DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey

Navigating the Potomac River aboard the Odyssey, guests can indulge in gourmet cuisine and breathtaking city views during a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Cruising the Potomac River in Washington, DC offers a unique dining experience on the Odyssey. Theres some good a gourmet brunch, lunch, or dinner prepared by an onboard executive chef while taking in breathtaking 360-degree views of the city’s iconic monuments. With a smart-casual dress code and various amenities, the Odyssey provides a memorable atmosphere for relaxation, celebration, or a one-of-a-kind culinary journey. But what makes this cruise truly stand out?

This experience made our article of 14 Must-Try Cruises And Boat Tours In Washington DC.

Key Points

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  • The Odyssey Cruise in Washington, DC offers gourmet brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises featuring scenic views of iconic monuments and a smart-casual dress code.
  • The dining experience includes a plated brunch with mimosas, a 3-course gourmet dinner with options like jumbo mushroom ravioli, and desserts such as New York-style cheesecake.
  • Cruises last 2-3 hours and provide amenities like unlimited coffee, tea, and mimosas during brunch, as well as curated background music and private tables.
  • The Odyssey Cruise has a non-refundable cancellation policy and can accommodate guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, dairy-free, shellfish-free, and nut-free options.
  • Group reservations are recommended to ensure seating arrangements and enhance the overall dining experience, with accurate headcount and special requests.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview of the Odyssey Cruise

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The Odyssey cruise offers an exceptional dining experience in Washington, DC. Guests can enjoy gourmet brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises, with prices starting from $78.47 per person.

The cruises last 2-3 hours, providing ample time to savor the delectable cuisine and take in the scenic views of the nation’s capital. While the cancellation policy is non-refundable, the cruise promises an unforgettable experience.

With a smart-casual dress code and various amenities like unlimited coffee and tea, the Odyssey cruise is a unique way to dine and sightsee in the heart of DC.

Dining Experience

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Guests can enjoy a plated brunch with mimosas or a gourmet 3-course dinner during the Odyssey cruise. Meals are prepared daily by the onboard executive chef, featuring:

  • Brunch options like breakfast pastries, Scottish smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and French toast

  • Dinner starters such as Caesar salad and lobster soup

  • Main courses including jumbo mushroom ravioli, oven-roasted chicken, and broiled salmon

  • Desserts like New York-style cheesecake and triple chocolate mud pie

The Odyssey offers an exceptional dining experience, complemented by stunning views of iconic DC monuments.

Scenic Views and Atmosphere

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Cruise-goers can relax and take in 360° views of iconic DC monuments, including the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, while aboard the Odyssey. The curated background music sets the mood as guests unwind at private tables. Available amenities include unlimited coffee, hot tea, iced tea, and mimosas during brunch.

| Amenity | Description |

| — | — |

| Scenic Views | 360° views of DC monuments |

| Background Music | Curated for relaxation |

| Beverages | Unlimited coffee, tea, mimosas |

| Seating | Private tables |

| Photography | Souvenir photos available |

Attire and Smoking Policy

Smart-casual attire is required aboard the Odyssey. No jeans, shorts, tank tops, or gym shoes are permitted. Smoking is only allowed on the outdoor observation decks. This policy ensures a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience for all guests.

Aboard the Odyssey, smart-casual attire is required. No casual or athletic wear is permitted. Smoking is limited to outdoor observation decks.

Key attire guidelines:

  • No casual or athletic wear

  • Dress pants, khakis, or slacks recommended

  • Button-down shirts, blouses, or dresses preferred

  • Closed-toe shoes required

Guests should also inform their server of any food allergies before ordering to ensure their safety and satisfaction.

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Food Allergy Considerations

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Do you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions? Be sure to let your server know before ordering. The Odyssey Cruise team is happy to accommodate your needs and modify menu items as necessary.

| Allergy | Accommodation |

|——-|—————|

| Gluten | Gluten-free bread/pasta options |

| Dairy | Dairy-free milk/cheese substitutes |

| Shellfish | Shellfish-free entree alternatives |

| Nut | Nut-free desserts and side dishes |

The talented onboard chefs will work closely with you to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable dining experience. Bon appétit!

Group Reservations

To ensure group seating, the Odyssey Cruise recommends making one reservation for the entire party. This allows the staff to accommodate your group’s needs, such as:

Booking a single reservation for your entire party enables Odyssey Cruise staff to cater to your group’s seating and service requirements.

  • Securing adjacent or nearby tables

  • Streamlining the ordering and service process

  • Minimizing any wait times or delays

  • Providing a cohesive dining experience for your group

When booking, be sure to provide an accurate headcount and any special requests.

This ensures the Odyssey Cruise can deliver an exceptional gourmet cruise experience for your entire party.

Customer Ratings and Reviews

The Odyssey Cruise has garnered an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 532 customer reviews. Customers have praised the cruise’s transportation services with a 4.5/5 rating, while the value for money aspect received a 3.9/5 rating. Some highlights from the reviews include:

| Reviewer | Rating | Comment |

| — | — | — |

| Brian (USA) | – | "Fantastic views, excellent dinner and cocktails." |

| Henry (Czech Republic) | – | "Fantastic experience." |

| Kathryn (USA) | – | "Very good food and service; nice views." |

Guests appreciate the stunning 360-degree views of iconic DC monuments and the high-quality cuisine prepared by the onboard executive chef.

Getting to the Odyssey Cruise

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Although the Odyssey Cruise departs from the Southwest Waterfront in Washington, DC, getting to the cruise terminal is straightforward.

There are several transportation options:

  • Public transportation: The Waterfront Metro station is just a short walk away.

  • Rideshare: Services like Uber and Lyft provide convenient door-to-door transportation.

  • Parking: The Odyssey Cruise offers on-site parking for $20 per vehicle.

  • Walking: For those staying nearby, it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk from many downtown hotels.

With multiple options to reach the cruise terminal, guests can arrive stress-free and ready to embark on their gourmet dining experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is There a Dress Code for the Cruise?

The Odyssey cruise has a smart-casual dress code – no jeans, shorts, tank tops, or gym shoes are allowed. Passengers should dress accordingly to ensure they’re able to board and enjoy the cruise.

Can I Consume My Own Food and Drinks on Board?

Passengers cannot bring their own food or drinks on board the Odyssey cruise. All meals and beverages must be purchased from the onboard catering service. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.

Do They Offer Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Menu Options?

The Odyssey offers both vegetarian and gluten-free menu options for their brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises. They accommodate dietary restrictions and can customize meals upon request to cater to guests’ needs.

Is There Live Entertainment During the Cruise?

The Odyssey cruise doesn’t offer live entertainment during the dining experience. Passengers can enjoy curated background music and the scenic views of DC landmarks as they dine on the gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef.

Can I Bring Guests Who Are Not Dining?

Guests who are not dining are welcome to join the cruise, but they’ll need to purchase a non-dining observation deck ticket. This allows them to enjoy the scenic views without access to the dining areas.

The Sum Up

The Odyssey Cruise in Washington, DC offers an exceptional dining experience with gourmet meals and stunning 360-degree views of the city’s iconic landmarks. With a smart-casual dress code and various amenities, this cruise provides a memorable atmosphere for relaxation, celebration, or a unique dining adventure, starting at just $78.47 per person. Reservations are recommended, and guests should consider any dietary restrictions when booking.

📍 This experience made our list of the 14 best Cruises And Boat Tours in Washington DC

You can check availability for your dates here: