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FAQs About Your First Dinner Cruise

If you want to enjoy some time out on the water without booking an entire 3 or 5-day cruise, then taking a dinner cruise may be perfect for you. These cruises typically last a few hours. You cruise along the coast or out in a nearby body of water, all the while enjoying a delicious meal.

As you research dinner cruises and go about booking one, you might have some questions. Hopefully, you find them answered below.

How are menu options determined?

This really depends on the cruise, but in almost all cases, the menu is limited. On some cruises, the menu is pre-published and fixed. In other words, everyone gets the same thing, but you know what that meal is before booking. On other cruises, you'll have your choice of 2 or 3 meals. And on some other cruises, the food is served buffet-style. If you have a particular preference as to how the food is served—buffet or sit-down style—just preferentially look for a cruise with that setup.

What's included in the price?

Generally, when you book a dinner cruise, the actual cruise experience and the dinner are included in the ticket price. If you want alcoholic beverages, you usually purchase those separately once you are on board. Tips are also not included in the ticket price; it's polite to tip the waitstaff, just as you would in the restaurant.

What entertainment is provided on board?

Usually, the entertainment highlight of the cruise will be the sights you sail past. A tour guide will point out various sights and tell you a little about them. Sometimes, you may see a dinner cruise with a more specific theme. For example, you may book a pirate-themed dinner cruise during which your guide points out all of the top pirate sites and tells you the region's pirate lore as you sail. It's also common for dinner cruises to have some sort of musical entertainment, such as a band or a singer.

How can you save on the cost of a dinner cruise?

If you're on a tight budget, there are a few ways to enjoy a dinner cruise for less:

• Book an earlier cruise. Often, the matinee options around 3:00 cost less.
• Go in the off-season when tourism is down.
• Book at the last minute. Some cruise companies lower prices the last day or two in order to fill the ship.

Now that you know more about dinner cruises, head out there and book one! It's sure to be an enjoyable experience.