knoxville tn riverboat cruise

We offer a variety of Lunch & Dinner Cruises along with sightseeing-only tickets.

How to organize a Wedding Event on Cruise

Weddings onboard the “Star of Knoxville” riverboat are a most unique and distinctive choice for your wedding. We can provide complete arrangements for the most intimate of weddings to the most elaborate, accommodating anywhere from 2 to 110 for a ceremony and reception and up to 200 for a reception only. The vessel is equipped with 2 full bars, a dance floor, and band stage. The open air observation deck is ideal for an outdoor setting. Our main interior is fully air conditioned and heated, for a great dining and entertainment experience and is a perfect choice for the most important day of your life. From black tie events to very casual, the atmosphere is right for any occasion. The beautiful Tennessee River proves to be the most romantic, enchanting, and memorable atmosphere in East Tennessee. You and your guests will be mesmerized by scenery and fully entertained during any of our cruise.

Cruises for 2024 are now open for reservations

The historic tennessee river.

The Tennessee River is one of the most beautiful rivers you will ever cruise. While cruising, you will enjoy one of the most breathtaking views in Knoxville. Not only will you see some of the history of the river, you will most certainly be relaxed by the river’s beauty.

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Tennessee Riverboat Company

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Let us show you Knoxville like no body else can!

The Tennessee Riverboat Company operates the Star of Knoxville Riverboat cruising the beautiful Tennessee River. For information… read more

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Review Highlights

“ We decided to do a Comedy Booze Cruise on the Star Of Knoxville paddleboat. ” in 3 reviews

“ We highly recommend it to anyone seeking a delightful and informative excursion on the Tennessee River . ” in 5 reviews

“ We cruised past the University of Tennessee (Go VOLS!) where picture postcard perfect shots of Neyland Stadium and Boling Arena were taken. ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

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300 Neyland Dr

Knoxville, TN 37902

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Come aboard the "Star of Knoxville" for fun, excitement, festive entertainment, as well as fabulous food and drinks. This authentic Mississippi-style paddlewheeler comfortably carries 245 passengers down the Tennessee River on a cruise you won't soon forget. The beautifully appointed riverboat offers a climate-controlled main deck and an open-air upper deck for enjoying the scenery or a leisurely moonlit stroll. Meal Cruises feature exceptional dining, dancing and live entertainment. We offer Historical Sightseeing Cruises. Call or visit our website for purchasing tickets and more information! …

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I recently had a fantastic Riverboat tour experience with my husband and two sons onboard the Tennessee Riverboat Company's cruise along the beautiful Tennessee River in Knoxville. From start to finish, this tour left us with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation for the area's history and natural beauty. The tour began with a warm and friendly welcome from the staff, who promptly assisted us in getting settled and ensured our comfort throughout the journey. The Tennessee Riverboat itself was well-maintained, offering a spacious and comfortable seating area with large windows that provided breathtaking views of the surroundings. The main deck is where the lunch/dinner buffet is for those cruises (I want to do one next as a date night with my husband!). Above deck, is where a second bar and seating is for the sightseeing cruises. You can also feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks on the boat, which is WONDERFUL! But the bar offered some cocktails, beer and wine along with some popcorn for a little snack. One of the highlights of this tour was the insightful commentary provided by the knowledgeable guides, who shared fascinating information about barge transportation on the river. It was intriguing to learn about the vital role that the river plays in the local economy and how it has shaped the region's history. As we cruised along the Tennessee River, we were thrilled to catch sight of Neyland Stadium, home to the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Seeing the iconic stadium from the water added an exciting twist to our experience, and we took plenty of photos to capture the moment. Aside from the breathtaking views and educational elements, the tour was also enhanced by the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the crew. They made sure that everyone felt comfortable and entertained, going above and beyond to accommodate our needs and answer any questions we had. Overall, our Riverboat tour with the Tennessee Riverboat Company was an exceptional experience for our family. We highly recommend it to anyone seeking a delightful and informative excursion on the Tennessee River. The combination of stunning views, educational insights, and friendly staff made this tour one of the highlights of our trip to Knoxville. We can't wait to embark on another adventure with the Tennessee Riverboat Company in the future.

See all photos from Natalie C. for Tennessee Riverboat Company

The food is made onsite and is delicious!! I was expecting a meal like you would get at a dinner show, but was pleasantly surprised because it was way better! The service and entire experience was great!

We drove from Nashville to Knoxville to ride the river boat. It was a great experience. There is an all you can eat buffet. The buffet food was good the night we went. They had grilled chicken and roast beef with some southern style sides. The roast beef was extremely good. While on the cruise, we had some cocktail drinks. The prices were very good and the staff was very nice. There was live music and there is an open area on the top of the boat to be outside and have a great view. The interior also has a great view because it's all windows 360. I am amazed at how good of a deal this whole experience was. We got to eat all you can eat, cruise down the river for a couple hours and enjoy a tour, and have great live actual music. We will definitely be back!

