• A river cruise reveals unseen parts of the city.ships on the ob river image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
  
  A dinner cruise on the Delaware River can be a fun casual night out or a more romantic evening of dinner and dance. Public cruises include a buffet meal and dancing. Charters can be anything you want them to be. The Philadelphia skyline sparkles as you glide over the smooth water and you can get a view of popular tourist attractions from a totally different viewpoint. Clearly, warmer seasons make the outdoor deck more attractive, but in cool weather the interior is cozy.
  
  

The Spirit of Philadelphia

• Buffet dinner includes hand-carved hammeat and parsley image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
  
  The Spirit of Philadelphia is the best-known and most active cruise boat operating out of Philadelphia. It carries up to 550 people on four decks, three of which are climate-controlled and two of which offer entertainment. Two full bars are available. After dinner, Philadelphia DJs spin dance music.
  
  If you have a group, you can choose from a semi-private deck charter for 25 to 200 guests; a full deck charter for 50 to 350 guests or charter the entire ship for 200 to 550 guests.
  
  From its Penns Landing departure location, near the stationary 1904 square-rigger, Moshulu, which houses a gourmet restaurant, the boat first travels south as far as the Naval Shipyard, where you'll get a view of whatever ships happen to be in port for service, then swings north, passing the Battleship New Jersey, Susquehanna Bank Center performance arena, Adventure Aquarium, USS Becuna submarine, and Flagship Olympia before returning to port.
  
  The Spirit of Philadelphia's dinner buffet menu lists a salad station, carving station (roast beef or ham), three entrees (chicken fontina, salmon, pasta), sides and dessert (cheesecake, chocolate mousse truffle).
  
  The Spirit also offers early dinner and moonlight cruises.
  
  The Sprit of Philadelphia
  401 South Columbus Boulevard
  Philadelphia, PA 19147
  (866) 455-3866
  
  

Liberty Belle Paddleboat

• The fireworks dinner cruise offers great viewsfireworks 1 image by Robert Molnar from Fotolia.com
  
  Based in Burlington, New Jersey, 20 miles north up the Delaware River from Philadelphia, the Liberty Belle Paddleboat is mainly a charter/catering business, but it also runs public tours in all seasons. The large outdoor upper deck makes the July 4 Fireworks cruise an outstanding way to view the Philadelphia fireworks without fighting crowds along the river.
  
  The buffet meals vary, but one of its Winter Wonderland Tours, a 3-hour cruise that includes dinner and dancing, offered salads, prime rib, roast chicken, sides, dessert, and coffee and tea.
  
  Liberty Belle Paddleboat
  High & East Pearl Streets
  Waterfront Promenade
  Burlington City, NJ
  215-757-0800
  
  

Riverside Dining

• You won't beat the romance of a tall ship.Tall ship 10 image by Arne Bramsen from Fotolia.com
  
  Those who prefer to eat on the water, but a little closer to shore, will find the fine dining and an historic atmosphere on the square-rigger Moshulu both memorable and romantic. The view of the river, with both small craft and ocean freighters floating by, is lovely.
  
  Be sure to soak in the atmosphere of this tall ship, first launched in 1904. The well-polished wood and romantic lighting make it a perfect setting for a romantic dinner.
  
  Executive chef Ralph Fernandez calls on his experience at restaurants featuring American, Southwestern and French cuisine. He adds a South Seas flair and has created a menu that is both diverse and delicious.
  
  Moshulu
  Penn's Landing
  401 S. Columbus Blvd
  Philadelphia, PA 19106
  (215) 923-2500