We had planned for 3 couples to reunite on this 2 day, l night excursion up and down the Illinois river celebrating a 65th birthday. What we did not plan on was a trip with such exceptional value and extraordinary service from the storyteller, musician, staff, crew and pilots. Not only an abundance of good food, but also great fun, friendly caring ...

We took the sightseeing cruise on a Saturday afternoon. The staff was helpful but not that friendly. They weren't rude or anything, but usually in the past when we have taken similar boat tours we are welcomed aboard or something. The boat's website indicated that the cruise included "a Captain's Commentary". We heard ...

Thirteen of us just returned from a two day trip to Starve Rock on the Spirit of Peoria. The staff was so knowledgeble and friendly. Great entertainment and food. It could not of been any nicer. We will definitely recommend this to our friends.

Barbara Bjorling

The food and the people on board the paddleboat were awesome we could not have asked to have had a better trip. From the time we left peoria till we got to starved rock and from starved rock back to peoria we felt like we were home. It was a really nice trip. Barry was really good at telling us about what we were seeing and what was going on.

My daughter and I took the 1 hr cruise on a Saturday and there was already a private party booked, so everyone was made to stay on one level of the boat and it was very crowded and uncomfurtable. There was not much to see on the tour either. Not really worth the money.

As a Peoria native I remember well the old excursion boat. This is truly above and beyond. This is a "must-do" for locals and tourists alike. I highly recommend the overnight to Starved Rock or one of the many theme cruises. You will be surprised just how beautiful and tranquil the ol' Illinois River is. If you time it right, the ...

The Starved Rock overnight was recommended to me by a friend several years ago. I'm now booked on my third excursion with the Spirit of Peoria and her wonderful crew. It's rare that a "tourist" venture is staffed by such welcoming people. The experience is leisurely yet filled with enough assort activities to please the young and old. And let's hear it for the food! Now THAT'S river living!
Ken Bradbury