Reviewed · DINNER CRUISES

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer

★ 3.8 · 35 reviews From $41 Operated by Egypt Excursions Online · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The main attraction here is the night view of Sharm El Sheikh from the Red Sea, with the coastline lights flickering across the water as dinner and music get underway. This is not a quiet sunset sail. It is a social evening with a DJ, singer, belly dancer, dancing, and sometimes a magician.

I like the easy hotel pickup and drop-off, and I like the mix of food and entertainment in one outing. The private transfer option can help if you value a smoother ride. The main caution is that the dinner and show can feel chaotic, and the music may favor Arabic, Turkish, or Russian songs over English-language material.

Key points to know before booking

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Key points to know before booking

  • The mood is a party, not a peaceful cruise: Expect dancing, repeated invitations to join in, and loud entertainment.
  • The Red Sea views are the best backdrop: Sharm El Sheikh’s illuminated coastline looks especially attractive after sunset.
  • Dinner is an open buffet: Food includes seafood, meat, and vegetarian choices, but portions and access may feel rushed.
  • Entertainment is continuous: A DJ, singer, belly dancer, and sometimes a magician keep the evening moving.
  • Drinks and photographs cost extra: The listed price covers the buffet and entertainment, not drinks or souvenir photos.
  • Private transfer is optional: Hotel transport is included, but the private upgrade adds comfort and control.

Sunset on the Red Sea, with a party waiting onboard

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Sunset on the Red Sea, with a party waiting onboard

The evening begins as the sun drops behind South Sinai and the boat heads out from the Sharm El Sheikh area. The first reward is the view. You see the coastline from the water, then watch hotel lights and marina buildings take on a softer glow as darkness arrives.

The boat is decorated for dinner, and the setting can feel romantic at first. A gentle breeze, dark water, and a sky full of stars make a pleasant change from another night at your hotel. If you want good photographs, this early part of the cruise is the time to take them.

The mood changes once the music starts. The DJ and singer set up a party atmosphere, and the crew encourages you to dance. I would not book this expecting a slow meal with long quiet stretches. It suits you best if you enjoy a show, music, and a crowd that gets involved.

The boat does not travel a long way from the marina. One disappointed customer felt the sailing distance was very short, almost close enough to swim. That is useful context: the cruise is mainly about the evening setting and entertainment, not about covering a large section of the Red Sea.

Other evenings on the water in Sharm El Sheikh:

Boarding and the practical first hour

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Boarding and the practical first hour

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which makes this easier to fit into a Sharm El Sheikh holiday. If you choose the private transfer upgrade, you get a more personal ride rather than relying on the shared arrangement. That option makes the most sense for couples, families, or anyone who dislikes uncertain pickup timing.

Allow extra patience at the start. One booking had a long wait and unclear instructions, with the pickup time changing more than once. The problem was made worse by a lack of clear company information in the confirmation. I suggest checking the pickup details carefully and keeping your phone available before leaving your hotel.

You may also be asked to remove your shoes when boarding. This is a small point, but it should be known in advance. Wear clean socks and avoid shoes that are difficult to take off and put back on.

The available languages are Arabic and English. That does not mean every staff member will speak English comfortably. One poor experience involved very limited English communication, so keep your expectations modest if you need detailed explanations during the evening.

The buffet dinner and what your price covers

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - The buffet dinner and what your price covers

The $41 price includes the cruise setting, hotel transport, the open buffet, and the onboard entertainment. For Sharm El Sheikh, that can be fair value if you want a full evening rather than paying separately for a meal, music venue, and show.

The food selection is described as including seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. That gives you more choice than a fixed plate, especially if you are eating with children or have different tastes in your group. The buffet format also lets you sample several items without committing to one main course.

Still, the meal is not the strongest part of the experience for everyone. Food access can become a race, with some people taking more than others before the supply is refreshed. A few diners found the choice limited and the serving process too controlled. If you are hungry, go to the buffet when it opens rather than waiting until the music has taken over.

Do not count on the cruise as your only late meal if your family has particular needs. One family member left hungry, and the boat finished too late to rely on the hotel dining room afterward. A light snack before pickup is a sensible safeguard, especially for children or anyone who eats early.

Drinks are not included. The listed package does not cover soft drinks, juice, wine, or other beverages. One account described the available drink choice as limited, so check the onboard options and prices before ordering. If a drink matters to your evening, budget for it separately.

Music, dancing, and the onboard show

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Music, dancing, and the onboard show

The entertainment is the reason to choose this cruise over a standard dinner at the marina. A DJ plays music, a live singer performs, and the crew creates regular chances to dance. The best moments come when you stop worrying about a formal program and simply enjoy the noise and movement around you.

Music choices may not suit every group. Arabic, Turkish, and Russian songs were specifically noted, while one person wanted a wider mix. If you are hoping for familiar English pop all night, this is not the safest choice. The music reflects an international holiday crowd, but it may still feel less varied than you expect.

The dancing can be inclusive and fun. One particularly positive evening involved staff making people from different nationalities feel welcome. That is an important strength: the cruise can bring a mixed group together quickly when the tone is friendly.

