. We would definitely recommend and will likely do again. read more

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Not a single signage or proper directions of support staff minding the phones to help people find/board cruise

It was a beautiful day and kind staff. We did the brunch cruise and I would absolutely do it again. Fun to see Seattle from another perspective. Shout out to server Andrea and her son--they were great! read more

This is my second trip with Waterways and it was not as good as the first one. After reading the reviews I see it can be hit or miss. The food on our Sunday brunch in April was awesome. All of the crew on board was so friendly so we booked a Blue Angel cruise. The service was not up to par and all of the crew was not very friendly. The food was good but overall, it didn't make me want to book again. read more

They canceled the cruise the last minute without any email, text, or call. They only tell you once you arrive at the dock ready for onboarding. read more

My wife and I had an amazing time on the dinner cruise! The entire staff including the Captain were great. The views of Lake Union, The Mountlake Cut & Lake Washington were so cool to see from the water. Everyone on the boat had such a fun time. I highly recommend Waterways Cruises!! read more

My mom came to town to visit me for the first time in my adult life, and I wanted to make her last night in Seattle really special. A dinner cruise felt like the perfect sendoff--and it was! Waterways delivered a great experience. Check-in was a breeze using just our last name, and the crew was professional, friendly, and welcoming. The cruise itself was mellow and relaxing, with the captain chiming in at intervals to share fun facts, which added a nice touch. We even got a complimentary glass of champagne when we sat down. My mom has a somewhat unusual food allergy (Alpha Gal--basically no red meat or anything from mammals), and I noted this when booking. We both chose the salmon entrée and asked for one to be dairy-free. I was really impressed that they honored this request: we got the same salad, but hers was served without cheese, which was perfect. The salmon plate came with a tasty teriyaki-style glaze, steamed white rice, and a small side salad. Overall, very enjoyable--I'll get to my one "but" in a moment. A highlight of the evening was stepping out to the bow for the classic Titanic-style photo. The captain chimed in over the PA with a perfect dad joke--"You know how that movie ends, right?"--and it gave us both a laugh. A fun, memorable moment. Now for a few notes that I hope Waterways might take into consideration for future cruises: 1. Diesel exhaust during undocking - They left the aft doors open while getting underway, and a lot of diesel fumes entered the cabin. My mom has asthma and had to put on a mask for a bit until they opened other doors to clear the air. As someone who works on boats myself, I understand diesel comes with the territory--but limiting fumes in the passenger area would make a big difference for everyone's comfort and health. 2. Salmon doneness - While delicious, the salmon was a bit undercooked inside. Not an issue for us--we love sushi--but I can imagine this being off-putting to someone expecting fully cooked fish. Possibly a result of trying to keep it from drying out on the warmer? 3. Dessert confusion - We ordered chocolate-covered strawberries without realizing a cheesecake dessert was included with the meal. Not a huge issue (especially since mom can't eat cheesecake anyway), but it felt awkward to tell the server we only ordered one dessert, then be told the meal comes with one. Also, the strawberries came with whipped cream, which mom can't eat either--something we would've asked to omit if we had known ahead of time. A bit more transparency or labeling on the menu would really help. Despite these minor issues, we had a lovely night, and I would definitely recommend a Waterways dinner cruise for anyone celebrating something special. It was a great way to make memories with my mom--and I'll always treasure that. read more

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Miles, Theyen, and Bill... Thank you!!! I had a beautiful experience with all three of these fantastic men. They were all so kind, attentive, smiley, welcoming, and gentle. Wow. What an amazing day my party of 12 and I had. The food was impeccable. They were all kind enough to offer us the food we did not finish to-go. Super friendly. 10/10 would book again. read more

While my family was here visiting from Texas for their last night here we planned our trip for a dinner cruise. It was a very special experience and memories that won't be forgotten. When they come back to visit again they would like for my family to make reservations again. So in a few years we definitely will be back to make even more memories. read more

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We took a holiday cocktail cruise on 12/12/24 and had a great time! This was the third Waterways cruise we have taken and it did not disappoint. Captain Jeff was great and made our experience even more memorable when he let me wear his hat and steer the boat. That was really cool! I definitely recommend going on any of their cruises! read more

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I went to the valentine dinner cruise and we sat by the window on the second floor. The food was good but it was cold inside where my husband and I had coats on and were feeling uncomfortable because it was cold inside. I prefer to do cruise like this in the summer because we sat by the window and it was difficult to see the waters because it was dark and windows always getting foggy. The service was fine and there was complimentary coffee and tea read more

It was a lovely experience, loved the atmosphere and the mood and the food was amazing. The views were nice and it was a nice, relaxing time together with my husband. Only thing was it was hard to understand what they said over their PA system the few times they said something. read more

The service is top notch! Having dinner on a boat cannot get any more romantic than this. I give 5 stars because it is well deserved read more

