Sunset Dinner Cruise Fort Lauderdale: The BYOB Party Boat Reviewed

Technically, no — the Staying Afloat doesn't serve food and there's no catered menu. But calling it a dinner cruise isn't entirely wrong either, and here's why people do it: you're allowed to bring your own food and drinks. That means you can show up with sandwiches, charcuterie, sushi from a nearby restaurant, or whatever you want to eat on the water — and you can bring beer, wine, cocktails in a soft cooler. The boat provides coolers and bottled water, and you handle the rest.

For most people, that setup is actually preferable to a fixed menu. You pick the food, you control the drinks, and you spend $55 per person instead of $100–$150 for a catered dinner cruise experience on a larger vessel. The tradeoff is that there's no waiter service, no linen napkins, and no quiet, intimate dining atmosphere — this is a party boat with music, and Captain Ross is very much part of the entertainment.

If the idea of curating your own floating dinner sounds appealing, this is the best-value way to do it in Fort Lauderdale. If you specifically need table service and a set menu, this isn't that — and that's worth knowing before you book.

The cruise departs from Dock I at Bahia Mar Marina on Seabreeze Boulevard and works its way through some of Fort Lauderdale's most photogenic waterways:

• Las Olas Isles and Millionaires Row — waterfront mansions worth tens of millions, narrated by Captain Ross
• Port Everglades — massive cruise ships close enough to make you feel genuinely small
• Downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline — especially striking at dusk when the buildings start to light up
• The Las Olas Boulevard bridge district — drawbridges, busy waterfront restaurants visible from the water
• Bahia Mar Marina area — the departure and return point, with superyachts docked nearby

Afternoon departures include a sandbar stop near Millionaire's Mile where guests can swim or wade in the shallows — a genuinely unusual feature for an intracoastal cruise. Evening departures skip the sandbar and lean into the city lights, which have their own appeal. Check which time slot you're booking and pick based on what you want: water access or skyline views.

Read enough reviews of this cruise and a pattern emerges: guests mention the boat, they mention the views, and then they mention Ross. He comes up by name in review after review, described as hilarious, knowledgeable, and someone who goes out of his way to make the experience feel personal rather than transactional. That matters on a 45-person party boat, where the difference between a good time and a forgettable one is almost entirely the crew.

Cindy J. put it well: "Ross was hilarious and very knowledgeable. He went out of his way to connect with all the passengers. The 2 hours went by way too quickly." Gene A. added that the crew was "great and entertaining" and described the sunset and night cruise as "nothing short of spectacular."

Not every departure will feel exactly the same — that's the nature of live captaining. But the consistent praise across nearly a thousand reviews suggests Ross runs a tight, genuinely fun operation.

Here's a straightforward breakdown of what the $55 ticket covers:

Important: no glass bottles

The boat doesn't allow glass — cans or plastic only. Soft-sided coolers are easier to manage on a boat anyway, so leave the hard-shell Yeti at home. Everything else is pretty open.

This cruise works well for a specific type of traveler. It's ideal if you:

• Want to see Millionaires Row, Port Everglades, and downtown from the water without paying $100+
• Are traveling with a group of friends or a social crowd who'll enjoy a party atmosphere
• Want the flexibility of BYOB — packing your own food and drinks makes this feel like a real floating dinner party
• Appreciate a captain who's actively entertaining rather than just piloting the boat
• Are on an afternoon tour and want the option to swim at the sandbar

Not suited for

Some guests will be better served by a different cruise:

• Travelers expecting a formal sit-down dinner with table service and a set menu — this is BYOB and self-managed
• Anyone sensitive to loud music or a high-energy crowd — the party atmosphere is intentional and present the full two hours
• Guests wanting a quiet, intimate sightseeing experience — try the Carrie B paddlewheeler or the Venice of America Evening Cruise instead
• Very young children — not prohibited, but the party-boat vibe isn't designed for them

What to bring

Pack your food and drinks in a soft-sided cooler (no glass bottles), bring your own ice, cups, and utensils. Non-slip shoes are a smart call on any boat. After sunset on the water it can be noticeably cooler than on shore — a light layer pays off.

Not allowed

Glass bottles of any kind are not permitted on board. Keep your cooler to soft-sided only and stick to cans or plastic. Beyond that, standard boating courtesy applies — the crew keeps things social and safe for a 45-person crowd.