Fort Lauderdale: BBQ Dinner Cruise & Variety Show

Dinner and a Show on Fort Lauderdale's Most Famous Waterway

You board at Bahia Mar for a fully narrated cruise past Fort Lauderdale's waterfront mansions and mega yachts, then head to a private tropical isle for all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs and chicken. After dinner, you catch a live variety show in an amphitheater (comedians, jugglers, magicians, and a Polynesian Revue finale), before cruising back to the dock at sunset. The whole evening is on one boat, so you don't arrange transport, timing, or dinner reservations separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise, dinner, show, and return

• Depart Bahia Mar Yachting Center
• Cruise down New River past Millionaire's Row
• Arrive at tropical isle
• Enjoy all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner
• Watch live variety show
• Leisurely cruise back to Bahia Mar

The experience

So you're sitting on the boat as it pulls away from Bahia Mar, and the captain's already pointing out the first mega yacht, and yeah, there are a lot of them. The Jungle Queen cruise down Fort Lauderdale's New River is narrated the whole way, so you're not just watching the water and the mansions slide past. Someone's telling you which ones belong to who, what those boats cost, the whole story. Millionaire's Row unfolds on both sides, and it's the kind of thing that makes you understand why they call this the Venice of America. The water's calm, the sun's hitting the palms, and you've got maybe an hour of this before the boat turns toward the tropical isle.

When you arrive at the isle, dinner's already waiting: all-you-can-eat BBQ baby back ribs and chicken with all the sides, and they keep bringing it. There's live entertainment happening while you eat, so it's not quiet. It's the kind of place where people are laughing and the energy's up. After you've eaten your fill, you head to the amphitheater for the main event: America's oldest running variety show. Comedians, jugglers, ventriloquists, magicians, singers. It's a full production, and the Polynesian Revue finale is the thing people actually remember. It's corny in the best way, the kind of show that works because nobody's pretending it's something it's not.

Between dinner and the show, there's time to walk around the tropical isle itself: lush foliage, exotic animals, and soft-serve ice cream at the gift shop if you've somehow got room. Then it's back on the boat for the return cruise down the New River, which feels different at dusk. The boat holds up to 385 people, but it doesn't feel crowded. There's deck space, and the ride back is quieter, more of a wind-down after the show. You're back at Bahia Mar by the end of the evening. Arrive 45 minutes early to board.

What’s included

• Fully narrated cruise down Fort Lauderdale's New River past Millionaire's Row and mega yachts.
• all-you-can-eat BBQ baby back ribs and chicken with sides.
• live entertainment during dinner.
• America's oldest running variety show featuring comedians, jugglers, ventriloquists, magicians, and a Polynesian Revue.
• access to the tropical isle with exotic animals and soft-serve ice cream.
• return cruise to Bahia Mar.
• on-board restroom facilities.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 18:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 385

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “After parking, please meet at Pier Dock A. You will Walk to A1A and head south through Marina Village and we are the last kiosk on the right hand side.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Jungle Queen Riverboat

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want dinner, a show, and a sightseeing cruise all in one evening without booking three separate things. The boat does all of it, and you're back at your hotel by the end of the night.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the whole experience?

The cruise and dinner show run for the full evening, from departure at Bahia Mar through the return cruise at dusk. Plan for several hours total.

Is the food really all-you-can-eat?

Yes. BBQ baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, and all the sides are included. You can eat as much as you want during dinner.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at the dock 45 minutes before sailing so you have time to board.

Where do I board?

The Jungle Queen departs from Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. All Jungle Queen boats have on-board restroom facilities.