Spirit of Peoria, Peoria

Crew very friendly and more than helpful-Brian and Berry are really GREAT!!! The food was fantastic and plenty of it!!! I don't know how they do it in such a small kitchen. We took the Peoria to Starved-Rock cruise and are planning to take the three river trip when you get it up and going. THANKS FOR A GREAT TRIP!! Bill and Sandy

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 people with lots of knowledge to share about nature, local history and hospitality. YES! BOOK THIS TRIP!

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 nothing. There was no description of what we were seeing or where we were going. Our party of four were on two different levels and it was the same at both places. If it hadn't been for some local folks sitting near by us pointing out different things to their guests, we wouldn't have known anything about the buildings and sites along the shore. The ride was pleasant and smooth. The sun was shinning bright but there was a cool breeze. But we were in Peoria for one day and thought this would be a good way to learn about the city. Instead all we got was a nice boat ride.

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 autumn foilage is stunning. If you want to be treated like royalty, no need to go to the Carribean. Just go out your own back door. If there is a downside, the long tours can get dull for small children.

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