Portland Spirit Cruises and Events
110 SE Caruthers St, Portland
(503) 224-3900
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I thought it was very boring the boat was just rather old looking Hard to hear the speaker .was not very personable The only good part is that it was very air conditioned on a very hot 90 degree day
My experience with Portland Spirit Cruises and Events in Central Eastside Portland was nothing short of extraordinary and I can’t recommend this iconic river adventure enough for locals and visitors alike! Docked at 110 SE Caruthers St just upstream from OMSI this family owned gem has been delivering unforgettable Willamette River cruises since 1994 and their passion for showcasing Portland’s beauty shines through in every detail.
I joined a two hour Champagne Brunch Cruise and it was pure magic. The moment I stepped aboard the Portland Spirit a luxurious 150 foot yacht I was greeted by warm professional staff who made me feel right at home. The cruise glided along the Willamette offering jaw dropping views of Portland’s skyline iconic bridges and charming floating homes.
The captain’s narration was a delightful touch sharing fascinating history about the river and landmarks like the Tilikum Crossing. The buffet was a highlight featuring locally sourced Northwest cuisine like roasted potatoes eggs Benedict and a carving station with NY striploin all paired with free flowing champagne and mimosas. Every bite was fresh and flavorful prepared on board by their talented executive chef. Live piano music added a sophisticated yet cozy vibe perfect for soaking in the scenery from the climate controlled dining deck or the breezy open air top deck.
What sets Portland Spirit apart is their versatility and heart. Whether it’s a romantic dinner cruise a family friendly Cinnamon Bear holiday adventure or a thrilling Explorer Jetboat ride to the Columbia River Gorge they craft experiences for every occasion.
I heard glowing reviews from fellow passengers about their wedding receptions on the Willamette Star and intimate ceremonies on the Crystal Dolphin both boasting stunning views and all inclusive packages.
The staff’s attention to detail from the attentive servers to the dedicated event planners ensures everything runs smoothly. Accessibility is also a priority with wheelchair friendly decks and accommodations for dietary needs like vegan and gluten free options when requested in advance.
Portland Spirit Cruises and Events is a must do for anyone wanting to see Portland from a fresh perspective. The combination of breathtaking scenery exceptional service and delicious cuisine makes it a standout in Central Eastside. I’m already planning my next cruise maybe a sunset dinner or the 7 Wonders of the Gorge adventure! Thank you Portland Spirit for an unforgettable journey I’ll be raving about for years.
It's an okay experience. The crew members are always nice.
We were booked on the Crystal Dolphin for a private event and we loved it! The food was great, and the open bar offered pretty much any drink you wanted, made by Devyn, the wonderful bartender! The boat was clean and well-maintained, and the route was very scenic. Word of warning, though: the journey up the hill from the boat to the parking lot is tough if you've enjoyed the open bar!
The experience was great and staff was super friendly, but they required a picture to board even upon request not to. Unfortunately, that started the trip off negatively.
On Friday, I took a large group of seniors and their families from Churchill Estates in Eugene to the Portland Spirit Lunch Cruise. The logistics involved in transporting that many folks with accessibility needs is daunting, but the Portland Sprit staff made our outing a breeze! We could not have been more pleased! From start to finish, beginning with booking the tickets, their communication was superb. They answered all of my accessibility questions, and contacted me later to suggest early boarding, to ensure we were well taken care of. Upon arrival, the crew themselves were incredibly helpful and used a specialized lift to safely transport wheelchair and walker residents up and down the ramp. When we got caught in a sudden downpour, they loaned us their own large umbrellas until we were totally finished off-loading. Cody, the captain, even personally wheeled some of them all the way back to our bus in the parking area! The residents raved about the lunch and repeatedly asked when we could come back again. Thank you for making this one of our most successful outings this year! I highly recommend!
Beautiful boat, friendly staff, gorgeous scenery! Highly recommend
Thank you was Amazing : )
Really cute and cozy experience. Follow the directions you are sent in the email as they have to different boarding areas. Everything is explained well in the email. The food options are nice and tasted good, didn’t feel microwaved. How this differs from other cities- The ticket at base does not cover drinks like coffee and also there is little to no dancing. While other cities do a DJ in the top area and dance this is not like that. This is not a dig at this cruise, more helping people manage expectations. It’s better regarding cleanliness and bathroom location than the party boats, and the interior is chic wood. We ubered there for cheap, but there is also a parking lot right next to the port. If ubering just tell them to enter the chain link area as it takes you outside it. Overall a cute experience for a date night feel or a family venture.
We had a fantastic family weekend! It was both my daughter's and my birthday, so we chose to celebrate in Oregon. I booked our spot online to make sure we didn't miss out. The staff was amazing; they were friendly and always ready to help. The entertainment was perfect, and they served apple cider and bottomless mimosas. The buffet had a great selection, and we enjoyed the best brunch cruise, creating wonderful memories together.
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My idiot Uber driver brought me to the wrong place. So I called and asked them to hold the boat for 1-2 minutes. They said yes. I showed up at 7:01 to see them pulling away. Pathetic company.
You’d better perfectly meet the 6:30-7:00 window, or else these thieves will steal your money.
I’ve been on plenty of boat dinner tours before. This one is beyond pathetic and the operators should be ashamed of themselves. Assuming they even have the capability of such.
I've done the portland spirit numerous times. I feel like they are stuck in 2007, which I'd sad because id love to enjoy this ship once again.
If a ferry merged with an Elmer's. EXTREMELY overpriced for what you get on a dinner cruise. If a cruise sans food is only $35 and a dinner cruise is $103, I'd expect pretty decent food for $68 per person. Cocktail was $12 for the smallest glass just bigger than a shot. Waitress forgot half our stuff. Dessert was preprocessed. The food came out only moderately warmed. The salad was intended for a baby rabbit At least we were on the river. C'mon y'all. Stop bleeding a turnip, forcing everyone to pay for every bloody thing. This ain't Spirit airlines despite the name. Reinvent your business model and step it up.
REPLY TO OWNER RESPONSE and additional information: I chose to quote the price of a day cruise without food at $35. A cruise of this duration was my only comparison element. Honestly, this would've been better anyway because we would have seen the sights - why increase the price of dinner cruises when 75% of the dinner cruises in the fall are staring off into darkness?
Additionally, I'll note that several tables around us sent their food back due to it being cold and/or because they didn't like it. Clearly the quality and quantity are suffering despite your "best" efforts. Perhaps offering smaller sections to newer waitstaff and bigger portions of hot food made of truly quality ingredients would make a difference.
Had so much fun with the whole family.
DO NOT DO THE DINNER CRUISE.
It’s nothing more than a floating diner.
The staff are over worked, young and forgetful. To their credit, they are extremely polite.
The owners are obviously trying to eke out every penny of profit possible…The food portions are small. The drinks are even smaller. Food was cold, old or overcooked. Inside the boat cabin was FREEZING. Apparently it’s too much to put the heat on in October when it’s less than 50 degrees outside.
Also, I’m not sure why they’re doing cruises in the fall / winter… There’s nothing to see because the sun goes down so early. (Our fault there.)
MAYBE just doing a cruise would be worth it. Paying for a meal on this boat is absolutely a NOOO.
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