Savannah Riverboat: Sunday Brunch Sightseeing Cruise

Slow brunch, big river views. The Savannah Riverboat Sunday Brunch Cruise pairs a 90-minute ride past historic River Street with Southern favorites such as fried chicken, shrimp and grits, ham, quiche, and desserts. I like the live captain narration and the chance to see Savannah from the water without giving up a comfortable meal. I also like that coffee, tea, soft drinks, and brunch are included in the $77 price. The main drawback is that the buffet may be good rather than remarkable, so food-focused diners should keep expectations sensible.

This is a relaxed outing, not a high-energy sightseeing trip. You will spend most of your time eating, listening, and watching the river slide by. Arrive early for parking, since finding a downtown space can take 30 to 60 minutes, and missing the boat does not qualify for a refund.

Five things to know before you book

• The cruise lasts 90 minutes, long enough for a full meal and a useful look at River Street without taking up the whole day.
• The buffet leans Southern, with fried chicken, honey-glazed spiral ham, Savannah shrimp and grits, quiche, greens, breakfast items, and desserts.
• The captain provides live narration, mixing landmarks, local information, and humor as the boat moves along the Savannah River.
• The $77 fare includes brunch and nonalcoholic drinks, but alcoholic beverages cost extra.
• The boat offers indoor climate-controlled seating and outdoor views, giving you a choice between comfort and fresh air.
• Downtown parking is the biggest practical concern, so allow an extra 30 to 60 minutes before departure.

A Sunday morning on the Savannah River

Savannah is easy to admire from its squares and shaded streets, but the riverfront gives you a different angle. From the boat, River Street becomes a long historic facade rather than a pedestrian corridor. You see the buildings, docks, and working river from the water, with more room to take in the shape of the city.

The Sunday Brunch Cruise keeps the pace gentle. This is designed for a leisurely meal with scenery, not a fast tour packed with facts. I like that balance. You can settle into your meal, look outside, and listen when the captain points out something worth noticing.

The boat’s climate-controlled dining room matters in Savannah, where weather can make an outdoor meal uncomfortable. You can stay inside for the main part of brunch, then use the open deck for a stronger breeze and wider views. One useful detail from the experience is that some people spend much of the cruise outside, simply enjoying the wind and river scenery.

The outing works well for couples, families, grandparents, and anyone who wants a softer start to Sunday. It also suits a special occasion. One couple used the cruise to mark a 35th anniversary, and another celebrated an anniversary on October 1. The setting feels more memorable than an ordinary restaurant meal, without requiring a formal evening commitment.

Finding the boat at 9 East River Street

Your first task is not boarding. It is finding the ticket office.

Pick up your tickets at the Riverboat Ticket Office at 9 East River Street, near Olympia Cafe and River Street Sweets. The boat waits across from the office at the dock. This is simple once you are on River Street, but downtown Savannah parking can slow you down.

Public parking is available in lots on River Street, at Bay Street level, and in the Bryan Street Parking Garage. The practical advice is plain: give yourself 30 to 60 extra minutes to park and walk to the ticket office. If you arrive at the last minute, a full garage or a busy Sunday street can turn a relaxed brunch into a race.

You should also bring a passport or ID card. Pets are not allowed. The experience is wheelchair accessible, which makes the climate-controlled dining room a useful option for people who need a more manageable way to see the waterfront.

The listed group type is a small group limited to 10 participants. Since this is a dining cruise, confirm the exact booking details when you reserve, especially if you are arranging a larger family gathering. The host language is English.

Boarding and settling in for 90 minutes

Once you have your tickets, the dock is across from the office. The 90-minute schedule gives you a compact sightseeing experience. You are not committing to an all-day program, and you still have most of Sunday available for Savannah’s squares, museums, or more time along River Street.

The indoor dining area provides the main base for the cruise. The air conditioning or climate control is useful in warm weather, and it lets you eat without worrying about wind or heat. If the weather is pleasant, step outside for the views. The open deck gives you the broadest sense of movement and a better feel for the river.

I would not book this expecting constant entertainment. The mood is calm. The captain’s narration provides the main live element, while the river and historic waterfront provide the scenery. That is a good fit if you enjoy conversation, a slow meal, and a bit of local context.

It is less suitable if you want a packed sightseeing schedule or a highly theatrical show. The cruise’s appeal comes from the combination of setting, food, and easy pacing.

What lands on the brunch buffet

The menu is built around familiar Southern comfort food, with enough variety to suit different tastes. The headline items include:

• Southern fried chicken
• Honey-glazed spiral ham
• Savannah shrimp and grits
• Ham and broccoli quiche
• Fresh garden greens with dressing and toppings
• Assorted breakfast entrees and breakfast items
• Desserts

The fried chicken and shrimp and grits are the dishes that give the meal its Savannah identity. The ham and quiche add familiar choices, while the greens and toppings provide a lighter option. Breakfast selections make the menu more flexible for families or people who prefer a traditional morning plate.

Food quality appears to be the most mixed part of the experience. I would describe the buffet as a strong convenience and a pleasant part of the cruise, but not necessarily the reason to book by itself. Some diners found the food excellent, well seasoned, and generous. Others thought it was decent or simply okay. That difference is normal with a buffet, where food can vary by timing and personal taste.

One useful expectation is to think of this as a scenic brunch with Southern food, not a destination tasting menu. The setting does a lot of the work. You get several choices, you can return for more, and you do not have to choose one entree before seeing what is available.

Dessert is included, though one dining comment wished for a chocolate option. If dessert is a major part of your idea of brunch, the selection may feel less complete than the main buffet.

