Booking choice: The Spirit of Carolina dinner cruise, from $117 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Both cruises leave at 7:00 PM and last about two and a half hours. The Spirit of Carolina is a seated, plated dinner from Mount Pleasant; the Charleston Princess runs a barbecue buffet with a live band from downtown.
Price, food, children, tips and where you board all point in different directions, so the right choice depends on your group.
The quick answer
Choose the Spirit of Carolina (from $117, rated 4.1) for a seated, plated three-course dinner with the tip included: best for couples and celebrations. Choose the Blues and BBQ cruise (from $72, rated 3.6) for a casual buffet, a band and open decks, with children 11 and under at about half price and a downtown dock: best for families and groups.
How do the two cruises compare side by side?
The Spirit of Carolina is quieter, plated and pricier; the BBQ cruise is cheaper, livelier and more casual.
| Spirit of Carolina | Blues and BBQ | |
|---|---|---|
| From (Viator) | $117 | $72 |
| Boat | Spirit of Carolina, 90-foot dining yacht | Charleston Princess, three decks |
| Boards at | Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant | Seabreeze Marina, downtown |
| Time | Board 6:30 PM, sail 7:00 to 9:30 PM | 7:00 PM, about 2.5 hours |
| Food | Plated, three courses | BBQ buffet |
| Music | Live musician | Live band |
| Tip | Included | Not included |
| Children | Adult rate | About half (11 and under) |
| Rating | 4.1 (727) | 3.6 (200) |
Leaning towards the plated dinner? Check the date, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Spirit of Carolina dinner cruiseWhat food do you get on each?
Three plated courses made to order on the Spirit of Carolina; a self-serve barbecue buffet on the Charleston Princess.
The BBQ buffet lists pulled pork, smoked chicken, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, buns, sauces and dessert, with vegetarian options. On the Spirit of Carolina the menu is seasonal and you choose your main course. Drinks are extra on both.
Which is better for families?
The BBQ cruise: children 11 and under pay about half, the buffet suits picky eaters and the open decks give kids room.
On the Spirit of Carolina everyone pays the adult rate and strollers are not allowed. The BBQ cruise lists itself as stroller accessible.
Bringing the kids? The BBQ cruise charges about half for 11 and under and serves a buffet everyone can pick from.
Explore the Blues and BBQ cruiseWhich is better for couples?
The Spirit of Carolina, for a seated dinner, table service and a calmer room.
Couples usually share a table of four to six unless they buy a private one. For a truly private evening, the private sailing charter takes up to 6 on your own boat. See is the dinner cruise worth it?.
What do reviews say about the BBQ cruise?
Mixed: guests praise the views, the crew, the sunset and often the band, but some found the food disappointing and the dock hard to find.
At 3.6 from 200 reviews it is the lower rated of the two. Guests also report that one sailing was cancelled the day before, so keep plans flexible, and that the band is not always strictly blues.
Which is more accessible?
Neither is easy: the Spirit of Carolina requires steps, and the Charleston Princess is not ADA compliant.
The Charleston Princess is reached by a 30-foot ramp whose steepness changes with the tide, and there is no elevator to the dining salon. SpiritLine says accessibility on the Spirit of Carolina is very limited. Call the operator before booking if anyone has limited mobility.
Ready for the casual option? See the next BBQ cruise dates.
Check dates for the Blues and BBQ cruiseSo which should you book?
Book the Spirit of Carolina for a celebration or a quiet dinner for two, and the Blues and BBQ cruise for families, groups and a party feel.
If the sunset matters most, check sunset times by month; if you are staying downtown without a car, the BBQ cruise is easier to reach. Full prices are in the price guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol included on the Charleston BBQ cruise?
No. Alcoholic drinks are sold on board; gratuities and parking are extra too.
Is the Charleston Princess dinner a buffet?
Yes. The Blues and BBQ cruise serves a Southern barbecue buffet. The Spirit of Carolina serves plated courses.
Do both cruises pass Fort Sumter?
The Spirit of Carolina lists Fort Sumter, the Battery and the Ravenel Bridge. BBQ cruise guests report cruising near Fort Sumter too; the exact route varies.
Ready to book
Choose your evening
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Spirit of Carolina Harbor Dinner Cruise
- 2.5-hour cruise, boarding 6:30 PM, sailing 7:00 to 9:30 PM
- Three-course dinner made to order on board, seated 4 to 6 per table
- Live music and climate-controlled dining decks
Sunset Blues & BBQ Cruise
- Sunset cruise aboard the three-deck Charleston Princess, 7:00 PM
- BBQ buffet: pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, slaw, dessert
- Live music by local musicians; taxes and fees included
