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

Pattaya’s All Star Dinner Cruise mixes three very different experiences in one short evening: a buffet meal, a bay cruise, and a cabaret show. The cabaret performance is the main event, with award-winning transgender performers, disco music, and time for photos after the show.

I like the easy format and the all-you-can-drink beer and soft drinks. I also like the boat itself, decorated with Thai teak and 20th-century Shanghai-style touches. The main drawback is crowd control: boarding and buffet service can feel hurried, and one recent booking account described a 60-minute cruise instead of the advertised 90 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• A short show-and-dinner evening: The cruise runs from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, giving you a compact night out rather than a long sightseeing cruise.
• Three food styles in one buffet: Expect seafood, Indian dishes, and other international choices, though food quality and temperature may vary.
• Cabaret is the focus: The transgender performers have won Tiffany Beauty Contests, and the program includes a photo opportunity after the show.
• Unlimited drinks are included: Beer and soft drinks are part of the price, but the beer may be served with ice rather than fully chilled.
• Balihai Pier is the starting point: You must exchange your ticket between 6:00 pm and 6:15 pm, then board between 6:20 pm and 6:30 pm.
• The $45 price depends on your priorities: It can work well if you want dinner, entertainment, and drinks in one package, but it is less appealing if you mainly want a quiet meal or polished dining.

What the All Star Cruise is really selling

At $45 per person, this is not simply a boat ride with dinner. You are paying for a packaged evening: a 90-minute cruise, buffet food, unlimited beer and soft drinks, live cabaret, music, and views of Pattaya Bay.

That package makes sense if you want an easy night with several forms of entertainment already arranged. You do not need to find a restaurant, buy show tickets, or decide where to go after dinner. For couples, groups, and visitors who enjoy theatrical nightlife, the combination can be good value.

I would not book it expecting a quiet, refined dinner. The format is lively and crowded, and the show takes priority over slow dining. The buffet is designed for speed and variety rather than the careful presentation of a high-end restaurant.

The overall rating is 3.6 from 85 bookings, which fits the nature of the experience. Some parts can be fun and generous, especially the show and included drinks. Other parts, mainly organization, crowding, and food service, may test your patience.

Arriving at Balihai Pier for the 6:30 pm sailing

The meeting point is All Star Cruise at Balihai Pier E. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the pier and allow time to find the correct ticket exchange point.

The 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 aim to reach the pier before 6:00 pm. Missing the ticket exchange window could create a problem, since the boat is scheduled to board soon afterward. The timing also leaves little room for a late hotel departure or a slow taxi ride.

Bring your booking details and check that you are at Balihai Pier E, not simply somewhere near the general pier area. The boat uses a Thai teak interior and a 20th-century Shanghai-style design, so the setting should feel more distinctive than a plain sightseeing vessel.

Boarding may be the least graceful part of the evening. One account described the boat as too crowded, with poor organization and limited space to move around. That matters because everyone is arriving at roughly the same time, looking for seats, drinks, and the buffet. You may need to get your bearings fast once you step aboard.

A welcome dance, appetizers, and the first views of Pattaya Bay

The cruise begins with a welcome dance and appetizers. This gives the evening an immediate party atmosphere instead of a quiet restaurant opening.

As the boat moves out, you can take in views around Pattaya Bay. The scenery is one of the reasons to choose a cruise rather than a cabaret theater on land. You get changing views of the shoreline, open water, and the city at evening, although the 90-minute schedule means the sightseeing portion is limited.

The boat is intended as part of the entertainment. Thai teak decoration gives it a warmer feel, while the Shanghai-style design adds a theatrical touch. I like this detail because the setting supports the show instead of feeling like a generic floating dining room.

Still, do not treat the cruise as a serious sightseeing voyage. The evening is built around eating and entertainment, not a guided tour of Pattaya’s coast. No guide names or detailed commentary are provided, so you should not expect a narrated account of the bay.

The buffet: seafood, Indian food, and international choices

Dinner is served as a buffet with seafood, Indian food, and international dishes. This range is useful for groups with different tastes. One person can choose seafood, another can go for Indian dishes, and a less adventurous eater can select familiar international food.

The buffet format also keeps the meal moving. You can choose a little of several dishes rather than commit to one main course, which works well before a show.

The main caution is consistency. Recent booking feedback describes food that was often cold and inexpensive in quality. Another account described people rushing to the buffet before an official opening, which created an unpleasant scramble and left some food being taken away uneaten.

For the best chance at a calm meal, listen for the crew’s signal before approaching the buffet. If the service begins in an unstructured way, the first few minutes may be crowded. Take a modest plate first, then return later rather than trying to collect everything at once.

I would keep expectations practical. The seafood and Indian selections add variety, but the $45 price also covers drinks, a cruise, and a professional show. The meal is best viewed as one part of the package, not the sole reason to book.

Food temperature may also be an issue. Buffet food can lose heat quickly on a moving boat, especially when large groups serve themselves at once. If you care most about dining quality, Pattaya has better restaurant choices on land. If you want variety with entertainment, the buffet is more useful.

Unlimited beer and soft drinks, with one catch

Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included in the ticket. This is one of the stronger value points, especially if you plan to enjoy a few drinks during the cruise.

The arrangement suits a social evening. You can watch the show, take in the views, and refill your drink without adding a separate bar bill each time. Soft drinks also make the package workable for people who do not drink alcohol.

