I showed up at the Clearwater Beach Marina one Friday night ready to board the boat at 6:30 p.m., not really knowing what to expect from a dinner cruise. All sleek lines and dark glass, the StarLite Majesty waited at the pier while I and a bridal party waited to board. It turns out that the Majesty is a regular venue for bridal parties and other special occasions. In fact, there were two bridal receptions on board that evening.

The StarLite Majesty offers dining on two large decks. No matter where you sit, the large picture windows offer stunning views of the Clearwater skyline. The topmost deck is decked out with tables and chairs where you can sit and watch the view float by. While the boat holds up to 280 passengers, it never felt crowded and there was plenty of room up top for everyone to have their own viewing or sitting space.

The StarLite Majesty leaves the dock at 7 p.m., at which time I was asked to place my dinner order. I was surprised by the choice of foods – shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, salmon, etc. That done, I ordered a cocktail and took it topside as we pulled away from the dock. From this vantage point, I was given an entirely new view of Clearwater. Slowly, as night falls, the lights on the buildings, houses and bridges come on and offer a romantic view as you glide by the shore. The ride was so smooth that I was barely aware of the movement of the boat.

The StarLite Majesty showcases live entertainment as well. On the night I was aboard, I was lucky enough to hear the married duo of Ken and Yvonne. They both sing, while Yvonne plays the keyboard and Ken the guitar. They were fantastic and had a huge repertoire of songs on hand. Once the bridal couples each had their first dances, done to a rousing round of applause from all onboard, the duo played everything from ballads to disco to current favorites. Before long, the dance floor was crowded and the crowd itself loosened up.

Dinner service began promptly at 8 p.m. with the arrival of salad and fresh bread paired with olive oil and spices. When my filet mignon arrived, it was done perfectly and accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans – all as good as I’ve eaten in any top-flight restaurant. I barely finished the creamy Amaretto cheesecake I was served afterwards.

After dinner, Ken and Yvonne had everyone out on the floor dancing to the Electric Slide. I couldn’t tell if they played it to go along with the wedding music theme or if it was part of their line up, but it hardly mattered – the majority of guests were jammed onto the dance floor and getting into the spirit of the thing.

All too soon, we returned to the pier at 10 p.m., happy and wind blown. Next time you’re in the area, hop aboard the StarLite Majesty for an unforgettable evening. And stop by the pilot house on the top deck – as we were urged to do. It seems that the captain gets lonesome up there by himself and visitors are encouraged.