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

Want a simple night in Pattaya that mixes food and a show? This Balihai Pier E dinner cruise pairs an international buffet with a cabaret performance by transgender performers, all while you float along Pattaya Bay with unlimited beer and soft drinks.

What I like is how the experience is built around two big priorities: eating well enough to satisfy most tastes (including seafood and Indian dishes), then settling in for the cabaret onboard. One more thing I really appreciate is the extra friendliness after the show, when you can take photos and interact with the performers.

The main thing to think about is crowd control. Some past guests flagged issues like not enough space when boarding, a rushed-feeling buffet moment, and mixed impressions of food temperature and overall quality—so go with the right expectations for a $45 cruise.

Key things to know before you go

• Balihai Pier E check-in is tight: You swap your ticket 6:00–6:15 pm and board 6:20–6:30 pm.
• Food is a buffet, not a sit-down meal: It includes seafood plus Indian and international options.
• Cabaret happens on board: You’ll watch a show by award-winning transgender performers, then meet them after.
• Unlimited drinks are beer and soft drinks: Some guests found the beer not as cold as they wanted.
• Expect a party mood: Disco beats run after the show, during the cruise back.
• Space can feel limited: If you dislike crowds, plan for a denser-than-average boat.

90 minutes on the water: the real flow of the night

This is a short cruise—about 90 minutes total—which is exactly why it works as a value play in Pattaya. You get enough time to eat, watch the show, and enjoy the water views, without turning your evening into a long production.

The timeline matters because the boat is set up to keep momentum. You’ll do quick onboarding at the pier, enjoy some early on-board entertainment, then focus on the buffet before the cabaret. After the show, the vibe shifts into disco music and dancing for the rest of the cruise back.

If you’re the type who likes a calm meal, you might feel the pace here is more like a packaged nightlife evening than a slow-dining experience. The upside: you won’t waste hours deciding what to do—your evening is already organized.

Getting to Balihai Pier E and when to show up

This cruise starts at All star cruise Pattaya (Balihai Pier E). There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll need to handle getting there yourself.

Timing is built into the ticket process:

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

Here’s the practical advice: if you want a calmer boarding experience and a better shot at being settled before the buffet gets busy, arrive closer to the exchange window, not right at the cutoff.

The boat: Thai teak details with a Shanghai-era look

The ship has a mix of styles—Thai teak wood decoration plus a 20th-century Shanghai-style design. That might sound like an aesthetic detail, but it actually affects the feel of the night. It’s part of what turns this into more than just a ferry with dinner.

You’ll see the boat’s decor during the welcome phase and in the common areas while people move toward the buffet and seating areas. It helps the experience feel like something you’re visiting, not just something you’re passing through.

No matter what, remember this is still a working cruise boat. You’ll be standing in lines at times and moving around for buffet and show sections, so it’s not the kind of atmosphere where you want to sit in one spot for the whole 90 minutes.

Welcome dance and the buffet: how to eat on a moving crowd

Before the main show, you’ll get a lively welcome—there’s a welcome dance performance alongside appetizers. It’s the kind of opener that gets people in party mode fast.

Then comes the buffet. The food offering includes:

• Seafood
• Indian dishes
• International options

This is where expectations need to be realistic. A buffet on a short cruise can be hit-or-miss depending on how quickly you arrive, how crowded the line gets, and how food is managed on board. Some guests have complained about the food being cold or basic, while others felt the overall experience was fine. Your best move is to treat it like variety and convenience, not a gourmet tasting menu.

How to make the buffet work for you

• Go early for your first plate. When the boat gets full, lines and grab-and-go behavior can get chaotic.
• Mix hot and fresh-looking items. If something looks like it’s been sitting too long, skip it.
• Start with seafood and Indian options once the serving looks freshest. Those categories usually get the most attention.
• Don’t try to stockpile. It gets messy quickly on any crowded buffet.

The buffet is part of what you’re paying for—especially since drinks are also included. Just remember you’re sharing the space with a lot of people who may have the same plan at the same time.

Cabaret onboard: the show is the heart of the night

The big reason most people come is the cabaret show by award-winning transgender performers who have won previous Tiffany Beauty Contests. It’s performed right on board, so you’re not traveling to a separate venue or sitting through transportation gaps.

The show also includes a strong interaction component. After the performance, you can take photos and interact with your favorite performer. That’s one of the most distinctive features here. If you want a closer, more personal-feeling encounter—not just watching from your seat—this cruise fits.

Photo time: fun, but know how it can work

One thing to be aware of: photo opportunities can sometimes come with extra charges depending on how it’s handled on the day. Some past guests reported being pushed toward paid photos. I can’t confirm pricing for every sailing, so if photos are a priority for you, I’d ask how photos are handled when you’re onboard or right after the show.

