The bottom line
The Odyssey offers wonderful cruises along the Potomac River with beautiful views of the Washington, DC area. Enjoy a romantic 3-hour sightseeing tour with a 4-course meal, music, and dancing on a brunch, lunch, dinner, or midnight cruise.
Pros
- Beautiful views of the Washington DC area and scenery along the Potomac River
- Modern cruise ship with a very well thought out design and layout
- Elegant cuisine, nice music and dancing.
- Excellent service; you set your own pace
Cons
- Expensive, see prices below.
- The experience depends on the weather.
Description
- Boarding Location: Gangplank Marina, 600 Water Street, SW, Washington, DC 202-488-6030.
- Dress code: Jackets for men and cocktail dresses for women are recommended.
- For reservations, call (888)741-0281
- Starting in June 2008, Odyssey will also depart from National Harbor, MD
- Website: www.odysseycruises.com/washington-dc
Guide Review – Odyssey Cruise Review
As you board the ship, the Captain and crew greet you and escort you to your private table where you are given the opportunity to decide for yourself how to speed up your cruise. You can take a seat, enjoy a cocktail, or explore the ship. The Odyssey III seats 670 people, but is divided into three dining rooms so it doesn’t feel crowded. Each section has its own music and dance floor and wedding receptions or other large parties can be accommodated in a separate room on the ship.
The boat is elegantly designed with full pane windows on the sides and roof to maximize the view. Every seat on this boat is good, with beautiful views of Washington, DC landmarks, including monuments, the Kennedy Center, Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria, and more. The ship is close to the ground, allowing it to navigate under many of the stone bridges along the Potomac River.
The menu includes a variety of seasonal hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
There’s an excellent wine list, as well as creative and expensive frozen drinks and mixed cocktails. The music is varied to appeal to all ages. The sound is kept at a reasonable level so that it is never heard too loud for conversation. Higher-energy music is played after the meal to encourage dancing.
Reservations are required.
As is common in the industry, the writer received a complimentary meal for the purpose of the review. While you have not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy. All prices and offers mentioned here are subject to change without prior notice.
Revised April 2005, revised 2010
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