Captain’s narration along River Street

The live narration is one of the cruise’s strongest features. The captain points out River Street landmarks while adding historical and comic comments. The tone is described as personable, funny, and engaging, rather than stiff or overly formal.

That matters because the riverfront can look like a row of attractive old buildings if you do not know what you are seeing. Narration gives the waterfront some context. You can connect the view outside the window with Savannah’s river trade, buildings, and public spaces, even during a short cruise.

The commentary is not a substitute for a full walking tour. You will not get an exhaustive study of Savannah, and the boat does not stop for extended visits at individual landmarks. Instead, think of it as a helpful introduction that makes the passing views more meaningful.

I especially like this feature for a first visit. It helps you get oriented before exploring the city on foot. It also gives repeat visitors a different way to look at a familiar section of Savannah.

The captain’s personality can shape the experience. The most favorable descriptions focus on humor, useful information, and a personable delivery. If you prefer silence during brunch, the live commentary may feel more present than you want, but most people booking a sightseeing cruise will see it as part of the point.

Indoor comfort or wind on the open deck

The boat gives you two different ways to experience the cruise. Inside, you have climate-controlled dining and a more stable place to eat. Outside, you get wind, open views, and a stronger connection to the river.

One diner spent most of the ride on the open deck because the breeze and views were the best part. That choice makes sense on a comfortable day. You can watch the waterfront without glass or interior reflections and enjoy the simple pleasure of moving through the city by boat.

Still, weather can change the balance. On a hot, cold, or wet day, the indoor space becomes much more valuable. You do not need to treat the open deck as an all-or-nothing choice. Start inside for the meal, then go out when you want photos or a change of scene.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, another reason the indoor dining area is useful. Since the provided details do not explain every boarding or restroom feature, contact the operator directly if you need specific accessibility arrangements.

Is $77 a fair price?

At $77 per person, this is not the cheapest brunch in Savannah. You are paying for more than a buffet plate. The price includes the 90-minute cruise, the sightseeing setting, the captain’s narration, and coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for brunch and a river sightseeing outing. You get both in one scheduled experience, with no need to move between a restaurant and a tour meeting point. The cruise also works well for a celebration, where the setting may matter as much as the food.

The value is weaker if you mainly want an exceptional meal. A buffet can be satisfying without matching the quality of a top restaurant. Some of the positive dining impressions describe the food as outstanding, while other reactions call it decent or okay. I would book for the full package, not for fried chicken alone.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Keep that in mind if you are planning a champagne-style brunch or cocktails. The included coffee, tea, and soft drinks cover the basic beverages, but alcohol will add to the final bill.

Compared with a dinner cruise, the Sunday brunch version gives you daylight, clear views, and a shorter commitment. It is a sensible pick for a first taste of a Savannah riverboat experience.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Couples marking an anniversary or birthday
• Families with children or grandparents
• People who want sightseeing without a long walking route
• First-time visitors who want a quick introduction to River Street
• Anyone who enjoys Southern comfort food and a slow Sunday meal
• Visitors who prefer a climate-controlled setting with outdoor viewing available

It is also a good choice if you want one planned activity that feels special but not exhausting. The 90-minute length leaves room for other plans.

I would be more cautious if you are a serious food traveler seeking an ambitious menu. The buffet offers choice and convenience, but the meal may not satisfy someone expecting refined restaurant cooking. I would also skip it if you want nonstop entertainment or a detailed, stop-by-stop tour of Savannah.

The relaxed tone is central. One account described the cruise as fun but not high energy, which is exactly the right way to frame it. You eat, listen, look, and let the river set the pace.

Booking details that can save you trouble

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Savannah plans are still shifting.

Check availability for the starting time that fits your day. Since the cruise is tied to a departure, parking trouble can have real consequences. The operator does not offer a refund if you miss the boat, so I would arrive at the River Street area well before boarding.

The ticket office is at 9 East River Street, near Olympia Cafe and River Street Sweets. The dock is across from it. That landmark information is more useful than a vague instruction to meet at the waterfront.

English is the available language. Bring your passport or ID card, leave pets at home, and plan your clothing around the possibility that you may want to spend time on the open deck.

Should you book the Sunday Brunch Cruise?

Book it if you want a calm Savannah outing that combines food, river views, and live local narration. The best parts are the captain’s engaging commentary, the easy pace, the view of River Street from the water, and the chance to mark a special occasion without giving up the daytime.

Go in expecting a pleasant buffet rather than a culinary event. The $77 price makes the most sense when you value the boat ride and sightseeing as much as the meal. If you arrive early for parking and accept the relaxed pace, this is a comfortable, memorable way to spend a Sunday morning in Savannah.

FAQ

How long is the Savannah Riverboat Sunday Brunch Cruise?

The cruise lasts 90 minutes.

What food is served?

The buffet includes Southern fried chicken, honey-glazed spiral ham, Savannah shrimp and grits, ham and broccoli quiche, fresh garden greens with dressing and toppings, assorted breakfast entrees and breakfast items, desserts, and more.

Are drinks included?

Brunch includes soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Where do I pick up my tickets?

Pick up your tickets at the Riverboat Ticket Office at 9 East River Street, near Olympia Cafe and River Street Sweets. The boat is across from the ticket office at the dock.

Where can I park?

You can use public parking lots on River Street, parking at Bay Street level, or the Bryan Street Parking Garage.

How early should I arrive?

Allow an extra 30 to 60 minutes to find parking in downtown Savannah. You will not receive a refund if you miss the boat.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring a pet?

No. Pets are not allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your spot and pay later.