Horrible horrible boat company. I had everything set with them for my bosses birthday event and after getting everything set and promises made the event manager just cancelled on me and is ignoring my calls. So unprofessional and ruined our whole event. Never ever do business with them. read more

Staff was amazing but for the price point of $400 all together for me and my girlfriends anniversary it was underwhelming. I was under the impression that we'd be sailing towards the open sound to get the full view of Seattle city lights but ended up going to lake Washington. Still nice but pitch black no sights until we got back to lake Union. Ambiance inside the boat wasn't good but wasn't bad, felt very outdated. What truly let me down was the food. We both upgraded to the surf & turf shrimp and steak and it just wasn't worth it. I didn't even want to finish it. Artichoke/spinach dip was more so of a parmesan cheese dip which would've been fine but the cheese taste was way to strong and overpowering. Crab cake was dry and flavorless. Cesar salad had the same strong overpowering parmesan. Food just really gave me a cheap buffet type of vibe, we could have honestly got the same quality at a old country buffet :( This is not to slander the business but in my honest opinion I could have better spent my money elsewhere for me and my girlfriends special occasion. Again staff was amazing! More particularly the older gentleman with the raspy voice. read more

Waterways Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Fun find in Seattle. Cocktail cruise. You can board an hour early and enjoy a drink while grabbing a seat outside. They provide board games, cocktails ($$) and cheese and hummus plates ($$). You cruise through the lake past UW and back. A fun hour and half cruise on a nice evening. All of the crew on our trip were very personable and helpful. We'd definitely suggest this to friends! Grab their Groupon if available for a discount but worth the full price. read more

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Would NOT recommend for SeaFair to see the Blue Angels. They floated the boat way too far from where the planes were actually concentrating their flight near. They should've gotten closer to the 90. I think it was all way too overpriced and the drinks weren't included either. $550 was wayyyy too much for 3 people and I kind of wish I could get a little of it refunded. :( read more

Celebrated my birthday on a Brunch Cruise. So much fun, delicious food, great view, and the wait staff could not have been better! Miles went above beyond ensuring that my party was taken care of. Even went running down the dock in hopes to find some of my guests who were close to missing the boat. When they say they leave promptly, they mean it!!!! Arrive early. Overall, it was a great experience and special event. read more

The dinner cruise was a cool experience for sure! I planned it as a surprise date night and it was so much fun. We were greeted by the captain when we got there. The cheese plate I had ordered ahead and bread were waiting at my table when I sat down. We got champagne which was lovely. I loved the sights of the trip and we heard cool facts about the area throughout. It was the perfect amount of narration to still enjoy your dinner. The cheese plate was neat. I enjoyed the ingredients but I'm not sure everything paired well together. The salad was refreshing and lovely. I wasn't as excited about the entrees and extra dishes. I had salmon, steak, shrimp and crab cakes, along with asparagus. Just meh' to all of them - the texture and the taste. I wouldn't eat these again, but the experience was still neat. They had limited drink options because they had just recently opened up after being closed for covid. I think typically they'd have a drink menu to choose from. This a great girls night out or a cute date experience. I loved seeing the Seattle skyline and you can get some really cute photos - a bunch of the guests had a blast taking photos outside. Don't expect the best food but you'll have fun. read more

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This review is all over the place, just like the experience. We went in a dinner cruise. Someone had a medical emergency so we had to dock early but the captain gave us a nice city short tour after dropping them off. The best part was the service. They were all very nice and helpful. Took us back out to sea and didn't have to. 5/5 Drinks were wack tbh. Not strong and honestly poorly made. Too much vermouth in martins. More than there was vodka. 2/5 Food wasn't great either 2.5/5. Salmon was overcooked. Dessert was mediocre. Salad was okay. Views were great. Got to see a floating house neighborhood that I didn't know existed and I live here. 5/5. Okay narration. I didn't learn much. Captain spoke 3-4 times. Clean quarters! Stinky bathroom. Go up to the view and see what you can see! read more

We went on a Mother's Day Brunch cruise and had the best time. The staff were super friendly, the captain was good at pointing out and informing the guests of the sights around and with fun facts, and the food was absolutely delicious. A few of us went for round two. Oh and the best part, the day of the cruise we were blessed with a wonderful and sunny Seattle weekend. The views were gorgeous and couldn't have been better. We had a wonderful time and plan on going for another cruise!! read more

