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

Pattaya Bay looks best from the water. This 90-minute evening cruise combines an international buffet with a cabaret show by award-winning transgender performers, making it an easy way to pair dinner, entertainment, and bay views in one outing. I like the mix of seafood, Indian dishes, and familiar international food, and I also like that beer and soft drinks are included without extra charges during the cruise. The main drawback is crowd control: boarding and buffet service can feel rushed, and the advertised 90 minutes may not always feel like a full hour and a half.

For $45 per person, this is best viewed as a lively dinner show rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. The cabaret and photo opportunity will suit visitors who enjoy big stage energy and audience interaction, but guests looking for polished dining, calm seating, or a carefully paced meal may find the experience less satisfying.

Key things to know before booking

• The evening runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, with ticket exchange at Balihai Pier E between 6:00 pm and 6:15 pm and boarding from 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm.
• The boat mixes Thai teak decoration with 20th-century Shanghai-style design, giving the cruise more character than a plain modern ferry.
• The buffet includes seafood, Indian food, and international dishes, with unlimited beer and soft drinks included in the price.
• The cabaret features transgender performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests, followed by a chance to take photographs and interact with the cast.
• Photo opportunities may cost extra, with a 100-baht charge reported for photographs with performers.
• Crowding is a real consideration, particularly during boarding, buffet service, and the final photo period.

Arriving at Balihai Pier for the 6:30 pm sailing

You make your own way to All Star Cruise at Balihai Pier E in Pattaya. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow enough time to reach the pier on your own and find the correct exchange point.

The practical schedule is tight:

• Ticket exchange: 6:00 pm to 6:15 pm
• Boarding: 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm
• Cruise: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

I would not arrive at the last minute. The exchange window ends at 6:15 pm, and boarding begins shortly afterward. If you are staying elsewhere in Pattaya, build in extra time for traffic and for finding Balihai Pier E. The meeting point is listed as All Star Cruise Pattaya, Balihai Pier E.

Once aboard, the boat’s decoration helps set the mood. Thai teak details give it a traditional touch, while the 20th-century Shanghai-style design adds a theatrical, old-world feel. This is not simply a boat ride with tables placed on deck. The setting is part of the evening show.

The boarding period can be crowded, and there may not be much room to move freely as people find their seats. If having a comfortable place to settle matters to you, arrive at the exchange point early and follow the boarding instructions closely.

The welcome dance and first look at Pattaya Bay

The cruise begins with a lively welcome dance and appetizers. This gives the evening an immediate party atmosphere rather than a slow restaurant opening.

As the boat moves out, you can look across Pattaya Bay and take photographs from the cruise. The bay views are one of the strongest reasons to book this experience. You see Pattaya from a different angle, with the shoreline providing a changing backdrop while dinner and entertainment continue onboard.

The sightseeing element is not the main event, though. The cruise lasts only 90 minutes, and much of that time is given to food, the cabaret, photographs, and music. I would choose this for a social evening with views, not as a serious sightseeing trip around the coast.

The short schedule also means the night needs to run on time. A late start, slow buffet service, or extended photo session can reduce the time available for cruising. Some guests have found the actual experience shorter than expected, so keep your expectations practical. Think of it as a compact dinner show on the water.

What the seafood and international buffet is really like

The buffet is designed to appeal to a mixed international audience. You can choose from seafood, Indian dishes, and other international food. That range is useful for groups with different tastes, especially when one person wants seafood, another prefers Indian flavors, and someone else wants familiar Western-style choices.

The value depends heavily on how smoothly the buffet is managed. The food is included, but a buffet only works well when guests can reach the dishes without a long wait and when the food stays replenished and warm.

This is where I would keep expectations modest. Some diners have found dishes cold and basic, while others have been more accepting of the meal as part of an entertainment package. You are paying for food, drinks, a show, and a boat ride together, not for a high-end restaurant dinner.

A sensible approach is to take a small first plate and see what suits you before returning for more. Buffet service can become crowded, particularly if many people approach at once. The dining experience is likely to feel more relaxed after the first rush has passed.

The cruise includes unlimited beer and soft drinks. That is a useful part of the price, particularly if you plan to stay for the full show and enjoy a couple of drinks. One practical warning concerns temperature: beer may be served with ice rather than properly chilled. If you prefer very cold beer, this may disappoint you.

The drinks policy makes the $45 price easier to understand. A comparable dinner, drinks, live entertainment, and a short bay cruise purchased separately could cost more, but the quality of each part matters. If you mainly want a good meal, this is not the strongest value. If you want a lively evening where food and drinks are bundled with a cabaret, the price is more reasonable.

The cabaret show and Tiffany Beauty Contest connection

The central entertainment is a cabaret performance by transgender performers described as award-winning contestants from Tiffany Beauty Contests. Pattaya has a long-established cabaret tradition, and these shows usually rely on costumes, dance, lip-sync performance, stage lighting, and direct interaction with the audience.

Here, the cabaret takes place aboard the dinner boat, so the performance is close and social rather than presented in a large theater. You should expect a crowd-friendly show that forms part of the party atmosphere.