Even without a paid photo, the main experience—the show itself—is still the centerpiece.

Drinks and disco beats: what included means in practice

Your ticket includes unlimited beer and soft drinks. That matters because it changes the value math. A drinks package can easily make or break the “worth it” factor on a night out.

That said, drink quality can be influenced by how it’s served. One issue raised by a past guest: the beer wasn’t as cold as expected because ice was used instead of the beer being chilled first. So if you’re very picky about temperature, keep that in mind.

After the cabaret, the cruise runs disco beats, keeping the party going for the remainder of the sailing. It’s not a quiet sunset cruise; it’s designed to keep energy up while you’re moving between the pier and the turn back toward shore.

Pattaya Bay views: the best photos come while you’re moving

This cruise runs during the 6:30–8:00 pm window, so you’ll likely catch that shift from late-day light into nighttime views over Pattaya Bay. You don’t need to be a photographer to enjoy it—just being on the water changes how the city looks.

You’ll also get a clear view while the boat is cruising and people are between the show, buffet, and social time. If you care about photos, plan to step out to a viewpoint area when the music isn’t too loud for talking over your shoulder.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, keep it in mind. The route is short and the boat is moving, so you might feel it more during lines and transitions than while seated.

Price and value: is $45 a good deal?

At $45 per person, this is priced like a mid-range Pattaya activity: not ultra-cheap street food chaos, but also not a luxury sunset dinner. The value comes from bundling three things together:

1. A 90-minute cruise
2. An international buffet with seafood and Indian dishes
3. A cabaret show with post-show performer interaction
4. Unlimited beer and soft drinks

If you were to separately price a dinner + drinks + cabaret entry, the bundle can make sense quickly. The only catch is that the “dinner” part is a buffet, and buffet experiences can be uneven on busy boats—especially when people pile in fast.

So I see the value case as strongest for people who come primarily for:

• the cabaret show experience
• the drinks being included
• the fun, social setting of being out on the bay

If you’re a picky food person who expects consistently hot, high-quality buffet items, you may feel less satisfied for the money.

Who should book this cruise

This is a good fit if you want a simple plan that includes both food and entertainment in one ticket. It’s especially worth considering if you:

• like cabaret shows and want a chance for photo interaction after
• want a night on the water without organizing multiple parts yourself
• enjoy party music and don’t mind that the boat may feel crowded at times

It’s not ideal if you:

• hate packed spaces or can’t handle moving lines
• expect a calm, upscale dinner service
• are strict about food being hot and carefully portioned

Booking smart: how to reduce your odds of a bad night

You can’t control crowding on a sold-out sailing, but you can control your timing and attitude.

• Arrive early within the check-in window. The ticket exchange is 6:00–6:15 pm, and boarding starts 6:20–6:30 pm.
• Eat before the buffet gets too chaotic. If the buffet moment feels rushed onboard, being early helps.
• Keep your expectations practical. This is a packaged dinner cruise with show and drinks, not a fine-dining restaurant.
• Be ready for social energy. Disco music and lively interaction are part of the plan.

If you’re sensitive to crowd noise or you want a more relaxed vibe, consider whether another calmer dinner option in Pattaya might suit you better.

Should you book the All Star Dinner Cruise?

If you’re mainly chasing the cabaret show onboard, want unlimited beer and soft drinks, and like the idea of an international buffet without planning multiple bookings, I think this cruise can be a fun night out for the money.

I’d be cautious if you care most about food quality and temperature, or if you strongly dislike tight space and crowded boarding. In those cases, the biggest complaint pattern is exactly what you’d want to avoid: crowding, buffet management, and inconsistent impressions of the dinner.

If your goal is a straightforward, show-first Pattaya night with bay views and a party soundtrack, this is the kind of ticket worth considering.

FAQ

What is the meeting point for the cruise?

The meeting point is All star cruise Pattaya (Balihai Pier E).

How long is the cruise?

The duration is 90 minutes. The cruise time runs 6:30 pm–8:00 pm.

Do I need hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to get to the pier on your own.

When do I exchange my ticket and when do I board?

Ticket exchange is 6:00 pm–6:15 pm. Boarding is 6:20 pm–6:30 pm.

What food is included?

The cruise includes an international buffet with seafood and Indian food options, plus other international items.

What drinks are included?

You get unlimited beer and soft drinks during the cruise.

Is the cabaret show included?

Yes. The ticket includes the cabaret performance, followed by a chance to take photos and interact with the performers.

Can I cancel, and how does flexibility work?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now & pay later.