ON THE WATER · SUNSET DINNER CRUISES IN THE USA
Good sunset dinner cruises in the USA fill their window tables weeks ahead. Below: the 15 to book early, what each fare includes and how they differ once you are on board.
Cruise from Honolulu for about two hours, watching the sunset behind Waikiki and Diamond Head Lighthouse. Dinner is cooked onboard, with beef short ribs, seared mahi-mahi, salad, dessert, and soft drinks. Alcohol is BYOB, and recent cancellations make confirming operations essential.
“The cruise got canceled by the captain a week before it happened but my card was still billed. Not cool”
Board Sea Maui’s 65-foot catamaran from the sand at Ka’anapali Beach for a 2.5-hour sunset sail. Chef Jai’s buffet, a full open bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and seasonal whale watching are included. Wednesday and Saturday sailings add live music.
“Best whale watching experience and dinner was good!! The Cap and crew were so fun and hospitable. Highly recommend!!”
Sail from Ma’alaea Harbor aboard the double-decker Quicksilver for a two-hour Maui sunset dinner cruise. Enjoy a three-course meal, two alcoholic drinks, live island-style music, and views toward Lanai and Lahaina. Winter sailings may include humpback whale sightings.
“Crews were attended, food was ok. kinda Overrated and Unorganized! Arrived a little late and no crew waiting in the meeting area just let you wonder where you supposed to go. change the boat last minute without notifications. No calls no emails! Don’t recommend it!”
Set sail from Maalaea Harbor aboard the spacious Pride of Maui for a two-hour sunset cruise near Molokini. Enjoy ribs, shoyu chicken, vegetables, dessert, and an open bar, then watch live Hawaiian music and hula by the water. In winter, humpback whales may add a thrilling bonus.
“It was so fun. The bar was fully stocked and i enjoyed the food! The chicken was my favorite and the hula dance with live music was beautiful.”
Board the three-story Calypso at Maalaea Harbor for a two-hour sunset cruise with tableside dinner, Hawaiian-style music, and two included alcoholic drinks. Choose prime rib, fresh fish, ribs, smoked chicken, or pasta. You may also spot humpback whales in season.
“Nice dinner cruise with family visiting Maui, Hawaii. Calypso ship cruise offered a prime rib meal as well as white fish entree. Both entrees had great flavors. As part of the dinner cruise each person received two cocktails. I enjoyed the Chardonnay wine and my husband and brother-in-law enjoyed the beer variety they offered. One disappointment was the Cabernet wine offered as it tasted stale. Overall, a nice dinner cruise for everyone.”
Sail from Port Allen on Holo Holo Charters’ 50-foot Leila catamaran for about five hours. You’ll see the Na Pali Coast, dine on fresh island dishes, enjoy drinks and a Champagne toast, and hear stories from the crew. Captain Kevin and other crew members may adjust the route for safety.
“The excursion was amazing. However, the crew wasn't the best. They were kind of rude to everyone and weren't the best hosts. They wouldn't serve drinks most of the trip (as advertised) and the appetizers were more of a small plate of cheese for the entire group on the boat to share. Obviously the scenery was all we were there for, but the crew just made it a little disappointing.”
Cruise from Maalaea Harbor at sunset for whale watching, a four-course dinner, drinks, and live naturalist commentary. You may hear whale song through a hydrophone and spot humpbacks, dolphins, Lana‘i, Moloka‘i, and McGregor Point Lighthouse. The boat carries up to 65 people.
“We had an excellent experience. It could not have been better. We saw a mother whale teaching her calf how to breech, a single whale decided to hang out beside and under our boat for an incredible amount of time showing off for everyone on board. We also saw many other whales within the 2 hours plus hearing them sing through the hydrophone. I was so looking forward to this excursion and my expectations were beyond met. I’m not sure what I was expecting but the number of whales we saw was incredible. Add in the close up viewing of a whale checking us out, it just could not have…”
Cruise from Honolulu along Waikiki Beach toward Diamond Head, dine on beef short ribs or mahi-mahi, and watch Friday fireworks near Hilton Hawaiian Village. The open-air deck offers the best views, while crew members including Alex, Lili, Lucy, and Jessica have been praised for warm service. Bring your own alcohol for the onboard bartender.
“The day before we were suppose to go, we got a text that it was canceled due to the boat needing repair. They said that they would give us a full refund. The concierge at the hotel was able to book us on the Royal Star. Much more expensive but I bet is was worth it.”
Sail from Ma’alaea Harbor for two hours of sunset views, live Hawaiian music, dinner, dessert, and two drinks. Choose prime rib, Mahi-Mahi, chicken, ribs, or vegetarian pasta. You may spot whales from December through April, but this is a dinner cruise, not a snorkeling trip.
“The views were amazing, I loved being able to see Maui that way. The sunset was spectacular. The servers rounded on us often to make sure we were doing great. Food was good.”
Board The Party Cat at 201 William Street for a two-hour Key West harbor cruise. You’ll get a tropical buffet, open bar, and live music on the upper deck, with sunset views over the Gulf. Dinner is served in two groups, so timing and seating can affect the evening.
“Nice Evening Dinner cruise. need to get there 30 minutes before departure, something it did not say on the booking info.”
Sail from Maalaea Bay aboard the Quicksilver for two hours of sunset views, live island-style music, drinks, and a table-side three-course meal. Choose prime rib, island fish, ribs, chicken, or vegetarian pasta. Bring a jacket, arrive early for better seating, and expect a breezy ride.
“the whale sightings were amazing. Good food and drinks”
Board Spirit of Harbour Town at the Harbour Town Pier for a two-hour sunset sail with a freshly prepared three-course dinner. Choose shaded outdoor seating or a climate-controlled cabin, watch the lighthouse and Harbour Town lights, and keep an eye out for dolphins. Drinks cost extra.
“Great time! Food was delicious and we got to see several dolphins along with the beautiful sunset !”
Cruise from Harbour Town through Calibogue Sound and Bull Creek for sunset views near Daufuskie Island and the marsh estuaries. You’ll have a private table, a three-course dinner, and a choice of indoor or upper-deck seating. The boat returns after dark beneath Harbour Town Lighthouse.
“The staff really exemplified southern hospitality. We were out celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary and this trip did not disappoint. We chose the blackened fish and it was delicious. The service was also great. The trip was filled with several dolphin sightings and our boat Captain was interactive and fun. The sunset was beautiful and breathtaking.”
Board the Charleston Princess at 7:00 pm for a 2.5-hour ride around Charleston Harbor. You’ll watch the sunset, eat a BBQ buffet with pulled pork, chicken, salads, and vegetarian choices, and hear live music. Alcoholic drinks cost extra, and the cruise returns to the Maritime Center.
“It’s average. Nothing impressive but a relaxing trip around the harbor. Food was okay, drinks lacking. Band decent but it wasn’t blues”
Board the M.S. Dixie II at Zephyr Cove for a 150-minute dinner cruise toward Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle. Enjoy dinner, soft drinks, coffee, live music, and lake views from indoor or outdoor decks. Alcohol is available for purchase, and pickup from selected South Lake Tahoe hotels can be arranged.
“Everything was wonderful! Food, entertainment, all was so much fun!”
Pick a river, a harbour or a kind of evening.
