Solaris - MIRAMAR BEACH

From start to finish this was an incredible experience. Food was great, service great, entertainment great… a cruise and dinner for under $100 person

Even though it was raining and wasn’t able to sail due to me mechanical issues…the experience was overall great. The staff was very nice and accommodating, the live entertainment was nice as well. Just wish we could’ve sailed around the coast…that would’ve made it that more special on my Honey’s Birthday.

We really enjoyed ourselves on this cruise. This was our first kid-free vacation in 20+ years so we wanted to go all out. Our server Chris was excellent. I had the mahi mahi crab, my wife had the short ribs shrimp. Both were excellent. We also ordered an off-menu drink, and the bartender was friendly and eager to make it for us. We also ordered one of the romance packages, and it was totally worth it! The live music was a two-piece husband and wife band, she on a drum kit, and he played everything else. Their musical selection covered everything, from Sinatra to Fleetwood Mac to TLC.

My husband and I went on the dinner cruise this weekend. Overall 5 stars. The views were beautiful, the food was good and plentiful. You have to pay extra if you’d like an appetizer we did the fish dip $15) pretty decent. The staff service was quick and on top of things. They served a 3 course meal: salad dinner and a dessert. Our waitress gave us our onboard picture for free! The band was great, the crowd was dressed casually, fancy however u felt comfortable. The upper deck was great for pics, bring a jacket if u get chilly. Very romantic night for my husband and I to enjoy and Celebrate our 5 year anniversary.. they also gave us a shout-out!

We arrived a little earlier than the suggested arrival time of 5:45 for the 6:30 departure. It was an unusually cold day with cloudy skies, windy conditions, and choppy waters, but we only had to stand in line briefly. Each group was allowed to board one at a time for a group photo, which was available for purchase later—$15 for the first photo and $10 for each additional print. The picture turned out great! Once seated, we were promptly presented with a drink and appetizer menu, and everything came out quickly. We chose three out of the five appetizers offered, and each was fantastic! Note that these are not included in the pre-ordered meals. We tried the smoked tuna dip (a local favorite), New Orleans BBQ shrimp, and steak bruschetta. The tuna dip had a unique twist compared to what I've had locally, but it was delicious! The shrimp were large and perfectly cooked, while the bruschetta was tasty. As we waited for our main courses, there was live music that had a jazzy vibe. Later, they played DJ music, and guests got up to dance throughout the night, engaging in some line dancing and sing-alongs. They even sang Happy Birthday to some guests and acknowledged special occasions, which was a nice touch. Dinner was served about 30-45 minutes into the cruise. We ordered shrimp and grits, Solaris chicken, and braised short rib. I think the shrimp and grits was the standout dish of the three. The chicken was flavorful but dry, and since it was a bone-in cut, it required a bit of effort to eat. The short rib was tender and beautifully presented, though it had a slightly tomato-heavy sauce that wasn't quite to my taste. Our waiter was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. Dessert, which was included, was a delightful carrot cake bread pudding. Coffee and hot tea were available, but it was a bit tricky to get since they were self-serve from carafes that were slow to be refilled. Overall, while the food was average, the experience was lovely. Despite the less-than-ideal weather and choppy bay conditions, the ride was smooth. I usually get seasick, but I had no issues at all! I recommend bringing a light sweater because, even in a temperature-controlled room, the warmth and chill fluctuated. We did not pay extra for guaranteed window seating, but we ended up at a window table, as did most groups. There’s one central aisle of seating, but everyone still enjoyed a great view. This is definitely not a "booze cruise." While a few guests overindulged, it was evident, and the event maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with a romantic ambiance. Although there was dancing and singing, it felt pleasant rather than wild, and those who did get a bit carried away did not ruin the experience for others. I will certainly be taking visitors on the Solaris cruise in the future—it was truly wonderful!