Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer

Let the Red Sea set the evening mood. This cruise gives you illuminated coastline views from the water, a buffet dinner, and live entertainment with a DJ, singer, magician, and belly dancer. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see Sharm El Sheikh after sunset, when the marina lights reflect across the sea. I also like that you can add a private transfer for a more comfortable start and finish.

The main catch is that this is more of a party cruise than a quiet dinner. The music can be loud, dancing is encouraged often, and the food service may feel rushed or limited. If you want a calm meal with polished service, this may not be your best evening out.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat stays close to Sharm El Sheikh’s coast: The cruise is more about music, views, and atmosphere than a long voyage across the Red Sea.
• The evening feels like a floating disco: A DJ, singer, magician, belly dancer, and dance floor keep the pace lively.
• The buffet is included, but drinks are not: Food quality and serving portions can be uneven, so do not arrive expecting a luxury banquet.
• Private transfer is optional: Standard hotel pickup and drop-off are included, while the private option adds comfort and control.
• The marina setting is part of the appeal: The lights, water, and decorated boat create a pleasant backdrop for photos.
• This suits social night owls best: Couples and groups who enjoy dancing will likely have more fun than anyone seeking a peaceful sunset meal.

Setting sail from Sharm El Sheikh’s marina

The evening begins with hotel pickup in Sharm El Sheikh and a transfer to the marina. A private transfer is available if you choose the upgraded option. That can be useful if you value a direct ride and less uncertainty before the cruise, especially since the shared pickup arrangements may not always feel well organized.

One practical warning: allow patience at the meeting point. A serious complaint concerned a pickup time that shifted from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., then 6:30 p.m., with unclear company information in the booking confirmation. That is not a small issue when you are standing around in an unfamiliar place. Keep your phone available, confirm the pickup details, and ask the hotel reception to help if the meeting instructions are vague.

At the boat, you may be asked to remove your shoes before boarding. This detail is easy to miss, so wear socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot on the deck. The ship is decorated for an evening celebration rather than a formal fine-dining setting.

The cruise begins around sunset, when the sky turns gold and the coastline starts to glow. That is the best visual moment of the night. You can watch Sharm El Sheikh’s lights appear along the shore while the boat moves across the darkening Red Sea.

The Red Sea views are the real opening act

The scenery is pleasant, but it is important to set your expectations. This is not presented as a long coastal voyage with many sightseeing stops. One account described the port as very close to the departure point, so the value comes from being on the water at night, not from covering a large distance.

I like this kind of short cruise because it gives you a different view of the resort. From the shore, Sharm El Sheikh can feel dominated by hotels, restaurants, and tour traffic. From the boat, the lights stretch along the coastline and the sea creates a little breathing room. It is a simple change of viewpoint, but it can make a familiar resort feel new.

The deck is also the best place to take in the evening air. If you want photographs, take them early, before the music and performances fill the schedule. A photographer works onboard and can take posed images, but photographs cost extra. You may get attractive shots against the marina and coastline, though you should treat this as an optional purchase rather than part of the package.

A lucky sighting is possible. One person saw a dolphin during the cruise, but that is not a promised part of the outing. Enjoy it if it happens, but do not book this as a wildlife trip.

Dinner is included, but keep the meal modest

The price is about $41 per person. That includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the open buffet, and the onboard entertainment. Drinks and photographs are extra.

On paper, the meal sounds broad, with seafood, meat, and vegetarian choices. In practice, the dinner may not feel like the polished feast suggested by the promotional language. Food is served buffet style, and the best portions may go quickly. One family found that a child and an adult were still hungry at the end of the evening.

That leads to the most useful dining tip: eat a light snack before leaving your hotel. You do not need to spoil your appetite, but do not depend on the buffet as your only meal of the night. The cruise can finish late enough that finding food afterward may be inconvenient.

The dinner setup may also feel less relaxed than expected. One account described limited quantities and little choice over what was received, with no clear table arrangement for eating. That suggests the service can be more controlled or hurried than a normal open buffet. Arrive ready to take food when it becomes available, rather than expecting a slow meal with several courses.

Drinks are not included. The supplied details list drinks as an extra, and one report said the boat offered fruit juice but no soft drinks. The exact drink selection may vary, but you should budget separately and avoid assuming wine, beer, or a full range of sodas will be available. The description refers to wine and other beverages, yet the included items clearly exclude drinks, so confirm the onboard choices if that matters to you.

For value, I would treat the dinner as part of the entertainment package, not as the main reason to book. The boat ride, music, and show carry much of the evening. If you are comparing it with a restaurant meal, remember that you are paying for a night out on the water, not just the food.

Music, dancing, and a lively onboard show

After dinner, the boat shifts firmly into party mode. A DJ and live singer provide the soundtrack, and dancing is encouraged throughout the evening. The music can include Arabic, Turkish, and Russian selections, so the atmosphere has an international feel.

That mix can be a strength. One positive account praised the staff for including people from different nationalities and creating a friendly mood. If you like joining a crowd, copying simple dance moves, and letting the evening take its own direction, you may find the energy infectious.