This will be the highlight for people who enjoy lively cabaret and colorful performance. The performers also interact with the audience after the main show, giving you a chance to take photographs with your favorite performer.

That photo session deserves careful attention. A 100-baht charge has been reported for photographs with the performers, so bring small cash if you want pictures and confirm the charge before posing. The photo period can also take up a large part of the final portion of the cruise, leaving less time for relaxed dancing or sightseeing.

If you do not want a photograph, you can simply enjoy the show and remain at your table. The experience is more enjoyable when you know in advance that the post-show interaction may involve an extra payment.

Music, dancing, and the final 20 minutes

After the cabaret and photo opportunities, disco music continues for the remainder of the cruise. This turns the boat into a casual party rather than a formal dinner setting.

The music works best for couples, groups of friends, and families who enjoy a social atmosphere. It is less suitable if you want to sit quietly and watch the coastline. The boat is small enough that crowd movement, buffet lines, and photographs can make the space feel full.

The last part of the cruise may feel especially busy. Some guests have found that much of the final 20 minutes is taken up with paid photographs. That is not necessarily a problem if the photographs are the reason you booked, but it is worth knowing before you board.

The cruise ends back at the pier at approximately 8:00 pm. Since no hotel transfer is included, you arrange your own onward transport after returning to Balihai Pier.

How the crowd affects the experience

Crowding is the biggest practical issue to consider. The boat can feel busy during boarding, and finding open space to move around may be difficult. Buffet service can also become disorderly if people approach the food before staff formally open it.

I would avoid rushing to the buffet the moment you board. Start with the welcome performance and appetizers, then approach the food once the first surge has eased. This will not solve every crowd issue, but it may make dinner less stressful.

Families should also think about the show format. The cabaret is lively and interactive, and children may become restless during the performance or photo session. Noise from the dining area can also affect your ability to follow the show.

The experience is not built around quiet personal space. It is built around shared entertainment, drinks, music, and a group meal. That can be great fun with the right expectations, but it is a poor match for anyone who dislikes busy organized outings.

Who gets the most value from the $45 price

At $45, the cruise offers several parts in one package:

• A 90-minute boat trip
• An international buffet with seafood and Indian food
• Unlimited beer and soft drinks
• A cabaret performance
• Pattaya Bay views
• Music and dancing
• A post-show chance to interact with performers

That bundle is the main selling point. If you would otherwise pay separately for dinner, drinks, and a stage show, the price can work well. The cruise also saves you the effort of planning several evening activities.

The value is weaker if you care most about refined food or a spacious boat. The buffet may be uneven, and the short duration means the cruise has little spare time. Extra payment for photographs should also be included in your budget if you want a picture with a performer.

I would call this a mid-range entertainment package. You are paying for convenience and atmosphere more than culinary quality. For a first Pattaya visit, it provides an easy introduction to the city’s evening cabaret culture without requiring a separate theater booking.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Arrive early enough to complete ticket exchange between 6:00 pm and 6:15 pm. Do not assume you can simply walk aboard at 6:29 pm without delay.

Bring a little extra cash for photographs. The dinner and drinks are included, but the performer photo session may carry a 100-baht charge.

If beer temperature matters to you, ask how it is being served before settling in. Ice may be used instead of refrigeration.

Take photographs of Pattaya Bay early in the cruise, when you are not yet occupied with food or the cabaret. The views are part of the appeal, but they can easily be forgotten once the music and performance begin.

For the buffet, avoid taking too much food on your first trip. You may prefer some dishes over others, and smaller portions help you return without waste.

Finally, treat the event as a lively group dinner with a show. That simple adjustment makes the crowded seating and fast schedule easier to accept.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Pattaya schedule may change.

The cruise duration is listed as 90 minutes, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Because the schedule is fixed, check the available starting time when booking and plan your evening around the pier departure.

Should you book the All Star dinner cruise?

I would book this if you want one convenient evening package combining Pattaya Bay views, buffet food, unlimited drinks, disco music, and a colorful cabaret. It suits visitors who enjoy social entertainment and do not mind a busy boat.

I would skip it if your priorities are quiet cruising, generous personal space, or restaurant-quality food. The crowding, rushed buffet, possible use of ice in beer, and paid photo session can reduce the value for guests expecting a polished dinner cruise.

My advice is simple: book it for the show and party atmosphere, with dinner as a useful extra. Arrive early, budget for photographs, and keep your expectations closer to a casual entertainment cruise than a luxury dining experience.

FAQ

Where does the All Star dinner cruise meet?

The meeting point is All Star Cruise Pattaya at Balihai Pier E in Chonburi Province, Thailand.

What time should I exchange my ticket?

Ticket exchange takes place from 6:00 pm to 6:15 pm.

What time does boarding begin?

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

What time does the cruise run?

The cruise is scheduled from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, for a total duration of 90 minutes.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The package 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. A cabaret performance by transgender performers is included in the experience.

Is hotel transportation included?

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