Pattaya: All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet

Pattaya looks different from the water. This 90-minute dinner cruise pairs a buffet of seafood, Indian dishes, and international food with a cabaret show by performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests. I like the easy mix of dinner and entertainment, and I like that unlimited beer and soft drinks are included. The main concern is crowd control, since some recent outings have felt packed and less organized than the schedule suggests.

I also like the boat itself, with Thai teak decoration and a 20th-century Shanghai-style design. You get a lively evening without arranging transport between a restaurant and a show. Still, I would keep expectations sensible: the food is part of a large buffet operation, not a destination meal, and the advertised 90 minutes may feel shorter if boarding runs late or the program changes.

Key points to know before boarding

• The boat leaves from Bali Hai Pier E: Exchange your ticket between 6:00 and 6:15 pm, then board from 6:20 to 6:30 pm.
• The cruise runs from 6:30 to 8:00 pm: That gives you dinner, the cabaret performance, photos, and disco music in one compact evening.
• The buffet covers several tastes: Seafood, Indian food, and international dishes are included, along with unlimited beer and soft drinks.
• The cabaret is the main showpiece: Performers known as transgender princesses appear on board, with a chance to meet them after the performance.
• Photos may cost extra: The advertised activity includes interaction and photos, but recent feedback reports a 100-baht charge for photographs with performers.
• Crowding is a real consideration: Some recent departures have had limited space, disorderly buffet access, and a shorter cruise than the promised 90 minutes.

Starting at Bali Hai Pier E in Pattaya

Your evening begins at All Star Cruise Pattaya, Bali Hai Pier E in Chonburi Province. This is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to make your own way to the pier and allow enough time to find the correct exchange point.

The ticket exchange window is 6:00 to 6:15 pm. Boarding is scheduled for 6:20 to 6:30 pm, with departure at 6:30 pm. These times are close together, so I would not plan to arrive at the final minute. The pier can be a busy place, and you will want a few minutes to confirm the boat and exchange your ticket without starting the evening in a sprint.

The meeting point is listed as Bali Hai Pier E, not simply Bali Hai Pier. That detail matters. Check the map pin before leaving your hotel and keep the location ready on your phone. Since no hotel transfer is included, transport is one of the few parts of the evening you must organize yourself.

At the pier, the boat’s design gives the experience some personality. It uses Thai teak decoration with a 20th-century Shanghai-style look, which is more distinctive than a plain modern dinner vessel. I would not book this purely for boat architecture, but the setting helps the evening feel like an outing rather than dinner in a floating room.

A welcome dance and the first look at the buffet

Once on board, a welcome dance performance introduces the cruise. Appetizers are served around this early part of the program, giving you something to eat before the main buffet opens.

This is also the moment to get your bearings. The boat is used for dining, entertainment, and movement between tables, so space may feel tight when everyone boards at once. Recent feedback points to poor organization during boarding and crowded conditions, with limited room to move around. If you prefer calm, orderly dining, this may be frustrating.

The buffet includes seafood, Indian food, and international dishes. That range is useful for a mixed group, especially when one person wants seafood and another prefers spiced dishes or familiar international options. You can also continue with unlimited beer and soft drinks during the cruise.

I would treat the buffet as a practical part of the package rather than the main reason to book. Food quality can vary from tray to tray. Recent feedback reports that some dishes were cold and felt inexpensive, while another complaint focused on people reaching the buffet before an official opening and taking large amounts at once. The lesson is simple: visit the buffet when it opens, take a modest first plate, and return for more if you find something you like.

The beer also deserves a small warning. One recent booking praised the overall evening but said the beer was served with ice rather than properly chilled. That will not bother everyone, especially in Pattaya’s heat, but it is useful to know if you care about your drink being cold without dilution.

Dinner with Pattaya Bay outside the windows

The cruise gives you moving views of Pattaya Bay while you eat. The scenery is a key part of the value, since you are not only paying for food and a stage performance. The water provides a change of scene from Pattaya’s busy streets, and the cruise format lets you take in the coast while staying in one place.

The exact view depends on where you are seated and how much time you spend at the buffet. You may want to step away from the table for photographs, but movement can be difficult if the boat is full. I would take your first look around the deck early, before the show and buffet activity make the boat more crowded.

The cruise is short enough to suit an evening plan, but that also limits the pace. You will not have long stretches for a quiet meal, a slow drink, and extensive sightseeing. The schedule is built to keep things moving: welcome entertainment, buffet dining, cabaret, photographs, and disco music.

The advertised duration is 90 minutes, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. One recent account reported a 60-minute outing instead. That appears to be an operational problem rather than part of the stated schedule, but it is still a fair risk to consider when deciding how much you value punctuality and time on the water.

The cabaret performance on board

The cabaret is the heart of this experience. The performers are transgender entertainers, described as transgender princesses, and some have won Tiffany Beauty Contests. Tiffany is one of Thailand’s best-known transgender beauty pageants, so the connection signals a polished stage tradition rather than a casual table-side act.

