Spirit Of Ethan Allen - Burlington

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.

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.

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.

We did the celebration package which included champagne and cake. Delish. We also had the pizza! Beautiful sunset cruise sitting on the bow deck.