Overall it was a fun experience. I had never been on a paddle boat before and the view from the river was pretty cool. Lots of beautiful houses and, of course, Neyland Stadium! The food was good, but not great. They seemed to be short-staffed (which I know finding staff is difficult) but it meant getting refills of drinks was slow; and we couldn't just go up to the bar to order ourselves. We had to order thorough the wait staff, and she seemed to have to whole boat on her own. Overall though, our family had a fun time.

View of Neyland Stadium from the boat

This cruise is now a joke in our household. Their description: Sightseeing cruises are the perfect way to see and find out more information about Knoxville, The Tennessee River and the history of riverboats. Reality: A guy playing cover songs loudly for 2 hours while you float slowly looking at trees and bridges with absolutely no trivia or fun facts about Knoxville, The Tennessee River, or riverboats. When I asked the bartenders about this, they said "He plays the whole time, he usually tells things during songs." So maybe if you listen closely during James Taylor, you'll hear about the colorful history of Knoxville! Cheers! (To be fair: They do have fair drink prices)

Staff is far from pleasant. The bartender had her back to everyone almost the whole trip or she would disappear for quite a long time . You don't see anything that you don't see on the road getting there except for some houses.

My Husband and I came here this afternoon for the dinner cruise - after reading the reviews I was stressing but this dinner cruise was way better than I had anticipated! We were immediately let on after they took our photo - our seats were assigned as well ! The waitress that took care of us was amazing ! The buffet style food was hot and absolutely delicious - no complaints at all - very good meal ! The one man band played fantastic music all throughout the meal and the cruise and also gave you history pointing out landmarks throughout the cruise ! I highly recommend this amazingly fun dinner cruise on the Tennessee river --- The photo they took was also a reasonable price of only 10.00 - the dinner cruise was reasonably priced - great service from all the employees on the ship and I need to repeat the meal they provided was delicious !!!!

I am sure the last two years has been tough on this business. It looks like most maintenance has been neglected. We did the lunch cruise for our anniversary. When we sat down to eat, I noticed ants crawling in the window seal. We had to pay extra for a window seat which is fine but I don't expect to have to fight off ants during my meal. I told the waiter right away hoping to be moved, but all he said was "I will let them know". Nobody even came to look at the window or to address the problem. The cruise route is less than interesting. I don't know if this is the only place the boat is allowed to run but nothing to see other than the stadium. I feel the price is way too high for what they offer. It's a great idea, just really needs some redoing and planning.

The Star of Knoxville is my family's "go-to" for all types of occasions. From weddings, Prom night dinner, birthdays, date nights or sightseeing cruises, this is the BEST way to enjoy just how beautiful our town is. The Riverboat is truly a Knoxville tradition.

Food is ok but nothing to write home about. Good service, went on "Prime Rib" ride but they served us beef tip and chicken instead. ( Dinner included- a SMALL salad with ONLY ranch dressing,boxed mashed potatoes, a small piece of backed chicken, a scope of canned green beans, a scope of beef tips/gravy , a roll and a spoonful of corn- $$$ for the quality of food you got)Dessert ( dry red velvet cake)was ok. $2 for and drink other than water. Decor could use some up dating and a better music selection ( for example more modern/with the times music) all the music was old and slow for the crowd that was on the boat. Boat ride was decent but was at night so could not see much after the sun went down.

See all photos from Stephanie Q. for Tennessee Riverboat Company

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Knoxville's riverboat, the Star of Knoxville, offers lunch and dinner cruises, party cruises, late night party cruises, and sightseeing cruises on the Tennessee River. Live music. Charters available. The Star of Knoxville is an authentic paddlewheeler with a capacity 325 passengers. The main deck seats 144 passengers and is fully enclosed, air conditioned, and heated for year-round comfort. The vessel is equipped with two (2) bars, a dance floor, band stage, and is exquisitely decorated for the most elegant dinner and entertainment available. If you don't feel like having the black-tie event, the atmosphere is functional as a jeans and shorts type of place for the family reunions and football parties. Live entertainment on dinner cruises includes Gospel, Country, Murder Mystery, Contemporary, easy listening, or DJ. Dance floor is available after dinner. Lunch and sightseeing cruises include a captain's commentary and history of the Tennessee River as well as the "star of Knoxville", live entertainment may be scheduled on lunch cruises with over 50 passengers. A cash bar is available on all public cruises, except Gospel. tnriverboat.com

Cuisine: American Serve: Lunch, Dinner Hours: Call for departure times Location: Waterfront Map & Directions Features: Reservations Required River Cruises Night Themes Weddings Private Charters Wheelchair Access

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NavCal River Rides 8016 Ellisville Lane Knoxville, TN 37909 • Map It (865) 765-3407 navcal.com NavCal provides history/sightseeing cruises on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. Aboard the boat, you will learn the history of the area during the steamboat/Civil War era and see the world famous Body Farm. Tennessee Riverboat Company 300 Neyland Drive Knoxville, TN 37902 • Map It (865) 525-7827 www.tnriverboat.com Cruise the beautiful Tennessee River and enjoy a Prime Rib Dinner with live entertainment and dancing. Volunteer Princess Cruises Volunteer Landing Marina 956 Volunteer Landing Lane Knoxville, TN 37915 • Map It (865) 541-4556 www.volunteerprincess.com Cruise the scenic Tennessee River aboard the finest luxury yacht in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Located at Volunteer Landing Marina.

