Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: The Honest Review

This is the most laid-back dinner cruise on Charleston Harbor — no assigned seating, no dress code, no three-course formality. You board the Charleston Princess, grab a spot on one of three open decks, load up a plate from the southern BBQ buffet, and settle in as local musicians launch into their set.

The cruise has been running for nearly 20 years, which means the format is well-worn and the crew knows what they're doing. It's consistently recommended for groups, bachelorette parties, and anyone who wants to do something memorable in Charleston without overthinking it. And at $72 with a dinner and live music included, the value is straightforward.

For couples celebrating a special occasion or anyone who wants a more formal sit-down experience, the luxury 3-course dinner cruise is the better match. But if your goal is a fun, social, open-air evening on the water — this is it.

The Harbor Route: Fort Sumter, the Battery & the Ravenel Bridge

The cruise covers roughly 6 miles of Charleston Harbor on a two-and-a-half-hour loop. Leaving from Seabreeze Marina (49 Immigration St), the boat passes the historic Battery — the antebellum promenade at the tip of the peninsula with Civil War cannons along the waterfront. As the harbor opens up, Fort Sumter National Monument appears off the bow: the island fortress where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in April 1861.

On the return leg, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge (Cooper River Bridge) looms overhead — one of the longest cable-stayed bridges in the Western Hemisphere. At golden hour and dusk, the harbor views from all three open decks are genuinely spectacular.

• The Battery — antebellum promenade and Civil War cannons
• Fort Sumter National Monument — island fortress, first Civil War shots
• Ravenel Bridge — 3.5-mile cable-stayed span
• Charleston historic waterfront skyline

The Food: Southern BBQ Buffet

The buffet is set up on the lower deck. Expect pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw, buns and sauces, and a dessert. The food is catered by one of Charleston's regular event caterers — it's proper southern comfort food, not gourmet plating, and it's genuinely filling.

A few things to note: the buffet is only on the lower deck, so if you're seated on the upper decks (which have the best views), you'll need to head down to eat. The lower deck gets warm in summer — most people bring their plates back up top. Soft drinks are not included in the ticket; a cash bar serves beer, wine, and cocktails throughout the cruise.

The Music

The cruise originally launched as a blues experience and still bills itself as such — but the actual genre varies by night and band availability. You might get true Delta blues, or you might get country, roots rock, or R&B. The music is live throughout the cruise and the band is typically on the middle or upper deck.

The quality is generally strong. Several reviews specifically single out the band as a highlight, and the outdoor setting on the harbor at sunset makes almost any live music feel more atmospheric than it would on land.

Included in the $72 ticket

The ticket covers everything you need for the evening:

• Charleston Harbor cruise aboard the Charleston Princess (2.5 hours)
• Southern BBQ buffet dinner — pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac & cheese, sides, dessert
• Live music throughout the cruise
• All taxes and handling charges

Not included

A few extras to budget for:

• Alcoholic beverages — cash bar on board, roughly $8–$15 per drink
• Soft drinks — not included in the base fare
• Gratuity for the crew and catering staff
• Parking — paid parking is available nearby but can be limited on weekends

A few practical details that will make your evening smoother:

• Dress code: casual — jeans, shorts, and sneakers are all fine
• Bring a light jacket: the harbor breeze is 5–10°F cooler than shore, especially after dark
• Stable footwear recommended — the boarding ramp and deck stairs can be uneven
• Not wheelchair accessible — stairs required to reach all decks and the bathroom
• The cruise operates rain or shine — covered lower decks provide shelter if needed
• Book in advance: Friday and Saturday evenings sell out 2–3 weeks ahead in season
• VIP boarding is available (boards earlier) — not always listed on Viator, contact the operator

The Blues & BBQ Cruise is the right pick for:

• Groups of friends or colleagues looking for a fun, social evening out
• Bachelorette and birthday parties — the open-deck atmosphere and live music make it easy to celebrate
• Travelers who want to see Charleston Harbor from the water without a formal dining commitment
• Visitors on a modest budget who still want dinner AND a harbor cruise in one ticket
• Families with older kids (children must be accompanied by an adult)

It's not the best fit for couples celebrating a milestone anniversary, guests who need accessible facilities, or anyone who specifically wants a quiet, romantic dinner. For that, the Charleston Harbor luxury dinner cruise is the better option — seated service, full-service bar, and a more refined setting for the same 2.5-hour harbor route.