Reviewed · USA DINNER CRUISES

The 15 Best Dinner Cruises in the USA

137 sailings  ·  from $49 a head

American dinner cruising splits into paddlewheelers on the rivers and modern bay boats in the harbours, and they are very different evenings. These 15 cover New Orleans, New York, San Diego, Chicago and the rest, priced, timed and clear about the dress code.

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option - Boarding at Toulouse Street Wharf
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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

1.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

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

Meet at Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter for an evening aboard the Steamboat NATCHEZ or Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Enjoy a calliope concert, narration, Mississippi River views, and live New Orleans jazz from the Dukes of Dixieland. Add a Louisiana buffet with gumbo, crawfish etouffee, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

“We really enjoyed this cruise. The food was surprisingly good, music was great and the views were spectacular. Everything went like clockwork - very well organised.”

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New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner - The 7 to 9 p.m. cruise along the Mississippi
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New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

2.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

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

Board the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS for a two-hour evening cruise from the French Quarter. You’ll hear live jazz by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, learn about New Orleans from the captain’s narration, and see the city from four decks. Add the Creole buffet if you want dinner onboard.

“Such an iconic New Orleans experience everyone must do! Even in the cold I loved it. Heaps of warm space inside the boat and fun to walk around.”

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Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included - Boarding at 201 William Street
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Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included

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 sunset cruise with a crew-served tropical buffet, unlimited well drinks, beer, wine, soft drinks, and live music. You’ll pass Mallory Square and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, then watch the sunset from the upper deck. Arrive 60 minutes early.

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

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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans - The Creole buffet: gumbo, jambalaya, and bread pudding
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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans

4.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,469 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Spend an evening aboard New Orleans’ Creole Queen, a paddlewheeler that cruises the Mississippi from 7 to 9 p.m. Add a buffet of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, seafood pasta, brisket, and bread pudding. Live jazz plays throughout the ride, with a cash bar and promenade deck for river views.

“Very nice, food was good, service good, music good, we enjoyed it very much.. We walked on deck seen many ships /boats, the bridge that crossed the river was lit up with red and green very nice! Good float!”

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City Cruises New York: Bateaux Premier Dinner Cruise - A boat built for views, not just dinner
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City Cruises New York: Bateaux Premier Dinner Cruise

5.City Cruises New York: Bateaux Premier Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,371 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $180

Spend about three hours aboard the Bateaux New York, leaving Chelsea Piers at 7:00 p.m. for a polished dinner cruise past One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Hudson Yards. You receive a starter, entrée, dessert, live music, and a guaranteed table for your party. Semi-formal dress is required.

“Fabulous experience . Food was delicious , service was excellent , the views of NYC skyline were breathtaking , pulling right up to the Statue of Liberty was fantastic , great way to spend my 69th birthday with my family .”

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General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville - Choosing lunch or dinner on the Cumberland
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General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

6.General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,362 reviews · from $111

Spend about four hours aboard Nashville’s General Jackson Showboat, a historically recreated paddle-wheel boat on the Cumberland River. Choose lunch or dinner, enjoy a Southern meal, and watch live music, comedy, an orchestra, and dancers in the Victorian theater. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from select downtown hotels.

“Great fund and family appropriate. Food was good, show was great and view spectacular. Highly recommended.”

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City Cruises New York: Signature Dinner Cruise - The skyline route, from Hudson Yards to Lady Liberty
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City Cruises New York: Signature Dinner Cruise

7.City Cruises New York: Signature Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,362 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Board at Pier 61 for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a freshly prepared buffet, assigned table, live DJ, and open-air deck views of Lady Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, and Manhattan after dark. Bring comfortable dressy-casual clothes, arrive 30 minutes early, and budget extra for drinks.

“Just a relaxed evening with good food and amazing sightseeing. Tim our server was superb and looked after us amazingly well.”

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Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show - Dinner before the boat ride
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Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

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

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

Meet two miles north of Moab for a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner, then board a flat-bottomed boat for a calm Colorado River cruise. Guides such as Izzy and Rory add local stories and humor before a 40,000-watt canyon light show brings Moab’s history to life through music, narration, shadows, and projected images.

“One of the highlights of our trip...Already recommended it to a couple we know that's going to Moab....”

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Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay - The Kona Coast from the water
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Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

9.Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

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

Sail 12 miles down Kona’s coast with a local historian, live Hawaiian music, dinner, and sunset views at Kealakekua Bay. Body Glove’s catamaran cruise includes one complimentary cocktail, local dishes, and stories about landmarks hidden from shore. The boat carries up to 85 people and returns to Kailua Pier around three hours later.

“Un unforgettable experience. Everything was perfect: music, food, and the detailed history of the island:”

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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise - Boarding near the USS Midway
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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

10.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

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

Board the Spirit of San Diego near the USS Midway for a 2.5-hour dinner cruise with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, indoor dining, live entertainment, and broad views of downtown, Coronado, the Midway, and Navy ships. Dinner options include steak, salmon, chicken piccata, manicotti, and Sunday prime rib. An unlimited bar package costs $40 extra.

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

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New York City: Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music - The meal: plenty of food, with a few details to confirm
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New York City: Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

11.Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

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

Board the Louisa of the Seas at Pier 36 for a three-hour evening cruise past the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, Ellis Island, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty. You’ll dine at a private table, hear New York off-Broadway musicians, and choose between regular and VIP seating. Staff such as Peter, Bryan, and Victoria have earned praise for warm, attentive service.

“The staff was very kind and the tour was beautiful! Driver kept the boat as balanced as one could while being on water. minimal rocking maximum fun”

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New Orleans: Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner - Getting to the Creole Queen at Riverwalk
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New Orleans: Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner

12.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 New Orleans cocktail, and watch Jackson Square and the city lights pass by from the river.

“Queen Creole was cancelled but they very quickly got us onto the Natchez for the same night! Everything was seamless and had such a fun night!! Thanks so much!!!”

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Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu, Hawaii - What happens around Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Lighthouse
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Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu, Hawaii

13.Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu, Hawaii

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

Spend about two hours offshore from Honolulu, watching the sun set behind Waikiki and Diamond Head while an onboard chef prepares dinner. The Prince Kuhio includes salad, a choice of beef short ribs or mahi-mahi, dessert, soft drinks, and water. Alcohol is not sold onboard, so bring your own for the upper-deck tiki bar.

“Trip was canceled 1 day before. I was informed and refunded my money. Unfortunately I had to reach out to 3rd party for the refund who was clueless of the cancelation.”

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Cincinnati: Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner - The first half hour: dinner with the boat still at the dock
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Cincinnati: Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner

14.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 along the Ohio River. You get reserved indoor seating, a buffet dinner, skyline views, music, and access to a cash bar. Choose a Captain’s, Admiral’s, or Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Staff members such as Kaleesa, MoMo, Rob, and Lana have earned praise for friendly service.

“We had dinner and then the boat did a nice lap in the Ohio river ! Food was nice and hot ! Seasoned ! No complaints !”

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Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach - Meeting Sea Maui at Ka’anapali Beach
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Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach

15.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 sail. You’ll get a chef-prepared buffet, full open bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and seasonal whale watching from December 15 through April 15. Live music runs Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“This trip was totally awesome! The food, service, music and experience was the best! We saw several whales!”

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New in USA Dinner Cruises

★ 4.2Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner CruiseFrom $1406 reviews
★ 4.5Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from SewardFrom $22356 reviews
★ 5.0Savannah Riverboat Gospel Music Dinner CruiseFrom $77112 reviews
★ 4.0City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del ReyFrom $13160 reviews
★ 4.0New Year’s Eve Plated Dinner Cruise on San Francisco BayFrom $4014 reviews
★ 5.0San Diego Christmas Day Dinner Buffet CruiseFrom $1662 reviews
★ 4.5St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, FloridaFrom $7116 reviews
★ 3.5Moonlight Dinner Cruise in HonoluluFrom $1062 reviews
★ 4.5Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday NightsFrom $13947 reviews
★ 4.0City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner CruiseFrom $9743 reviews
★ 4.5Norfolk Mother’s Day Signature Dinner CruiseFrom $068 reviews
★ 3.5New York Pier 15 New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner CruiseFrom $49613 reviews
★ 4.0City Cruises Newport Beach: Orange County Premier Dinner CruiseFrom $13014 reviews
★ 3.5New York City Skyline Dinner CruiseFrom $12934 reviews
★ 4.0New York City Dinner Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Live MusicFrom $17511 reviews

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New York City Dinner Cruises18Chicago Dinner Cruises13San Diego Dinner Cruises10San Francisco Dinner Cruises6Harbour and Marina Cruises103
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