How Much Is a San Francisco Dinner Cruise?
San Francisco dinner cruise prices on GetYourGuide in October 2026: buffet from $75, premier from $122 (dinners higher), Christmas Day $177, and what each includes.
A San Francisco dinner cruise costs from about $75 a person for City Cruises’ buffet dinner and from about $122 for its premier dinner, on GetYourGuide in October 2026. The Christmas Day cruise is about $177. Those are from-prices: the cheapest date and option on each listing. Your date, the sailing you pick and the drinks you buy on board decide what you actually pay.
What each ticket costs and includes
| Cruise | From (Oct 2026) | Included | Not included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffet Dinner Cruise, City Cruises | from $75 | Small-plate buffet, unlimited coffee, tea and soft drinks | Wine, beer and cocktails |
| Premier Dinner Cruise, City Cruises | from $122 | Plated dinner, DJ, unlimited coffee, tea, iced tea and water | Wine, beer and cocktails |
| Christmas Day cruise, City Cruises | from $177 | Holiday brunch or dinner, guaranteed table; champagne with brunch only | Non-refundable |
| City Lights Cruise, Red and White Fleet | from $58 | Two-hour cruise | Food and drink |
| Sunset catamaran, Adventure Cat | from $90 | 90-minute sail, one drink | Other food and drinks |
Prices as listed on GetYourGuide in October 2026, not a quote.
Why the price changes with the date
Each City Cruises listing sells two sailings: the Premier listing a brunch and a dinner, the Buffet listing a lunch and a dinner. The from-price is the cheapest of them on the cheapest date. On the Saturday dinner dates checked in October 2026, the Premier Dinner ran from about $122 to $188 on GetYourGuide, and City Cruises sells the same Premier Dinner directly from $170.32, fees and taxes included. The calendar above shows the real price for the date and sailing you pick before you pay anything.
What you will spend on board
- Drinks. Both City Cruises dinners include coffee, tea and water (the buffet adds soft drinks); wine, beer and cocktails are extra. The brunch is different: free-flowing mimosas and sparkling wine are included.
- Tips. The City Lights and sunset listings say tips are not included; the City Cruises listings do not mention them.
- Getting to Pier 3. City Cruises offers discounted paid parking at Pier 3, based on availability, and says weekday parking is limited; Embarcadero BART station is about 10 minutes away. The pier guide has the details.
Children
On both City Cruises dinner listings, children under 3 go free, as long as you select the free child ticket when you book. Red and White Fleet’s own FAQ lists $38 for youths aged 5 to 17 on the City Lights cruise and free for children 4 and under (checked October 2026).
The cheapest evening on the water
If the price is the deciding factor, two evening cruises cost under $60, and neither includes dinner: Blue & Gold Fleet’s 90-minute Sunset & Skyline cruise from Pier 39, from $39 , and Red and White Fleet’s two-hour City Lights cruise from Pier 43 1/2, from $58 . Eat at Fisherman’s Wharf before or after.
Check dates for the Buffet Dinner Cruise
Is the premier dinner worth the extra?
Yes, for an occasion: the extra buys a plated dinner instead of a buffet, a DJ, and a dressier evening with semi-formal attire, on the same bay loop from the same pier. If you mainly want dinner on the water at a fair price, the buffet cruise is the better buy. Both have free cancellation up to 24 hours before, so you can book now and decide later.
Dinner on the Bay for Less
City Cruises' Buffet Dinner Cruise leaves Pier 3 for two to two and a half hours with a small-plate buffet from three food stations, coffee, tea and soft drinks. Rated 4.6 from 40 reviews, from $75 as of October 2026, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Buffet Cruise Dates