Is the General Jackson Showboat worth it?

What do the reviews say overall?

The cruise is rated 4.4 from 1,566 reviews, and about 83% of them give 4 or 5 stars.

Of the 1,566 reviews, 981 are 5 stars and 314 are 4 stars; 110 are 1 or 2 stars. Many of the recent low scores date from summer 2026, when mechanical and air-conditioning problems hit the boat.

What do guests love?

The show, the staff and the pickup drivers come up again and again.

Guests call the singers and musicians talented and the stage show fantastic, even when other parts of the day disappoint. Staff are described as friendly and courteous, and the Gray Line drivers who handle the hotel pickup get repeated praise for their stories about the city. On the evening cruise, the lit-up downtown skyline is a favorite.

What do guests complain about?

Mixed food, expensive drinks, a push for tips, and being seated in the main dining room when booking through Viator.

• Food: some guests call it delicious, others average, with complaints about dry chicken and cold plates on bad days.
• Drinks: guests report about $24 for a souvenir-cup cocktail and $62 for two doubles.
• Tips: several guests say staff push hard for gratuities.
• Seating: one guest reports the Viator booking put them in the main dining room, the "belly of the ship", with no option for the other dining area.
• The show: a few found it cheesy, and one felt the bands on Broadway were better.

What happened to the General Jackson in summer 2026?

On July 4, 2026 the boat could not sail because of mechanical problems and stayed docked through July 19; reviews from July to September report more dockside sailings and broken air conditioning.

Local news (WSMV and Fox17) reported that about 1,200 ticket holders that weekend were offered a dockside meal and show or a full refund. Through August and September, guests report the meal and show going ahead at the dock, the air conditioning out on days near 100 F, and portable units brought in. Some were warned days ahead; others only hours before.

What if the boat does not leave the dock?

Guests report the operator offered $25 off per person to stay for the dockside meal and show, or a full refund.

Plenty of guests who stayed still enjoyed the show and the food. Others, especially those celebrating an occasion, chose the refund. On Viator you can also cancel for a full refund yourself up to 24 hours before; inside that window, contact the operator.

How can you protect yourself when booking?

Book with free cancellation, check the boat's status the day before, and dress for heat in summer.

• Book on a ticket that cancels free up to 24 hours before, as the Viator one does
• Call the operator (615-458-3900) or check generaljackson.com the day before
• Keep your phone on: guests report the operator phones when plans change
• Bring a light layer either way; see what to wear
• Budget for drinks and tips so there are no surprises

Who should skip the General Jackson?

Food-focused travelers, anyone who wants to see the city from the water with commentary, and those on a tight budget.

If the view is the point, the narrated river cruise ($40, rated 4.9) is cheaper and spends more time looking at the river. If you want live country music without the boat, an Opry show next door is the classic. If you are staying downtown and want a quick dinner cruise, see Nashville dinner cruises compared.

Want the river with a story? The narrated cruise is two hours with a captain's history of Nashville.

★ 4.9 120 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Explore the narrated river cruise →

So, is the General Jackson worth it?

Yes for a first trip if you want dinner and a show in one; less so if you are after great food or a sightseeing cruise.

Go in expecting a friendly, old-fashioned show with a decent Southern meal and pricey drinks, and most guests leave happy. Pick lunch if you want a lighter day and dinner for the skyline; see lunch or dinner?.

Frequently asked questions