WORLDWIDE · CONCERTS

Where to Sail: the 12 Best Concerts Afloat Worldwide

12 river trips  ·  from $9 a head

Good concerts afloat sell their best seats weeks ahead. Below: the 12 to book early, what each fare includes and how they differ once you are aboard.

Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance - The dinner choices and what they mean
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Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

1.Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Board at Akadémia 2 ponton for an evening Danube cruise with illuminated Budapest landmarks, live folk music, traditional dance, and a meal option. Choose a self-service buffet, wine and food pairing, or gulyás with mini lángos. The cruise runs about 90 minutes and returns to the starting dock.

“Fabulous night, food was amazing & entertainment really good and made everyone feel a part of it. Very well organised & seeing the landmarks of Budapest all lit up on the banks of the Danube a plus. Amazing!”

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Paris: 3-Course-Dinner Cruise on the Seine with live music - Choosing the right seating package
Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in France, Dinner Cruises in Paris, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Seine River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: 3-Course-Dinner Cruise on the Seine with live music

2.3-Course-Dinner Cruise on the Seine with live music

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,248 reviews · 2h 30m · from $135

Set out from the Eiffel Tower for a 150-minute Seine cruise aboard a glass-covered Bateaux Parisiens boat. Enjoy a three or four-course French meal, with vegetarian choices, wine or Champagne depending on your package, and live singing as Paris passes by. Upgrade for a front or window table, especially useful for a celebration or Eiffel Tower views.

“This was our last night in Paris for my daughter 21st birthday and we wanted something special . This was the best evening of our trip . We have been to bambino’s GiGIs and the Ritz . The food was magnificent and I don’t mean joust hot tasty and well presented . I mean this was one of the best meals we have had in a very long time. The flavours on that plates the attention to detail and the food was cooked to prefection .the chef / chefs on this trip are a credit to the company and the hospitality trade . The waiting staff and management were outstanding…”

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Paris: 4-Course Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music - The route from Pont Alexandre III to the Eiffel Tower
Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in France, Dinner Cruises in Paris, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Seine River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: 4-Course Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music

3.4-Course Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,827 reviews · 2h 30m · from $153

Board Bateaux Mouches near Pont de l’Alma for a 150-minute Seine dinner cruise. Enjoy four French courses, wine or Champagne, and live piano and violin as you pass the Louvre, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, and Eiffel Tower. Most tables sit by windows, while the Excellence option gives you priority views.

“The service was great. very friendly staff and willingness to help was very professional.”

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Paris: Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music - Boarding at 2 Rue du Ranelagh
Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in France, Dinner Cruises in Paris, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Seine River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Paris: Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music

4.Gourmet Dinner Cruise on Seine River with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,531 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $69

Board Le Diamant Bleu at 2 Rue du Ranelagh for a Seine dinner cruise with a three-course seasonal meal, live singer and guitarist, and a DJ set. You’ll pass Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the Eiffel Tower, with time on the upper deck for photographs. Vegetarian and vegan meals require 48 hours’ notice.

“There was a miscommunication and we turned up for the boat and nothing was there. I managed to call someone and they said it was later in the evening, but that wasn’t the time we booked. Anyway, when we went on it, it was amazing! The food, the atmosphere and the view of the Eiffel Tower ✨”

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Budapest: Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music - Parliament, bridges, and Budapest by night
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest: Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music

5.Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,154 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $129

Board at Dock 7 for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with Legenda Kft. You’ll receive a welcome drink, choose from several options for a four-course dinner, and hear live Hungarian music while the Danube carries you past Parliament, Buda Castle, the Citadella, Margaret Island, and Budapest’s illuminated bridges.

“A very pleasant evening. We were very lucky with the weather as it was a perfect evening for cruising along the Danube. Comfortable and well equipped, great service and first class food and drinks, with the unintrusive live music it all combined to make it a memorable evening, one I would highly recommend! We saw all the best sights of the city as the sun went down and the lights came on. If you treat yourself to one special night out in Budapest, you can't go far wrong with this one!”

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Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music - The Danube route and its nighttime views
Budapest River Cruises, Concerts, Danube River Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

6.Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,770 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $133

Spend about 2.5 hours on the Danube aboard a candlelit Legenda City Cruises boat. You’ll enjoy a four-course adult dinner, a three-course children’s meal, a welcome wine, beer, or champagne, and live music while Budapest’s bridges and buildings glow after dark. The cruise begins and ends at Jane Haining rkp. 7.