It can also be a drawback. Some people found the music too narrow for their taste and wanted greater variety. Others felt pressured to dance every 20 minutes, even when they preferred to sit. This is not the place for a quiet table where you can talk for hours without interruption.

The live singer receives mixed impressions. The evening may open with live vocals before the DJ takes over, but the quality is not guaranteed to match a professional concert. Think of the singer as part of a casual party program.

A magician is also included in the entertainment. The act may be aimed at general family amusement rather than a sophisticated stage performance. One account still found the magician a highlight, especially alongside the belly dancer. If you are traveling with children, this part may add variety to the night.

The belly dancer deserves a clear warning

The belly dance is a central part of the show, but it may not suit every audience. The performance can be sensual and revealing, and one person found it closer to a striptease than expected. Another simply used the performance as a convenient time for a bathroom break.

I would not treat this as a family-friendly cultural performance without reservation. Some families and couples may be comfortable with it, while others may find the style awkward. The event moves quickly, so you can step away for a few minutes if the performance is not to your taste.

This is also a good example of why the cruise should be judged as nightlife, not as a traditional Egyptian music and dance presentation. The entertainment is designed to keep people watching, clapping, and moving. It is not a carefully explained cultural show.

What the $41 price really buys you

At around $41 per person, the cruise offers reasonable value if you want several activities bundled together. For that price, you receive transport, a boat ride, dinner, music, and live entertainment. The optional private transfer gives you another way to spend more for convenience.

The value drops if you mainly want a good meal. The buffet may be satisfactory, but it is not consistently described as the strongest part of the evening. Drinks and photographs add to the total, and the food may not be plentiful enough for a very hungry family.

The rating of 3.8 from 35 reviews reflects that middle ground. People who enjoyed the atmosphere found it fun, inclusive, and memorable. People who expected a refined dinner cruise often felt disappointed by the food, communication, or entertainment style.

I would compare the price with what you want from your night. For dancing and a change of scenery, it is a fair package. For romance, the setting can help, but the loud music and repeated invitations to dance may work against a peaceful date.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples who want an upbeat evening, friends looking for music and dancing, and families who are comfortable with a mixed stage show. It can also work well for people who want to see Sharm El Sheikh from the water without booking a longer Red Sea excursion.

You are likely to enjoy it if you:

• Like DJs, live singing, and audience participation
• Enjoy international music and a social atmosphere
• Are happy with a simple buffet rather than a gourmet meal
• Want hotel transport included
• Do not mind paying extra for drinks and photos
• Prefer an evening with several short entertainment acts

I would think twice if you need clear English communication, a quiet dinner, generous food portions, or a carefully timed pickup. English and Arabic are listed as available languages, but one report said staff communication in English was poor. That problem appears especially frustrating when pickup times are already unclear.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Confirm the pickup time and meeting place before you leave your hotel. The lack of clear company information caused serious frustration for one person, so do not rely only on a vague booking message.

Eat something small beforehand, especially if you are taking children. The buffet may be fine for a light dinner, but it is unwise to assume unlimited portions or a wide choice throughout the service.

Bring money for drinks and photographs if you want them. The cruise includes an open buffet, but drinks are specifically excluded, and onboard photography is an extra purchase.

Wear something comfortable for a warm evening and easy movement. You may be asked to remove your shoes before boarding, and you will have more fun if your clothing and footwear do not make dancing or standing on deck difficult.

Take your coastline photos before the show becomes the main event. The sunset and first appearance of the city lights offer the calmest and prettiest part of the cruise.

For a quieter experience, stay outside during the music and return to the seating area when you need a break. You do not have to dance every time the staff invites you.

Cancellation is available without a fee up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Sharm El Sheikh schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Sharm El Sheikh dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a social night on the water, with dancing, a buffet, and several entertainment acts included for roughly $41. The coastline views, friendly group energy, magician, and chance of an unusual sighting such as a dolphin can make it a cheerful holiday evening.

Skip it if your idea of a dinner cruise means quiet conversation, refined food, attentive table service, and a carefully timed program. In that case, the loud party format, limited food portions, paid drinks, belly dance style, and uncertain pickup communication may irritate you.

My advice is simple: book for the atmosphere, not the cuisine. Confirm the transport details, eat a small snack first, and choose the private transfer if comfort and control are worth the extra cost.

FAQ

Where does the dinner cruise take place?

The cruise takes place off Sharm El Sheikh in South Sinai, Egypt, on the Red Sea.

What is included in the cruise?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a DJ, live singer, belly dancer, and open buffet are included.

Is a private transfer included?

A private transfer is included only if you select the private transfer option. Standard hotel pickup and drop-off are also listed.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the price.

Are onboard photographs included?

No. Photos are available at an additional cost.

What entertainment is provided?

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

What languages are available?

Arabic and English are listed as the available languages.

Is the dinner served as a buffet?

Yes. The meal is served as an open buffet.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.