Cruising the Bay in Annapolis

Situated on the Chesapeake Bay near the Severn River, Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and was once the capital of the United States. This historic city is home to the United States Naval Academy, the third-oldest college in the country, St. John's College, and the homes of four signers of the Declaration of Independence. Also known as America's sailing capital, Annapolis and its nearby communities have many boating companies that offer public and charter dinner cruises suited for charter bus groups wanting to spend a little time on the water.

Annapolis Sailing Schooner Woodwind Cruises operates two boats for charter bus sightseeing cruises and special event sailings. Maryland charter bus visitors can help steer, raise the sails or just enjoy the view from Chesapeake Bay. Special event dinner cruises last two and a half hours and include meal options such as bison, crab, chicken, salad, vegetables and dessert. In addition to the meal, charter bus passengers will get food lessons from the chef. This includes where to find locally grown foods, what to look for when shopping, recipes and how to prepare the food served during the cruise. Woodwind Cruises can accommodate 48 passengers on each ship, ideal for larger charter bus groups.

Some Annapolis companies offer dinner cruises for private charters. Liberte the Schooner carries up to 49 charter bus passengers on Chesapeake Bay cruises. Passengers choose when they want to sail and for how long, music played on the cruise, and what food and beverages are served. Some companies, such as Admiral of the Bay, offer a variety of cruises and ships for trips on Chesapeake Bay. Charter bus passengers can choose motor, sailing or other type of ship as well as where they want to go and what they want to eat. Admiral of the Bay can arrange cruises for up to 240 people.

Spirit of Baltimore sails from Baltimore, along the Patapsco River, a short charter bus ride away. Located about half an hour by charter bus outside of Annapolis, the Spirit of Baltimore offers lunch, dinner, theme, holiday and charter cruises for up to 450 passengers. Dinner cruises include a DJ, live performers, dancing and a meal. Passengers can dine on salad, beef, pork, chicken, salmon, pasta, vegetables and dessert. Spirit of Baltimore has two enclosed decks and one upper patio deck, perfect for charter bus groups planning a celebration with a difference.

The Black-Eyed Susan, located within easy charter bus access in Baltimore, is a two-deck paddlewheel riverboat. The lower deck is enclosed while the upper deck has a canopy top and clear sides that will fold down when the weather is not ideal. Able to carry 149 charter bus passengers, the Black-Eyed Susan is used mostly for private charters but does offer special theme sailings on the Patapsco River, including dinner cruises. Typically, dinner cruises last three hours and include a murder mystery. While trying to solve the whodunit, charter bus visitors can dine on salad, beef, crab cakes, potatoes, vegetables and a dessert buffet.

For a visit to Maryland with a difference, plan a cruise together with your charter bus trip with the assistance of Bus Charter Maryland.