Great cruise around the lake. More food and drink service than I'm used to on a boat (still limited selection).
Greg Razer
Beautiful. Vermont’s cold crisp invigorating air while watching the sunset over Lake Champlain. Hard to beat.
TJ West
A lovely tour ride of the lake. The staff were very friendly. Definitely a nice view of Burlington, too. Takes roughly an hour and a half. The food I ate (squash risotto with balsamic vinegar) was very well made and presented.
Ken Hekking
The crew is attentive, friendly, and happy to answer questions about the boat or the scenes along our tour. This was our second experience on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. The whole family (ages 2 through 83!) really enjoyed the tour.
Darron Markwood
My wife and I decided to book the fall cruise through Ethan Allen as one of the stops on our vacation. Needless to say, everything was above expectations as we picked an amazing night to tour Lake Champlain. We chose the dinner cruise and the food was spectacular with prime rib, turkey, and many other sides. The servers worked very hard to make the trip relaxing and you could tell how invested they are in the experience. The DJ for the evening played a variety of great songs, including our request, and had the dance floor bopping with a great mix of tunes during dinner and to get the dance floor jumping! The two hours actually flew by pretty quickly and we were all smiles after. Thank you crew of our ship for making our first trip to Vermont and Lake Champlain memorable!
Kelsey Wallace
Once we boarded the boat (at 5:15, not 5 as stated on the website) it smelled of sewage. The bathroom must have had a leak because it smelled terrible like sewer gas. Food was quite good once we finally got it from the buffet (I had to ask for a mashed potato restock since many people didn’t get any…), but we didn’t eat until at least an hour into the cruise. We spent the rest of the time waiting for server attention, sitting at cafeteria style tables with no drinks or bread until I specifically asked for it. We were packed in like sardines, meanwhile missing any early evening views we could have gotten from the deck. Checking out the boat was cool enough after dinner, except that it was dark by the time we even had a chance to leave our seats. I guess it was good it was dark since we didn’t even truly cruise the lake, we were just in some small bay the whole time. No ambiance. Poor service. I thought this would be kind of fancy, with table service or at least white tablecloths.. No, I felt like we were at Golden Corral honestly. I would not recommend this to someone looking for an upscale dining experience. I tried to surprise my husband with this for his birthday but I was embarrassed once we were there. We had to laugh and chalk it up as a goofy experience, but I would never go back.
Stacy Alger
This was our 2nd time going on the Ethan Allen cruise. We did the sunset one this time. They had gluten free options which was nice for someone with gluten sensitivity. The gluten free dessert was amazing! The lobster roll, with gluten free bun was delicious. The Spinach artichoke dip was creamy with a layer of cheese on top and yummy. We had hot chocolate with baileys and a tequila sunset both were good. The service was fantastic! The views are even better than the dinner even tho it was a bit cloudy that evening.
Christeal R
We booked a cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen for our anniversary. A small parking lot is close by and costs $3 per hour. You must use a credit card. The parking lot was full when we arrived but were able to park after a group left. There were at least 3 cars behind us looking for spots and a constant stream of people not lucky enough to get a spot exiting the lot. The next closest parking option is not that close so plan accordingly.We sat on the top deck (the only deck open for this mid-day cruise). The deck was fully enclosed and warm. The deck is set up as a restaurant with a full menu and we were approached by a server to take our order. We had a few beverages but declined to order lunch. We found this a bit odd. Normally, there is a snack bar but in this case we felt like we were expected to order. Note that a 20% service fee is added to your bill so the tip has already been added. This fact is listed on the bill but easy to miss.With the other decks closed, we weren't able to explore the boat, which is normally part of a site-seeing tour and something we look forward to. This should have been disclosed on the website prior to ticket purchase.The tour was narrated by a prerecorded track. It was informative and necessary because overall the tour was kind of boring. Most of the time, the boat stayed far from shore so viewing locations of note was done from a substantial distance. The temporary windows surrounding the seating area were made of plexiglass and were clouded or cracked in many places making viewing difficult at times. There was a small area near the pilot house and one at the stern giving an opportunity to be outside.When we disembarked there was a crew member at the end of the passerelle with a tip bucket. I'm not sure how a tip was appropriate for the occasion and definately had a "let's squeeze every buck out of these guests."In summary, we were disappointed. As an alternative to this cruise, we would recommend Northern Star Cruises in Newport RI; about 90 minutes Northeast from the Burlington Area. It is a much more intimate cruise on an historic boat that passes over the U.S./Canadian border. The trip there is also very scenic.If you are not limited on time, thh Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise might be worth if for nothing more than to check off a Vermont attraction. That is what we did.
