Sunset Dinner Cruise on North America’s LARGEST Solar Boat! (6PM)

Sunset looks better from the water. This two-hour cruise pairs a quiet ride on North America’s largest solar boat with Charlottetown Harbour views and a full PEI surf and turf dinner. I like the unusual boat itself, and I like that the meal is far more substantial than the usual onboard snack.

The 6 p.m. departure gives you a pleasant evening outing without taking up the whole night. The main consideration is price: at $141.86 per person, this is a special-occasion meal rather than a casual boat ride. Weather can also affect the schedule, so keep your plans flexible.

The cruise has earned a 4.8 rating from 44 reviews, with 95 percent of customers recommending it. Praise centers on the food, crew, scenery, and the chance to meet people from different places. One fair criticism is that the commentary may not include as much Charlottetown history as you would like.

Key points to know before booking

• North America’s largest solar boat: The vessel is the main attraction, giving the cruise an environmental angle and a talking point beyond the harbour views.
• A full lobster and steak dinner: Your meal includes PEI blue mussels, Caesar salad, half a lobster, rib eye steak, seasonal vegetables, dessert, tea, and coffee.
• Two historic sights from the water: You’ll see old cannon battalions near Charlottetown and the site of a Mi’kmaq settlement and former French fort.
• Small maximum group size: The boat carries no more than 34 people, which should make the ride feel more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Alcohol costs extra: Beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks are available to buy, but they are not part of the ticket.
• Weather matters: A poor-weather cancellation can lead to another date or a full refund, but the booking itself is otherwise non-refundable.

A solar boat with a very different feel

The boat is the reason this cruise feels distinct from a standard harbour dinner outing. You are not simply boarding a restaurant with an engine and a view. Ride Solar presents the vessel as North America’s largest solar boat, making the ride itself part of the story.

That detail will appeal to you if you enjoy seeing a practical use of clean energy while sightseeing. It also gives the crew something unusual to explain as you settle in. One customer specifically praised the crew’s ability to explain the boat, so expect at least some attention to how the vessel operates.

The maximum of 34 people is another useful detail. It is not an intimate private charter, but it is small enough to avoid the scale of a packed sightseeing boat. You’ll have a better chance of hearing the crew and getting a clear view of the harbour without feeling lost in a crowd.

The boat has a restroom and WiFi. Those features matter on a two-hour evening cruise, especially since dinner is served onboard and you may want to stay on deck or by a window rather than cut the ride short. The available information does not specify how strong the WiFi signal is or whether seating is indoors or outdoors, so dress for changing conditions and ask about seating if that affects your decision.

What the 6 p.m. departure gives you

The cruise begins at 1 Weymouth Street in Charlottetown, at the same point where it ends. That simple start and finish makes the outing easy to fit into an evening in the city. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer after dinner.

A 6 p.m. start is well chosen for a dinner cruise. You have enough daylight to take in the harbour and historic points, while the later part of the ride should bring the changing evening light that gives the experience its name. The exact sunset view will depend on the date and weather, so I would not book this solely on the promise of a dramatic sunset.

The cruise lasts about two hours. That is long enough for a proper meal and a scenic loop, but short enough to leave room for another evening plan. You should avoid scheduling anything that requires you to leave at an exact time, since the duration is approximate.

The boat returns to 1 Weymouth Street. Since the cruise is round-trip, you can focus on the meal and scenery instead of watching the clock for transportation.

Historic Charlottetown seen from the harbour

The sightseeing portion includes two notable points connected to the harbour’s military and Indigenous history.

First, you’ll see the cannon battalions used to defend Charlottetown in the 1800s. Viewed from the water, the cannons help explain why the harbour mattered. They are not just old military objects. Their position reflects the need to protect the town and its approach during a period when coastal defense was a serious concern.

The second sight brings together several layers of the area’s past. You’ll see where the Mi’kmaq settled, followed by the place where the French built a fort to defend the mouth of Charlottetown Harbour before control later passed to the English. The location is now a national historic site.

That sequence gives the cruise more substance than a simple meal with scenery. You can connect the harbour to the people who lived there, the French presence, and later British control. Seeing the sites from the boat also gives you a useful geographic sense of the harbour’s entrance and defensive position.

The commentary may be lighter than a dedicated history tour. One customer enjoyed the dinner and scenery but wanted more information about Charlottetown itself. The crew has indicated that there is plenty of city history available, but that it is woven around the meal rather than presented as a nonstop lecture.

That distinction matters. If you want a relaxed dinner with some local context, the balance should work well. If your main goal is detailed military or colonial history, choose a dedicated walking tour or historic-site visit as well.

