ON THE WATER · BUFFET DINNER CRUISES
A buffet boat is the cheapest way to eat on the water and the quality swings hard. These 15 say what is on the counter, how many sittings there are and whether the drinks are extra.
Board a Prague Boats vessel near Čechův Bridge for a three-hour evening cruise past Charles Bridge, Dancing House, Vyšehrad, Rudolfinum, and Prague Castle. You’ll share a table for six, enjoy Czech and international buffet dishes, hear live music, and pay separately for extra drinks.
“Boat was lovely. Great food and atmosphere. We loved it and would highly recommend”
Sail from Dubai Marina past Ain Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah, and Atlantis. Enjoy an international buffet, live cooking, tanoura and aerial performances, DJ music, and skyline views. Standard tickets use shared dining areas, while VIP includes a reserved top-deck table and priority check-in.
“The whole evening was magical. The entertainment and the ambulance was amazing. Food was pretty good and the service was excellent. We would definitely do it again and we would recommend to any of our friends to try it. We met some nice people while cruising and the drone show was fabulous.”
Cruise Prague’s Vltava River for three hours aboard the Classic River, with a welcome drink, buffet dinner, Wi-Fi audio guide, and views of Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Kampa Island, and the Dancing House. You’ll have an assigned table, indoor climate control, and access to an upper deck.
“Brilliant evening with a lovely chilled atmosphere, Buffet food was great and catered for all. Food was replenished throughout the cruise with some nice cakes served later in the evening.”
Spend eight hours aboard Red Cat Adventures’ fast, stable catamaran, visiting two Hook Island snorkel sites, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet Lookout. Guides such as Tristan, Hannah, Randall, and Jordy keep the day lively, while lunch, brownies, fruit, wetsuits, and stinger suits are included.
“Did the Hill Inlet Lookout first thing, then chilled on Whitehaven Beach. Had lunch afterwards which was a sandwich Buffett (choice of Salami, Ham or Beef) and some different Salads. Then snorkelled in two places. One with loads of fish and the other with loads of Coral. Tristian was incredibly funny tour guide. Had the best day.”
Spend three hours on Oslofjord aboard a restored wooden sailing ship. You’ll pass Hovedøya, Dyna Lighthouse, Bygdøy, and Huk Bay while eating an all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet. Expect shared tables, soft music, blankets, and drinks for purchase, but no formal sightseeing commentary.
“Just a magical end to the holiday on a beautiful old sailing ship with fabulous views of oslo and the island. Everyone was on great spirits with regular shouts of skol The shrimps looked like they were caught minutes ago and there was heaps of bread and butter, mayo and dill. We had to shell and dehead the shrimps and the gulls followed the ship. It rounded off a fabulous trip to oslo.”
Spend two hours on the Chao Phraya River aboard the Alangka luxury dinner cruise from ICONSIAM Pier 4. Enjoy Thai favorites, seafood, sushi, desserts, live music, and traditional dance while passing Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Bangkok’s glowing waterfront. Check in from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
“This was a fantastic trip for Christmas day. The boat was great, the food was great and so was the entertainment. The trip up the river was a great way to see parts of Bangkok. I'd recommend this trip”
Spend about four hours aboard Paradise Delight, a large European-style dining ship in Ha Long Bay. You’ll enjoy a buffet lunch or dinner, canapés, cave visits, scenic cruising, and possible stage entertainment. The activity begins and ends at Ha Long Bay and accepts up to 100 people.
“great, tasty food and very funny staff , everything was simple but luxurious, a great experience, I like everything here, reasonable prices, anyone who hasn't been here should come and experience it once, it's worth it.”
Cruise the Ohio River from Newport for two hours with reserved indoor seating, a buffet dinner, music, and views of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Choose a date-night cruise or Sunday family sailing. Coffee, tea, iced tea, and water are included; drinks from the cash bar cost extra.
“Had a great time on our Anniversary great food and very happy with cruise”
Board at 6 p.m. near Olympia Cafe for a two-hour Savannah River dinner cruise. Expect Southern buffet favorites such as shrimp and grits and prime rib, live musicians, dancing, and upper-deck views. The boat sails at 7 p.m. and returns at 9 p.m.
“everyone on the second deck was great all the staff and musicians”
Cruise Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay for 135 minutes with a 13-choice buffet lunch, tea, coffee, and live English commentary. Guides such as Ron and Ellen bring the harbour’s story to life as you pass the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Botanical Gardens, and Darling Harbour.
“Good narration, Plenty food, very comfortable ship. Great value”
Board the Spirit of Washington at Pier 4 for a two to two-and-a-half-hour Potomac cruise with lunch, dinner, or brunch options. You’ll have a private table, attended buffet or plated meal, music, and views of Alexandria, National Harbor, the Washington Monument, and more.
“The atmosphere was nice. The food choices could be better.”
Travel from Hanoi by comfortable limousine to a 5-star Ha Long Bay cruise. See Sung Sot Cave, kayak or take a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, swim at Ti Top Beach, and enjoy a buffet lunch plus a sunset snack party. Guides such as Tinh, Henry, and Jason add local context.
“A great tour throughout Ha Long Bay. Tinh was amazing tour guide, he has such a warming personality and is so knowledgeable about the stops along the way. Would 100% recommend.”
Board at ICONSIAM for a 90-minute to two-hour Meridian Cruise past Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Rama VIII Bridge. Choose sunset or dinner, enjoy an international seafood buffet with soft drinks, live music, and Thai dance on the 7:45 pm sailing. No tour guide is included.
“The entertainment was on point really nice yacht excellent dinner and sights everything I expected but better”
Set out from Mandraki Harbor on a sailing or power catamaran, swim and snorkel from the boat at Kalithea Bay, then enjoy a Greek buffet with unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, juice, and water as the sun drops over the Aegean. Small boats and friendly crew keep the evening relaxed.
“Very pleasant activity to watch the sunset. The crew was super friendly and efficient. Food was good, and available in good quantities. The swimming spot was nice but there wasn't so much to see underwater, besides the rocks. It was still nice to swim in this area!”
Board at Dubai Old Village, opposite the British Embassy, for a 105-minute dhow cruise on Dubai Creek. You will see old souks, water taxis, and the Dubai Creek Tower while eating a buffet dinner. Live music, Tanoura dancing, and a puppet show add a festive finish.
“Nice 2 hours evening cruise with excellent dinner. You'll sail on canal and see the magnificent light from buildings and boats. We had little problems by finding the exact meeting point. But when asking, we found it.”
Pick a river, a harbour or a kind of evening.
