sun cruise manila bay reservation

Don’t be late for the Manila Bay Dinner Cruise by Sun Cruises

Manila Bay is a natural harbour in Manila that’s been facilitating trade and commerce between the Philippines and its neighbouring countries. It also serves as a jumping-off point for Corregidor and other nearby islands ripe for adventure . A growing number of locals and tourists prefer to end a day of sightseeing or shopping around the area to catch a spectacular view of the sunset. A unique way to do this is through the Manila Bay Dinner Cruise by Sun Cruises.

The idea of a dinner cruise is often tagged as “expensive”. It is also romantic, intimate, and truly special. I remember my brother-in-law proposed to my sister aboard a cruise ferry, also along Manila Bay, and I once celebrated an anniversary on a houseboat…

So, when I received the invite from Sun Cruises to experience a dinner cruise aboard the M/V Spirit of Manila, I was ecstatic… I was overjoyed on the day of the cruise… And a little late for boarding!

IN THIS POST

☑ Boarding ☑ Buffet Dinner ☑ Fireworks Display ☑ Rates and Schedule ☑ Reservations

Don’t be late!

The boarding time is at 5:30 PM. The ferry sails at 6 PM sharp.

In my experience, it is better to arrive at 5 PM at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal so as to avoid getting stuck in traffic along EDSA going to SM MOA Global Rotonda.

My first mistake was to arrive at MRT TAFT station at 5PM. I should’ve known better than anyone else never to brave EDSA during the rush hour… My second mistake was not reading carefully (or maybe understanding) the exact location of the ferry terminal. So this oversight led me to run 1.2 km in heels to make it to the sailing time.

(You don’t want to follow this schedule unless you want to end up ruining your curls and wedge shoes)

5:00 PM Arrived at MRT Taft Station

5:27 PM Stuck in traffic by the SM MOA Global Rotonda

5:46 PM Got off at the bus stop

5:52 PM Called the group I was near Seafood Island

6:02 PM Called the group I was near Vikings

6:10 PM I FINALLY boarded***

***My apologies to the other passengers on board

[message] Boarding

If I were a regular passenger, I wouldn’t have been able to make it since cruisers need to check-in before the boarding time just like in any other ferry rides.

Again, you should be at the Esplanade Seaside Terminal at around 5PM. Proceed to the Check-in counter, pay the cruise fee and a PHP 30 terminal fee. The staff will give you an identification sticker that should be placed on your chest all throughout the cruise. Do not lose this to avoid any problems.

At 5:30 PM, prepare to board the ferry. Follow signs and staff members to board your Sun Cruise ferry right away.

You may choose to settle in the lower deck of the ferry with chairs and tables close to the buffet station and also close to the restroom. But I recommend you stay on the upper deck for the best view and rather cooler experience. The live band is also on the upper deck serenading the guests during the one and a half hour cruise.

While waiting to sail, make the most of the golden hour and take photos with the Manila skyline as your backdrop. You can also enjoy the changing hues of the horizon with a cool drink on your hand as the sun slowly sets down.

Sail we go…

As soon as we started sailing, the ambience in the upper deck transformed. The music turned up. The lights became softer. I also felt it got cooler. Well, I was out of breath when I boarded so the breeze must have calmed me down.

I’ve always loved the wind breeze on my hair and against my face. Not only that it refreshes but also it reminds me a great deal of my childhood. Those times I was on top of tall trees, jumping from one branch to another like a proper monkey; or several rollercoaster rides with my sister. We were sitting in the front row. Those were ultimately fun memories…

Although I am fond of blasting speed, I still appreciate a slow cruise. That said, I thought you’d wanna know the ferry moves very subtly. It’s obviously unlike that speedboat I took in the Maldives wherein one passenger literally threw it all out because of its speed. This cruise won’t in any way make you feel seasick. In fact, you can move around (even in high heels), take photos, grab your food from the lower deck, take a short trip to the comfort room, and back to your table no sweat.

If in case you experience any difficulty moving around, the crew are all prepared to give a hand and assist you. Speaking of the staff, I must commend all the crew for being helpful, professional and courteous at all times.

[message] Dinner Buffet

The dinner might not be gourmet, but decent courses were served. The selections during our cruise: fish fillet with zesty lime sauce, baked chicken with pepper sauce, callos, roast pork with balsamic glaze, local salad, onion soup, steamed rice, bread, cupcakes.

If you have a big appetite, you can eat as much as you want. In my case, I loved (and ate much of) the fish fillet, salad, and cupcakes.

The drinks served were water and iced tea. You can request for soda in can or wine. I had a glass of red wine.

