Detroit has a five-deck riverboat where you can enjoy a buffet dinner, watch live Motown performances, and see two countries without leaving your seat. The Detroit Princess cruises along the international border, with downtown Detroit on one shore and Windsor, Ontario, on the other.
The boat offers multiple dining levels, dance floors, and outdoor decks where passengers can take in the skyline. Some dinner cruises even feature prime rib, while others offer different buffet selections.
What makes this outing different is the combination of dinner, entertainment, and sightseeing. You can spend part of the evening dancing to Detroit classics, then head outside for views of the river, bridges, and city lights.
And with five decks to explore, the boat itself is nearly as interesting as the scenery.
A Floating Ballroom on the Detroit Riverfront
Detroit has a riverboat that doubles as a floating entertainment venue. The Detroit Princess Riverboat docks along the downtown waterfront at 1 Civic Center Drive, near Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk.
The boat offers public lunch and dinner cruises, along with private events. Cruise schedules and durations vary, so checking the specific departure before booking is important.
What makes this outing unusual is its location. The Detroit River forms part of the international boundary between the United States and Canada, giving passengers views of two countries during one trip.
You can enjoy downtown Detroit from the water while looking across toward Windsor, Ontario. The cruise offers an international perspective without requiring passengers to disembark in another country.
The Detroit Princess also hosts celebrations, group outings, and private functions. Its combination of dining, entertainment, and waterfront sightseeing makes it an interesting alternative to a conventional restaurant.
And with five decks aboard, there is much more to explore than the dining room.
Five Decks and a Stage on Every Dining Level
Five decks give the Detroit Princess a commanding presence along the waterfront. From the shore, its stacked levels make it look more like a floating event venue than an ordinary sightseeing boat.
Much of the dining and entertainment takes place indoors, where passengers can enjoy meals, music, and dancing. The boat has multiple entertainment spaces, although the areas used can depend on the cruise and event.
Outdoor viewing areas provide another reason to explore. Passengers can step away from the dining room to see the Detroit and Windsor waterfronts without looking through windows.
That flexibility is one of the boat’s biggest advantages. You can enjoy the entertainment indoors, then head outside when you want to concentrate on the scenery.
The upper viewing areas are particularly appealing for photographs of the skyline and river traffic. Views change as the vessel moves along its scheduled route.
Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for anyone planning to explore several levels. Passengers with mobility concerns should confirm accessibility arrangements before booking.
Waving at Canada From the Top Deck
Few dinner outings offer such a close look at another country. From the Detroit Princess, passengers can look across the Detroit River toward Windsor, Ontario, while downtown Detroit stretches along the opposite shoreline.
The two cities sit remarkably close together, separated by a busy international waterway. Buildings, waterfront parks, and passing vessels make the Canadian side an interesting part of the view.
That international setting gives the cruise an unusual appeal. You can enjoy dinner in Detroit while watching activity along the Canadian waterfront.
Passengers remain aboard during the sightseeing cruise, so the experience does not involve entering Canada or passing through a Canadian border checkpoint.
Bring a phone or camera if you enjoy waterfront photography. The outdoor viewing areas provide opportunities to photograph both cities from perspectives that are difficult to capture on land.
It is worth checking both sides of the vessel as the cruise progresses. Detroit’s skyline and Windsor’s waterfront each offer something different, and the changing position of the boat can reveal new views throughout the trip.
Skyline Scenes and Bridges Along the Route
Downtown Detroit takes on a different appearance from the river. The Renaissance Center towers stand out along the waterfront, and the city’s buildings form an impressive backdrop for photographs.
The Detroit Princess gives passengers a chance to see familiar landmarks from the water instead of the sidewalk. Depending on the cruise route, views may include Belle Isle, the Ambassador Bridge, and other recognizable features of the Detroit River.
Belle Isle is particularly interesting from this perspective. The island park occupies a substantial stretch of the river, and seeing it from a boat offers a better appreciation of its size and location.
Evening cruises add another attraction. As daylight fades, the buildings along both waterfronts begin to light up, creating opportunities for skyline photographs.
The trip is primarily a dining and entertainment experience rather than a traditional narrated sightseeing tour. Passengers who enjoy local history may want to familiarize themselves with a few landmarks beforehand.
For first-time visitors, spending some time on an outdoor deck is worthwhile. The scenery is one of the biggest reasons to choose a riverboat dinner over an ordinary restaurant.
Buffet Plates Worth Saving Room For
Dinner aboard the Detroit Princess is more than a quick meal before the entertainment. Public cruises feature buffet-style dining, with several entrees, side dishes, and dessert included in the experience.
The menu depends on the cruise. Recent lunch offerings have included tender beef tips with gravy, baked chicken, mashed potatoes, marinated portobello mushrooms, cheese tortellini, steamed vegetables, and salad.
Some dinner cruises feature prime rib carved to order, while others offer salmon alongside chicken and vegetarian selections. Checking the menu for your particular departure is the best way to know what will be served.
The buffet setup also gives passengers some flexibility. You can choose your preferred dishes and return for another serving before heading off to enjoy the entertainment.
Dining takes place in climate-controlled banquet rooms, so the meal does not depend on favorable weather. Seating arrangements can vary, particularly when cruises are busy or large groups are aboard.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free selections may be available, although choices can be limited. Anyone with allergies or specific dietary requirements should contact the cruise office before purchasing tickets.
