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

Pattaya’s All Star Dinner Cruise combines three classic evening pleasures: a buffet, an open bar, and cabaret entertainment. The boat’s Thai teak decoration and 20th-century Shanghai-style design give the night more character than a plain restaurant, while the bay views add a pleasant backdrop.

I like the seafood and Indian food choices, since they give you more than a narrow Western buffet. I also like the mix of show time, disco music, and performer photos. The main caution is organization: the boat can feel crowded, the buffet may be rushed, and some departures may feel shorter than the advertised 90 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• A 6:30 pm to 8 pm boat ride: Arrive at Balihai Pier between 6 pm and 6:15 pm, with boarding set for 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm.
• Three food styles in one buffet: Expect international dishes, seafood, and Indian selections rather than a single regional menu.
• Cabaret by award-winning performers: The show features transgender performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests.
• Unlimited beer and soft drinks: Beer is included, though it may be served with ice rather than fully chilled.
• Photos cost extra: After the performance, photo opportunities with performers require payment, with 100 baht mentioned for a photo.
• No hotel transfer: You must make your own way to All Star Cruise at Balihai Pier E.

A short evening on Pattaya Bay

At $45 per person, this is an entertainment package more than a serious food cruise. You are paying for dinner, drinks, a show, music, and a view in one compact evening.

That can be good value if you want an easy night out without arranging several separate stops. A buffet dinner in Pattaya, drinks, and a cabaret performance can quickly add up on their own. Here, they are bundled together in a single 90-minute program.

Still, the short duration matters. You do not get a leisurely sunset voyage with long pauses between courses. The schedule is tightly packed, and you will need to eat, watch the show, take in the views, and decide if you want performer photos within a limited window.

I would choose this cruise for a lively, social evening. I would not choose it if your priority is quiet dining, fine cooking, or a slow boat ride.

Meeting at Balihai Pier E

The meeting point is All Star Cruise Pattaya at Balihai Pier E. The ticket exchange period is listed as 6 pm to 6:15 pm, followed by boarding from 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm.

These times are close together, so do not treat the ticket exchange as a loose suggestion. You need to reach the pier, find the correct exchange point, collect or confirm your ticket, and board before the boat leaves.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That keeps the advertised price lower, but it also means you must plan your own route to the pier. If you are staying away from central Pattaya, allow extra time for traffic and for finding the right pier entrance.

The pier can be a busy place, and the boat may attract large groups. Arriving at the start of the ticket exchange window gives you the best chance of boarding without a last-minute scramble.

A boat with Thai teak and Shanghai-style details

The All Star Cruise is designed to be part of the show. Its Thai teak decoration gives the vessel a local touch, while the 20th-century Shanghai-style design adds a theatrical, old-world feel.

Do not expect a small private yacht. This is a social dinner boat built around shared entertainment. A full departure can leave limited room to move, particularly around the buffet and performance areas.

That affects how you should plan your evening. If you like sitting quietly at one table, you may find the layout busy. If you enjoy music, group entertainment, and a party atmosphere, the same layout can feel lively rather than restrictive.

The boat gives you a changing view of Pattaya Bay, but the cruise is not sold as a sightseeing voyage with a detailed commentary. The scenery is part of the setting, not the main event. Look out across the water during the meal and between performances, but keep your focus on the onboard program.

Welcome dancing before dinner

The evening begins with a welcome dance and appetizers. This sets the tone quickly: you are boarding an entertainment cruise, not a formal dining room.

The opening performance also gives you a few minutes to settle in, find your place, and see how the boat is arranged. If the buffet has not opened yet, use this time to enjoy the welcome act rather than waiting in line.

One practical issue is the buffet opening. On some departures, diners may move toward the food before the process is clearly organized. That can create a rush, with food taken quickly and tables becoming crowded.

I would wait for an official signal before filling your plate. Going early does not guarantee a better meal if the buffet is still being set up or if the first wave creates a bottleneck. A calmer approach should give you a better chance to inspect the dishes and return for seconds.

What to expect from the buffet

The dinner includes international food, seafood, and Indian options. That range is useful for mixed groups, especially when one person wants seafood and another prefers spiced dishes or familiar international fare.

The buffet format also lets you control your meal. You can sample small portions first, then return for the dishes you like. That is a better strategy here than loading your plate immediately, since the selection may not appeal equally to everyone.

Keep your expectations at the level of a group dinner buffet, not a destination restaurant. Some food may be warm rather than hot, and the quality can vary from dish to dish. Reports of cold food and inexpensive ingredients mean you should book this for the full package, not for a memorable culinary experience.

The seafood is a major selling point, but the available dishes are not specified. The same applies to the Indian and international selections. If you have a strict diet or need particular ingredients, the advertised menu does not provide enough detail to guarantee suitable choices.

The dining process can also be noisy and hurried. Groups may collect food at the same time, and the limited cruise period encourages people to eat quickly. If you want a relaxed meal, serve yourself early, then focus on the show.

The cabaret performance

The central entertainment is a cabaret show by transgender performers, described as transgender princesses who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests. The performance is intended to be glamorous, theatrical, and audience-facing rather than a quiet stage concert.