While we were enjoying our dinner, the live band played acoustic hits. They also invited anyone who would like to join them singing or dancing. Some passengers danced. It was entertaining.

Personally, I feel proud of the fact that we have this kind of cruise to offer to people visiting Manila. For one, the night scene surrounding the bay is amusing. Actually, the lights from the infrastructure and establishments plus the February breeze reminded me of the time we took a yakatabune or Japanese houseboat and had a dinner cruise in Tokyo . I’m happy to say I could enjoy this cruise as much as I did aboard that foreign houseboat…

Sun Cruises has been working on improving their cruise over the past three years and until now they continue to make their facilities and services better for the satisfaction of their guests. And they are doing a great job!

[message] Fireworks Display

Before the fireworks display, I already thought the dinner, the ambience, and the view from the ferry were already amazing. But the fireworks happened!!! Wow! What a romantic way to start the love month !!!

I really love that this dinner cruise gives a spectacular view of fireworks on Saturdays. I was able to capture decent photos as you can see below:

[message] Cruising Schedule

REGULAR SAILING:

PHP 1,499 per person

SAILING SCHEDULE: Mondays-Sundays 6-7:30PM | 8-9:30PM

(Boarding time is 30mins before the start of sailing)

For PHP 1,499 per person, passengers can enjoy:

✓one and a half hour cruise along Manila Bay

✓premium buffet dinner and drinks

✓live acoustic serenade

CHINESE NEW YEAR SAILING:

PHP 1,300 per person

SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 5, 2019 6-7:30PM | 8-9:30PM

(Boarding time is 30mins before the start of sailing)

For a special rate of PHP 1,300 per person, passengers can enjoy:

✓live acoustic entertainment

SPECIAL V-DAY CRUISE RATE:

PHP 2,550 for 2 persons (instead of PHP 2,998)

SAILING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 14, 2019 6-8PM | 9-11PM (Boarding time is 30mins before the start of sailing)

Inclusions:

✓ Two-hour cruise along Manila Bay

✓ Premium buffet dinner and one round of drink

✓ One round glass of red wine

✓ special token for couple

3-HOUR PYRO CRUISE 2019:

PHP 2,999 per person

SAILING SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 16, 23, MARCH 2, 9, 16, & 23 6PM -9PM

✓ Three-hour cruise along Manila Bay

✓ Cocktail Food bar

How to get to the Sun Cruises terminal address

Esplanade Seaside Terminal is located at the Seaside Boulevard SM Mall of Asia (MOA) complex Pasay City, Philippines. If you are getting off MRT/LRT Taft Station, take a cab straight to the terminal.

Book your Manila Bay Dinner Cruise by Sun Cruises

Parting Words

What a cruise I’ve just had! And what a run in heels before that! My experience has me agreeing the Manila Bay Dinner Cruise is indeed pleasant, safe, and so much fun; I’ll do it again. But next time, I’ll definitely take the cab!

Have you ever been on a dinner cruise? What do you think of the Manila Bay Dinner Cruise by Sun Cruises? Do you want to try it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below! If you know someone who’d be interested to try this, remember to share this post! Thank you!

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Sablayan zipline adventure guide.

Sablayan offers plenty of things to do. Among the exciting activities to try in this booming tourist destination is its island-to-island zipline which is dubbed as the longest in the world and the first motorized zipline pulley in Asia. (more…)

Spend the holidays with we bare bears grizz, pan pan and ice bear.

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Really! So many fun activities to do at SM Shopping Malls to make the holidays merrier with your little ones!

At SM City North Edsa’s The Block New Tower, you can enjoy dancing, doing art, decorating, or even basketball arcade games, of course with the WE BARE BEARS Grizz, Pan Pan and Ice Bear!

We Bare Bears is an American animated sitcom created by Daniel Chong for Cartoon Network . The funny yet witty series premiered on July 27, 2015 and has long been watched by both kids and the kids at heart.

Check them out from Dec 14 to January 31, 2019 😍

View this post on Instagram ‘Tis the season to be jolly! Really! So many fun activities to do at SM malls to enjoy the holidays with your little ones! At SM NORTH new tower, you can enjoy dancing, doing art, decorating, or even basketball arcade games, of course with the WE BARE BEARS Grizz, Pan Pan and Ice Bear! Check them out from Dec 14 to January 31, 2019 😍 Meet and greet your favorite bears on the following dates: Dec 22,23,29,30 . . . . #webarebears #holidaysatSM #bearymerrychristmas #bearymerrychristmasph #pmcmevents #holidays #christmas #kiddiechristmas #lifestyle #mommybloggers #familyblog #blogger #filipinoblogger #bears #grizzlybear #panda #icebear #cartoonnetwork A post shared by Erica Poyauan (@thegirlwiththemujihat) on Dec 17, 2018 at 11:03pm PST

What you can enjoy with your kids:

ALL-STAR BEAR-SKETBALL AND DRAWING

We spent most minutes here since Ethan is really into drawing. I enjoyed watching him trace on the/ color each of the three bears photos.

