Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music & Open Bar

A sunset dinner cruise is one of the easiest ways to get several things done in one evening in Key West: a sit-down meal, a few drinks and the view everyone comes for. You don't have to rush from a waterfront bar to a restaurant to make it work.

The cruise leaves from the historic seaport in Old Town aboard a custom-built 65-foot catamaran. The boat has two levels, each with a different job. Downstairs is a fully enclosed, air-conditioned dining cabin with two modern restrooms. Upstairs is an open sundeck with its own full bar and space for the musician. As the boat pulls away, grab a frozen margarita or a rum runner, the Keys' signature rum-and-fruit cocktail, and settle in.

Because the food is cooked on board, it comes out hot rather than sitting in chafing dishes all day. The buffet leans Cuban and Caribbean, reflecting the island's heritage. A typical spread includes:

Dishes may vary from night to night.

After dinner, head up to the top deck as the sky starts to change color. A live performer plays laid-back tropical tunes, and the upper bar keeps drinks coming. Some guests dance, while others lean on the rail and take photos as the sun slips below the horizon. The boat returns to the seaport after dark, which puts you a short walk from Duval Street if you'd like to keep the night going.

• Hotel transport isn't provided, so plan to walk, bike, take a taxi or use one of the paid parking lots and garages near the harbor. Parking fills up fast before sunset.
• Bring a passport or government-issued photo ID. It's needed at check-in, and every guest who wants alcohol must be 21 or older.
• The boat isn't wheelchair accessible. Moving between the cabin and the upper deck involves stairs.
• The menu is set. The buffet is a fixed tropical menu, so contact the operator before booking if you have allergies or strict dietary needs. Vegetarian guests will find sides like beans and rice, plantains, vegetables and mashed potatoes, but the main dishes are meat and seafood.
• Departure times change with the season. Sunset in Key West shifts by more than an hour across the year, so double-check the time on your ticket.
• This cruise often sells out. That's especially true on weekends, holidays and in the winter high season, so book a few days ahead.
• Plan your evening around the sunset. Eat early, then go upstairs about 15 to 20 minutes before sunset to get a good spot at the rail.
• Bring a light layer. The dining cabin is air-conditioned, and the top deck can be breezy once the sun goes down.
• Go easy on the open bar. Pace yourself and alternate with water, especially after a hot day in the sun.
• Prone to seasickness? Catamarans are steady, but the lower cabin near the middle of the boat moves the least.