Romantic Dinner Cruises in Florida

About Romantic Dinner Cruises

Romantic cruises can be a lovely and memorable experience, but the wrong cruise can become the legend of bad dates. Understanding what can make a dinner cruise romantic will help passengers choose a dining voyage suitable for their romantic preferences. The following characteristics should all be considered before booking a culinary voyage:

• Time: Most dinner cruises set sail between 6 and 8 p.m. to take advantage of sunsets, starlight, cooler temperatures, and lower humidity.
• Duration: Longer cruises – three hours or more – invite couples to linger over a luxurious meal and still enjoy a dance or two without feeling rushed.
• Location: Florida dinner cruises can set sail from both coastal and inland cities depending on whether they are river cruises or ocean cruises. River cruises may be less troubled by rough waters, but they also have a greater likelihood of pesky bugs or noisier surroundings depending on the sailing route.
• Vessel: All types of ships ply Florida’s waterways for dinner cruises, including historic steamships, riverboats, and luxury yachts. The type of vessel that is romantic to one couple may be corny to another.
• Dress Code: Dinner cruises may enforce an upscale dress code for a more romantic atmosphere. A cruise that permits bathing suits or shorts may be less romantic than anticipated.
• Age Limits: Many cruise operators require passengers on evening sailings to be a minimum age, which could be as young as 12 or as old as 21 depending on the type of service the ship will provide.
• Menu: Depending on a couple’s tastes, a rich, savory dinner of steak and seafood may be more romantic than a Cajun-inspired buffet. Many ships include appetizers and desserts in their menus as well.
• Entertainment: Live music is popular on dinner cruises, but the romance level can vary substantially depending on whether that music is a Top 40 disc jockey or a string quartet.
• Cost: Discussing prices may never be romantic, but a couple should be sure their idea of a romantic dinner cruise can fit within their budget. Florida evening dinner cruises range from $50 to $100 per person depending on the style of cruise, location, type of cuisine, beverage service, and other factors.

Examples of Romantic Dinner Cruises in Florida

Once a couple has decided what type of dinner cruise they would find most romantic, they can investigate individual operators for different romantic options. Examples of romantic dinner sailings around Florida include:

• Yacht Starship Dining Cruises: Sailing around Tampa Bay, these luxury yachts offer four star cuisine such as seared salmon, braised lamb shank, and wine or champagne service with sophisticated live music.

A taste of Florida: Key Lime Mousse

• StarLite Cruises: Passengers aboard this line have their choice of a yacht or paddleboat sailing through smooth inland waters near St. Petersburg. Large picture windows create panoramic views that complement the luxurious dinner of filet mignon, shrimp veloute, or various pasta dishes.
• Rivership Romance: This historic rivership cruise along the St. John’s River departs from Sanford and features a decadent menu including citrus chicken, prime rib, eggplant parmesan, and other regional specialties.
• [http://www.sunquestcruises.com/ Sunquest Cruises: The yacht Solaris departs from Destin for regular dinner dance cruises with a romantic flair. The gourmet menu includes lobster manicotti, chicken picatta, pepper crusted beef tenderloin, and full bar service.
• Jacksonville Princess Yacht: This small yacht offers full service romance at the mouth of the St. John’s River in northeast Florida. The full dinner buffet features a range of delicious tastes to satisfy any preferences.

Where to Find More Romantic Options

The listings above are only a sample of the luxurious romantic dinner cruises in Florida. To find the best fit for their getaway needs, couples should investigate sailings in their preferred cities or in nearby coastal or river areas. Many luxury yacht companies are willing to charter dinner cruises for both small and large groups, and beachfront hotels may also have private dinner cruises available to serve guests.

Dinner Cruise Alternatives

If a dinner cruise is not suitable for your romantic plans, budget, or destination, there are other options for short sailings that can be romantic as well, including:

• Brunch or luncheon cruises, which are usually less expensive than dinner sailings
• Sightseeing cruises during the day to see native flora and fauna or in the evening to tour skylines and stargaze
• Wedding or special occasion cruises chartered through private yacht companies

Making Romance Happen

The key to a romantic dinner cruise, regardless of the type of vessel, cost, or menu, is to make it sentimental. Turn the sailing into a special event for a birthday or anniversary, complete with flowers and special time together for added romance. Request a sentimental song from the band, raise a glass in a romantic toast, or just spend a few quiet moments on deck to enjoy the best company of the evening together.

There are many romantic dinner cruises in Florida for interested passengers to choose from featuring a wide range of options to suit any romantic preferences. No matter what the type of sailing, however, if the company is exceptional it will be a romantic event.