The other side is pressure to participate. If you prefer to watch, you may find the repeated invitations tiring. The show moves in cycles, with music and dancing returning every short while. This works well for a birthday, family celebration, or energetic date night. It works less well for anyone wanting a calm table conversation.

A magician may also appear. The quality can vary, but this gives families another form of entertainment beyond dancing. Children may enjoy it more than adults, particularly if the tricks are simple and playful.

A few more things to do in Sharm El Sheikh worth a look

Belly dancing and the question of comfort

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Belly dancing and the question of comfort

The belly dancer is a central part of the program, but the style may not suit everyone. Some people found the performance entertaining, while others considered it too suggestive. If you are traveling with children, older relatives, or anyone who prefers conservative shows, keep this point in mind.

The practical advice is simple: choose this cruise for the full party program, not just for the meal. The belly dance is one part of a larger evening that also includes music and crowd interaction. Still, you should be comfortable with the possibility of a performance that uses a more provocative style.

The same applies to the singer. The live vocal performance adds atmosphere, but the quality may be uneven. This is a casual dinner show, not a concert with a carefully selected cast.

Views, photos, and the best time to look outside

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Views, photos, and the best time to look outside

The Red Sea setting is more attractive than the short sailing distance might suggest. At sunset, the water catches the last gold light. Later, Sharm El Sheikh’s illuminated coastline reflects on the surface, giving you a clear reason to step away from the dance floor.

Try to spend time outside before dinner and during the transition from daylight to darkness. Once the music becomes louder, it is easy to miss the view. The best photographs will likely come from the early part of the outing, before the deck fills with people and the entertainment takes over.

Photographers work onboard and can capture posed pictures. These are not included in the price, so ask about the cost before agreeing to a package. The photography can be worthwhile for a special occasion, but it is an optional purchase rather than part of the advertised value.

A dolphin sighting is possible, but it should not be treated as a promised feature. One person happened to see a dolphin during the cruise. Enjoy it if it happens, but book this for the evening atmosphere, not wildlife watching.

How the $41 price works for different types of visitors

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - How the $41 price works for different types of visitors

At $41 per person, the cruise offers reasonable value if you use most of what is included. Hotel transport saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi, while the buffet and show give you several hours of activity in one booking.

The value drops if you mainly want high-quality food or a long scenic sailing. The boat may remain close to the port, and dinner can be average rather than special. Drinks, photographs, and the private transfer add to the final cost.

For a couple, the private transfer may make the evening feel more organized, but it does not change the onboard program. For a family, the buffet and magician can help keep children occupied, although the late finish and belly dancing may not suit every child. For a group of friends, the DJ and dance floor are likely to be the strongest reasons to book.

The overall score is 3.8 out of 5 from 35 ratings. That fits the experience well: it can be a very enjoyable night when you want music and social energy, but it is less reliable as a polished dinner or quiet cruise.

Who should book this evening cruise?

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Who should book this evening cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy night out with:

  • Red Sea and coastline views
  • A buffet instead of a fixed menu
  • Live entertainment
  • Dancing and a social atmosphere
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • The option of a private ride

I would be cautious if your priorities are:

  • A peaceful, romantic dinner
  • Strong English communication from every staff member
  • A long cruise away from the marina
  • A carefully controlled buffet
  • Wide-ranging international music
  • Drinks included in the ticket
  • Conservative entertainment for all ages

The cruise works best when you arrive ready for a lively Egyptian evening show. It is not a luxury yacht dinner, even though the private transfer adds a small touch of comfort before and after the boat ride.

Final booking advice

Sharm El Sheikh: Dinner Cruise W/ Optional Private Transfer - Final booking advice

Book this experience if you see the boat as a floating party with a meal, rather than a gourmet restaurant on the water. I like the Red Sea setting, the easy transport, and the chance to enjoy several kinds of entertainment in one evening. The strongest praise goes to the friendly atmosphere, inclusive dancing, magician, belly dancer, and occasional surprise moments such as a dolphin sighting.

Skip it if your ideal night means quiet conversation, carefully served food, or a long cruise along the coast. Bring a snack if you are prone to hunger, budget separately for drinks and photos, and ask for clear pickup information. With those expectations in place, the $41 package can be a fun addition to a Sharm El Sheikh stay.

FAQ

Where does the dinner cruise take place?

The activity takes place in Sharm El Sheikh, in South Sinai, Egypt, with the boat sailing on the Red Sea.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the open buffet dinner, DJ, live singer, and belly dancer are included. Private transfer is included only if you select that option.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the listed price.

Is private transfer included automatically?

No. Private transfer is an optional upgrade. The standard experience includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

What food is available?

The buffet includes seafood, meat, and vegetarian options. The exact dishes are not specified.

What entertainment is provided?

You can expect a DJ, singer, belly dancer, and dancing. A magician may also be part of the evening entertainment.

Are photographs included?

No. Photos are available at an additional cost.

What languages are available?

The listed languages are Arabic and English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

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