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

Pattaya’s All Star Dinner Cruise mixes three familiar holiday pleasures into one short evening: a buffet dinner, an on-board cabaret, and views across Pattaya Bay. The boat’s Thai teak decoration and 20th-century Shanghai-style design give the evening more character than a plain restaurant meal.

I like the choice of food, especially the seafood, Indian dishes, and international staples. I also like the easygoing drinks package, with unlimited beer and soft drinks included in the $45 price. The main concern is crowd control: boarding can feel cramped, the buffet may be attacked before everyone is settled, and one account reported only 60 minutes on board instead of the advertised 90.

Key points to know before you book

• Thai teak and Shanghai-style boat: The cruise takes place on a decorated vessel rather than a simple sightseeing ferry.
• Three food styles in one buffet: You can choose from seafood, Indian food, and international dishes.
• Cabaret by award-winning performers: The show features transgender performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests.
• Unlimited beer and soft drinks: Drinks are included, though beer may be served with ice rather than fully chilled.
• Paid photos after the show: Photo sessions with performers may cost 100 baht, so carry some cash if you want one.
• Strict evening schedule: Exchange your ticket from 6:00 to 6:15 p.m., board from 6:20 to 6:30 p.m., and cruise from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Boarding at Bali Hai Pier before sunset

You’ll meet the boat at All Star Cruise Pattaya, Bali Hai Pier E, in Chonburi Province. The ticket exchange window is short, from 6:00 to 6:15 p.m., followed by boarding between 6:20 and 6:30 p.m. The cruise is scheduled to leave at 6:30 p.m.

That timing matters. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the pier. Give yourself enough time to reach Bali Hai Pier and find the correct area. The meeting point is specific, but the pier can be busy, and a late arrival would be a poor start to an evening with such a fixed timetable.

The boat itself is part of the attraction. Its Thai teak decoration and 20th-century Shanghai-style design create a theatrical setting before the performers even appear. You are not boarding a sleek modern yacht. You are stepping onto a decorated dinner boat built for an evening of food, music, photographs, and show business.

The weak point is space. The ship can feel crowded during boarding, with limited room to move around once people begin finding tables and lining up for food. If you prefer a quiet, carefully spaced meal, this is not the right kind of cruise. If you see it as a lively group night out, the packed setting may feel more acceptable.

The welcome dance sets the tone

Once on board, you can expect a welcome dance performance alongside appetizers. This gives the evening an immediate party feel rather than a slow restaurant-style opening.

I would treat the welcome as an introduction to the show, not a major performance in itself. The central cabaret comes later, and the first few minutes are also when you need to get your bearings, find your place, and decide when to approach the buffet.

The ship’s schedule appears designed to keep the evening moving. Food, live entertainment, scenic views, and music share the same 90-minute window. That keeps the night from dragging, but it also means the meal is not leisurely. You may need to choose between eating, watching the stage, taking photographs, and looking out across the bay.

What the buffet offers for $45

The $45 price includes the dinner cruise, the cabaret performance, an international buffet with seafood, and unlimited beer and soft drinks. That is a reasonable package if you want several activities together and expect to drink during the evening.

The food selection is broad rather than specialized. Seafood gives you a familiar Pattaya holiday option, Indian food adds a stronger regional choice, and international dishes help groups with different tastes find something suitable. This is useful when you are traveling with family or friends who do not all want the same meal.

Still, you should keep your expectations in check. The buffet is designed for volume and variety, not a fine-dining meal. One account found much of the food cold and described the overall quality as very basic. That does not mean every dish will disappoint, but it is sensible to see dinner as part of the entertainment package rather than the main reason to book.

The timing of the buffet can also affect your meal. A crowded boarding period may lead to people reaching the food before the dining flow is properly organized. You might find queues, crowded serving areas, or dishes needing to be replenished. Take a sensible portion first, then return for more once the initial rush settles.

The food is most valuable to you if you want choice and convenience. You can sample several styles without paying for separate meals, and the buffet keeps the whole group in one place. It is less valuable if you are seeking carefully prepared seafood or a calm, restaurant-quality dinner.

Unlimited drinks, with one practical caution

Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included, which helps explain the $45 price. For a social evening, this is one of the stronger features. You do not need to keep opening your wallet for every drink, and you can spend more of the short cruise enjoying the music and views.

There is one small issue to know about. Beer may be served with ice rather than fully chilled. If you are particular about your beer, that can be disappointing. If you are mainly looking for a cold drink while watching the show, it may not matter much.

The drink package also changes the feel of the evening. This is not a quiet bay cruise with one drink at sunset. It is a short, social boat party with a buffet, a stage show, disco music, and unlimited beverages. You should choose it for that mix, not for peaceful scenery alone.

The cabaret is the main event

The featured performance comes from transgender cabaret performers described as former Tiffany Beauty Contest winners. That gives the show a clear Pattaya identity and adds a polished beauty-pageant style to the evening.

You can expect costumes, music, choreography, and stage presentation rather than a spoken tour of Pattaya. The cabaret is meant to entertain a mixed international crowd, so the appeal comes from spectacle and energy more than cultural explanation.

The performers also interact with the audience after the show. You can take photographs and meet your favorite performer, which gives the evening a more personal finish than watching from a table and immediately leaving.

There is an important cost to watch. Photo opportunities may involve a charge of 100 baht. Ask about the price before posing, especially if you are traveling with children or a larger group. The photo period can also take up the final part of the cruise, leaving less time for music, conversation, or views.