The surf and turf dinner is the real value test

The meal is not a token dinner. It starts with steamed PEI blue mussels and a fresh roll, followed by Caesar salad with house-made dressing. The main course includes half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, and seasonal vegetables.

That is a generous menu for a two-hour cruise. The local mussels and lobster give the dinner a clear Prince Edward Island identity, while the rib eye makes it a traditional surf and turf meal rather than a seafood-only plate. You also get a choice of two desserts, plus tea or coffee.

Food was one of the strongest parts of the feedback, with specific praise for the excellent supper. That makes the $141.86 price easier to understand. You are paying for the boat, staff, harbour sightseeing, facilities, taxes, and a substantial dinner, not just transportation on the water.

Still, value depends on how you use the experience. If you would happily spend a similar amount on a lobster dinner and also want an evening cruise, combining both into one booking may feel worthwhile. If you mainly want a short boat ride, the price will likely seem high.

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase but are not included. Add that cost if wine or a cocktail is part of your ideal dinner. The supplied information does not list the drink prices, so you should not assume that the ticket includes a pairing.

The menu is clearly designed for a celebratory evening. Couples, families marking a special occasion, and anyone seeking a memorable final night in Charlottetown are likely to get more from it than someone looking for a budget meal.

How the crew shapes the evening

A dinner cruise can succeed or fail on its crew. Here, the crew receives praise for both the boat knowledge and the overall hospitality. One customer described meeting people from different areas and remembering the trip for a long time, which suggests a social atmosphere rather than a silent restaurant meal.

You should expect some shared energy because the boat holds up to 34 people. The small size helps, but this is still a group outing. You may be seated near other diners, and the experience works best if you enjoy a little conversation and a communal setting.

The crew’s historical commentary seems to be selective. It may touch on several subjects around the dinner rather than offer a formal talk about every fort, cannon, and Charlottetown landmark. If you have questions, ask them. The available feedback suggests the crew can explain the boat well, and direct questions may help you get more local detail.

The English-language offering is useful for anyone comfortable following conversation in English. No other language option is listed.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want three things in one evening: a distinctive vessel, a proper PEI meal, and harbour sightseeing. It is especially suited to:

• Couples seeking a special dinner with scenery
• Families who want an easy evening activity with a full meal
• First-time visitors to Charlottetown who want a broad introduction to the harbour
• People interested in solar technology and unusual forms of transport
• Diners who consider lobster and steak part of the holiday
• Anyone who prefers a small group over a large sightseeing boat

It may be less suitable if you want a fast, inexpensive cruise, a detailed history lecture, or total control over your dining schedule. It is also not the right booking for anyone unable to accept weather-related changes, since poor conditions can cancel the trip.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Charlottetown. No specific information is provided about wheelchair access, dietary substitutions, or seating arrangements, so contact Ride Solar before booking if any of those details are important to you.

Price, timing, and the booking decision

At $141.86 per person, this cruise sits firmly in the premium dinner category. The price includes all fees and taxes, which makes the final bill easier to predict. It also includes a meal with several substantial courses, a two-hour harbour trip, the boat experience, and onboard facilities.

The cost is easier to justify if you compare it with a separate lobster dinner plus a sightseeing cruise. You get both in a single evening, without arranging transportation between venues. The trade-off is that you cannot choose a different restaurant or control exactly how long you spend at each historic sight.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 36 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Charlottetown dates are fixed, especially if you want the 6 p.m. departure. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the group is limited to 34 people.

The cancellation terms are strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If poor weather cancels it, you receive either another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

For that reason, I would avoid booking it on the first night of a tightly scheduled trip. Give yourself another evening in Charlottetown in case weather causes a change.

Should you book the Ride Solar dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a polished evening built around local seafood, a memorable boat, and harbour history. The food receives strong praise, the crew adds useful context, and the small group size keeps the experience from feeling like a large party boat.

Think twice if your priority is low cost or detailed historical interpretation. The cruise offers a taste of Charlottetown’s past, not a full history course. You should also be comfortable with the non-refundable policy and the possibility of a weather-related change.

My practical advice is simple: reserve early, allow flexibility around the date, and treat this as a special dinner with sightseeing rather than as a basic harbour tour. For many visitors, that combination is exactly what makes the price work.

FAQ

Where does the sunset dinner cruise begin?

The cruise begins at 1 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 0B4, Canada.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, 1 Weymouth Street.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the cruise depart?

This departure is scheduled for 6 p.m.

What food is included?

Dinner includes steamed PEI blue mussels with a fresh roll, Caesar salad with house-made dressing, half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, seasonal vegetables, a choice of two desserts, and tea or coffee.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

Tea and coffee are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but they are available to purchase onboard.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available onboard.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 34 people.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The booking is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.