Like rainy days and good books, Sydney Harbour and dinner cruises are a match made in heaven. Cruising the harbour on a floating restaurant, as the city lights sparkle and dance off the gentle-lapping water — a bucket-list-worthy experience for some and a leisurely wind-down from the day-to-day for others.
But with big names like Clearview, Magistic, and Showboat, choosing the right cruise can be a lil' tricky. The best Sydney dinner cruise really depends on what you're looking for — whether it's luxury, entertainment, value, or something romantic. That’s why we’ve compared the top three dinner cruises, so you can find the perfect fit for your night on the harbour.
Overview: Clearview vs Showboat vs Magistic
1. Clearview Glass Boat Signature Dinner Cruise
Clearview combines the city’s nightly splendour with a quintessential dining experience on Sydney Harbour, where you're treated to the Chef's Signature 4-course dinner in an all-glass setting, served with 360° views!
Inclusions: 4-course dinner, optional drinks, reserved seats, waiter service and 360° views
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7pm.
Why We Love It:
Every seat has incredible views — Clearview impresses with its all-glass design, impeccable service and the Chef's signature menu, it has everything you need for the perfect date night.
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
“We had a fantastic time on our dinner cruise. We were celebrating a wedding anniversary and were offered a free cocktail each. ( very unexpected) Food was amazing, Waitstaff were super attentive even though it was a very busy night. I would highly recommend this dinner cruise to anyone visiting Sydney.”
Choose the Clearview Dinner Cruise if:
2. Showboat Classic Dinner Cruise
Sydney’s longest-running dinner & cabaret show, the ‘Showboat experience’ offers a winsome combination of a deluxe dinner, show and spectacular harbour views — all woven into one show-stopping night!
Inclusions: 3-course dinner, 1-hour cabaret show, reserved seats and waiter service
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7.30 pm.
Why We Love It:
Showboat has been wowing guests since 1987 with a dinner cruise on the iconic paddlewheeler complete with a dazzling live cabaret show, at an unbeatable value — the perfect recipe for an unforgettable night out!
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
"If you’re traveling to Sydney, this is the only show you need to see! The dancers’ enthusiasm, the stunning costumes, and the high-energy choreography created an atmosphere that transported the audience straight to the heart of Paris."
Choose the Showboat Dinner Cruise if:
3. Magistic Buffet Dinner Cruise
A crowd favourite, Magistic delivers big on value with an international buffet, leisurely cruise, and three expansive open decks for those killer Instagram shots!
Inclusions: Multi-cuisine buffet, panoramic harbour views, reserved seats & waiter service
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7.30 pm.
Why We Love It:
A luxury catamaran, unlimited buffet that’s both tasty and plentiful and legendary views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – what’s not to love?!
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
"I was very pleased with the service. It was very spacious where my group were all comfortable to move around. I love it and will sure would go again on this cruise in the future."
Choose the Magistic Dinner Cruise if:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which cruise is best for romantic dates or anniversaries?
Both the Clearview and Showboat are perfect for romantic evenings. The Clearview's 4-course dinner paired with 360° views makes it a popular date night choice, while Showboat's cabaret energy adds that extra flair for a fun night out.
2. Which dinner cruise has the best views?
Magistic Dinner Cruise offers the best harbour views from its expansive decks and panoramic windows, while Clearview brings the nighttime views of the city right to the comfort of your seats.
3. Are children allowed on board?
Yes, all three cruises are family-friendly.
4. Are there vegetarian options on board?
All three cruises offer a vegetarian menu option. It’s important to notify the cruise operators about the same at the time of booking.
5. Can I get a discount if we come as a group?
Absolutely, we offer group booking discounts and limited-time deals throughout the year. Just call us at: (+612) 8296 7351 or send us an email at: book@australiancruisegroup.com.au to know about the latest offers.
It All Comes Down To Who Wants What
Now that we’ve served up all the juicy details, choosing your perfect dinner cruise should be a breeze. So, will it be the all-glass luxurious ambience of Clearview, the infectious energy of cabaret and dinner on the Showboat or the international buffet flavours on the 'Magistic Two'? Whatever you pick, one thing’s certain — your Sydney night is about to be one for the books!
Can’t decide? Who says you have to! There’s no rule against cruising them all. Romance one night, cabaret magic the next and relaxed family fun on another — Sydney Harbour cruising has room for all three. Why not make it a trilogy?
But with big names like Clearview, Magistic, and Showboat, choosing the right cruise can be a lil' tricky. The best Sydney dinner cruise really depends on what you're looking for — whether it's luxury, entertainment, value, or something romantic. That’s why we’ve compared the top three dinner cruises, so you can find the perfect fit for your night on the harbour.
