Virginia's Jewel, a 100-foot luxury yacht, offers daily dinner cruises from its dock at Laskin Road in Virginia Beach and cruises the waters of Broad Bay, one of Chesapeake Bay's protected waterways. The yacht sails year round and accommodates 149 guests on two enclosed, climate-controlled decks, including access for mobility impaired guests. Virginia's Jewel provides dining and entertainment while guests sail past First Landing State Park and the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club. Each deck features open air spaces. Dinner cruises board nightly at 6:00 pm and sail from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. All meals are prepared on board and are served buffet style, and each dining table offers a view of the water. As of October 2010, dinner cruises were $48 per person.
Virginia's Jewel offers sightseeing cruises on its upper deck during public cruises, where passengers can enjoy refreshments and snacks from a cash bar. As of October 2010, sightseeing cruises were $17 per person. Virginia's Jewel also offers private charters for special events.
Dandy Restaurant Cruises, docked in Historic Old Town Alexandria, offers European-style river cruising with low-profile boats designed to pass beneath the stone arch bridges of the Potomac to cruise past the national monuments of Washington, DC, and Georgetown. Boarding at Gaylord Hotel Resort and Hotel at National Harbor can also be scheduled.
Nina's Dandy, the company's flagship, is available year round for brunch, lunch or dinner cruises. Brunch and lunch cruises are 2.5 hours and include a three-course meal, while dinner cruises are 3 hours and include a five-course meal, live music and dancing on the inside dance floor or on the top deck under the stars. As of October 2010, brunch and lunch cruises range from $45 to $55, and dinner cruises range from $86 to $96.
The company's sister ship, Dandy, is also available for smaller private or semi-private groups as well as smaller public cruises. Cruise times can accommodate special events.
Both boats are also available for special events. Four-hour group events are available when booking the entire boat, and include dinner and dancing to music with a DJ.
Located in eastern Virginia, the Rappahannock River is the longest free-flowing river in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Rappahannock River Cruises departs daily from Hoskins Creek at Tappahannock, 48 miles east of Richmond from May through October. Cruises depart at 11 am and return at 4:30 pm. Guests should bring binoculars to better view the area's resident bald eagles and waterfowl. The boat cruises 18 miles upriver to Ingleside Plantation, Virginia's oldest and largest winery, where passengers can enjoy a buffet lunch (or bring their own), tour the winery and taste wine. As of 2010, rates were $25 for adults and $13 for children. Optional lunch at the winery is $11 for adults and $8 for children.
Another cruise option is Tangier Island Cruises, which depart from Buzzard's Point Marina in Reedville, 85 miles east of Richmond. Tangier Island is a small island in the Chesapeake Bay known for fishing and crabbing that is accessible only by boat or plane. Passengers will view fishing boats and ocean freighters in Chesapeake Bay during the narrated cruise. On the 2.5-hour stop on the island, passengers can walk down the streets of the town, ride their own bicycles or rent them to further explore the sights. There are several restaurants on the island or passengers may bring their own lunches and enjoy the views from a picnic area. The tour leaves at 10 am and returns at 4 pm. As of October 2010, cruises were $25 for adults and $13 for children.