Waterways Cruises - Brunch on a beautiful Sunday morning - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We had a wonderful time with Waterway Cruises and Events--overall, it was a peaceful and scenic night out on the water. The views were fantastic, the atmosphere was relaxing, and the experience was a great way to unwind and enjoy the city from a different perspective. The only downside--and the reason for the 4-star rating--was the service around drinks. We were never approached to place a drink order during the cruise, and when I eventually went up to the bar to order, I was told the drinks would be brought to our table. Unfortunately, they never arrived, even by the end of the cruise. It didn't ruin the night, but it was disappointing and something that could be easily improved. Still, I'd recommend the cruise for a relaxing evening--just maybe be proactive about getting your drinks early! read more

went on dinner cruise and thought it was grea. super friendly staff and captain let us steer the ship. totally recommend

Great time for fireworks. Staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. Music was great. read more

Waterways Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Was excited me to change up our New Year's Eve. Vegas locals, we flew up to do this cruise cost little under 700 taxes and fees etc. Then they charge 28 bucks for 2 diet cokes, I was flabbergasted. Not only did they charge 28 bucks but our server Andrew never came by checked on us, no refill. My gf was super thirsty so I had to go up stairs to find someone not our server to get her some water. Suprised wasn't charged for that. Then the name theme suggest dinner on the lake, we finished all of the 5 course meal at the dock. I could have went to a restaurant on the dock for that. Really was disappointed, would never recommend especially for the price read more

Waterways Cruises - The bill - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Staff was so kind and great food was good we all had a great time would recommended this it was a great way to see Seattle

We did the dinner cruise it was beautiful views but entree took forever to come out. I think they tried to time it to have everyone's come out at the same time but when it did, my food was cold. Also we had gotten back to dock before dessert came out so it went on longer than 2 hours. Good experience for a one time thing read more

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It was a very serene trip and the staff were really friendly and the Captain was a great narrator. Julie

The lunch cruise wasn't what we expected . Horrible lunch vegan options gluten free options . The cruise was ok but hated the music played . The old lady server wasn't the nicest as we asked for more coffee and hot water since it was empty ! Wouldn't do it again ! The food which is a part of it needs an upgrade ! Went there hungry , left even hungrier! Only drank coffee as it was too early for us to drink alcohol ! read more

The captain and staff were friendly, helpful and made the 2 hour trip pleasant. We did the brunch cruise and there was plenty of food. The made to order omelets were delicious. Full bar on board at an additional cost. We toured Lake Union, into Lake Washington, to the Ballard docks and back to the pier. read more

Very horrible experience and a complete waste of money. Do not recommend. Should've known the moment I read "no refunds" in their policy. Booked a reservation for my 2 years anniversary. I was so excited we were looking forward to it all week. Then, when the date arrived the place was closed. We live in Whidbey island so about 2 hrs away from Seattle. Didn't even get a email or nothing. Would not recommend to anyone. 200 dollars basically donated. read more

I've lived in the greater Seattle area for over 50 years now, but had never been on a cruise of Lakes Union and Washington with a local company. My wife and I and four other friends, all with September/Virgo birthdays, decided it was the perfect time to celebrate with a dinner cruise. This was it. Plus we were able to use a coupon deal with a well-known travel company. We had an outstanding time with cooperating weather and an opportunity to discover waterways and attractions from a boats eye view. Service was excellent, the crew was ultra friendly (especially our server, Bill, who was an absolute delight...and was born and lived in the same tiny Rhode Island town where I went to college!), and points of interested were pointed out. Our salmon and chicken dinners were delicious. Only complaint: the very ordinary, mushy, overcooked and unadorned white rice. Had a bit of a snafu with our dock site...had to be changed on the day of the cruise...but all worked out fine, though parking was a bit of a challenge. All in all, we'd all gladly do it again. read more

Such a wonderful Thanksgiving on Waterways! Exceptional food and service. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming and the views were fantastic! read more

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It is ALWAYS fun hanging out on the lake with friends and family on Waterways cruises. Staff are very friendly and they serve delicious food. My wife and I have made these outings on Waterways dinner cruises but on special occasions like Mother's Day, the staff of Waterways cruises take our spending time together to another level through exceptional service They are so fun and reasonably priced too! Thank you dearly for your dedication and service, Waterways cruises! You're the best in this business! read more

Waterways Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The port was very hard to find!! Better directions are needed!! The email also posted the boarding times incorrectly, it's the tiny attention to details that matter! I enjoyed my time on this cruise!! The main floor and tables were beautifully decorated and I felt very fancy! Loved that the drink menu was all on theme!! The food was amazing, the charcuterie board was huge and so filling! I ordered the bottomless mimosas and they did not disappoint!! I was low key a little board because the drag show left me wanting more. The queen only performed twice and then did musical chairs. So that felt frustrating because the purpose was a drag brunch, which in my opinion should have included performances happening during the entire trip. I might recommend bringing cards or a game to pass the time while you boat around! Views were epic!! read more

