Experiences
From a quiet dinner at a window table to a full-boat reunion, every night on the Ohio River lands a little differently. Pick yours.
Queen City Riverboats runs four kinds of private charter aboard the Spirit of Cincinnati, an authentic paddlewheeler for up to 220 guests: dinner cruises, narrated sightseeing cruises, reunions and private parties, and motor coach tour groups. Each one has its own page with a sample itinerary, what's included, and the questions people ask before they book.
Don't need the whole boat? Our public cruises sell individual tickets for dinner, sightseeing, themed, and fireworks sailings. Weddings, corporate events, and rehearsal dinners sail on our sister yacht at Destiny Yacht Charters.
Dinner Cruises
A chef-prepared dinner and the Cincinnati skyline, all from the water.
Sightseeing Cruises
See Cincinnati the way it was meant to be seen: from the river.
Reunions & Private Parties
Family reunions, anniversaries, and milestones on the river.
Tour Groups
Group tours with dining, entertainment, and river views.
Booking the Boat
How a Charter Works
Four steps from the first call to the dock lines.
Pick the occasion
Every experience below is a private charter: the whole boat, just your group. A public ticketed cruise is the other way aboard, and those have their own calendar.
Tour the Spirit
A free 30-minute walkthrough at the dock in Dayton, Kentucky. See the dining room, the bar, and the top deck before you decide.
Choose the menu and bar
Ten chef-crafted buffet menus, from the Captain's Feast to the Fiesta Fajita Bar, with bar packages from soft drinks to a full open bar.
Cast off
Board 30 minutes before departure, cruise for 2 to 3 hours past the skyline and the Roebling Bridge, and come back to the dock with the night done.
Every Charter Includes
- The Spirit of Cincinnati, captain, and full crew
- A private 2 to 3 hour cruise on the Ohio River
- Climate-controlled main deck with dance floor and full-service bar
- Open-air top deck for sunsets and skyline photos
- Professional sound system with hookups for a DJ or playlist
- 152 free parking spaces, bus and motor coach friendly
- Up to 220 guests cocktail-style, 132 seated for dinner
- Wheelchair accessible main deck
What It Costs
Private charters are quoted as one package: the boat, the crew, your catering menu, and a bar package sized to your guest list. Guest count, menu, bar, day of the week, and season set the number; weeknights and shoulder-season dates leave the most room in the budget. Send us the date and a rough headcount and we'll build a written quote.
Menus and bar packages are on the catering menus page, and the FAQ covers deposits, weather, and timing.