There is a small but important detail: beer may be served with ice rather than fully chilled. One booking account specifically preferred colder beer without ice. If you are particular about your drink, this could be irritating, though it is hardly unusual on a busy boat.

Unlimited drinks can also make the atmosphere louder and more energetic as the evening continues. That is a plus for a party mood, but not for anyone hoping for a relaxed dinner conversation.

The cabaret show and the performers

The cabaret is the heart of the All Star experience. The performers are transgender artists, described as award-winning contestants from Tiffany Beauty Contests. Their costumes, stage presence, dancing, and polished presentation give the cruise its main sense of occasion.

This is not background music while you eat. The show asks you to stop, watch, and take part in the room’s energy. The program is followed by disco beats, so the entertainment continues after the formal performance ends.

I like the fact that the cabaret gives the cruise a clear identity. Many dinner cruises blur together with food, music, and scenery. Here, the performers create the memorable part of the evening.

At the same time, the show may not suit every audience. Children can be present, and one account described children interrupting the performance. Crowd behavior can also affect how well you see and hear the stage. If you need a quiet, carefully controlled theater setting, this is not that kind of show.

The performers also pose for photos and interact with the audience after the main performance. This can be a fun personal touch if you want a souvenir photo with a favorite performer. You should know that the photo opportunity is not included in the ticket price. A fee of 100 baht per photo was reported, so carry some Thai currency if you may want to participate.

The photo segment can take up much of the closing part of the cruise. One account described the final 20 minutes as focused mainly on paid photos. That may feel like an enjoyable chance to meet the cast, or it may feel like the evening is pushing you toward an extra purchase. Your reaction will depend on how much you enjoy personal interaction with performers.

Music, dancing, and the final minutes aboard

After the cabaret, disco music takes over. This changes the mood from seated show to party cruise.

The final part is less about scenery and more about music, drinks, and social energy. You can move around, take photos, and enjoy the boat’s atmosphere, though limited space may make movement difficult when the ship is full.

The advertised cruise ends at 8:00 pm, after 90 minutes on the water. One recent account reported only 60 minutes instead, so I would avoid scheduling an important dinner reservation or transport connection immediately afterward. The shorter report may not represent every sailing, but it is a sensible reason to leave extra time in your evening.

The boat returns to the pier after the music and photo time. There is no hotel transfer, so you will need to arrange your onward transport from Balihai Pier.

Who will get the best value from $45

I think the price works best for someone who wants several things in one booking:

• Dinner with a broad mix of food
• Unlimited beer and soft drinks
• A cabaret performance
• Music and a party setting
• Short views of Pattaya Bay
• A chance to meet performers and take photos

For a group, the package can simplify the evening. Everyone has a common plan, and the buffet removes the need to agree on one restaurant. The cabaret also gives the night a clear centerpiece.

The value is weaker for a diner who cares most about food quality. Cold dishes, buffet congestion, and basic ingredients would be more noticeable to you than the included drinks or stage show.

It is also a poor match for anyone wanting a peaceful cruise. The boat can be crowded, and the combination of loud music, buffet traffic, drinks, and photo activity creates a busy environment. You should book for entertainment, not solitude.

Families need to consider the tone as well. The supplied details confirm that children can be present, but the cabaret and party setting may not be what every family wants. The show is theatrical and adult-oriented in its presentation, even though the booking information does not set a specific age limit.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Arrive early enough to exchange your ticket during the 6:00 pm to 6:15 pm window. The boat is due to board only a few minutes later, so a late arrival could leave you rushing.

Keep some Thai baht available if you want photos with the performers. The reported price is 100 baht per photo, and that cost is separate from the cruise ticket.

If the buffet looks crowded, wait briefly for the first rush to ease. Taking small portions helps you sample more food and avoids carrying an overloaded plate in a tight dining area.

Choose this cruise with flexible expectations about timing. The official schedule is 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, but a recent account reported a shorter sailing. Do not place an important appointment right after the advertised return time.

Think of the evening as a show with dinner, not dinner with a little entertainment. That simple change in expectation will help you judge the package fairly.

Should you book the All Star Dinner Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, social Pattaya night with a cabaret show, open beer and soft drinks, buffet variety, and short bay views. The Thai teak and Shanghai-style boat design add character, while the performers provide the part of the evening most likely to stay in your memory.

Skip it if your priorities are excellent food, quiet surroundings, generous personal space, or tightly managed service. The $45 price is reasonable when you use the drinks and enjoy the show, but it is less convincing if you mainly want a high-quality dinner.

My practical call: choose this as a lively group outing, especially if the cabaret matters more to you than the meal. Arrive early, carry small cash for photos, and allow extra time after 8:00 pm in case the schedule runs differently.

FAQ

Where does the All Star Dinner Cruise depart from?

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

What time should I exchange my ticket?

Ticket exchange is scheduled from 6:00 pm to 6:15 pm. Boarding follows from 6:20 pm to 6:30 pm.

How long is the cruise?

The advertised duration is 90 minutes, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. A recent booking account described a shorter 60-minute experience, so allow flexibility in your evening plans.

Is dinner included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included in the ticket price.

Can I take photos with the performers?

Yes. You can interact with the performers and take photos after the show, but the photo charge is separate. A fee of 100 baht per photo was reported.