Hurghada: Elite VIP Cruise with Seafood and BBQ Buffet Lunch

The Red Sea deserves a proper day at sea. This six-hour Hurghada cruise combines two guided snorkeling stops with a spacious four-deck boat, waiter service, and a seafood and barbecue buffet. I like the generous onboard space, especially the sun loungers and air-conditioned salons, and I like that lunch, equipment, taxes, and hotel pickup are included. The main drawback is that snorkeling takes place in groups, and the quality of the day can depend on weather and guide coordination.

At $78.11 per person, this is not the cheapest boat trip in Hurghada. Still, the price makes more sense if you value comfort, a clean modern boat, unlimited hot drinks and sodas, and a full lunch rather than simply reaching a reef and getting back. The boat holds a maximum of 45 people, so it should feel less crowded than a large party vessel, though it is not a private yacht.

Key points at a glance

• Four usable boat levels: Choose between an open sun deck, shaded mid-deck seating, and two air-conditioned salon and dining floors.
• Two guided reef stops: Snorkel equipment and supervision are included, with time in the water at selected Red Sea sites.
• Seafood and BBQ buffet: Lunch is part of the fare, with hot food served onboard rather than requiring a separate restaurant stop.
• Hotel pickup from Hurghada: An air-conditioned vehicle handles the transfer, making the morning easier.
• Comfort between swims: Waiter service provides unlimited hot drinks and sodas throughout the day.
• Strong cleanliness record: The boat, bathrooms, and equipment receive especially favorable attention, although one poor experience involved guide and communication problems.

A six-hour Red Sea day from Hurghada

The experience begins around 9:00 a.m., with hotel pickup offered from Hurghada. Exact pickup timing may vary, so I would keep your morning free and confirm the details at booking. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle, a welcome touch after a hot day in the Egyptian sun.

Once aboard, the first surprise is the amount of space. This is not a basic fishing boat with a few plastic chairs. The Elite VIP vessel has four floors: an open upper deck lined with sun loungers, a shaded middle deck, and two air-conditioned salon and dining decks below.

That layout matters. You can sit in the sun while the boat is moving, retreat to shade when the heat builds, or cool off indoors. If you are prone to seasickness, the lower air-conditioned areas may be more comfortable. If you want the best views, the open deck gives you a clear look at the Red Sea coast.

The boat is described as new, well maintained, and professionally crewed. Cleanliness is one of its strongest points. The bathrooms have been praised for being very clean and even pleasantly scented, which is a small detail that becomes important on a six-hour boat day.

Setting out with room to choose your seat

The cruise is designed as much around relaxation as snorkeling. Waiter service is available throughout the day, with unlimited hot drinks and sodas included. Snacks are not included, so bring extra food if you tend to get hungry between breakfast and lunch.

I like this arrangement because it gives the trip a calmer rhythm. You are not forced to remain in the water or sit in one place. You can watch the coast, chat with the crew, stretch out on a lounger, and return inside when the sun becomes too strong.

The group limit is 45 people. That does not make the cruise intimate in the private-charter sense, but it does put a reasonable ceiling on crowd size. The boat’s broad design should help spread people across the four levels.

The crew is often praised for being friendly, helpful, and attentive. Specific staff members mentioned positively include Captain Walled and guides Mohamed and Bobi. That personal service can make a real difference during snorkeling, particularly if you are uncertain in the water or traveling with a young swimmer.

Two guided snorkeling sessions at Red Sea reefs

The main reason to book this cruise is the time in the water. The itinerary includes two guided snorkeling sessions at reef areas, with equipment supplied. Some accounts describe three snorkeling passages, but the advertised experience clearly promises two guided reef stops, so I would treat two as the dependable expectation.

The reef scenery is the highlight. You may see colorful fish and coral formations, and some outings have included turtles, dolphins, and a sea cow. Other sightings mentioned include lionfish, stonefish, and moray eels. These animals are never guaranteed, of course, but the Red Sea is known for its clear water and marine life, making even an ordinary stop worthwhile.

The guides do more than point toward the reef. They help organize the groups and offer support in the water. That is valuable for first-time snorkelers and families. One particularly useful detail is that a 13-year-old participant was reported to feel safe with the guidance provided.

Still, you should be realistic about the format. Snorkeling is done in groups, not as a private guide-led outing. If several people enter the water at once, the experience can feel organized rather than personal. Non-swimmers may also find the stops less rewarding, even if the crew provides support.

Some snorkeling locations may not look dramatically different from reefs visible near Hurghada hotel beaches, especially around Makadi Bay. If you have already spent several days snorkeling from shore, the boat trip may offer a more comfortable way to reach new water rather than a completely new underwater world.

For me, the value here rests on the whole package: boat comfort, guidance, equipment, lunch, and time at sea. If your only goal is to see a particular rare animal or reef, the result is less certain.

Lunch with seafood and barbecue on board

Lunch is served as a seafood and barbecue buffet. The food receives frequent praise for being tasty, fresh, light, and well presented. That is important on a boat, where a heavy or poorly handled meal can spoil the afternoon.

The buffet format also works well for mixed appetites. You can choose what suits you instead of receiving one fixed plate. The meal is included in the ticket, along with snorkeling equipment, all fees and taxes, and the air-conditioned transfer.

Do not expect a restaurant-style seafood feast with unlimited specialty dishes. The supplied details do not specify the exact menu, so the sensible approach is to view lunch as a substantial included meal rather than booking solely for a particular fish or shellfish item.