You can expect costume, choreography, music, and direct interaction with the room. The show gives the cruise its identity. Without it, the boat would be simply a short buffet ride with drinks.

The tone may be playful and forward. One important point is that the entertainment can include direct approaches and photo requests. If you prefer to watch from your seat, you can enjoy the performance without treating the photo session as compulsory.

Families should think about the format before booking. The show is not presented as a children’s stage production, and the room can become noisy during the performance. Children may also distract from the show if they are restless.

The program may not suit anyone looking for subtle theatre. It is a high-energy cabaret designed to keep a group entertained in a compact space. That is part of the appeal, but also the reason some people may find it too commercial or too aggressive in its audience interaction.

Photos, performer interaction, and the extra charge

After the cabaret, you can interact with performers and take photographs. This can be a fun part of the night if you want a personal souvenir and enjoy meeting the cast.

Budget separately for it. A 100-baht charge for a photo has been reported, so the included ticket should not be treated as covering every performer photograph. Ask about the price before posing so there is no awkward moment afterward.

You also do not need to join every photo opportunity. If you want to keep your spending close to the $45 ticket price, watch the show, take your own scenery photos where permitted, and skip the paid portraits.

The photo period can take up a large part of the final stretch. Some accounts describe the last 20 minutes being devoted mainly to paid photos. If you want more time for music, conversation, or bay views, decide early how much time you want to spend in the photo queue.

Beer, soft drinks, and the final disco set

Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included. For people who want a few beers with dinner, this improves the package value considerably.

The beer may not always arrive ice cold. At least one account specifically noted beer served with ice rather than properly chilled. That will not bother everyone, but it is worth knowing if drink temperature matters to you.

The final part of the cruise shifts toward disco music. After the meal and cabaret, you can listen, dance, or simply watch the boat and the lights around Pattaya Bay.

This is where the cruise works best as a casual night out. You are not expected to spend the whole time at the table. Move around when space allows, take in the view, and use the music as a relaxed finish to the show.

The boat’s crowd level can affect this section. On a packed sailing, movement may be limited, and finding a clear place for photos or dancing may take patience. The experience is social, but it is not spacious.

Timing, crowding, and what can go wrong

The published cruise time is 6:30 pm to 8 pm, giving you 90 minutes onboard. That is enough for a compact meal and show, but not enough for much delay.

Crowding is the biggest practical concern. A busy boat can make boarding disorganized, reduce open space, and create pressure around the buffet. If the program starts late or the food service takes time, the evening can feel much shorter.

Some departures have been reported as lasting about 60 minutes rather than the stated 90. I would not book this expecting a slow, full-length cruise with generous time for every activity. Treat the 90 minutes as the planned schedule, while keeping your expectations flexible.

The buffet may also be affected by group behavior. When many people collect food at once, dishes can disappear quickly, tables can become crowded, and food may not be eaten at its best temperature. Going directly to the buffet at the opening signal, then returning later, is the most practical approach.

These issues do not automatically ruin the evening, but they explain the middling overall rating of 3.6 out of 5 from 85 ratings. The cruise seems to work best for people who accept a busy, commercial party setting.

Is $45 a fair price?

At $45, the price is reasonable if you value the whole bundle. You receive the boat ride, buffet, seafood and Indian options, cabaret show, unlimited beer and soft drinks, and music.

The value weakens if you mainly want excellent food or a peaceful cruise. You may pay for dishes you do not enjoy, spend part of the time waiting in a crowded area, and have to pay extra for performer photos.

The package is strongest for first-time visitors who want a simple evening activity with plenty happening at once. It is also useful for groups with different tastes, since the buffet and show offer several kinds of entertainment without the need to coordinate separate bookings.

I would compare it with the cost of dinner and drinks in Pattaya, but I would not compare it with a specialist cabaret theatre or a high-end seafood restaurant. This is a broad, lively package rather than a polished luxury experience.

Who should book the All Star Cruise?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want a short, organized evening with food, music, drinks, and a show.
• You enjoy cabaret and direct interaction with performers.
• Your group needs seafood, Indian food, and international dishes in one place.
• Unlimited beer and soft drinks are important to your budget.
• You are comfortable with crowds and a party-style setting.
• You want bay views without arranging a separate sightseeing boat.

I would suggest another activity if:

• You want a quiet or romantic dinner.
• You care more about food quality than entertainment.
• You dislike buffet queues or crowded boats.
• You do not want to pay extra for photos.
• You need a clearly defined menu for dietary reasons.
• You expect the full 90 minutes to feel leisurely.

Book only if you see the cabaret and social atmosphere as the main attraction. If you do, arrive at Balihai Pier early, wait for the buffet opening, keep some money aside for optional photos, and treat the meal as part of a show rather than the reason to choose the cruise.

FAQ

How long does the All Star Dinner Cruise last?

The scheduled cruise duration is 90 minutes, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is All Star Cruise Pattaya at Balihai Pier E in Pattaya.

When should I exchange my ticket?

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

When does boarding take place?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Balihai 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.

Who performs in the cabaret show?

The show is performed by transgender entertainers described as award-winning performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests.

Can I take photos with the performers?

Yes. You can interact with performers and take photos after the show. A 100-baht photo charge has been reported, so confirm the price before posing.