“Well organized. Food selection and preparation were excellent. The staff was professional and timely.”

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Amsterdam Jazz Canal Cruise with live music - The band and the atmosphere
Amsterdam River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Amsterdam, Canal Cruises in the Netherlands, Concerts, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, Netherlands River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Amsterdam Jazz Canal Cruise with live music

7.Amsterdam Jazz Canal Cruise with live music

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 832 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29Top rated

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals for about an hour while a live jazz group plays aboard the boat. Depart from KINboat near Central Station, with space for up to 40 people and several daily start times. The crew may include friendly hosts such as Michael, Charlie, or Moriz, though the exact musicians and guide vary.

“We did the tour with a baby and loved it. The tour company looked after our stroller for the duration of the boat ride. The skipper who gave the tour was great, educational and funny. The boat was nice. A really enjoyable afternoon.”

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Paris: Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner & Live Music - Choosing between the 6:45 PM and 9:15 PM sailings
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Paris: Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner & Live Music

8.Seine River Cruise with 3-Course Dinner & Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 570 reviews · 75 minutes - 2 hours · from $182

Spend an elegant evening aboard a small Seine River boat with guaranteed window seating, a three-course Maxim’s dinner, champagne, wine, and live singer-pianist entertainment. Choose the 6:45 PM or 9:15 PM departure. You’ll pass the Louvre, Notre Dame, Île de la Cité, and Eiffel Tower, with a romantic view from the water.

“The boat was very nice. The servers very attentive. Food was delicious. We were sat on the starboard side and had the sun in my eyes and to my wife’s back for the first half of the cruise. But they times it perfectly so that when we came back around to pass the Eiffel Tower it was right in front of us and sparkling for the best possible picture opportunity. Highly recommend.”

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Bangkok: Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Finding Warehouse 7 and 8 at Asiatique
Bangkok River Cruises, Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Bangkok, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Bangkok: Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music

9.Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 535 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Spend two hours aboard the Royal Princess, sailing from Asiatique with an unlimited Thai, Western, Japanese, and seafood buffet. You will pass ICONSIAM, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and Rama VIII Bridge while live singers and musicians perform. Choose the rooftop for open views or an air-conditioned deck, but expect crowds and assigned seating.

“Ten out of ten!!! The ride, the food, the experience was beyond amazing! You won’t even notice the 2hrs fly by.”

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Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert - The Salzach cruise, 40 minutes of city views
Austria River Cruises, Concerts, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

10.Salzburg: River Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 406 reviews · 5 hours · from $128

Cruise the Salzach River for 40 minutes, then walk to the funicular and ride up Hohensalzburg Fortress for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant and a chamber concert. Expect English or German assistance, smart-casual dress, many steps, and drinks at your own cost. Vegetarian meals require a request at dinner.

“this tour is a really good way ho spend a few hours in Salzburg.”

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Bangkok: Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Finding Warehouse 7 and 8 at Asiatique
Bangkok River Cruises, Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Bangkok, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Bangkok: Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music

11.Royal Princess River Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 376 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $28

Board the Royal Princess at Asiatique for a 90-minute to 2-hour ride along the Chao Phraya. The dinner option adds an international seafood buffet, live music, and traditional Thai dancing, with views of Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, ICONSIAM, and Rama VIII Bridge. Sunset sailings offer the scenery without dinner entertainment.

“We liked everything about the experience. The view from the top floor of the boat was perfect 🤩”

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Phnom Penh: Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music - Choosing the 5pm sunset cruise
Cambodia River Cruises, Concerts, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises with Live Shows, Mekong Delta Tours, Phnom Penh River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Phnom Penh: Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music

12.Mekong Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 261 reviews · 2 hours · from $9Best value

Spend two hours aboard Cambo Cruise on the Mekong, choosing a 5pm sunset sailing or 7pm city-lights trip. Expect plush seating, Khmer musicians, a welcome cocktail, views of the Royal Palace, floating villages, and Koh Norea Bridge. Dinner packages include unlimited freshly prepared dishes, with friendly English-speaking staff such as Ten and Sareth helping create a relaxed evening.

“Staff were so friendly and helpful, the food was delicious, drinks were well-priced and the whole trip was lovely and relaxing. Would recommend after a busy day in the city!”

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Canal Cruises191Dinner Cruises116Nile Cruises85Sunset River Cruises39Luxury River Cruises53River Sightseeing Cruises52
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