Sarah Royer
This was fun and informative. Great beverages (mudslide) the veiw of the Adirondack Mountains!
Patrick Liebrecht
I made reservations for 3 people for Monday October 2. My guests for dinner informed me that they wouldn't be getting in town until Wednesday October 4th which was when my daughter and her friend would also be able to go. I found this out at 5 pm on Sunday. I called the office to change the reservations from 3 to 5 people from Monday night to Wednesday night.So I called at 10am Monday morning to alter the reservation and to person who answered the phone refused to do it. The cruise does not board until 5:15 later in the day and they would have sold 2 extra tickets on top of what I already paid for. A very easy change to make far enough ahead of time and to their benefit for the 2 extra tickets that would have been sold.This is unreasonable and bad way to handle what could have been a win- win for everyone. This was a management decision and a very poor one. Maybe being fair with people and treating your patrons fairly might resonate with the right person running the ship.Very poor public relations. Nothing against the people that work hard on the ship everyday for their customers. Just the unwipped butt who makes the reservations.
My recent experience aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen was elevated by the company of around 35-40 fellow travelers, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere. As we embarked on our journey, we were treated to a beautifully curated fruit, cheese, and cracker charcuterie board that impressed everyone on board. The flavors and presentation were top-notch, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall experience.Additionally, the bar offered an array of delightful beverages, and I particularly savored the mojito and margarita, both of which were delicious and crafted to perfection. Sipping on these lovely cocktails while enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Vermont Mountains made the cruise even more memorable.The Spirit of Ethan Allen truly knows how to combine breathtaking scenery with culinary delights and fantastic drinks, making for a perfect outing. Whether it's a scenic narration, a themed dinner cruise, or a brunch with champagne, the options cater to every taste. This experience left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable time on Lake Champlain.
Emma V
We did the celebration package which included champagne and cake. Delish. We also had the pizza! Beautiful sunset cruise sitting on the bow deck.
Bailey B.
Overall, this cruise was a fun experience of lake Champlain! It is important to note that If you are looking for accessibility these ships do not have a lift or elevator to the upper decks. If you are a wheelchair user or have limited mobility you will need to specifically request the lower deck as this is the only deck accessible. Their website explains that they are wheelchair friendly but it is a more limited experience.
Niesha N.
My recent experience aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen was elevated by the company of around 35-40 fellow travelers, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere. As we embarked on our journey, we were treated to a beautifully curated fruit, cheese, and cracker charcuterie board that impressed everyone on board. The flavors and presentation were top-notch, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall experience. Additionally, the open bar offered an array of delightful beverages, and I particularly savored the mojito and margarita, both of which were delicious and crafted to perfection. Sipping on these lovely cocktails while enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Vermont Mountains made the cruise even more memorable.The Spirit of Ethan Allen truly knows how to combine breathtaking scenery with culinary delights and fantastic drinks, making for a perfect outing. Whether it's a scenic narration, a themed dinner cruise, or a brunch with champagne, the options cater to every taste. This experience left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable time on Lake Champlain.
Nirali Shah
Amazing experience, we did sunset cruise. Ship itself is very clean and has ample space for everyone to sit and relax. Food is soooo good and so is the service.. Caprese sandwich is definitely worth trying ?