One account described the last 20 minutes as being largely devoted to paid photographs. That may suit you if meeting the performers is the highlight. It may feel like an awkward sales moment if you would rather have a longer show or more open time on deck.

Pattaya Bay views between courses

The cruise gives you a different angle on Pattaya. From the water, you can look back toward the city and see the bay while eating and listening to music. The views are a useful reason to choose the boat over a cabaret theater on land.

The cruise takes place from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., so the changing evening light should be part of the appeal. The supplied schedule does not promise a particular sunset or route, so you should not book this solely for a specific view. Instead, think of the scenery as a pleasant layer around the meal and show.

The best moments may come between planned activities: a drink in hand, music playing, and Pattaya receding behind you. Yet the boat’s crowded design can make it harder to find a quiet spot. You may need to enjoy the bay from your table or shared areas rather than expecting a private viewing position.

Disco music closes the evening

After the cabaret and photographs, disco beats continue for the remainder of the cruise. This keeps the energy up and gives you something to do once the main show ends.

I like this format for a group of friends, couples who enjoy nightlife, or anyone wanting a simple evening without planning several separate stops. The cruise combines dinner and entertainment in one booking, and the music can make the short sailing feel like a proper night out.

The same format may frustrate you if you want a long, formal cabaret production. The full cruise is only 90 minutes, and that time includes boarding, food, welcome entertainment, the main show, photos, and disco music. Every part receives a limited share of the evening.

One account reported a total time of about 60 minutes instead of the scheduled 90. The official timetable remains 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., but this difference is worth keeping in mind if you are arranging another activity afterward. Leave room in your plans rather than booking a tightly timed show or transfer immediately after the cruise.

Who gets the best value from this cruise

You will likely get the most from the All Star Cruise if you want several easy pleasures in one package:

• A group with different food preferences
• People who enjoy cabaret and photo opportunities
• Visitors who want unlimited beer and soft drinks
• First-time visitors seeking a short view of Pattaya Bay
• Families or friends who prefer organized entertainment to planning a full evening

The cruise is less suitable for you if food quality is the top priority. The buffet has plenty of choice, but reports of cold or basic dishes mean you should not compare it with a dedicated seafood restaurant.

It is also a poor fit if you dislike crowded spaces. Boarding and buffet service can be disorderly, and the boat may not provide much room to move around. The show can also be interrupted by noise and movement, especially when children are present.

Finally, consider your attitude toward the photo session. If you enjoy meeting performers and taking pictures, the interaction is a bonus. If you dislike paid photographs or aggressive sales pressure, you may prefer to watch the cabaret and skip that part.

How to judge the $45 price

At $45 per person, you are paying for a bundle: a 90-minute cruise, buffet dinner, seafood and Indian choices, cabaret, unlimited beer and soft drinks, music, and bay views. The value is strongest when you use several of those features.

The price is less convincing if you mainly want dinner. A basic buffet, an uncertain food temperature, and a short dining period do not make this a strong food-first purchase. You would be paying for entertainment that you might not care about.

The drink allowance can make the cost work better for you. If you would buy several beers or soft drinks during a night out, the included drinks add real value. If you do not drink, the price depends more heavily on how much you enjoy the cabaret and boat setting.

The cruise also saves planning time. You do not need to arrange a separate dinner, show, and evening bar stop. That convenience has value, especially when your time in Pattaya is limited.

Booking details worth keeping close

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking allows you to reserve now and pay later. The activity provider is OTO TRIP SERVICE CO., LTD.

The meeting point is All Star Cruise Pattaya at Bali Hai Pier E. Exchange your ticket between 6:00 and 6:15 p.m., board between 6:20 and 6:30 p.m., and expect the cruise to run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Hotel transportation is not included. You need to reach the pier on your own, and the fixed boarding window means you should not treat the start time casually.

Should you book the All Star Dinner Cruise?

Book it if you want a compact Pattaya night with food, drinks, cabaret, music, and bay views all in one place. The Thai teak boat, transgender cabaret performers, and photo opportunity give it a clear personality, while the seafood, Indian, and international buffet makes it easy for a mixed group.

Skip it if you want a peaceful cruise, a refined dinner, or a carefully controlled performance. The crowding, basic buffet quality, possible photo charge, and uncertainty about the full 90-minute duration are real considerations.

My practical advice is simple: book this as a lively entertainment package, not as a premium dinner. Arrive early, keep the schedule in mind, ask about photo costs, and use the buffet and drinks to make the $45 price work for you.

FAQ

Where does the All Star Dinner Cruise depart from?

It departs from All Star Cruise Pattaya at Bali Hai Pier E in Chonburi Province, Thailand.

What time do I exchange my ticket?

Ticket exchange takes place from 6:00 to 6:15 p.m.

What time is boarding?

Boarding is scheduled from 6:20 to 6:30 p.m.

What time does the cruise run?

The scheduled cruise time is 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., for a total of 90 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What food is served?

The buffet includes international food, seafood, and Indian food options.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer and soft drinks are included.

What entertainment is provided?

The cruise includes a welcome dance, a cabaret performance, disco music, and interaction with performers after the show.

Who performs in the cabaret?

The show is performed by transgender performers who have won Tiffany Beauty Contests.

Can I take photographs with the performers?

Yes. You can interact with the performers and take photographs after the show. A 100-baht photo charge may apply.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.