Sunset Dinner Cruise on North America’s LARGEST Solar Boat! (6PM)

The most unusual part of this Charlottetown outing is the boat itself: a solar-powered vessel billed as North America’s largest solar boat. At 6 PM, you cruise Charlottetown Harbour as the light softens, historic shore sites come into view, and dinner is served on board.

I like the combination of PEI lobster and rib eye steak, which makes this more than a basic sightseeing ride. I also like the small maximum group size of 34, plus the onboard restroom and WiFi. The main drawback is the price, $141.86 per person, and the fact that the experience depends on good weather.

Key points at a glance

• A solar boat with a sunset setting: The two-hour cruise uses a large solar-powered boat and leaves at 6 PM.
• A full Surf & Turf meal: Dinner includes PEI blue mussels, a Caesar salad, half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, seasonal vegetables, two dessert choices, tea, and coffee.
• Charlottetown Harbour history: You’ll see cannon battalions from the 1800s and the site linked to Mi’Kmaq settlement, French fortifications, and later English control.
• A compact group: The boat accepts no more than 34 passengers, a useful detail for anyone who dislikes crowded excursions.
• Simple meeting point: Start and finish at 1 Weymouth St. in Charlottetown, with public transportation nearby.
• A weather-sensitive booking: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but the standard booking is otherwise non-refundable.

A solar-powered evening on Charlottetown Harbour

This cruise gives you two reasons to be on the water at once: the boat and the meal. The solar-powered vessel is the centerpiece, while the harbour provides the setting for a gentle evening outing rather than a fast sightseeing trip.

The 6 PM departure is well chosen for anyone who wants daylight at the start and a changing sky as dinner progresses. Exact sunset conditions will vary by date, so I would not treat this as a guaranteed sunset spectacle. Still, the timing gives you a good chance to see Charlottetown Harbour in a softer evening light.

The ride lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a proper meal and a look at the shoreline without turning the evening into an all-night commitment. You return to the same location where you began, which makes planning the rest of your night easier.

The boat carries a maximum of 34 passengers. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is a manageable group size for a dinner cruise. You should have a better chance of hearing the crew and enjoying the view than you would on a much larger vessel.

What the solar boat adds to the outing

A dinner cruise can be a fairly ordinary idea if the boat is only a floating restaurant. Here, the solar-powered design gives the experience a clear identity. You are not simply eating beside the harbour. You are doing so on a boat built around solar power, with the vessel itself part of the sightseeing.

The tour is promoted as using North America’s largest solar boat. That is an interesting feature for visitors who care about alternative energy, marine design, or lower-impact ways to see a waterfront. The supplied details do not explain the boat’s solar technology, cruising speed, or how much of its power comes from the panels, so you should not expect a technical presentation unless the crew provides one on the day.

You can ask about the boat during the ride. One useful point from the available feedback is that the crew explains the vessel well. If the solar design is your main reason for booking, allow time to listen and ask questions rather than treating the boat as background scenery.

Onboard WiFi and a restroom add practical value. The restroom matters more than it may seem on a two-hour cruise, especially with a full meal. WiFi is a modest extra, but it can help if you need to stay connected or share a photo during the outing.

Dinner includes PEI lobster and rib eye steak

The meal is the strongest value argument for the $141.86 price. This is not just a snack service or a simple boxed dinner. The Surf & Turf menu begins with steamed PEI blue mussels and a fresh roll, followed by Caesar salad with house-made dressing.

The main course pairs half a PEI lobster with rib eye steak. Seasonal vegetables round out the plate, and you choose from two desserts. Tea and coffee are included.

That menu gives the cruise a distinctly Prince Edward Island feel. Lobster and blue mussels connect the meal to the island’s coastal food culture, while rib eye makes the dinner feel substantial. If you want a light bite with your view, this may be more food than you need. If you are comparing the cruise with a waterfront dinner followed by a separate boat ride, the included meal makes the price easier to understand.

Alcohol is not included, but you can purchase alcoholic drinks on board. Since the minimum age for alcohol consumption is 19, bring that rule into your plans if your group includes younger diners. The supplied information does not give a drink menu or prices, so budget separately for wine, beer, or cocktails.

Dinner service also affects how you experience the harbour. You will not spend every minute looking outward. Part of the cruise is naturally taken up by mussels, salad, lobster, steak, dessert, and conversation. I see that as a strength for a relaxed evening, but it is worth knowing if your main goal is continuous sightseeing or photography.

The 1800s cannons and Charlottetown’s defensive past

One point of interest is the cannon battalions used to defend Charlottetown in the 1800s. From the water, you get a different angle on these defensive sites than you would from a street or land-based tour.

The cannons help place the harbour in practical terms. This was not only a scenic waterfront. It was also a route that needed protection, and the shoreline defenses show how military concerns shaped Charlottetown’s past.

The available details do not identify the exact cannon battery or say if the boat stops for passengers to go ashore. Plan on seeing the site from the boat rather than assuming a walking visit. That distinction matters if you want close-up photographs or time to read signs.

