Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer

As the sun drops behind South Sinai, this dinner cruise turns the Red Sea into an evening stage. You sail past the lights of Sharm El Sheikh, eat from an open buffet, and watch live entertainment under the stars. The setting is attractive, but the night is designed more as a party boat than as a calm, candlelit dinner.

I like the coastline views after dark, when the town lights shimmer across the water. I also like the mix of entertainment: a DJ, singer, magician, and belly dancer give the evening more variety than a simple meal afloat. The main caution is that the food and service can feel hurried, drinks are not included, and the music may not suit every nationality or age group.

• Sunset sailing: See the Red Sea and Sharm El Sheikh’s lit coastline from the water.
• Party-style entertainment: Expect dancing, a DJ, live singing, a magician, and belly dancing.
• Buffet dinner: Food is included, but drinks are extra and access to the buffet may feel rushed.
• Private-transfer option: Choose the upgrade if you want a more controlled ride to and from your hotel.
• Shoes may come off: Some passengers were asked to remove their shoes before boarding.
• Best for lively evenings: This suits people who want music and group entertainment, not silence.

What Kind of Evening Is This?

The most important thing to understand is the mood. This is not a quiet yacht dinner where you sit at one table and watch the coastline drift by. It is closer to a floating dinner party, with music, stage acts, dancing, and frequent invitations to join in.

That can be a lot of fun. One evening may include Arabic, Turkish, and Russian music, along with other songs selected by the DJ. The program aims to keep the room active, so you may be encouraged to dance even when you would rather sit and eat.

I would book this for a group of friends, couples who enjoy shows, or families with older children who like music and performance. I would think twice if you want a refined meal, quiet conversation, or a carefully paced romantic cruise.

The advertised languages are Arabic and English. Still, communication may not always be smooth onboard, so do not choose this solely because you expect a fully English-speaking hosted program.

Boarding Near Sharm El Sheikh’s Marina

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You can also select a private transfer for an additional charge, which is the more comfortable choice if you value privacy or want less uncertainty around the ride.

Allow extra patience at the start. Pickup times have not always felt clear, and some passengers were asked to arrive well before the boat actually left. Your confirmation may not make the operating company easy to identify, so check the pickup details carefully and confirm the meeting time before the day of travel.

The boat leaves from the marina area. The distance from central Sharm El Sheikh can be surprisingly short, so the transfer may take longer than the actual ride to the port if several hotels are involved. That is normal for shared hotel pickup, but it is worth knowing before you build the evening around a precise dinner hour.

One small boarding detail matters: you may be asked to remove your shoes before stepping onto the boat. Wear socks you do not mind showing and avoid shoes that are difficult to take off.

Sunset Views and the Lit Red Sea Coast

The setting is the strongest part of the program. At sunset, the Red Sea catches the last warm light, then changes character as Sharm El Sheikh begins to glow. From the boat, you get a different view of the resort town, with lights reflecting on the water instead of hotel buildings filling your entire view.

The cruise is valuable for the atmosphere more than for distance. The boat does not need to travel far to give you a pleasant change of scene. In fact, the port may be close enough that you should not expect a long open-sea voyage.

Bring a light layer if you tend to feel cool on the water. The evening breeze is part of the pleasure, but it can make the upper deck less comfortable once the sun is gone. If photography matters to you, the transition from sunset to night gives you the best range of pictures.

A photographer works onboard and can take posed photos. Those pictures are not included, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of the cruise price.

Buffet Dinner: Useful, but Keep Expectations Sensible

The open buffet is included in the $41 starting price. The food is presented as a broad meal with seafood, meat, and vegetarian choices, which should make it possible for different tastes to find something suitable.

I would not call this a fine-dining cruise. The meal is better understood as practical group catering served during a busy entertainment program. You may not get the relaxed pace or wide personal choice that you would have in a restaurant.

A key tip: go to the buffet when it opens rather than waiting. Access can become competitive, and food may not be replenished in the way you expect. Some diners have found the quantity limited, while others have enjoyed the meal. The safest approach is to treat dinner as part of the evening rather than its main reason for booking.

The timing also matters. If your hotel restaurant will be closed by the time you return, do not assume the buffet will be enough for everyone in your party. Children and anyone with a large appetite may want a snack before pickup.

Drinks are not included. The advertised description refers to wine and other beverages, but the practical information says drinks cost extra, and reports from onboard service indicate that the selection may be limited, at times mainly juice. Bring neither cash expectations nor restaurant-style beverage service. Ask about drink choices early, and budget separately.

A DJ, Singer, Magician, and Belly Dancer

The entertainment keeps the boat from feeling like a simple meal with a view. A DJ supplies the music, a singer performs live, and a magician adds a lighter family-style act. The magician has been a particular highlight for some groups, especially children.