The crew’s food service is one of the cruise’s strongest practical features. You can eat after snorkeling, when lunch will likely be welcome, then settle into a shaded or air-conditioned area. Hot drinks and sodas continue through the day, while snacks remain your responsibility.

The onboard policy does not include alcoholic drinks. Some people will see that as a limitation, but others will appreciate a quieter, family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a cocktail at sea, this is not the right cruise.

Why the boat matters more than the word VIP

The word VIP can be overused in Hurghada. Here, it has a clear meaning: more space, better seating options, air conditioning, waiter service, and a carefully maintained vessel.

You are paying for comfort between activities. That is the difference between a pleasant cruise and a tiring transfer by boat. Four decks give you somewhere to go when the upper deck is too sunny, the middle deck is busy, or the salon feels too enclosed.

The open deck is best for sun lovers and photographers. The shaded middle deck is a practical compromise. The air-conditioned salons are useful during the hottest part of the day and provide indoor dining space.

Easy boarding and getting back onto the boat after snorkeling are also important. The vessel has been praised for being simple to board and for offering a warm fresh-water rinse afterward. That rinse is a small luxury, especially after saltwater, sunscreen, and reef time.

The clean bathrooms add another layer of comfort. On a long boat excursion, a clean toilet is not an extra. It is part of the basic quality of the day.

Service strengths and the occasional weak link

Most of the feedback points to a friendly, professional crew and smooth organization. Pickup has been praised for arriving on time, and the captain and snorkeling guides receive warm personal comments.

But I would not ignore the less positive experiences. One outing was affected by poor communication around bad weather and pickup arrangements. Another complaint focused on guide performance, while a separate issue involved photography handled by a third-party operator rather than the cruise company itself.

This distinction matters. The boat operator may run the cruise well, while hotel representatives, guides, photographers, or transport coordination can affect parts of the day outside the captain’s control.

Bad weather can also cancel or change the schedule. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund, but a late change can still disrupt your holiday plans. I would avoid placing this cruise on the one day before a flight or an important connection.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 95 reviews, which supports the idea that the usual experience is strong. Still, the handful of service complaints show why it is wise to confirm pickup and any weather-related changes rather than waiting passively.

Is $78.11 good value?

At $78.11, this cruise costs more than a basic shared snorkeling trip. The question is what you receive for the extra money.

Your fare includes:

• Hotel pickup and return transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• A six-hour cruise
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Guided reef sessions
• Seafood and barbecue buffet lunch
• Unlimited hot drinks and sodas
• Access to four boat levels
• All fees and taxes

That is a useful bundle. You do not need to arrange transport, rent equipment separately, or find lunch during the day. The spacious boat is the main reason to pay more.

I think the price is fair for people who want a comfortable day at sea, particularly couples, families, and anyone who dislikes crowded basic boats. It is less compelling if you already have access to good hotel-house-reef snorkeling or only want a short swim.

The cruise is booked an average of 56 days ahead, suggesting that planning early is sensible during busy holiday periods. Confirmation arrives at booking, and mobile tickets make the process simple.

Who should book this cruise?

This trip suits you if you want several activities in one outing without sacrificing comfort. It works well for:

• First-time visitors to Hurghada who want a straightforward Red Sea day
• Families with older children who can follow water-safety guidance
• Couples seeking a polished boat outing rather than a party cruise
• Snorkelers who want equipment and guided support included
• People who value clean bathrooms, shade, air conditioning, and a proper lunch
• Visitors who prefer a no-alcohol atmosphere

It may not suit you if you want a private boat, a very small group, or complete freedom to choose your own snorkeling route. Strong swimmers who want long independent time at the reef may find the group format restrictive.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The provided information does not list detailed mobility facilities, so contact the provider if you need specific boarding assistance.

Practical tips for making the day better

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a dry change of clothes. Pack snacks because they are not included, even though lunch is provided.

Confirm your pickup point and start time before the morning of the cruise. Weather can affect the program, and communication has not been perfect in every case.

If you want a lounger on the open deck, arrive ready to board and choose your preferred area early. Otherwise, the shaded deck or air-conditioned salon may be the better choice once the sun rises.

Listen carefully to the snorkeling guide. Even confident swimmers benefit from knowing where the group will meet and how to return to the boat. If you are a weaker swimmer, tell the crew before entering the water rather than trying to manage quietly.

Do not book this as a guaranteed dolphin or turtle encounter. Treat those sightings as fortunate extras. The reliable attractions are the Red Sea scenery, coral, fish, guided snorkeling, and the boat itself.

Should you book the Elite VIP Cruise?

Yes, if you want the most comfortable version of a shared Hurghada snorkeling day. The clean four-deck boat, good bathrooms, helpful crew, included lunch, and air-conditioned spaces give this outing more substance than a simple reef transfer.

I would skip it only if you are seeking a private charter, a tiny group, or the lowest possible price. For everyone else, $78.11 is reasonable when you use the full package, especially the hotel transfer, equipment, food, and generous onboard space.

Book with weather flexibility, confirm your pickup, and expect group snorkeling rather than a private underwater tour. With those points clear, this is a polished and enjoyable way to spend six hours on the Red Sea.

FAQ

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered from Hurghada, but you should confirm the exact pickup details when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A seafood and barbecue buffet lunch is included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 45 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.