What a delightful experience, this is totally my jam to cruise on a boat and have fine dinner. A friend planned this out for our other friend's birthday and we had such a great time especially during a time like this where there ain't shit to do in Seattle. I wished I knew this existed earlier as it would have been really nice to be out on the lake in the summer time. They do private events, brunches, and dinner cruises which was what we did. I hear there's also Halloween parties, Cinco De Mayo, themed nights, etc. Everything felt very safe as there's hand sanitizer provided upon boarding and plexi-glasses to separate each table which I actually like to feel more private between each party. There's a lot of couples as this is the perfect romantic night out activity, you can even buy rose pedals to be placed on your table, but we were just a bunch of girls(mostly single too) lol. The whole experience was about 2.5 hours and they go around the lake, make sure to not run on Asian Standard Time because they are not kidding with the departure time, boarding starts 30 minutes before leaving. I'm really happy with my experience, it was about only $90 for the trip and dinner was included with one glass of complimentary champagne or in my case apple cider since I don't drink. I still have to feel like a classy, sophisticated bitch so I requested it in a wine glass as always. If you leave from Seattle, there's a free parking lot right where the dock is, there should be plenty of spots, but on a rare case, there's plenty of parking outside within walking distance. Be careful if you wear skinny heels as it might get stuck between the wood docks as you're walking to your yacht, not to mention wet too! It's probably best to have somebody carry you if that's the case, or maybe bring an extra pair of shoes. Tell me about your experience if you've been here or is going to after reading this review:) read more

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The captain and staff were friendly and professional. The wine was fabulous but the food was not worth the price paid. The soup was cold so no one got any. There were very limited entre's. The turkey was not very good but the prime rib was delicious. They ran out of dessert so not everyone got dessert. ( I find this uncalled for after spending approximately 360.00 with tip for two people. This could get a higher rating if they improved the food. read more

I took my daughter and her friend on the dinner cruise for her birthday. Not only was the scenery beautiful but the food was absolutely amazing! The service was great and the waiters were really nice, helpful and friendly. It was a very romantic setting and I will definitely be going back with my husband for a special date night. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a romantic evening, or fun event with friends! read more

Waterways Cruises - Best cheesecake I've had!! - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We went on the brunch cruise. I didn't know what to expect. The boat was in decent shape. Food was decent. I liked the inlets made to order. I'd like to see a little more variety with the buffet. We had bottomless mimosas and those were great. We were sat upstairs away from the crowd and the food. But it was nice to be where the outside area was. The weather was incredible. It was a very different thing to do. Added a little fun to the weekend. read more

Waterways Cruises - Brunch cruise was very nice. - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Went on the Easter Brunch Cruise today and had a wonderful time! Crew was amazing, super friendly and attentive, making sure we were taken care of. Food was delicious, enjoyed the prime rib and omelet bar. Complimentary champagne was nice too! 2 hour cruise was just the right amount of time to enjoy the beautiful views. Definitely recommend! read more

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Easter Brunch was Amazing!! The Food, Hospitality and Boat were all Awesome! Thank you for making our Seabunny Easter a day to remember. Emma, our Cruise Manager was outstanding as was our Chef Celeste's food options! I would highly recommend you book your reservations today! read more

Food was good. Boat was dirty. Windows haven't been cleaned in weeks and they were covered with lots of bird poop. We could not hear the commentary thru the speakers on the first level at all, which is where the food is served. read more

Always a lovely time onboard! The crew offers amazing service and the route captures the beauty of Seattle through its lake views. Being on a boat is always a treat, but Waterways makes it unforgettable! read more

This is probably the fourth time my wife and I have taken this cruise over the past several years and had it been the first time then it was nice, but since we can compare it to past experiences it fell short of the mark. The ship did travel up the east side of Lake Union, through the Montlake Cut, into Lake Washington, and returned along the west side of Lake Union, but we barely got into Lake Washington when it turned around and it felt like we went into idle mode on the return. Previously, we ventured down Lake Washington to see various homes (e.g. Bill Gates, Craig McCaw, etc.) and then back in Lake Union we ventured into the Lake Washington Ship Canal towards the Ballard Locks with narration along the way. I have to assume the reason for the much reduced trip is to save on cost of fuel. The food was better in the past, but okay, and the coffee was not hot. read more