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Tennessee Riverboat Company - Star of Knoxville Riverboat

• United States    
• Tennessee (TN)    
• Knoxville    
• Knoxville - Things to Do    
• Star of Knoxville Riverboat

We took the lunch cruise for our anniversary. The food was very decent, however I would recommend... read more

It was my husband's birthday. So I surprised him with this River Boat Cruise. First the BAD... read more

Tennessee Riverboat Company

Yesterday, my wife and I were on the look-out for more fun things to do in and around Knoxville. The weather was glorious and it seemed like a wonderful day for a riverboat cruise. We contacted the Tennessee Riverboat Company by phone and asked about the afternoon excursion aboard the authentic paddle-wheel boat Star of Knoxville. With AAA discounts available, we were able to purchase two tickets for the 90 minute cruise for under $35 total. The captain, a silver-haired veteran of the waterways of the south, greeted each passenger personally before lining each up for the required passport photo which were later offered in a souvenir binder, available for separate purchase. We began the cruise by passing under the Gay Street Bridge, which I was surprised to learn was built in 1897. It has been so well-maintained that I didn't see even a hint of rust on the green members as we passed under it. We then passed under the Henley Street Bridge which is in the midst of a modern renovation. The Henley Street Bridge is the site of the annual 3-day Labor Day fireworks extravaganza called Boomsday and said to be the largest pyrotechnic display in the United States. The crew members were social and friendly, and helpful during the cruise. As we headed downstream on the Tennessee River, the captain narrated the tour with useful bits of knowledge, scattered with light-hearted half-truths about ghosts, hauntings and other such trivia. The city views from the water gave a great perspective as to how beautiful the Knoxville skyline is. I can only imagine what it would look like from the water during the December evening dinner cruises. The banks of the river are lined with massive limestone, covered with native vines and trees so densley verdant and incredibly beautiful. We cruised past the University of Tennessee (Go VOLS!) where picture postcard perfect shots of Neyland Stadium and Boling Arena were taken. We cruised under several roadway and railway bridges, past stately mansions set on the hills, and the infamous University of Tennessee Body Farm where forensic research is conducted on decomposing human corpses! The Star of Knoxville has many types of cruises including lunch, dinners, dance cruises, jazz cruises and Gospel cruises. A full bar is available at all times except on Gospel cruises. The first level of the riverboat is fully enclosed. The second level is completely open, yet fully covered. For a great way to see Knoxville from the water, contact the Tennessee Riverboat Company to book your tour today.

WOW! My friends and I had a wonderful lunch cruise on the Star of Knoxville. The crew was so very friendly and full of local information. The food was very good, chicken in white sauce, green beans, corn, roll, and good ole fashioned buttery mashed potatoes. Dessert was a delicious strawberry cobbler. The cruise down the Tennessee River was peaceful and relaxing. Jackie is a great bartender...even though she is an LSU fan. I highly recommend this cruise and can't wait to do it again!!

our company had it's christmas party there what was suppose to be dinner and a 2 hour cruise turned into dinner and a 30minute cruise the generators went out just as we started to cruise so they took us back and plugged us in. The food was good but not all of the staff were friendly. Some of them were down right rude. our server was russell and he was great but the others were short and then right in the middle of our rewards this blonde staff member with braided pigtails took the mic and said it was time to leave. I hope this is not the kind of business you run.

Robin- We do apologize for the technical difficulties you experienced on this cruise. We did however leave messages and emails with the affiliate who booked the cruise. Along with an apology we offered another event free of charge. The details were sent many weeks ago and we did not hear a response from our contact person. If you speak with someone at your business regarding this matter please tell them we have tried to make contact to make amends in a timely manner and to please contact us. Thank you.

We were offered a 1/2 price deal and that is about what it is worth. Typical buffet fare: rolls with butter, mixed veggies, very soft green beans with small pieces of bacon or ham (?), mashed potatoes, very dried pork and carved (at the buffet) roast beef that was a little tough. The potatoes were good after I put au jus on. Also was the only person from our table that spotted the horseradish sauce that was partially hidden under the pre-carved pork warming tray. Dessert was a good size piece of cheesecake. Coffe, tea and water came with the meal. I was expecting more Christmas lights to be on display, but was greatly disappointed. Woman's lower level bathroom was out-of-order and you had to go up the stairs to the open 2nd level (very cold) The only outstanding aspect of the whole cruise was the staff. Our waitress was very attentive. Most definitely would not recommend it to our friends or do it again ourselves.

I took a group on the Knoxville Star Riverboat on Sunday, June 12, 2011. It was a beautiful day and a very relaxing day. The buffet was good and people enjoyed it. The only bad thing was that the Knoxville Star charged my credit card twice for this transaction. I had a hard time getting it straightened out. However, I would do this luncheon cruise again.

Music was too loud for conversation. Some of the employees seemed less than enthusiastic about working there...standing around texting etc. On a positive the servers were nice and the food was very good. On a scale of 1 to 10......we would give this a 3.

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