The Spirit of Philadelphia Celebrates its 40th Anniversary

-Courtesy of Philly PR Girl
photo by City Experiences

For over four decades, the Spirit of Philadelphia has been operating from Penn’s Landing, providing a one-of-a-kind dining experience for its guests. City Cruises Philadelphia plans to celebrate the Spirit of Philadelphia’s 40th anniversary and kick off the season with an amazing lineup of cruises.

“We have been honored to be a part of the Philadelphia community for 40 years. We have hosted thousands of weddings, corporate events, proms, and field trips, and have been the backdrop for countless engagements, graduations, and anniversaries,” says Ryan O’Connor, General Manager of City Cruises Philadelphia. “Everyone I meet locally has a Spirit of Philadelphia memory.”

The Spirit of Philadelphia is a three-level yacht-style dining vessel with three interior climate-controlled dining decks and an exterior observation deck. The three decks are appropriately named to reflect the vessel’s namesake – the Ben Franklin deck, the Walt Whitman deck, and the Betsy Ross deck.

When the Spirit of Philadelphia was first built in 1988, engineers crafted the vessel specifically to sail the waters of the Delaware River. The harbor cruise ship became the perfect venue for guests to enjoy sightseeing, dining, and dancing. In 2019, the Spirit of Philadelphia underwent a $1 million holistic refresh to elevate the guest experience during brunch, dinner, moonlight, and holiday cruises. 

In recognition of the Spirit of Philadelphia’s great milestone, City Cruises is hosting a private celebration aboard the vessel on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy delicious food, crafted cocktails, and incredible views.

“This celebration is in honor of the Spirit of Philadelphia crew including the skilled Captains, talented Chefs, creative bartenders, and many more who have made amazing memories for millions of guests over the 40 years,” says Ryan O’Connor, General Manager of City Cruises Philadelphia. “We are looking forward to many more years aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia.”

Locals can join in on the celebration by attending one of the upcoming dining cruises to kick off the spring and summer seasons. Cruise options include the Signature Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise and the Signature Dinner Cruise, both of which are available every weekend. 

All Philadelphia City Cruises vessels depart from Penn’s Landing, located at 401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more information on the Spirit of Philadelphia, click here. To learn about upcoming cruises, click here. To book a group event, click here. You can also follow City Cruises on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.