We went on the Sunday Supper cruise. Late boarding due to staff shortage. Late drinks due to staff shortage. Was seated at a table on the 1st deck at the bow which has no view. Buffet style food was OK. Chicken was dry. Biscuits were day old dried out. Flank steak was pretty good. Desert was from a sheet, cut up little squares. Decor is dated. read more

I have been on a few dining cruises with Waterways. Last night was my first non-holiday event (Sunday Supper) and we used a Groupon. The experience was far more casual than the Mother's Day & Valentine's Day cruises I've been on with them. There was rap/R&B music with swear words playing overhead that clashed with the romantic feeling we thought the dinner was supposed to have. Our server came over to explain the menu and apologized because he had to yell over the music (and through his mask) for us to hear him. He and the other wait staff were very friendly and attentive, they didn't just focus on their own tables but each stopped to check on anyone who might need something. The food was great and the drinks were beautifully presented. A couple tips: Do not expect to receive the welcome champagne they advertise, we never did. Save the $10 per person for a guaranteed window because, at least last night, all tables were window tables. There were a couple single seat tables in the middle that weren't used, so maybe if demand is high they add spots. I feel it was a bit dishonest for them to charge me an extra $20 fee knowing that I'd have a window either way. Based on my experience last night, I would only pay full-price for a holiday event. If you can get discounted tickets, I recommend going for it. read more

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My husband & I decided to do something a little different this year for New Year's, we booked this event & we are so happy we did. It was so elegant, beautiful, and the staff were so accommodating & friendly. When we arrived onboard they greeted us with champaign, and took us to our beautiful table. The city lights & firework show was nothing short of unforgettable. We had the time of our lives & we will be back. Thank you so much Waterways for such an amazing experience. read more

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Honestly had a great date on the Sunday supper cruise. Even though it was raining and a bit gloomy, they played an awesome playlist and the crew (David and Kirsten) made it very worthwhile. The food (bread, salad/fruit, steak, chicken, potatoes and Mac and cheese and lastly, chocolate torte) was pretty good, and you can have as much as you want! Don't forget to check into Yelp for a free house drink! 10/10 would go again read more

Waterways Cruises - Cute ambience w/ COVID measures taken! (each table is sectioned off) - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We booked for the "holiday parade of lights cruise" and this was one of the most disappointing experiences I've had to date. I wanted to do something nice for my husband and I after a hard year and we don't have a lot of money to just book any events we want, so this was supposed to be really special. We paid around $200 total when you factor in cost of parking along with the tickets. Note that for $200 we could have gone to our absolute favorite restaurant in Seattle, with a beautiful view TWICE. So, here's why I am so disappointed and giving this experience a two-star review: 1. We were seated in the worst location on the entire boat (see photo). All other seating apart from ours was decorated, well lit, and had a view from clear windows. Our seats were far from everyone, dimly lit, next to old stacked chairs and had absolutely no view. The windows fogged and the front of the ship covered everything. I didn't expect any amazing seats, but I just wanted us to be able to see _something_. Especially considering this is a cruise to see festive lights. I did read online later that you CAN upgrade your spots, but EVERY table, apart from maybe 2 or 3, had a window view. So are 4 out of 50 people supposed to upgrade? And to where? It feels like no one who is in charge of this event has been part of it to see what the experience would be like. 2. The food wasn't very good. It was a buffet style, and supposed to be a traditional American Christmas meal. It was mediocre at best and just didn't feel fresh. I felt like I was eating hotel quality food. 3. The whole boat had a funky smell and the carpets were nasty. The bathrooms did not feel clean and the glass my husband received his champagne in had a lip stain - he got a new one immediately, but it was striking that this wasn't noticed beforehand. 4. There was no holiday parade of lights? The image that advertised the cruise showed a large number of boats with lights on them in the water. We came to a section with maybe 2 boats that had lights on them, and THEY were having some sort of event for people on shore, but there wasn't a large number of boats with lights or anything. Hardly anything to look at. And of course, if you don't go outside or stand around by others seats with clear windows, you can't see any of it anyways. I am just really sad about the whole thing. I wanted to do something special for Christmas with our limited funds and felt like I was robbed of a nice time. Of course, my husband and I enjoy all our time together because we have each other, but this really put a damper on my holiday season. I would not recommend. I guess you are out on the water, but you could just go on the ferry and grab some good take-out for an equivalent ride. But really, just go to your favorite restaurant instead. read more