With dinner handled, the rest of the outing can be spent enjoying the music, dancing, and waterfront views.
Motown Moves and a Busy Dance Floor
Detroit’s musical history plays a starring role aboard the Detroit Princess. Many scheduled cruises feature live Motown tribute performances, giving passengers a chance to enjoy familiar classics while traveling along the river.
The Prolifics are among the performers featured on the boat’s Motown Revue cruises. Their shows celebrate the music that helped put Detroit on the international entertainment map.
Not every departure has the same entertainment. Some cruises feature live bands or vocal performances, while others offer DJ-led music and dancing.
That variety makes checking the event schedule worthwhile. Anyone hoping for a particular style of performance should choose a cruise specifically advertising it.
Dancing is a major part of the experience, especially during evening departures. Guests can enjoy the music indoors or spend some time outside taking in the riverfront scenery.
For passengers who prefer listening to dancing, the banquet rooms provide seating during the performances. The combination of dinner and live entertainment gives the outing the feel of a complete evening event.
There is something particularly appropriate about hearing Motown classics while cruising past the city where the music began.
Birthday Crowns and Big Milestones
A birthday dinner feels a little different when the restaurant is moving along the Detroit River. The Detroit Princess offers a setting where celebrations can include a buffet meal, entertainment, dancing, and skyline views.
The riverboat accommodates birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, and other group gatherings. Its multiple banquet rooms make it suitable for celebrations of different sizes.
For families planning a milestone occasion, the cruise combines several activities into one outing. Guests can enjoy dinner together, listen to the entertainment, and spend time outdoors watching the waterfront.
The boat also hosts corporate functions, fundraisers, and private events. Organizers can contact the cruise office to discuss group arrangements and available spaces.
Private charters provide another option for larger gatherings or events requiring a more customized experience.
Anyone celebrating a special occasion should mention it when making a reservation and ask what arrangements are available. Special announcements, seating requests, and other extras should be confirmed rather than assumed.
The biggest advantage is having dinner, entertainment, and sightseeing in one place, without needing to organize separate stops around downtown Detroit.
A Crew That Keeps Things Running Smoothly
Running a dinner cruise takes more coordination than operating an ordinary restaurant. The Detroit Princess combines passenger boarding, buffet service, entertainment, and river travel into one scheduled outing.
Crew members help guests navigate the vessel, find their dining areas, and understand the arrangements for their cruise. With several banquet levels, knowing where to go makes the experience easier.
The boat’s enclosed, climate-controlled dining rooms are another practical advantage. Passengers can enjoy their meals and scheduled entertainment even when the weather is less than ideal.
The vessel also has elevators and stairways connecting its four banquet room levels. Accessible restrooms are available, although guests with specific mobility needs should contact the office before booking.
Weather can affect the cruise itself. The captain makes the final decision about whether the vessel can safely depart, and some events may continue with dining and entertainment while the boat remains docked.
That distinction matters when planning a special occasion. The meal and entertainment may still go ahead even if conditions prevent the scheduled river journey.
Passengers with questions about seating, accessibility, or boarding should contact the cruise office ahead of time. A little preparation helps make the outing more enjoyable.
Parking Tips Before You Board
Getting to the Detroit Princess is straightforward, but downtown parking deserves some advance planning. The riverboat docks at 1 Civic Center Drive, near Hart Plaza and the Detroit RiverWalk.
Several parking facilities serve the surrounding downtown area. Availability and prices can vary, particularly when major events bring additional visitors to the riverfront.
Checking parking options before leaving home is a sensible idea. It also helps to allow enough time to walk from your parking spot to the boarding area.
The boarding time appears on your cruise ticket. Passengers should follow that schedule rather than assuming they can enter the vessel early.
There are a few other details worth checking before departure. The Detroit Princess recommends business casual attire, although guests are welcome to dress more formally.
Budget for expenses beyond the ticket price, including parking and any beverages or extras not covered by your cruise package. Bar purchases are separate from the included buffet on many public cruises.
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for popular weekend departures and special entertainment events.
Once parking, boarding, and reservations are handled, you can concentrate on enjoying the riverboat experience.
Choosing Between Lunch and Sunset Cruises
Lunch or dinner? The choice makes a noticeable difference aboard the Detroit Princess, especially when it comes to sightseeing and entertainment.
Lunch cruises offer daylight views of the Detroit and Windsor waterfronts. Passengers can more easily pick out buildings, parks, and other landmarks along the river.
Dinner cruises provide a different experience. Depending on the departure time and season, passengers may see the waterfront during sunset or after the city lights come on.
Entertainment also varies by departure. Some cruises feature live Motown tribute performances, while others offer DJ music or special themed events.
Cruising times are not identical for every event. Some scheduled outings spend around two hours on the water, while others last longer, with boarding and departure times listed separately.
Weather is another consideration. The boat’s enclosed dining rooms allow meals and entertainment to continue in poor conditions, although the captain may decide that the vessel must remain docked.
For a first visit, an evening Motown cruise is an appealing choice because it combines dinner, Detroit music, and skyline views. Lunch cruises are equally worthwhile for passengers who prefer daytime sightseeing.
Whichever departure you choose, check the scheduled menu, entertainment, and cruising times before booking. That way, the experience matches what you most want from a night or afternoon on the Detroit River.
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