15 Dinner Cruises in the USA to Build a Day Around

1.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,533 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $58Our pick

Board at Toulouse Street Wharf for an evening on the Steamboat Natchez or Riverboat City of New Orleans. You get a calliope concert, live New Orleans jazz, river narration, skyline views, and a two-hour cruise. Add the buffet for gumbo, crawfish étouffée, fried chicken, salad, and bread pudding.

“Incredible time with friends. The food was really good and plentiful. The service was exceptional. The jazz musicians were really good and the calliope at the beginning was fun. The ride was so smooth you forgot you were on a boat.”

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2.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,548 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Board the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS at 6 p.m. for a two-hour evening cruise from the French Quarter. You’ll hear live swing-style jazz from the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, learn about New Orleans from the captain’s narration, and enjoy four decks, bars, river views, and an optional Creole buffet dinner.

“The boat was very clean and spacious, good selection of hot food onboard as well as a bar. The band playing were exceptionally talented and really did the tour justice. Not much to see on the Mississippi as it was dark but a nice experience all the same”

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3.Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,707 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $92

Board a 65-foot yacht at Key West’s historic seaport for a two-hour evening cruise. Enjoy crew-served Caribbean buffet dishes, unlimited well drinks, beer, wine, and soft drinks, then head upstairs for sunset views, live music, and a passing look at Mallory Square.

“Excellent crew and spacious room for dining. Great open air top level gives great views and picture opportunities”

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4.Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,302 reviews · from $108

Spend three hours north of Moab with a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner, drinks, and a slow evening cruise on the Colorado River. Guides such as Izzy, Rory, and Michael add local stories and humor before the canyon wall glows with a narrated sound and light show. Bring a jacket, and expect steps to the dock and firm boat seats.

“Very nice event, the people were awesome! The dinner was just so so... Both are portions of chicken were waaayyy over cooked and very tough.”

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5.Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,279 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $189

Board a catamaran near Kailua Pier for a three-hour cruise along Kona’s Gold Coast. A local historian explains coastal landmarks, stories, and Hawaiian culture as you travel to Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. Dinner, live Hawaiian-style music, sunset views, and one complimentary cocktail are included. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals require 48 hours’ notice.

“The staff is great The boat is great The scenery s great The food is fantastic This was our second dinner cruise! One birthday and one anniversary, Next time we aren't going to need a reason Oh the sunset was GREAT!”

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6.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Board Flagship Cruises’ Spirit of San Diego near the USS Midway for a 2.5 to 3-hour evening on San Diego Bay. You’ll receive sparkling wine, dinner, skyline and Coronado views, live entertainment, and optional unlimited drinks for $40. Smart-casual dress, early boarding, and warm layers matter.

“Great experience food was excellent service on point loved the view drinks delicious our waitress was perfect”

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7.Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,074 reviews · 3 hours · from $145

Spend three hours aboard the Louisa of the Seas, leaving Pier 36 for a plated dinner, live music, and nighttime views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Choose regular or VIP seating. The VIP option includes access to the upper deck and two drink tickets, while regular seating may offer less room and a view of the music area from below.

“We had a wonderful time! The food was very good and there was plenty of it! The views were great! We would definitely do it again!!”

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8.Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,024 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Board the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen at Riverwalk for a two-hour evening cruise with live jazz from Sullivan Dabney Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band. Choose the dinner option for a Creole buffet, then dance, order a cocktail, and watch Jackson Square and the French Quarter glow from the Mississippi.

“It was a wonderful evening of live jazz and cruising the Mississippi.”

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9.Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,023 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Spend about two hours offshore watching the sun set behind Waikiki and Diamond Head. Prince Kuhio Tours serves a freshly prepared dinner, soft music, soda, and water. You may bring your own alcohol for the upper-deck tiki bar, but recent cancellations and boat problems make current operating status essential to confirm.

“Staff was friendly. Food was just , ok. The weather and sunset was beautiful. Alcoholic drinks weren’t available but we knew that in advance. Food was not hot , and they served 1/2 the party, served others and waited sometime to serve the second half of the party so we didn’t eat together.”

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10.Cincinnati: Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,014 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Board BB Riverboats at Newport Landing for a two-hour round-trip dinner cruise. Enjoy reserved indoor seating, a buffet, skyline views, music, and access to a cash bar. Choose a Captain’s, Admiral’s, or Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Host and crew service is in English, and the boat is wheelchair accessible.

“to have someone talk about the surrounding areas, land marks, how deep the Ohio river is.... history stuff”

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11.Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 903 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $166Top rated

Board Sea Maui’s 65-foot catamaran from the sand at Ka’anapali Beach for a 2.5-hour sunset dinner cruise. Chef Jai prepares a buffet, the open bar is included, and whale watching runs from December 15 through April 15. Live music is offered Wednesdays and Saturdays. Expect beautiful views, helpful crew, and wet feet during boarding.

“The service was 2nd to none. The crew was just amazing. Atmosphere and bevs were great! Food was good not great. Had a spectacular time on the water!!”

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12.NYC: City Cruises Luxury Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 881 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $112

Board City Cruises at Pier 61 for a 2 to 3 hour brunch, lunch, or semi-formal dinner cruise. You’ll dine at a reserved table while passing the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and more. Expect live music, narration, climate-controlled interiors, and outdoor decks for photos.

“Loved the experience!! Cassandra our host was the best ever!!!”

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13.DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 803 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $58

Board the Spirit of Washington at Pier 4 for a 2 to 2.5-hour Potomac cruise with an attended buffet lunch or dinner, private table, music, and 360-degree views. You’ll pass Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, and major DC monuments. Arrive one hour early, wear flat closed-toe shoes, and reserve your whole party together.

“Heaven was an amazing server and we had a great time! Thank you to Nikita as well!”

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14.Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 786 reviews · 2h 30m · from $111

Enjoy a made-to-order three-course dinner aboard SpiritLine Cruises’ Spirit of Carolina. You’ll pass Fort Sumter, the Battery, and Ravenel Bridge while listening to live music and taking in sunset or city-light views. Seating is usually shared at tables for four to six, drinks and tips cost extra, and limited wheelchair access must be requested in advance.

“Everything was perfect! The ride, the views, the food was absolutely amazing and the drinks were so good! The live music was also perfect.”

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15.DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 613 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $73

Spend 2 to 3 hours aboard The Odyssey, a climate-controlled dining boat cruising Washington’s Potomac shoreline. Choose a buffet brunch with unlimited mimosas or a plated three-course dinner, then head to the outdoor decks for views of the Washington and Lincoln Memorials. Smart-casual dress and early arrival are required.

“We had a retirement celebration for my co-worker. The staff was friendly and positive. The food was deeelicious! Awesome DJ!”

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