I would pay attention during this part of the cruise even if military history is not your main interest. It adds context to the harbour and gives the sightseeing a stronger purpose than simply watching the shoreline pass by.

Mi’Kmaq settlement, French fortifications, and English control

Another key view connects several layers of Charlottetown’s past. The area was used by the Mi’Kmaq, later saw a French fort built to defend the mouth of Charlottetown Harbour, and eventually fell under English control.

That sequence gives you a useful reminder that the waterfront’s story did not begin with European settlement. The Mi’Kmaq connection should be treated as an important part of the place, not as a brief footnote before the fort appears.

The French fortification adds a military chapter, while the later English takeover shows how control of the harbour shifted. These are broad historical markers rather than a full museum-style lesson. One piece of feedback specifically wished for more Charlottetown history during dinner, and the operator indicated that additional local history could be worked into the commentary.

That is useful advice for setting expectations. You will get historical points during the cruise, but the amount of narration may vary with the meal service and the crew’s timing. If history is your top priority, you may want to pair this cruise with a separate land-based history visit in Charlottetown.

Sunset timing and the best way to enjoy the views

The 6 PM start gives you a natural evening rhythm. At the beginning, you can look around while settling in. As dinner arrives, the harbour becomes the backdrop for the meal. Later, you can return your attention to the water and shoreline.

I would arrive ready to split your attention between food and scenery. Keep your camera or phone handy, but do not plan to photograph every moment. The meal is a major part of what you are paying for, and hot food is best enjoyed when it arrives.

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. On a clear evening, the boat should give you the most comfortable version of the outing. On a wet or windy evening, the view and outdoor time may be less appealing, even if the meal remains the same.

The supplied information does not promise outdoor seating, heated areas, or a covered viewing deck. Dress for an evening on the water and bring a light layer. That is sensible advice without assuming details about the boat’s layout.

Is $141.86 a fair price?

At $141.86 per person, this is a special-occasion activity rather than a casual add-on. The price includes all fees and taxes, the two-hour boat ride, the solar boat experience, and a substantial dinner with lobster and steak.

To judge the value, compare it with what you would spend on three separate pieces: a harbour cruise, a full seafood dinner, and an evening of waterfront sightseeing. You also avoid arranging transportation between dinner and a boat departure because both happen in one place and end at the original meeting point.

The price will feel less attractive if you do not eat seafood, prefer a short cruise, or mainly want historic commentary. The menu is fixed around mussels, lobster, steak, vegetables, dessert, tea, and coffee, and the supplied details do not list alternate entrees or dietary substitutions.

For someone who wants a complete evening with a memorable meal, I think the cost is easier to justify. For a solo visitor on a tight budget, a lower-cost harbour outing and a separate casual meal may be a better fit.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to couples, families with adult children, and small groups looking for one polished evening in Charlottetown. The full meal and sunset timing make it well suited to a birthday, anniversary, or end-of-trip dinner.

It also suits anyone curious about solar-powered transportation. The boat gives you a conversation starter before the meal even begins, and the group limit of 34 keeps the outing from feeling like a mass-market ferry ride.

History-minded visitors should see it as an introduction, not a complete historical tour. You will encounter the cannon defenses, Mi’Kmaq settlement, French fortification, and English takeover, but you may want another activity for a fuller account of Charlottetown’s past.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a flexible menu, a low-cost ride, or a fast-paced schedule. It is also not the best choice if poor weather would spoil your evening, since the cruise requires suitable conditions.

Meeting point, age rules, and booking cautions

You meet at 1 Weymouth St., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, C1A 0B4, and the cruise returns there. The location is near public transportation, so you may not need a car.

A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The maximum group size is 34.

The standard cancellation rule is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. The exception is a cancellation caused by poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

This activity is often booked well ahead of time, with an average lead time of about 36 days. That makes advance planning sensible, especially if your Charlottetown dates are fixed. At the same time, the strict cancellation rule means you should be confident in your schedule before paying.

Should you book the Ride Solar dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a full evening rather than a short boat ride. The strongest reasons are the solar-powered vessel, the PEI seafood, the lobster and rib eye dinner, the compact group, and the chance to see Charlottetown’s harbour defenses from the water.

Think twice if you want detailed historical guiding, a cheap outing, or a menu with many choices. The available commentary may touch on Charlottetown’s past without covering every detail, and the fixed Surf & Turf dinner will not suit every appetite.

For most people, this works best as a special dinner with sightseeing built in. Choose a date when the weather looks promising, arrive ready for a two-hour pace, and treat the solar boat and harbour views as important parts of the evening, not just scenery behind your plate.

FAQ

How long is the Sunset Dinner Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the cruise begin?

The experience begins at 6 PM.

Where does the cruise start?

You meet at 1 Weymouth St., Charlottetown, PE C1A 0B4, Canada.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What food is included?

Dinner includes steamed PEI blue mussels with a fresh roll, Caesar salad with house-made dressing, half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, seasonal vegetables, a choice of two desserts, tea, and coffee.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are available to purchase separately. The minimum age for alcohol consumption is 19.

What happens if poor weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.