All aboard.
And make it quick because this new Connecticut entertainment venue with award-winning food is selling out just about every week.
It’s the Lady Kate, a 110-foot New England-style river cruiser bought and restored by Riverhouse Hospitality, whose Riverhouse Catering was named Caterer of the year by the Connecticut Restaurant &Hospitality Association.
The attraction combines a cruise of the scenic Connecticut River and public brunch or dinner events or just drinks and snacks by an award winning catering company.
“It was a long road, a lot of investment. Now everything is new and beautiful and ready for a long hot summer, ” said managing partner Trevor Furrer.
The Lady Kate is a 110-foot New England-style river cruiser bought and restored by Riverhouse Hospitality, whose Riverhouse Catering was named Caterer of the year by the Connecticut Restaurant Hospitality Association. (Courtesy)
The Lady Kate river cruise boat has sailed the Connecticut River for decades previously under various names, including Camelot cruises and The Lady Katharine, a nod to the late oscar-winning actress Katharine Hepburn, a Hartford native and Connecticut resident.
The Riverhouse Cruise Line launched May 2 with public cruise events that Furrer said are selling out.
The newly renovated boat offers various packages, including brunch, dinner, themed cruises, private events such as weddings and even a simple sightseeing cruise with snacks and a cash bar. Sometimes there’s live music and a dance floor.
The pristine vessel has three decks, two of them temperature-controlled, windows all around and a third deck on top with a covering. There’s also a galley, or kitchen. on board.
The sights along the way of the “beautiful” Connecticut River, Furrer said, include Goodspeed Opera House, Gillette Castle, Swing Bridge, bald eagles, and osprey. Most of the public cruises are three hours.
(Courtesy of Goodspeed Musicals)
“It’s always a nice breeze,” he said.
The hospitality group known for its exquisite food and catering spent eight months having the vessel restored and remodeled.
In addition to public cruises with various twists, the boat is used for private events. People can even rent the boat and create their own party. Sometimes, folks celebrate birthdays and small family reunions on the public crises, Furrer said.
Furrer stresses that even though alcohol is sold during the cruises, it’s not a wild drinking, party boat, but rather “family oriented.”
“It’s a family friendly cruise with great sights,” Furrer said.
The boat can fit 120 people for brunch or dinner. Riverhouse Hospitality is known for its superb food, part of what earned its catering branch the prestigious award.
“So far people appreciate the good food and the beauty of the boat and the river,” Furrer said.
Reviews online make the cruises sound like they work magic on guests.
“What a beautiful day for the brunch cruise. The staff was amazing and the food was outstanding. What a great way to get your friends together and enjoy a cruise down the river,” one reviewer wrote.
A view of Gillette Castle from the Connecticut River on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
Lady Kate is docked at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam where guests board. The park is at 14 Little Meadow Road, Haddam.
Some examples of future themed cruises are:
A Father’s Day event June 21 for a $59 adult price includes: a slider sandwich station of
mojo pork, BBQ chicken, Philly cheese steak served with mac and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, grilled vegetables, corn bread and rolls, as well as a “Polish Pride Station” with local kielbasa, cheddar pierogies and more.
There’s a July 4 dinner cruise, titled, “Let’s Party like it’s 1776,” with an America food station and a BBQ station. The dessert? Apple berry crisp served with vanilla ice cream.
Later in July there’s a Sea Shanties cruise with a “Jovial crew.”
There’s an upcoming Caribbean cruise with the music of “The Sound Pipers Band,” with a reggae fusion sound.
Brad Horrigan, Hartford Courant
View of the Connecticut River from Gillette Castle State Park.
A Jimmy Buffet themed “Escape to Margaritaville Cruise” in late July will feature his music and fare that includes: Baja fish tacos, cheeseburgers in paradise, crawfish etouffee dip with focaccia bread, deviled eggs, gumbo with Andouille sausage, chicken, and shrimp over white rice, margarita grilled chicken, roasted maple bourbon sweet potatoes, cornbread with whipped honey butter, and Southwest salad.
“We’ll take on the serenity of the Connecticut River with a light party atmosphere,” Furrer said.
At the time Riverhouse Hospitality received at caterer of the year award, CRHA president and CEO Scott Dolch said the group has a “passion” for making clients happy, he said.
”They treat each client like they’re their only client whether it’s a 25-person baby shower or a 400-person wedding,” Dolch said.
Furrer said the boat stopped cruising at the beginning of the pandemic. His group bought her and sent her to Rhode Island to have the outside restored. She recently returned to Connecticut, where her inside was restored over the winter.
Dining and Cooking