Great cruise around the lake. More food and drink service than I'm used to on a boat (still limited selection).
Beautiful. Vermont’s cold crisp invigorating air while watching the sunset over Lake Champlain. Hard to beat.
A lovely tour ride of the lake. The staff were very friendly. Definitely a nice view of Burlington, too. Takes roughly an hour and a half. The food I ate (squash risotto with balsamic vinegar) was very well made and presented.
The crew is attentive, friendly, and happy to answer questions about the boat or the scenes along our tour. This was our second experience on the Spirit of Ethan Allen. The whole family (ages 2 through 83!) really enjoyed the tour.
My wife and I decided to book the fall cruise through Ethan Allen as one of the stops on our vacation. Needless to say, everything was above expectations as we picked an amazing night to tour Lake Champlain. We chose the dinner cruise and the food was spectacular with prime rib, turkey, and many other sides. The servers worked very hard to make the trip relaxing and you could tell how invested they are in the experience. The DJ for the evening played a variety of great songs, including our request, and had the dance floor bopping with a great mix of tunes during dinner and to get the dance floor jumping! The two hours actually flew by pretty quickly and we were all smiles after. Thank you crew of our ship for making our first trip to Vermont and Lake Champlain memorable!
Once we boarded the boat (at 5:15, not 5 as stated on the website) it smelled of sewage. The bathroom must have had a leak because it smelled terrible like sewer gas. Food was quite good once we finally got it from the buffet (I had to ask for a mashed potato restock since many people didn’t get any…), but we didn’t eat until at least an hour into the cruise. We spent the rest of the time waiting for server attention, sitting at cafeteria style tables with no drinks or bread until I specifically asked for it. We were packed in like sardines, meanwhile missing any early evening views we could have gotten from the deck. Checking out the boat was cool enough after dinner, except that it was dark by the time we even had a chance to leave our seats. I guess it was good it was dark since we didn’t even truly cruise the lake, we were just in some small bay the whole time. No ambiance. Poor service. I thought this would be kind of fancy, with table service or at least white tablecloths.. No, I felt like we were at Golden Corral honestly. I would not recommend this to someone looking for an upscale dining experience. I tried to surprise my husband with this for his birthday but I was embarrassed once we were there. We had to laugh and chalk it up as a goofy experience, but I would never go back.
This was our 2nd time going on the Ethan Allen cruise. We did the sunset one this time. They had gluten free options which was nice for someone with gluten sensitivity. The gluten free dessert was amazing! The lobster roll, with gluten free bun was delicious. The Spinach artichoke dip was creamy with a layer of cheese on top and yummy. We had hot chocolate with baileys and a tequila sunset both were good. The service was fantastic! The views are even better than the dinner even tho it was a bit cloudy that evening.
We booked a cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen for our anniversary. A small parking lot is close by and costs $3 per hour. You must use a credit card. The parking lot was full when we arrived but were able to park after a group left. There were at least 3 cars behind us looking for spots and a constant stream of people not lucky enough to get a spot exiting the lot. The next closest parking option is not that close so plan accordingly.We sat on the top deck (the only deck open for this mid-day cruise). The deck was fully enclosed and warm. The deck is set up as a restaurant with a full menu and we were approached by a server to take our order. We had a few beverages but declined to order lunch. We found this a bit odd. Normally, there is a snack bar but in this case we felt like we were expected to order. Note that a 20% service fee is added to your bill so the tip has already been added. This fact is listed on the bill but easy to miss.With the other decks closed, we weren't able to explore the boat, which is normally part of a site-seeing tour and something we look forward to. This should have been disclosed on the website prior to ticket purchase.The tour was narrated by a prerecorded track. It was informative and necessary because overall the tour was kind of boring. Most of the time, the boat stayed far from shore so viewing locations of note was done from a substantial distance. The temporary windows surrounding the seating area were made of plexiglass and were clouded or cracked in many places making viewing difficult at times. There was a small area near the pilot house and one at the stern giving an opportunity to be outside.When we disembarked there was a crew member at the end of the passerelle with a tip bucket. I'm not sure how a tip was appropriate for the occasion and definately had a "let's squeeze every buck out of these guests."In summary, we were disappointed. As an alternative to this cruise, we would recommend Northern Star Cruises in Newport RI; about 90 minutes Northeast from the Burlington Area. It is a much more intimate cruise on an historic boat that passes over the U.S./Canadian border. The trip there is also very scenic.If you are not limited on time, thh Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise might be worth if for nothing more than to check off a Vermont attraction. That is what we did.