Waterways Cruises - Other seats - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Waterways cruise had a holiday cocktail experience that is perfect for any couple. The price was very reasonable for 2 free drinks and an hour and a half excursion in South Lake Union. The city looks absolutely gorgeous at night and it was so fun seeing all the holiday lights and decor! The staff onboard is extremely friendly and there's games for you to enjoy. This was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience! read more

This review is for the PARADE OF LIGHTS HOLIDAY CRUISE! My best friend and myself recently went on this cruise to be festive and for the holidays. We really enjoyed it! It was awesome. The staff was really nice and the food was GREAT! We had a buffet style dinner and we had Turkey, Bread, Prime Rib Carving Station and all the fixings! We had a special Macaroni and Cheese also which was AMAZING! Our server was really attentive and so was the bar tending staff and the rest of the staff. If our server wasn't around, another server gladly helped us. The captain did a great narration of the sights and told us when the caroling event was going to happen and the parade of lights for the boats. It was a beautiful, awesome scene. There were so many boats with so many awesome holiday lights! The carolers were lovely as well! The bread pudding dessert was awesome as well and we thoroughly enjoyed it. This was such a peaceful cruise and not too crowded. Well worth the money paid. Like I said, this review m was for the premium holiday lights cruise only, but if you are considering a dinner cruise or other local water cruise, I think it will be just as enjoyable. Thanks Waterways for an awesome experience!!!! read more

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I planned a corporate boat party and after narrowing down to a couple options we decided to go with Waterways. I booked the Emerald boat which can hold up to 200 people and were able to leave from the Kirkland dock rather the usual Seattle dock. Kristine was a HUGE savior and amazing in helping us get all the information that I needed including food options and availability of entertainment options like magician and caricaturist. I was cutting it really close on time and it was a big help that Kristine called me when she had updates and was very prompt on getting back to me via email. We got a DJ a photobooth which were big hits (especially the karaoke) and the photobooth provided great memories. The food was apparently pretty good (I was too busy and only took one bite the entire evening). We gave drink tickets to the guests and the bartenders were all really nice. Overall everyone who came had a great time (seriously, we had to kick people off the boat when it docked because no one wanted to leave). But really, the MVP here is Kristine because this event went from almost not happening at all to everyone having an amazing and memorable time. read more

My husband and I wanted to celebrate our new marriage with a special dinner, we decided to give a dinner cruise a try. After seeing other photos, I didn't expect too much from the food, as I knew we were mostly going for the atmosphere and the experience. When we arrived inside the boat, it was very dingy, and a bit run down. For the price you're paying I would expect the cruise ship to be slightly more updated. The food was to our expectations. Mediocre. Not much flavor, presentation was okay. Our table was upstairs near the bar, which was nice because the down stairs half was packed with people & tables. Upstairs only had 3 tables which seemed a bit more intimate. Over all, it was a unique experience, but we more than likely will not be returning. read more

Waterways Cruises - Table set up - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I always enjoy these cruises just disappointed that all the money you pay for this and you still have pay for parking AND sodas?

booked a night cruise for 2. the 3 course dinner was amazing. my girlfriend and I had great time, and the staff when above and beyond to provide a great service. Definitely recommend for date nights, anniversaries, or to show someone the lake. read more

It was horrifically overpriced. I understand that this is a "family owned business" but for me to pay an extra $80 for a "guaranteed window seat" when there were ONLY window seats available felt like I was being swindled. Also the so called "party package" that was $70 which included champagne, balloons and cake was a complete rip off too. It was a literal $5 bottle of sparkling white wine, balloons they definitely reuse, and what looked like a grocery store bought chocolate cake that probably cost them $6. Now let's talk about the buffet style breakfast. For $102.96 a person, I'm expecting a pretty stellar brunch. I understand that part of that cost is to be on the boat but the food was honestly on par with free budget hotel intercontinental breakfast except worse because we got charged $3 per person for some Tropicana juice from concentrate. You could say that the cost also goes to the service but we had to get our own coffee that tasted awful. The only thing I did appreciate was their mask policy. The boat ride was fine but felt pretty short. I understand that covid hit the travel industry pretty hard but this was by far one of the most ripped off I've felt in a really long time. Do better. All in all would NOT recommend. read more

my wife and I had a horrible experience with the recent waterway dinner cruise. We booked it for our 8 year anniversary. we were trying to re-enact our 1st anniversary since the salmon was so good. This dinner cruise, the salmon which is the main entree was so nasty, the salmon was very dry, and the sauce did not complement the salmon. we both took one bit and did not want to eat it. service was very slow, and the was barely any narrate on the cruise. Things look like it's falling down. we felt disappointed since we saved our appetite to eat on the cruise, drove an hour away, and paid a lot of money to be disappointed. we could not leave because we had to stay on the boat until the cruise was over. read more

