You can dine with Boston's skyline as your setting on a harbor cruise

Gail Ciampa, Providence Journal
·3 min read

After starts and stops and buckets of rain, mostly beautiful summer days of August are upon us. The time is right to jump on a boat and enjoy the ride, maybe with a few drinks and bites to eat.

I've enjoyed many cruises out of Newport, a few special ones with dinner, but those aren't offered every day. So I headed to Rowes Wharf in Boston for a night on the Odyssey with dinner in air-conditioned comfort. The views of the city are wonderful, too.

The view of the working Boston waterfront from the Odyssey.
The view of the working Boston waterfront from the Odyssey.

The Odyssey and I go way back

The Odyssey has been around a long time, and I have fond memories aboard the old girl. I had a 40th birthday Sunday brunch for my husband and his friends on the ship. (My youngest was a baby so it was a long time ago.) Then a dear childhood friend got married on a harbor cruise. Her kids are teens but we still remember the fun wedding.

Last month's cruise began with drinks on the top deck while passengers boarded from 6 to 7 p.m. If you've been around Boston for a long time, seeing the changes to the city from the water is quite remarkable. The Boston Seaport is a sea of high rises, but the working waterfront still survives, too.

The Odyssey leaves from Boston's Rowe's Wharf for two hour cruises of Boston Harbor. You can drink and dine in style aboard.
The Odyssey leaves from Boston's Rowe's Wharf for two hour cruises of Boston Harbor. You can drink and dine in style aboard.

We moved to an airy dining room for a three-course dinner. There were choices of appetizer (a peach and arugula salad or red pepper bisque) and main course (olive oil-poached salmon, pan-seared chicken breast or gnocchi with vegetables). There was also a dessert table featuring macarons, petit fours and other bite-size treats. They had lovely wine choices and made excellent cocktails, including a Bulleit Old Fashioned.

You can dine in air conditioned comfort and style aboard the Odyssey in Boston Harbor, and beyond.
You can dine in air conditioned comfort and style aboard the Odyssey in Boston Harbor, and beyond.

A DJ played a great mix of old and new music to create a nice atmosphere. The servers were attentive as could be.

It was a lovely three hours on the Odyssey, adding another happy memory to my list.

They are hosting upcoming Premiere Dinner or Brunch Cruises ($84 and $80, respectively). It's a nice summer adventure. Explore even more options at www.cityexperiences.com/boston/ and you might even find more bargain dining cruises.

Good times closer to home

If you want to stick closer to home, Newport has a few options for special sails, but none with dinner. Even so, you certainly can enjoy being on the water in Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.

Newport Classic Cruises offers Sunset Sails, Lighthouse and Mimosa Cruises, a Smuggler's Cocktail Cruise and more on one of their classic yachts and schooners. Learn more at sail-newport.com, 23 Bowen's Wharf, (401) 847-0000.

Sightsailing offers daily scheduled public sailing cruises out of Bowen's Wharf in Newport. They have a Champagne Sunset Sail and Morning Mimosa Sail. Find them at 32 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, sightsailing.com, (401) 849-3333.

Gansett Cruises, 2 Bowen's Landing, Newport, offers a taste of Rhode Island on morning, afternoon and evening tours. Complimentary refreshments are offered by the captain, including Del’s Frozen Lemonade, Stuffies and Champagne toasts, depending on the cruise. On all trips, there's also a cash bar with locally brewed beers, regional wines and signature cocktails.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Dine at sea aboard the Odyssey in Boston Harbor