Lady Caroline Docked (courtesy of Whistle Communications)
Travel

Embark on a Lady Caroline Cruise in Cleveland

From weekday lunches to happy hours to special events, enjoy some time on the water this spring and summer. 

The word cruise often calls to mind a trip to port and boarding a ship to a far-flung destination, but what if you could get out for a good time on the water without paying the plane fare?

Though its cruises are not days long, the Lady Caroline offers the chance for a few hours of fun on the water filled with scenic views and delicious food as the ship heads cruises the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. The Lady Caroline offers lunch, Sunday brunch, happy hour and sunset dinner cruises throughout the week and hosts special event cruises throughout the season. 

“We’re thrilled to bring a variety of experiences this year,” Ellen Kelley, director of operations for the Lady Caroline, said in a March 27, 2025, release. “From live entertainment to creatively themed menus, our 2025 calendar is packed with exciting opportunities to make memories with friends, family or colleagues.”

Board the 120-foot luxury vessel from the West Bank of The Flats near Jacobs Pavilion and enjoy three enclosed decks where dining and dancing take place, as well as an open-air top deck that provides views of Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River and the city of Cleveland.

Lady Caroline on the Water (courtesy of Whistle Communications)

Now in its second season, the vessel offers plenty of ways to enjoy spring and summer holidays too. Cinco De Mayo offers a menu featuring a build-your-own fajita bar and sweet tres leches cake on May 5. Or treat mom and dad on Mother’s Day (May 11) and Father’s Day (June 15) this year with brunch and early dinner cruise options. 

As summer takes hold, special cruise options include a fireworks cruise (July 4), a Murder Mystery dinner experience (July 31) and cruises on Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 that offer a new way to see the Cleveland National Air Show, which flies over downtown’s Burke Lakefront Airport. 

Other experiences throughout the season include Taco Tuesday and Tropical Escape lunch cruises, as well as dinners that offer tastes of Cleveland, New Orleans, Italy and more. For music lovers, there are themed nights for show tunes, country music, yacht rock and others.

“Our crew constantly goes above and beyond to create an experience that’s relaxing, easy and welcoming,” James Dale, captain of the Lady Caroline, said in the March 27 release. “From booking to docking, it's our goal to make every event feel like the highlight of the season.

For more information on the Lady Caroline or to book tickets, visit ladycaroline.com.

For more Ohio travel inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters.

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.

Related Articles