Editorial
Front Page - Friday, November 26, 2010
Chattanooga Riverboat Company offers cruises through the holidays
David Laprad
The Chattanooga Riverboat Company is bringing back all of its popular holiday events for this year’s celebration, including Santa’s Pancake Breakfast, the Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises, the Tis the Season Luncheons and the New Year’s Eve On the River dinner, party and cruise. For reservations, call 423-266-4488 or visit www.chattanoogariverboat.com.
- Photo provided
During the holiday season, many streets have one house that outshines the others. Its decorations are the most elegant, and the holiday glow that emanates from the home as its residents celebrate Christmas warms the entire community. Neighbors look forward to seeing what the family has in store for December.
On a larger scale, more and more Chattanoogans are anticipating one of the city’s most vibrant holiday traditions: the buffets, parties and cruises at Pier 2 @ the Landing and aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat. Like pulling a much loved set of Christmas ornaments out of storage, the Chattanooga Riverboat Company is bringing back all of its annual favorites for another year of yuletide feasting and fun, including Santa’s Pancake Breakfast, the Christmas Carol Dinner Cruises, the Tis the Season Luncheons and the New Year’s Eve On the River dinner, party and cruise.
Judging by the schedule the Riverboat Company has laid out for November and December, it’s not only important to start each day with a hearty breakfast, but also to launch into the holidays with the same. This year’s version of the popular event will take place Nov. 27 from 9:30 to noon, and feature eggs, Canadian bacon, biscuits and gravy, cheese grits, fried potatoes, cinnamon rolls, pancakes and more, served at Pier 2. Following the meal, the children will be taken to the Chandelier Deck to decorate Christmas ornaments, and then everyone will have an opportunity to board the Southern Belle and visit with Santa.
The cost per ticket for the pancake breakfast is $26.50 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $12.50 plus tax and gratuity for children.
For those who would enjoy a daytime holiday meal but can’t get out of bed early enough to go to the breakfast, the Riverboat Company will be hosting its annual Tis the Season Luncheons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday in December through the 18th. Pier 2 will be all decked out with holiday adornments, the Riverboat Ramblers will play live Christmas music and a buffet luncheon featuring slow-cooked prime rib and shrimp creole will be served. The event will not feature a cruise or a visit from Santa, but it will give shoppers a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and take pleasure in a relaxing meal.
Tickets for the Tis the Season Luncheons cost $23.84 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $15.38 plus tax and gratuity for children.
Like the angel at the top of a beautifully decorated tree, the crowning touch of the Riverboat Company’s holiday celebrations will be the Christmas Carol Cruises, which are scheduled to begin Nov. 26 and take place every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (excluding Nov. 28) through Dec. 19.
The two-and-a-half hour dinner cruises aboard the Southern Belle will begin boarding at 6:30 p.m., with the holiday stylings of the Riverboat Ramblers greeting guests as they arrive for the prime rib and shrimp creole buffet. A cash bar will be available for those wishing to add a tad more cheer to their holiday cheer. Following the meal, Santa will board the Belle and lead everyone in a sing-along. Selections will include everything from “Up On the Housetop” to “Silent Night.” There will be dancing as well.
The cost of the Christmas Carol Cruise is $35.43 plus tax and gratuity for adults and $17.97 plus tax and gratuity for children.
Although the Christmas decorations will come down once the Riverboat Company has hosted its last caroling cruise, that doesn’t mean the holiday celebrations at Pier 2 and aboard the Southern Belle are over. Rather, the Riverboat Company is inviting people to attend their New Year’s Eve celebration with the Uptown Big Band. The 19-piece outfit has been performing traditional and modern big band jazz for more than 15 years.
Seating will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Pier 2’s Chandelier Deck, with a plated dinner featuring petite filet mignon and lobster tails beginning at 8 p.m. The Uptown Big Band will hit the stage at 9 p.m. and play until midnight. As the midnight hour approaches, the servers will provide each couple with a bottle of champagne and two keepsake glasses as well as party favors for ringing in the New Year.
Guests will then have the option to board the Southern Belle for a moonlight cruise from 12 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Those who worked up an appetite dancing can then eat breakfast on the third deck of Pier 2 from 1:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
The cost of the New Years Eve On the River cruise is $82.50. The price includes tax and gratuity, but not breakfast, which costs extra.
For reservations, call 423-266-4488 or visit www.chattanoogariverboat.com.
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