Overview: Clearview vs Showboat vs Magistic
1. Clearview Glass Boat Signature Dinner Cruise
Clearview combines the city’s nightly splendour with a quintessential dining experience on Sydney Harbour, where you're treated to the Chef's Signature 4-course dinner in an all-glass setting, served with 360° views!
Inclusions: 4-course dinner, optional drinks, reserved seats, waiter service and 360° views
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7pm.
Why We Love It:
Every seat has incredible views — Clearview impresses with its all-glass design, impeccable service and the Chef's signature menu, it has everything you need for the perfect date night.
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
“We had a fantastic time on our dinner cruise. We were celebrating a wedding anniversary and were offered a free cocktail each. ( very unexpected) Food was amazing, Waitstaff were super attentive even though it was a very busy night. I would highly recommend this dinner cruise to anyone visiting Sydney.”
Choose the Clearview Dinner Cruise if:
- You want a premium dining experience on Sydney Harbour
- You want to celebrate a birthday or anniversary
- You want a cruise where every seat offers stunning views
2. Showboat Classic Dinner Cruise
Sydney’s longest-running dinner & cabaret show, the ‘Showboat experience’ offers a winsome combination of a deluxe dinner, show and spectacular harbour views — all woven into one show-stopping night!
Inclusions: 3-course dinner, 1-hour cabaret show, reserved seats and waiter service
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7.30 pm.
Why We Love It:
Showboat has been wowing guests since 1987 with a dinner cruise on the iconic paddlewheeler complete with a dazzling live cabaret show, at an unbeatable value — the perfect recipe for an unforgettable night out!
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
"If you’re traveling to Sydney, this is the only show you need to see! The dancers’ enthusiasm, the stunning costumes, and the high-energy choreography created an atmosphere that transported the audience straight to the heart of Paris."
Choose the Showboat Dinner Cruise if:
- You want to enjoy dinner, show & harbour views in one evening
- You’re celebrating a special occasion with friends or families
- You want to host a group event like Christmas party or team outing
3. Magistic Buffet Dinner Cruise
A crowd favourite, Magistic delivers big on value with an international buffet, leisurely cruise, and three expansive open decks for those killer Instagram shots!
Inclusions: Multi-cuisine buffet, panoramic harbour views, reserved seats & waiter service
Departure: Departs weekly from King Street Wharf in Darling Harbour at 7.30 pm.
Why We Love It:
A luxury catamaran, unlimited buffet that’s both tasty and plentiful and legendary views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge – what’s not to love?!
Word on The Water - Guest Testimonials
"I was very pleased with the service. It was very spacious where my group were all comfortable to move around. I love it and will sure would go again on this cruise in the future."
Choose the Magistic Dinner Cruise if:
- You want a value-packed night out on Sydney Harbour
- You’re with a large group or family
- You want a buffet with plenty of choice
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which cruise is best for romantic dates or anniversaries?
Both the Clearview and Showboat are perfect for romantic evenings. The Clearview's 4-course dinner paired with 360° views makes it a popular date night choice, while Showboat's cabaret energy adds that extra flair for a fun night out.
2. Which dinner cruise has the best views?
Magistic Dinner Cruise offers the best harbour views from its expansive decks and panoramic windows, while Clearview brings the nighttime views of the city right to the comfort of your seats.
3. Are children allowed on board?
Yes, all three cruises are family-friendly.
4. Are there vegetarian options on board?
All three cruises offer a vegetarian menu option. It’s important to notify the cruise operators about the same at the time of booking.
5. Can I get a discount if we come as a group?
Absolutely, we offer group booking discounts and limited-time deals throughout the year. Just call us at: (+612) 8296 7351 or send us an email at: book@australiancruisegroup.com.au to know about the latest offers.
It All Comes Down To Who Wants What
- Date night coming up? Clearview's the clear winner!
- Craving a fun night out with dinner and entertainment? Go with Showboat!
- Got the whole crew in town? Cruise with Magistic!
Now that we’ve served up all the juicy details, choosing your perfect dinner cruise should be a breeze. So, will it be the all-glass luxurious ambience of Clearview, the infectious energy of cabaret and dinner on the Showboat or the international buffet flavours on the 'Magistic Two'? Whatever you pick, one thing’s certain — your Sydney night is about to be one for the books!
Can’t decide? Who says you have to! There’s no rule against cruising them all. Romance one night, cabaret magic the next and relaxed family fun on another — Sydney Harbour cruising has room for all three. Why not make it a trilogy?
