Charleston dinner cruise prices

How much is the Charleston Harbor dinner cruise in 2026?

From $117 per person on Viator, or $100.35 to $111.35 plus a $3 port fee booked directly with SpiritLine.

The Viator price is one rate for every day of the week. SpiritLine charges less from Sunday to Thursday and more on Friday and Saturday. A Post and Courier report in March 2026, when the refitted boat returned, put tickets at "from $100", which matches the direct weekday fare.

What does the ticket include?

The 2.5-hour cruise, a three-course dinner made to order on board, live music and, according to SpiritLine, the gratuity.

You board at 6:30 PM at Patriots Point and sail from 7:00 to 9:30 PM past the Battery, Fort Sumter and the Ravenel Bridge. Dinner is plated table service at tables of four to six, in climate-controlled dining rooms. SpiritLine's menus change with the season and use local ingredients; some sailings are listed as four courses.

What costs extra on the night?

Drinks, parking and any private table. Everything at the bar is extra, including sodas, coffee and tea.

• Drinks: a full cash bar that takes cards only; no outside alcohol and no shots.
• Parking: paid parking at Patriots Point, run by a separate company, card only. Rates vary, so check the signs.
• Private table: couples share a table with another party unless they buy one.
• Cruise assurance: SpiritLine offers optional cover when you book on its own site.

Do kids pay less?

No. On the Spirit of Carolina children pay the full adult rate, and SpiritLine says there are no exceptions.

Strollers are not allowed on board either. If you are bringing children, the Blues and BBQ cruise charges about half price for ages 11 and under, and the sunset catamaran discounts children 4 to 12. See the dinner cruise vs the BBQ cruise.

Travelling as a family? The BBQ buffet cruise halves the price for kids and keeps the evening casual.

★ 3.6 200 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $72

Explore the Blues and BBQ cruise →

Is it cheaper to book direct or on Viator?

Direct is about $3 to $14 cheaper per person once the port fee is added, while Viator adds free cancellation up to 24 hours before and pay-later options.

SpiritLine also needs 24 hours' notice to cancel, and it stops selling dinner tickets after 4:00 PM on the day. Book direct if you want a private table or the cheapest weeknight; book on Viator if you want one checkout for several Charleston tours and the reviews in one place.

How much should a couple budget for the evening?

Roughly $260 to $300 on Viator with a drink or two each and parking, or about $230 to $260 booked direct on a weeknight.

Two tickets on Viator come to $234. Add a glass of wine or a cocktail each, perhaps a second round, and parking at Patriots Point. Because the tip is already in the ticket, you do not need to add the usual restaurant gratuity on top, though many guests tip at the bar.

How does the BBQ cruise compare on price?

The Blues and BBQ cruise is from $72, but alcohol, gratuities and parking are extra, and the food is a buffet rather than plated courses.

Taxes and fees are included on the BBQ cruise and children 11 and under pay about half, so it is the cheaper evening for families and groups. It also rates lower: 3.6 from 200 reviews against 4.1 from 727 for the Spirit of Carolina. Is the dinner cruise worth it? looks at what guests say.

How far ahead should you book?

A few days ahead is usually enough, but book a week or more for Fridays, Saturdays and holiday weekends.

Viator says this cruise is booked about 29 days ahead on average, and there is only one sailing a night. If the sunset matters, check sunset times by month before you pick a date.

Frequently asked questions