Dinner cruise
Enjoying a lovely cruise on a majestic sailing vessel and dining on great food on board is a fantastic combo! However, not everyone's schedule can be arranged for a week-long or even a few days trip on a cruise liner. Nor does everyone have a large budget! It is for this very reason that there is an ever-growing market for dinner cruises.
Here are a few samples of dinner cruises and what to expect:
1. For those visiting Washington DC, a must on the itinerary should be dining aboard a ship as it sails down the Potomac River. The Cost: a little over $70 for an adult, and about $10 less for a child.
- The cruise season for this purpose is generally from January to March, and in the month of November.
- You'll be seeing from the deck: Fort McNair, the magnificent Washington Monument, the port of Alexandria, the Torpedo Factory utilized during the World War, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, amongst other sights on the skyline.
- The Buffet Dinner will likely include salads and hams, chicken and fish-based entrees, a range of roasted vegetables and rice dishes, ending with tantalizing cakes for dessert.
- Professional artistes will provide lively entertainment and musical beats will set the tempo for dancing.
2. A Sunset Cruise from Lake Tahoe could cost about $80 to $85 per adult.
- Generally available from early April through early September.
- As you sail towards Emerald Bay, you will be witness to the spectacular sunset.
-The buffet menu will likely include seasonal vegetables and an assortment of rolls, salmon and chicken dishes with a side accompaniment of mashed potatoes, a salad and lasagna, a creamy dessert, and coffee.
- After that fantastic dinner, you dance the hours away, to the beats of a live band.
3. A San Francisco Dinner Cruise costs above $125 per adult and about $90 per child.
- Generally available on a Saturday
- You will see some awesome views of the bay from the deck.
- The menu will probably include an entre of mixed vegetables, followed by fried rice combined with salmon or a chicken-based dish, and end with a delicious tart or cheesecake.
- Live entertainment will be just perfect for a birthday or anniversary celebration.
4. A Hawaiian Dinner Cruise is one of the most popular dinner cruises. This is because it has one of the most spectacular views from the deck of a ship. Whether you sail from Kauai, Maui, Oahu, or one of the many other ports, you are guaranteed a scenic trip. The food is extremely sumptuous and, accompanied with the distinctive Hawaiian music, is well worth the price.
- For less than $80 (less than $50 for a child), you can enjoy a grilled dinner cruise at Maui.
- For those with a larger budget, there is the sunset dinner cruise at Oahu that includes a 7-course dinner served at your own private table and accompanied by premium beverages. A live jazz band will keep you entertained. The cost for this cruise is generally above $160 per person.
- There are also 3- course and 4-course dinner cruises with dance and entertainment will be about half the above price upwards of $70.
Dinner Cruise Policies
A dinner cruise generally spans 3 to 3 hours.
There could be age restrictions. Some cruises do not permit children below the age of 11 years.
There are no hotel pick-up arrangements for dinners cruises, although some cruise operators do arrange for special limousine pick-ups for an extra fee.
There will likely be a processing fee of $3 - $4 when you order your tickets.
You must board at least 30 minutes before the cruise liner departs from the dock.
You may not be allowed to light up your favorite brand in the interior areas of the ship smoking is generally permitted only on the observation deck outdoors.
Some cruise liners insist on formal attire for a dinner cruise, while others permit casual dresses and slacks. However, most frown upon wearing shorts, jeans, T-shirts and sneakers. While these are considered to be ok for early afternoon cruises, it is not recommended attire for dinner cruise.
If your group includes individuals with special dietary needs or there are those with, say, an allergy to fish, you can request for a special menu catering to such individuals.
The dinner rates will include the food service, including tax, but likely excludes the bar service. So you will need to pay for any beverage that you will drink, whether it is a bottle of beer, a glass of wine, a soft drink, or juice. Of course, you will need to show some identification for ordering alcoholic drinks. And remember: tax and gratuity extra!
There are no refunds for dinner cruises, so make sure you plan well and stick to it!
Some Useful Tips for a Dinner Cruise
Do be on time! It is a good idea to set out early to reach the boarding port, keeping in mind the weather conditions and the traffic in your area.
If you would like to save a few dollars, opt for a dinner cruise on a weekday it is likely to be cheaper by $7 to $8 than one at weekends.
It is possible that there are some days in the month on which the dinner cruise is available for a discount you can save up to $10 on those days.
At the time of booking your dinner cruise, don't forget to mention if there are elderly members or kids in your group you will probably have to pay less for their tickets.
Most cruise operators offer Gift Certificates that could range from $25 up to $100.
When planning a dinner cruise for a special event, such as for an anniversary or the success of a business venture, it would be advisable to request for a personal tour of the ship. That way, you will know the arrangements beforehand and can plan accordingly. For example, it would be embarrassing if the seating arrangement area is comfortable only for two dozen persons and you've invited more than thirty! There should be enough space for guests to mingle without having to jostle each other and constantly say, "Excuse me".
Find out about every single dish on the menu and don't forget the wine list and desserts!
Make it a point to book well in advance, especially for popular days such as February 14th, July 4th, and December 31st.
Go Ahead! Celebrate your birthday, propose to your sweetheart, give your parents a special treat book tickets for a dinner cruise right away!
Happy Dinning on Board!
Note for the reader:
The prices mentioned are approximate ones, and not actual costs. Also, only some of the policies are mentioned. It is up to the reader to check out the complete policy of a cruise, and confirm all taxes.
Other Articles