You can expect a performance designed for a dinner crowd, with costumes, music, dancing, and a strong visual element. The setting is intimate compared with a large theater, which can make the performers feel close to the audience. It also means the room may become noisy and crowded around the stage.

The tone will not suit every visitor. Recent feedback describes the show as too focused on audience interaction and sales pressure, particularly toward the final part of the cruise. I would go in expecting a lively tourist cabaret, not a formal concert or a quiet cultural presentation.

The cruise advertises the chance to interact and take photos with your favorite performer after the show. This can be a fun part of the evening if you enjoy meeting entertainers and collecting a picture from the experience. However, recent feedback reports that photographs were charged at 100 baht each. Because the listed inclusions do not specifically say that these photos are free, carry small Thai baht notes and ask about the price before posing.

That simple question can prevent an awkward moment. You are free to enjoy the show without buying a photo, and you should not feel obliged to pay for extra interaction just because it is offered.

The final disco set and the return to the pier

After the cabaret and photo opportunity, disco music takes over for the remaining part of the cruise. This gives the evening a party finish rather than ending immediately after the stage show.

I like this structure for couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social night out. You can eat, watch a show, take in the bay, and listen to music without moving between venues. It is less suitable if your ideal dinner means a quiet table, attentive service, and time to linger over each course.

The return to the pier is scheduled for 8:00 pm. Since the cruise lasts only 90 minutes, the final disco portion may be brief, particularly if boarding or the cabaret runs late. One recent account said the last 20 minutes became mainly a period for paid photos, while another reported that children in the audience interrupted the performance. Those details suggest that the end of the evening can feel less polished than the promotional outline.

Is the $45 price good value?

At $45 per person, the price covers the dinner cruise, international buffet, seafood, cabaret performance, unlimited beer, and soft drinks. You are paying for a bundled evening, not just a meal.

The package can represent fair value if you want several activities in one booking. A separate meal, show, and waterfront outing could cost more and require additional planning. The included drinks also improve the value for someone who expects to have several beers or soft drinks during the 90-minute sailing.

The value drops if your priority is food quality, personal space, or a guaranteed full schedule. Reports of cold dishes, inexpensive ingredients, crowded boarding, and a shorter-than-advertised cruise make the price harder to justify for a serious food lover. Extra paid photographs can also increase the final cost.

My view is that the $45 works best when you think of this as casual dinner theater on a boat. It is not the strongest choice for a special gourmet meal. It is more reasonable for a first-time Pattaya visitor who wants an easy evening of food, drinks, scenery, music, and cabaret in one package.

Who should book the All Star cruise?

I would suggest this outing to you if:

• You enjoy cabaret shows and audience interaction.
• You want unlimited beer and soft drinks included.
• You are comfortable with a busy group setting.
• You like the idea of combining dinner, music, views, and entertainment.
• You are traveling with friends or family members who want different kinds of entertainment.
• You have a free evening and do not need the cruise to be a major culinary event.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet table, a carefully managed buffet, or a formal theater experience. The reports of crowding and buffet disorder are important, especially if you dislike queues and noisy group dining.

Families should also think about the show’s style and the audience setting. The entertainment is designed for a lively adult-oriented night, and children may find the stage action or late disco portion less engaging. The performance can also be interrupted when the room becomes noisy.

For the best chance of a smooth evening, arrive before the 6:00 to 6:15 pm ticket exchange window closes. Eat early in the buffet service, keep your phone ready for bay photographs, and ask about the cost of performer photos before taking one. Those small steps will not change the format, but they can help you get more from it.

My booking verdict

I would book the Pattaya All Star Dinner Cruise if you want a social, all-in-one night and accept that the food and organization may be uneven. The boat design, bay views, included drinks, and cabaret give you plenty to do in a short period.

I would skip it if your main goal is excellent dining, generous personal space, or a guaranteed 90-minute cruise. The overall rating is 3.6 out of 5 from 85 published ratings, which fits the picture: an appealing concept with real entertainment value, but some notable weaknesses in food, crowd management, and timing.

FAQ

Where does the Pattaya All Star Dinner Cruise meet?

The meeting point is All Star Cruise Pattaya at Bali Hai Pier E in Chonburi Province.

What time should I exchange my ticket?

Ticket exchange is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 6:15 pm.

What time does boarding take place?

Boarding is scheduled from 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm.

What time does the cruise run?

The stated cruise time is 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, for a total of 90 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport to and from Bali Hai Pier E.

What food is included?

The dinner includes an international buffet with seafood and Indian food options.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included during the cruise.

Is the cabaret show included?

Yes. The cabaret performance is included in the dinner cruise package.

Can I take photographs with the performers?

The experience includes the opportunity to interact and take photos with performers after the show. Recent information indicates that photographs may cost 100 baht each, so confirm the price before posing.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.