The quality and style can vary. The live singing may not appeal to every ear, and the music can lean heavily toward Arabic, Turkish, or Russian selections. If your group expects familiar English pop, you may find the soundtrack less welcoming.

The dance floor is central to the evening. Staff may invite you to participate often, sometimes every 20 minutes. That works well if you want a social night and enjoy being pulled into the action. It can feel forceful if you prefer to watch quietly.

The belly dancer is part of the advertised program, but the style may be more suggestive than some families expect. Parents should consider this before booking for young children, and couples looking for a polished cultural show should keep expectations modest.

The overall performance is best judged as casual group entertainment. It is there to create energy, not to provide a formal theater production.

Is It Romantic, Family-Friendly, or a Disco?

The cruise can feel romantic at sunset, especially when you stand outside and watch the moonlight on the Red Sea. Once dinner and performances begin, though, the mood turns much more social and noisy.

For couples, the best strategy is to enjoy the outdoor views before the main entertainment starts. You can share the sunset, take photos, and use the cruise as a pleasant evening outing. After that, expect music and group activity rather than private time.

For families, the magician and buffet may work well. The belly dancing and persistent invitations to dance may not suit every child or parent. Families should also plan around the possibility that the meal feels rushed or that favorite foods run out.

For friends, this is probably the easiest match. You can join the dancing, laugh at the informal performances, and treat the food as fuel for the evening.

Solo visitors may find the inclusive group atmosphere helpful, but the social format works best if you are comfortable joining activities without much personal space.

The $41 Price and the Private-Transfer Upgrade

At about $41 per person, the cruise offers several elements in one package: hotel transportation, a boat ride, buffet dinner, DJ, singer, magician, and belly dancer. That can be fair value if you want a full evening of entertainment and do not need a premium meal.

The price is less attractive if your priority is food quality, generous portions, or drinks at the table. Since photos and beverages cost extra, the final spend can rise quickly. The private-transfer upgrade adds comfort, but it does not change the onboard dinner or entertainment.

I see the private transfer as a practical choice rather than a luxury splurge. It may help if you dislike waiting for other hotels, want a simpler start, or are traveling as a small group. If you are watching your budget, the standard included transfer keeps the basic cost lower.

Think of the ticket as paying for an evening out with a view, not simply for a meal. The value comes from combining transport, scenery, music, and stage acts. If one of those pieces matters much more to you than the rest, a restaurant dinner or a quieter boat outing may suit you better.

Details That Can Change Your Night

Several small points can make the difference between a smooth evening and a frustrating one:

• Confirm the pickup time and meeting point before the day of the cruise.
• Ask how to identify the operating company at the pickup location.
• Eat a light snack beforehand if you are traveling with children or need a substantial meal.
• Budget for drinks and optional photographs.
• Wear easy-to-remove shoes in case boarding requires you to go barefoot.
• Expect Arabic, Turkish, and Russian music, not only English-language songs.
• Choose the private transfer if shared pickup delays would bother you.
• Keep your evening flexible because the start time may not feel exact.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Sharm El Sheikh plans are still moving around.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

Book it if you want to see the coast from the water and enjoy a lively night with music, dancing, and stage entertainment. The magician, the chance to dance, and the illuminated shoreline give the cruise a clear appeal for social groups and couples who do not mind a crowd.

Skip it if you want a quiet dinner, carefully prepared courses, unlimited drinks, or a strictly English-language program. The buffet may feel underwhelming, and the entertainment can be more intense than the soft sunset description suggests.

My practical verdict is to book the standard option if you are mainly interested in the boat, views, and party atmosphere. Pay for the private transfer only if transport comfort and timing matter to you. Go in with moderate food expectations, eat early at the buffet, and you are more likely to enjoy what this cruise actually offers.

FAQ

What is included in the Sharm El Sheikh dinner cruise?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an open buffet, a DJ, a singer, a belly dancer, and the cruise itself. A private transfer is included only if you select that option.

Are drinks included with dinner?

No. Drinks are not included and must be paid for separately. The available onboard selection may be limited.

Is the private transfer included in the $41 price?

No. The private transfer is an optional upgrade that costs extra.

What entertainment is provided onboard?

The program includes a DJ, live singer, belly dancer, and magician. Dancing is also part of the evening.

What languages are available?

The stated languages are Arabic and English. Music may also include Turkish and Russian selections.

Is this a quiet romantic dinner cruise?

Not usually. The sunset and Red Sea views can feel romantic, but the main program is party-like, with loud music, dancing, and repeated invitations to join in.

Is the dinner buffet style?

Yes. Dinner is served as an open buffet with seafood, meat, and vegetarian choices listed among the options.

Are photographs included?

No. Photographs are an extra cost. An onboard photographer may offer posed pictures.

Do I need to remove my shoes?

You may be asked to remove your shoes when boarding the boat. This is worth preparing for when choosing what to wear.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later.