Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise
Charleston, United States

Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise

Outty Ranking 46 3.6 · 201 traveler reviews2.5 hoursFrom $72
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Outty Ranking

46/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

3.6/5

Based on 201 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise worth booking?

Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise is a 2.5-hour experience in Charleston, United States, from $72 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.6/5 rating across 201 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
46 / 100
Rating
3.6/5 (201)
Duration
2.5 hours
From
$72 per person

Join us aboard the Charleston Princess for a fantastic evening cruise. We have partnered with a variety of local and regional musicians for a fantastic cruise featuring amazing live music, breathtaking views of the "Holy City" and a delicious BBQ buffet! Please keep in mind that while this started with Blues music more than 17 years ago, we are now offering different genres throughout the season! The delicious buffet includes pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac & cheese, cole slaw, buns and sauces on side, tea and water. Fully stocked cash bar on board! This cruise is perfect for date night, groups of friends, group outings, or any occasion. We are now in our 17th season and look forward to another great year!

What you get

    About this experience

    Join us aboard the Charleston Princess for a fantastic evening cruise. We have partnered with a variety of local and regional musicians for a fantastic cruise featuring amazing live music, breathtaking views of the "Holy City" and a delicious BBQ buffet! Please keep in mind that while this started with Blues music more than 17 years ago, we are now offering different genres throughout the season! The delicious buffet includes pulled pork, smoked chicken, mac & cheese, cole slaw, buns and sauces on side, tea and water. Fully stocked cash bar on board! This cruise is perfect for date night, groups of friends, group outings, or any occasion. We are now in our 17th season and look forward to another great year!

    What's included

    Included

    • Delicious BBQ Buffet Dinner
    • All taxes, fees and handling charges
    • Live Music
    • Dinner
    • Charleston Harbor Cruise aboard the Charleston Princess

    Not included

    • Parking (paid parking available on site)
    • Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
    • Gratuities
    • Souvenir Photo Package (available for purchase onsite)

    What you'll see and do

    1. Step aboard the 3 deck, Charleston Princess for an unforgettable cruise featuring live music from local and regional bands along with a delicious BBQ buffet provided by our catering partner. Please keep in mind while this started as a Blues and BBQ Cruise nearly 20 years ago, we have expanded to other genres of music based on availability.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge

      The Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge is one of the largest cable stayed bridges in the world. It was constructed in the early 2000's and officially opened in 2005 replacing the older Pearman and Grace Memorial Bridges.

      Pass by without stopping

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Charleston

    SeaBreeze Marina 50 Immigration Street Charleston, SC 29403

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    SeaBreeze Marina 50 Immigration Street Charleston, SC 29403

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Charleston Harbor Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • The Charleston Princess is not ADA compliant, however, we are able to accommodate guests with wheelchairs for the most part. Entrance to the boat is via a 30-foot ramp, which varies in steepness depending on the tide. Once aboard, there is not an elevator to reach the salon where dinner is served and the restrooms are located.

    Photos

    Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, photo 2Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, photo 3Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, photo 4Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, photo 5Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise, photo 6Sunset behind the band, Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 201 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    8 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    201 verified traveler reviews for Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    75
    4 star
    41
    3 star
    36
    2 star
    21
    1 star
    28
    Sort
    Cathy_B · October 2026

    Cool breezes with gorgeous Harbour views!

    Staff was Great! Cool breezes on the top deck with beautiful Harbour views of Charleston! Seeing the Ravenal Bridge lights at night from above was magnificent! Band was Great! Food was good.