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Decided to do a dinner cruise for a date night. Overall, it was a nice evening. The 2hr cruise experience started at the docks in South Lake Union and went to Lake Washington (by Bellevue). There was a small "tour" of the cruise which consisted of 6 short facts. It was neat learning about the lakes, but wish it had more substance. The majority of tables were couples but there were also a few larger and louder parties, which ruins the mood. So if you're looking for a romantic night, this might not be for you. The servers also always asked if we wanted something to drink throughout the whole night. I had a long day so I was good with just water. But the servers came by at least 10 times asking if I wanted something to drink. Nice gesture, but got annoying after the first few times. Food wise, it was pretty standard. - bread + butter: artisanal warm bread with unsalted butter. - butternut soup: very rich and indulgent with a hint of butternut flavor. Was okay. - salmon dinner: salmon was cooked just right, maybe slightly over cooked. Could've had a little more sauce. But that's being nit picky. The steamed veggies were basically frozen veggies you get at buffets. - short ribs dinner: super tender meat with a Demi-glance sauce. Paired really nicely with the mashed potatoes. - Carmel Apple cheesecake: fluffy and had nice chunks of apple. However whipped cream tasted watered down and a little off :( Overall, fun night and neat experience! But I'm not sure if I will be back. read more

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We participated in this weekend's brunch cruise on 18 Feb, and it was unequivocally enjoyable! Cleanliness & service was on point; the food was fabulous; and the scenery extraordinary! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the island, and highly recommend this to all couples and families. I took one star, which was at no fault of Waterways. Unfortunately, a large group of friends (8) at the table across from us were celebrating a birthday and gradually became loud and obnoxious towards the end of our cruise. Nonetheless, Waterways definitely had their A-Team on deck! And, while my last brunch was less than desirable, this recent attendance has surely restored my confidence in this organization. Thank you to all the Waterways Team for making this wonderful brunch a great success! read more

Waterways Cruises - Omelette, toasted bagel, fried potatoes, bacon, charcuterie spread, champagne, & chocolate covered strawberries. - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I think drinks should have been included basic fountain drinks for the amount of money I spent and gratituty. The dessert could have been better presented and warmed. read more

I received my dinner cruise as a birthday gift. I booked our cruise Aug 17 & picked our entrees, my husband chose sirloin steak. Sept 3 I got an email saying they were switching from spring/ summer menu to fall/ winter menu- sirloin steak will be substituted for Braised short ribs. Didn't they know 2 weeks in advance when seasonal menu is changed? When the food was delivered to our tables, others ordered steak & lobster. Not sure if it was Filet Mignon. Upon arrival you are greeted with a glass of champagne or apple cider, which was refreshing. Also we told upon boarding the women's bathroom was broke, we had to use upstairs bathroom. I've never been on a yacht, no idea which toggle switches were to flush. Tiny trickle of water came out to " flush" thru a tiny hole. Person before me left their TP in bowl. It was an embarrassing situation. I came out & had to get help from a waiter. Not sure if men's bathroom was the same. We had never been to that area & there are NO signs in parking lot/ entrance. It was helpful they send you a map where the yachts are located. I thought it was supposed to be narratated by the captain. Only thing he pointed out was Gas Works park. Silence the rest of the cruise. Soon as you pass under Lake Union bridge, all you really see is black, unless you go outside. The food was delicious, considering its not cooked on site. Our server was Andrea, she was fantastic! Bottom line is: for salmon, rice & 2 veggies, short ribs, mashed potatoes.... Personally I would not recommend it IF you are a local. If your a tourist, go during the day, so you can actually see the sights. $150 per person is expensive!! read more

My boyfriend and I took the brunch cruise on a Saturday to celebrate our anniversary. The pier was a little hard to find (I think more signage would be helpful) and there are no public bathrooms until you get on the boat. If you have accessibility concerns, just know that it's a bit of a walk down the wooden pier, and then you have to get up two steps onto the boat. Unbeknownst to us, we were sitting upstairs, so more steps--not a problem for us, but you might want to make sure that you are on the main floor if it's a concern for you. We paid extra money for a window table but laughed when we saw that aside from one long table, they're all window tables! Staff was very courteous and professional. The views are gorgeous. I live in Seattle but it's always a treat to get out in the water, especially when the mountain is out. The coffee on the boat is a crime against humanity--so watered down and weak. You can't serve that in Seattle! The food was pretty mediocre and very cold (not lukewarm, actually cold)! So that was disappointing for the price point. The boat is clean. The downstairs bathrooms are like a standard public restroom, the upstairs is like what you typically find on boats and I could not figure out how to flush the toilet (and neither could many others, from the looks of it). Staff kindly helped me, but maybe put some instructions up, because that was embarrassing! All in all, a pleasant way to spend a morning, especially if you are a tourist or new for the area. But I can't say that it felt like the best value. Still, probably a better experience than some of the more crowded vessels, like Argosy. read more

Waterways Cruises - We did get a nice long view of Mt. Rainier. - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Tremendous service and food top notch. Plus you get a ship tour. Just amazing in all aspects and I highly recommend it. read more

Waterways Cruises - View from ship - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington