Which Boat Should You Pick For A Sydney Dinner Cruise?

Most Sydney dinner cruises look alike on a booking page. The boat is what separates them. It sets how you dine, what happens between courses and how you spend the evening, so the easiest way to choose is to decide the experience you are looking for and then the boat.
Here are the five types of boats on Sydney Harbour, and each one suits a different kind of night.

Why The Boat Decides The Night

Every one of these cruises serves dinner. The difference is what happens around it. Some keep you at a table with the glittering harbour in view, some put a show in front of you, and some hand you a dance floor. Work out which of those you want and your choice usually narrows.

Here are the dinner cruises in Sydney Harbour at a glance:

• 360° views: A glass boat with full harbour view
• Cabaret: A paddlewheeler with a live show
• Open decks: A catamaran with three spacious decks
• Masts and rigging: A tall ship with a mast to climb
• DJ and dancing: Party boats with a dance floor

Glass Boat: 360° Views & City Lights

Clearview is a glass boat cruising on Sydney Harbour, with floor-to-ceiling windows that keep the iconic view of the harbour and city skyline in sight from your seat. It is the one to pick when you want the night unhurried. Dinner is multi-course and served at the table; and with no show or dance floor on board, nothing pulls your attention away from the view. Guests can choose from a few dinner package options, which differ by cruise duration, drinks package inclusion and the days they run.

Best Suited For:

• Couples marking an anniversary or date night
• Visitors who want the Sydney landmarks from the water
• Guests who prefer dinner and conversation to live entertainment

Paddlewheeler: Cabaret & Spectacle

Sydney Showboat II is a paddlewheeler with a live cabaret in Sydney. You get a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience here right from the moment the follies welcome you on board. Your night aboard comes with Voyage of Love, a cabaret of nine sequences running from the French Can Can to Bollywood after dinner. There are a few dinner packages, and since the show is in all of them, the choice comes down to drinks and seating. 

Best Suited For:

• Couples who want dinner and a show in one booking
• Groups celebrating a special occasion
• Visitors who want to experience the Showboat & the harbour

Catamaran: Three Decks & Open Air

The Magistic Two is a catamaran with three outer decks, and that space is what makes it a great choice for a group. Dining is buffet rather than plated, which also suits the group better, since a set menu rarely suits everyone at a big table. The dinner packages differ only in terms of the inclusion of drinks.

Best Suited For:

• Groups who want room to move
• Large family celebrations.
• Guests who enjoy the open air out on decks

Tall Ship: Masts, Sails & Twilight

The Tall Ship Sydney dinner cruise puts you on a timber sailing vessel. This is the one to pick if you would also like to be part of the crew rather than sit and be served. You can help hoist and set the sails, and a mast climb is available as an upgrade if you want the view from the top. Dinner is served on board as the sun goes down, with a drinks package available to add on.

Best Suited For:

• Couples looking for a unique dining experience
• Sailing enthusiasts
• Anyone who wants a hands-on harbour experience

Party Boats: Samba, Salsa & Retro Hits

Two themed cruises put the music at the centre of the night. These are not for the quiet crowd. If dancing is the point of the night, these are the boats you choose from. The Latino cruise has live drums, professional dancers and a DJ, with Brazilian dance throughout the performances, while the retro boat party runs 80s and 90s hits all night. Both come with or without a drinks package.

Best Suited For:

• Hens and bucks parties.
• Birthday groups.
• Anyone after a party vibe, not a seated dinner

Now that you know what each boat is and the night it gives you, all that is left is the date. Check which dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour has on your preferred date and book the one that suits your vibe.