This was fun and informative. Great beverages (mudslide) the veiw of the Adirondack Mountains!
I made reservations for 3 people for Monday October 2. My guests for dinner informed me that they wouldn't be getting in town until Wednesday October 4th which was when my daughter and her friend would also be able to go. I found this out at 5 pm on Sunday. I called the office to change the reservations from 3 to 5 people from Monday night to Wednesday night.So I called at 10am Monday morning to alter the reservation and to person who answered the phone refused to do it. The cruise does not board until 5:15 later in the day and they would have sold 2 extra tickets on top of what I already paid for. A very easy change to make far enough ahead of time and to their benefit for the 2 extra tickets that would have been sold.This is unreasonable and bad way to handle what could have been a win- win for everyone. This was a management decision and a very poor one. Maybe being fair with people and treating your patrons fairly might resonate with the right person running the ship.Very poor public relations. Nothing against the people that work hard on the ship everyday for their customers. Just the unwipped butt who makes the reservations.
Restaurantji Recommends
My recent experience aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen was elevated by the company of around 35-40 fellow travelers, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere. As we embarked on our journey, we were treated to a beautifully curated fruit, cheese, and cracker charcuterie board that impressed everyone on board. The flavors and presentation were top-notch, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall experience.Additionally, the bar offered an array of delightful beverages, and I particularly savored the mojito and margarita, both of which were delicious and crafted to perfection. Sipping on these lovely cocktails while enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Vermont Mountains made the cruise even more memorable.The Spirit of Ethan Allen truly knows how to combine breathtaking scenery with culinary delights and fantastic drinks, making for a perfect outing. Whether it's a scenic narration, a themed dinner cruise, or a brunch with champagne, the options cater to every taste. This experience left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable time on Lake Champlain.
We did the celebration package which included champagne and cake. Delish. We also had the pizza! Beautiful sunset cruise sitting on the bow deck.
Overall, this cruise was a fun experience of lake Champlain! It is important to note that If you are looking for accessibility these ships do not have a lift or elevator to the upper decks. If you are a wheelchair user or have limited mobility you will need to specifically request the lower deck as this is the only deck accessible. Their website explains that they are wheelchair friendly but it is a more limited experience.
My recent experience aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen was elevated by the company of around 35-40 fellow travelers, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere. As we embarked on our journey, we were treated to a beautifully curated fruit, cheese, and cracker charcuterie board that impressed everyone on board. The flavors and presentation were top-notch, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall experience. Additionally, the open bar offered an array of delightful beverages, and I particularly savored the mojito and margarita, both of which were delicious and crafted to perfection. Sipping on these lovely cocktails while enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Lake Champlain and the Vermont Mountains made the cruise even more memorable.The Spirit of Ethan Allen truly knows how to combine breathtaking scenery with culinary delights and fantastic drinks, making for a perfect outing. Whether it's a scenic narration, a themed dinner cruise, or a brunch with champagne, the options cater to every taste. This experience left a lasting impression, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable and enjoyable time on Lake Champlain.
Amazing experience, we did sunset cruise. Ship itself is very clean and has ample space for everyone to sit and relax. Food is soooo good and so is the service.. Caprese sandwich is definitely worth trying ?