BEAR DANCE PARTY

Get your kid to socialize with other kids through this sort of Kinect rhythmic game. As for me and Ethan, doing this together was healthy minutes of fun bonding.

TREE DECORATION WITH THE WE BARE BEARS

We’ve already put up our Christmas tree but this has still been fun since the tree is bigger and my son liked the uncomplicated decors.

It is nice to have activities/ events like this in the mall especially when it involves cute characters we love.

You can also meet and greet your favorite bears on the following dates: December 22, 23, 29, 30. Buy their merchandize, complete the free activities in its station, take photos and yeah, don’t forget to have fun!

What do you think about this post? Do you want to meet the WE BARE BEARS bears? What is your plan this holidays?

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Sun Cruises began offering ferry services to Corregidor in 1988. This paved the way for guided tours, hotel bookings and subsequently, overseeing the management of Corregidor Inn, Corregidor Resort and the Corregidor Hostel. Sun Cruises is a trusted name in the tourism sector and with well studied itineraries framed for Corregidor, the company mixes history, nature, entertainment, adventure and information into a potent mix.

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Metro Manila / Travel Journal

Manila Bay Dinner Cruise – Is it Worth Your Time and Money?

by Iza Sanchez ·

The Jetty Terminal on the west side of Mall Of Asia

On the ferry a staff took my seat number. I flashed my ticket and she led me to the upper deck. I was pleased to be seated up there rather than at the lower deck which was enclosed. Considering it was a weekday, I didn’t expect a full boat, but, on that day, a company booked a group tour and it was quite busy.

As we waited for the rest of the passengers caught in traffic it began to rain so, plastic curtains were pulled down on each side of the deck.

Manila Bay is well-known for its beautiful sunsets and despite the rain that day the sky was coated in warm palettes of orange, pink and blue.

I gazed at the horizon and saw the bright orange sun slowly sinking behind some thick dark clouds. On the other side, haze loomed above the city creating a dramatic skyline. It was what photographers call “the golden hour.”

I settled back at my table and there before me was dinner composed of a bowl of soup and a plate with a slice of pork with some kind of barbeque sauce, breaded fish with mayonnaise, a cup of rice, and some corn and carrots on the side.

Our ferry slowly navigated back to the wharf where we shortly disembarked, and so that concluded our 90-minute cruise.

Cruising is a rare activity for most Manila natives, but anything rare has something unique to offer, so even if you’ve seen Manila Bay countless times, a leisurely boat ride can still be a rewarding experience.

The main take away for me was the opportunity to enjoy a glorious sunset and savor the brilliant evening lights as our ferry swayed on the gentle waters of Manila Bay.

Take a historical tour of Corregidor Island, learn more here:

Traveler’s Guide: Corregidor Island

If you enjoyed reading this article, please pass it on.

Photographs by Iza Sanchez

Tags: Philippine Attractions Philippine historical attractions

Iza Sanchez

Iza Sanchez is a freelance ESL Teacher, adventurer, and moderator of Take The Travel. She writes about solo-backpacking, travel saving tips and other awesome travel resources.

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16 responses.

Comments 16
Pingbacks 0

hi mam iza! I was browsing the net and I found your blog and fell in love with your adventures. I wish I have much time and have purchasing power as I go into a journey like this. Keep traveling and sharing your awesome adventures! 🙂

Hi Zee, thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed browsing my site. It’s always a pleasure to share a travel experience. I wish you many adventures too. Cheers!!

Hi ms. Iza. I enjoyed your article. I’m planning to go with some friends. I would like to ask if the lower deck is better or upper deck? Is there an irritating smell if we want to sit outside? Thank you.

Hi Nadia, the upper deck is better for sightseeing. The stench I mentioned was quite strong at the port but once you’re out in the open sea the air is okay. You might want to bring a shawl or a light jacket since it gets much cooler after sunset. Enjoy!!

Yes, I recommend seating at the upper deck. You’ll enjoy the views better. You won’t have to endure the foul smell at the wharf once you are out in the open sea. Have fun!!

happy new year ms. iza

i was looking for a date venue for our wedding anniversary, when i come across your blog. its really interesting to try this one out. do you think it will be worth to bring my wife here and experience this?

