Dining aboard the ships of Boston’s Spirit Cruises (www.spiritcruises.com) is reminiscent of the Golden Age of air travel.
Beautifully-appointed surroundings.
Breathtaking views.
Attentive personal service.
A surprisingly expansive menu.
And, of course…a safety lecture.

While some may scoff at the idea of dining while on board a moving vessel, it certainly makes for “something different” and can be the ideal idea for a special event or just a night out. As the ships are so wide and heavy (and Coast Guard certified), seasickness is rarely an issue. In fact, with the comfortable seating areas, dance floors and bars inside the ship, there may be no need to even look at the rolling waves of Boston Harbor. On the other hand, with its large windows, table-side mirrors and comfy Sky Deck, complete with couches and lounge chairs, a stroll about the decks makes a night on the Spirit extra fun and, potentially, extra romantic.
Putting the ship aside, Spirit cruises offer great food and plenty of it. Whether you go for lunch, dinner, or one of Spirit’s specially-themed events, such as its New England lobster clambake, Gospel lunch cruise or wine mixer cruise, the buffet is big and plentiful and offers everything from salad to steak and a wide assortment of sides. With a full bar and a creative wine and drink list that includes Spirit’s own spirited libations, there are plenty of options for washing down your meal or toasting your family members, friends, co-workers, or the friendly person you just met in the buffet line.
To encourage the sense of camaraderie onboard, the ship’s cruise director encourages introductions and does her best to get everyone up and dancing by coming from table to table to elicit requests. The rest of the staff is just as cordial and considerate, making sure every napkin is folded and every dietary restriction is addressed.
As it runs year ‘round, Spirit also offers special sales for such special days and nights as Halloween, New Years Eve and prom night. There is even a pre-Christmas Santa lunch for kids of all ages and a post-holiday “ugly sweater” party onboard where you can get close to keep warm even if you wouldn’t scourge a dinghy in your neighbor’s outfit.
While any night out can get pricey these days, most Spirit cruises are paid for in advance and can include special packages including VIP bar service. The website also offers regular discounts, such as free young sailor tickets and partnership deals with area parking garages and car services so you can get to and from your ship with minimal fuss and maximal fun. Gift certificates are also available for special event cruises or open-ended bookings. Such offers make the Spirit line a great choice for tourists who may be coming to town and want to see the sights from a unique perspective. However, the Spirit sails are also a great way for land-lubbing locals to get out of town without ever venturing into open seas. From the Bunker Hill monument and Castle Island to Logan Airport and the Harbor Islands, a Spirit cruise offers views of many of Boston’s most popular attractions. As it sets sail and docks near the World trade Center in Boston’s ever-expanding and ever-more-exciting Seaport district, even after you disembark, you are right in the heart of the action and just steps or a Silver Line ride away from everything else the city has to offer.
So the next time you are looking to dine by the water, why not go all the way and let the experience of Spirit cruises surround you with food, folks, and fun? Alone or with your gang(plank), a meal on the Spirit of Boston will keep you smiling and shipshape.