    via Viator

    Paul_M · September 2026

    BBQ Blues Blues

    My wife and I were eagerly looking forward to the sunset barbecue blues Cruise but quickly became exasperated starting with the fact that the directions were non-existent to the meet-up site. There was an address to a marina 49 Immigration St. however there were no people at the meet up site at all. There were no signs at the meet up site at all. It was extremely frustrating and confusing 49 Immigration St. is a giant dock without a single person around it and we had to walk a quarter of a mile to the end of a pier to a bar and ask people there if they knew anything about it no one knew anything about it then I had to go up to several different boat captains of tiny little boats asked if they even knew anything about it and they didn't know anything about it. It was getting late and to our meeting time until finally one person said oh yeah, it's all the way down there and it was ridiculously circuitous to try to walk all the way around these ridiculous obstacles to get to the charter boat. That was our first problem not even being able to find the boat!!!. There was no signage no one to greet us. No communication. We finally get there like five minutes before the boat was gonna takeoff at 7 o'clock. No one greeted us. No one told us anything as we got on board. What was gonna be happening in terms of food the bar, the music, the tour, how long it was gonna be nothing so we wound up on the top deck looking for any kind of guidance or assistance and there was none so we just went down to the bar on the second deck and got ourselves a couple of drinks and went back up to the top deck, still waiting, waiting and waiting for anyone to say anything which they never did. So eventually, the boat took off and since we had already taken the Fort Sumter ferry cruise, we knew all about the the lookout points of interest, including the Yorktown, which they didn't point out; the destroyer right behind it; Fort Sumpter and various other places of interest which the captain didn't even say a word or point out so it was basically an anonymous cruise with the worst band we ever heard and I am a professional musician that's supposed to be a Blue's Clues. It's like an audition tape for who wants to be on The Voice and the audition should've lasted six seconds because the female singer was awful and I'm a music producer. It was embarrassingly bad and my biggest disappointment was there was no friendly guidance or a leader at all like when we took the Fort Sumter tour. There was an extremely experienced, knowledgeable and competent ranger that give us the history of Fort Sumter in extraordinary detail. There was nothing there. No one even said hello goodbye or anything it was we could've just been illegal immigrants or people from a homeless shelter we just stumbled on the boat and got off with it with this cruise. Viatour should absolutely not do business with this charter at all. The end.

    via Viator

    Catherine_C · September 2026

    A Good Time Was Had By All

    The actual ship was a little hard to find and took a while to get to, so do arrive early and ensure you park in the correct place and follow signs closely. The food was very good, and the band was great, but not what we would've described as a blues band. The sail around was very lovely with good views of Charleston.

    via Viator

    Teri_W · August 2026

    Music was Awesome - That is all.

    The boat ride was just a typical ride. Would have been nice if someone had pointed out what we were seeing. The food was not impressive. There were three types of sauces in bowls and they were unmarked. So the sauce I got was not something I would have chose if I’d known what it was. The only thing that made this experience worth the money was the live music.

    via Viator

    Joseph_P · August 2026

    The crew was most helpful...

    The crew was most helpful and presented themselves with professionalism. The BBQ was awesome and yge views of Charleston and the surrounding area was simply Gorgeous!!!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    2.5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    70
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 46

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)8
    Review evidence (18% weight)64
    Booking momentum (14% weight)59
    Value for money (12% weight)65
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)0
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charleston.

    How much does Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise cost?

    +

    Prices start at $72 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charleston usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise take?

    +

    Plan for about 2.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charleston is not rushed.

    Is Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.6/5 across 201 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Charleston, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    Around 70 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charleston can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charleston and add a light layer if any part of the 2.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charleston within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Charleston?

    +

    Charleston's best experiences are small: house museum tours with an architectural historian, Gullah heritage walks, harbour sails at sunset and Lowcountry food crawls through the market district. Plantation day trips vary enormously in how honestly they handle the history, and our ranking factors that in directly. On Outty we rank every Charleston experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Charleston historical walking tour with a Professor of History at The Citadel, Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour, Hidden Alleyways and Historic Sites Small-Group Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Charleston?

    +

    March to May and September to November, the two mild shoulder windows. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Charleston?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    Included: Delicious BBQ Buffet Dinner; All taxes, fees and handling charges; Live Music; Dinner; and Charleston Harbor Cruise aboard the Charleston Princess. Not included: Parking (paid parking available on site); Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase); Gratuities; and Souvenir Photo Package (available for purchase onsite). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    SeaBreeze Marina 50 Immigration Street Charleston, SC 29403 Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and The Charleston Princess is not ADA compliant, however, we are able to accommodate guests w. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise?

    +

    Across 201 reviews averaging 3.6 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, photo opportunities. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

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