\u201cAll of us on the waterway, we tend to take care of each other and support each other,\u201d Madison said. \u201cWith the Hampton Queen leaving, we wanted to pick up those pieces and support the Hampton side of the water.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Several](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TVP-L-NW-HAMPTON-CRUISE-SMK-004.jpg\")
Several guests gather at the stern of the Manhattan Elite during Thursday, August 27, 2026, evening\u2019s sunset cruise. (Stephen M. Katz \/ The Virginian-Pilot)<\/p>\n
Roughly 40 people climbed aboard the ship Thursday evening for an 1 \u00bd-hour sightseeing cruise along the James River between the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads. The ship can carry up to 75 people and has two decks with formal and casual seating, viewing decks, a bar, DJ and dance floor.<\/p>\n
The ship swayed under a cloudy sky as it passed Point Comfort at Fort Monroe, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and Naval Station Norfolk.<\/p>\n
Hampton resident Karen Porter swayed with the waves as \u201cPlay That Funky Music\u201d blared over the speakers. She and husband Jim were celebrating his 81st birthday while they shared a seafood dip.<\/p>\n
Porter said the pair have always loved being on the water and immediately took the opportunity to get back out as a birthday present when she came across the new cruise. She added it was an extra bonus to not have to cross the water to get to Norfolk\u00a0for a cruise.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s not to love about being on the water?\u201d Porter said. \u201cBut we try to avoid going across the bridge tunnel as much as possible, because there\u2019s just no good time to go across.\u201d<\/p>\n
John and Tina Baptiste didn\u2019t want to cross the water, either. They\u2019ve lived in Hampton for four years, but haven\u2019t had the time to get to a cruise leaving out of Norfolk when they have a 2 year old at home.<\/p>\n
As a pink and orange sunset creeped from behind a wall of clouds and reflected light on to the water\u2019s surface, John\u00a0said it\u2019s nice to see those opportunities become more accessible to Peninsula residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been having a good time just being able to relax, talk, connect a little bit more, and just take advantage of being on the ship,\u201d Baptiste said. \u201cThere aren\u2019t many opportunities on the Peninsula for stuff like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Steven](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/TVP-L-NW-HAMPTON-CRUISE-SMK-001.jpg\")
Steven and Tina Baptiste enjoy date night aboard the Manhattan Elite on Thursday, August 27, 2026. (Stephen M. Katz \/ The Virginian-Pilot)<\/p>\n
Captain Kevin Burkard normally pilots ships running out of Norfolk, but filled in to steer this cruise. He said any waterfront community across the country will have an appetite for cruises, and he\u2019s seen that interest become stronger in Hampton.<\/p>\n
Burkard said he hopes this cruise is just the beginning for the region and would like to see opportunities for folks to get on the water moving forward, such as nightlife cruises, casino boats or even a ferry between the Peninsula and South Hampton Roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see it expand,\u201d Burkard said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got plenty of water for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com<\/p>\n
If you go<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0710 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton<\/p>\n
When: Sunset cruises board on either Thursdays or Fridays at 6 p.m. Brunch cruises are Sundays, and lunch and dinner cruises are on either Thursdays or Fridays.<\/p>\n
Price:\u00a0$37 for a sunset cruise, plus food and alcoholic beverage costs. Other cruises vary in price.<\/p>\n