Very fun tour on a nice boat, good food and very welcoming accommodating staff. Highly recommend this tour. read more

Waterways Cruises - Smokey sunset - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wonderful trip, great views, and the staff was awesome. Very accommodating with our food allergies!

If you want a good brunch with smooth sailing cruise on the water between Lake Union (Seattle) and Lake Bellevue (Bellevue), then Waterways Cruises are for you! It's very simple, and I won't go into detail because it's pretty straight forward: food and cruise! Cruise and food! I found out about Waterways Cruises through Groupon and ordered the brunch tickets for 2. We chose the Kirkland Marina and showed up promptly on that day because you know a cruise ain't gonna wait for you if you decide to show up fashionably late! The captain (he was cute) showed up and greeted us at the entrance, and we came into the room. We were immediately greeted with smiles and friendliness by the staff of Waterways Cruises. The service was acceptable as our waitress was very attentive to our needs. Initially, we made our ways to the pancake station. The 2 chefs or cooks stood there and made our pancakes (with or without topping(s)), and we self-served our pancakes with the favorite whipped cream or blueberry/cranberry sauce. Then, we got in line for the main entrees, which included smoked salmon salad (quite fishy but still edible), mac-and-cheese (creamy & light),roasted potato (did not eat it but looked very tasty), bread (croissant included - very good), scrambled eggs (yummy), and last BUT not last : BACON (hello, sexy meat!). The desserts were cheesecake and (chocolate or white nut) cookies. They were good as well. Overall, you should definitely give this cruise a try if you're into eating out and enjoying a good view between Lake Union and Lake Bellevue. Waterways Cruises hold many special events (as I can see from their website) and regular weekend cruises. Give it a try with your date and / or family sometimes ! read more

Waterways Cruises - Good old brunch! - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Evening cruise on the Sightseer was relaxing, an enjoyable time on Lake Union. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. I would do this again and invite friends. read more

We booked the brunch cruise to celebrate my daughters 21st birthday with friends. From the moment we stepped up to board we were treated so kind. The entire crew from the Captain to the wait staff acted with complete kindness and professionalism. This cruise was truly one of the best experiences we have had in a long time. It was wonderful we highly recommend this experience. read more

Waterways Cruises - Birthday party...Bottle of Champagne a must. - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We had a great time the service was excellent!!!!!! The crew was accommodating and friendly

Easy way to navigate much better than dealing with parking for sure when going from West Seattle to downtown!!!@

We recently attended a private dinner cruise with my partner's company on the Emerald Star. The experience and views were amazing and we enjoyed some romantic moments under the city lights. Unfortunately, the food was very disappointing. The Vegetable Risotto was nothing but a pile of undercooked, crunchy white rice with a few lettuce leaves and a puddle of balsamic vinegar beneath it, it was definitely not a risotto. It came with no sides so I missed out on dinner. The guests at our table who ordered the Salmon also received a big pile of plain shredded cabbage as a side dish, which they were all mystified by. Creme Brulee was delicious, but my partner, who loves Peach cobbler, didn't even finish it because the peaches were undercooked and hard. Hors d'oeuvres were good, but sparse. We both left the cruise hungry and ended up stopping for burgers and fries on the drive home. read more

Waterways Cruises - Vegetable Risotto was disappointing - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This was a birthday celebration for me. I have done this cruise several times and it has never let me down. I always share my experience with my friends and family. The staff is always friendly I told Miles I will see him again and the food is great. I already booked my trip for Sea Fair. Thanks for providing a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday, Sharika read more

Nice brunch with hubby. This is the first time I have been there, and I would say I am impressed their customer service is the best! Staffs are very friendly and professional, the food is amazing and the decorations are beautiful. I'm big on atmosphere and presentation, and this one got me right there. We unfortunately didn't have a sunny morning to enjoy, but the food, the view and everything really did warm my heart and my stomach . I will definitely be back! Love this tour read more

Waterways Cruises - Boat Charters Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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