Last summer (2015), I noticed too late in the season that there was a Sunday sunset booze cruise available. I had missed the boat for that summer, but I was determined to try it out this year.

Run through Capital Cruises, the $25 ticket gets you access onto the boat for the two hour cruise down the Ottawa River. Any other drinks and snacks are extra, but the boat boasts a full service bar.

The boat leaves from the Gatineau side of the River, which for Ottawa-based passengers means either a drive over to the park, or an easy walk across Alexandra Bridge.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this boat ride. As far as the sight-seeing, you have to be aware of what you’re seeing on your own. You’ll see notable sights like the back of Parliament or the Rideau Canal locks, but there was no guide present offering information on board.

We were able to get up close and personal with locations we couldn’t have any other way than via the water.

One of the best parts was the sunset itself. Cruising along the Ottawa River, watching the sunset and listening to the music felt very peaceful. I’m always looking for something new and different to try, and this cruise provided the perfect opportunity for that.

Along with enjoying the view from the top deck came entertainment provided by live music complete with the captain singing and dancing along.

Overall, now that I’ve done this once, I likely wouldn’t do it again. That said, I’m really glad we did and we had a great time overall. In the long run, it turns out I much prefer larger multi-day cruises to the shorter ones.