Thank you for visiting and I’m glad you like the article. I guess it depends on your wife’s preferences. If she likes being outdoors and enjoys sightseeing I think she’ll appreciate the experience. I must warn you, the food isn’t great but what I enjoyed the most was watching the sunset and the view of Manila’s skyline during twilight. After the tour you can walk to MOA and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and some dessert at some cafe near the bay. Hope that helps! Wishing you a happy anniversary. 🙂

How did you get the ticket? How much does it costs? Please let me know [email protected]

Are pets allowed

Hi Iza, I came across your page as I am looking for reviews about manila bay dinner cruise since my girlfriend and I will be celebrating our anniversary in October. As compared to Prestige Cruises, do you think Sun Cruises is good enough? Food tasting wise? Experience wise? Our chosen sailing time would be 6:15pm with Sun Cruises. Do you think we’d be able to see the sunset while sailing in the open sea? I’d really like to get an opinion cuz I don’t want my gf to be dismayed. Thanks for your response.

Hi Manuel, so sorry for the delayed reply. The cruise was fine, I enjoyed it. Although, at the port the breeze can smell really bad. But, like I mentioned in the article above, once you are out in the open sea, the air smells fine. The sightseeing was fun, take the 5:30 p.m. trip if you’d like to enjoy the sunset. The food was not impressive, so I suggest do the cruise then take your girlfriend to a fancy restaurant in MOA afterwards. There are a lot options at the mall. Hope that helps. Thanks and have fun! 🙂

How did you get the ticket? How much does it costs? Please let me know [email protected]

Hey Gemma, you can visit Sun Cruises’ website for more info or just go to their ticketing counter at the port along Seaside Blvd behind MOA. Cheers.

Do i need mke réservation for tomorrow dec 28 4 adult 1 kid 12 yr old

I want to book a Sunset cruise for 3 people this Sunday 18th September 2022.

We need info please. We are planning a reunion cruise by Manila Bay. Please give us details Thanks.

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Manila Bay Cruise by Sun Cruises

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Boring. As many other dinner cruises it is not existing. The food is not something you would do twice.

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A dinner while cruising along manila bay and being serenade by an accoustic singer is not a usual experience and this Is what manila bay sun cruise has to offer. Be mesmerized by manila's sea side es...

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The cruise was booked through GrayLine. I asked if the printed price had a discount and was abruptly told no. We arrived at 5.50pm as the sun was about to set - a sunset cruise should watch the sunse...

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Sarap pakinggan pag sinabi mong cruise, lakas maka sosyal, samahan mo pa ng dinner. Expected mo talaga kahit papaano above average ang quality knowing the price is 1499/head. But this dinner cruise he...

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Philippines
Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours
Dinner Cruises

Sunset or Night Dinner Cruise on Manila Bay

Hotel pickup and drop-off included
Spend a cool tropical evening in Manila cruising along Manila Bay
Feast on a wonderful dinner of Filipino specialties and enjoy live entertainment by a local band
Admire beautiful bayside sights including the Mall of Asia and Roxas Boulevard
Enjoy personalized service by your friendly boat crew
Choose from three cruise times: sunset, mid-evening or night

Inclusions & Exclusions

Dinner cruise
Hotel pickup and drop-off
English-speaking driver
Assistance services aboard the boat
Gratuities (optional)
Drinks, available for purchase

Departure & Return

from your Manila City or Makati City hotel

Monday to Thursday: 4:45pm and 6:45pmFriday to Sunday: 3pm, 5pm, 7pm

Returns to original departure point

What To Expect

Start with a Manila hotel pickup in an air-conditioned motor coach. Then travel to the Cultural Center of the Philippines to experience a sightseeing dinner cruise along Manila Bay and the city's beautiful shoreline. Climb aboard a dining yacht for the 3-hour journey. There are three cruises to choose from. On the sunset cruise, enjoy the world-famous Manila Bay sunset. The mid-evening cruise features the hustle and lights of Roxas Boulevard, the popular waterfront promenade which runs along the shores of Manila Bay. Or select the night cruise for a calmer atmosphere as the city settles down to close the day.Enjoy traditional Filipino cuisine - like a fish fillet with buttered vegetables and rice, plus drinks and dessert - while savoring the sounds of a live, local band. Be sure to make requests for favorite songs along the way and enjoy a truly unforgettable evening.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
If your hotel is outside the Manila City or Makati City limits, please make your own way to the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati at least 15 minutes prior to tour departure
After booking, please contact local tour operator to reconfirm exact pickup time and location (contact info is provided on your confirmation voucher)
For any inquiries after booking regarding the menu for the night of your cruise, please contact local tour operator
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Pregnant mothers are STRICTLY not allowed to travel for safety purposes

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel At least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Your Contact Details

Questions or requests.

Do you have questions or specific requests regarding this tour?

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