We are 2 weeks away from our next trip to SE Asia. This time its the turn of Malaysia (where we have never been) but of course am managing to slip in a fourth trip to BKK (ahh i can't wait to open those balcony windows at the Pen and watch the little river boats)
Anyway i digress, i am considering a dinner cruise and read about Loy Nava, has anyone used them or has an alternative?
I realise they are hugely touristy but we are tourist and its something we have never done, is it a good experience?
We have eaten at some river restuarant before (supatra, Mandarin, peninsula) and i just love being by the river, which is what made me think a cruise may be nice. (for info we have a total of 3 nights in BK this time)
Appreciate all your comments/suggestions
Smeagol

i would rather take a cocktail cruise and then go some place good for dinner....

remember muffin tends to get sea sick...

smeagol
We've taken a number of them. The food is nothing to write home about. It's usually a buffet style dinner (which I prefer, since I tend to pick very carefully what I want to eat). The nice thing about the dinner boat is the experience of riding along the river. The lights, the other boats, the scenery along the way, and it's a peaceful setting.

DH and I had the "front seats" in February of this year when we took a rice boat from the Oriental. Don't recall the name of it. But for this one, dinner was served at your table (no choices). It was OK, but having the best seat on the boat was the best part.

Carol

Thanks both, i have just found out that the pen does a sunset cruies (no dinner) so i may well go for this instead. I just really love being on the river and havent really done it at night.
I am so excited i cant wait, just need to get through my ton of work firts!!

what boat does the pen use? they don't have a big boat that i am aware of... if they do it you can count on it being nice...as you know...and with 'fleet admiral muffin' on board it will all be top shelf...

Bob I was at the Pen a few weeks ago and they've outfitted two of their own boats for cocktailing up and down the river at night. They look just like the shuttles, but have tables on them.

I took the Manohra dinner cruise a couple of years ago and thought it was very pleasant. There's better food in Bangkok, certainly, but I thought it was just fine and the ambiance couldn't be beat. It was a lovely evening.

http://www.manohracruises.com/dining.php

I think i am going to settle for the Cocktail cruise without dinner with either the pen or the Manohra (thanks for the suggestion offwego), its only 1 hour and it will be great to watch the sunset, whilst in my favourite city (and i know its not choppy like the one i did in Hong Kong harbour in January, nearly threw up over the side!!!!)

That way we can still go to a great restuarant.... now am having trouble choosing a restuarant!!!!!

smeagol
If you want to get on the skytrain for dinner, check out the Long Table which is a short walk from Asok Skytrain Station. It's DS's(bradinbangkok) current favorite place for dinner. If you do a search for Long Table I think you'll find the post that describes where it is (it's a thread with a discussion of a BKK GTG for Dec 19, look near the very end of that thread for directions)

I'm sure you will enjoy your cocktail cruise on the river. Have a great time! Sorry we won't be there at the same time, as we head first to Europe for 3 weeks and then off the BKK for Christmas and New Years for another 3 weeks+.

Carol

Carol

Yes its a shame our paths won't cross, how lovely though 6 weeks away!!
I have checked out Long Table on the web and will show Muffin to see if he fancies it! I have noticed the posts and i think Bob mentioned that Brad loves the place. Will let you know how we get on (and of course do a trip report - wldn't want Andy to give me a penalty)

Those of us that have been deprived of our annual trip to BKK are jealous and we may turn nasty (OK, nastier). We will not be taking any dinner cruises or the like. We will be shovelling snow and scraping our windshields.

well Andy, i shall have a glass or two of something fizzy for you when in BKK!

Do they make Panda Champers? It would be a big seller.

Instead of the little cooler jackets you get for the bottle it would have speedos!!!

A truly brilliant marketing device. The Champagne that meakes you skin tight.

nikki---how about lord jim with a window table to continue your river review....or angenelli with a window table also...

or go to vertigo for a drink and then have dinner there---banyon tree on sathorn---best not to take a tuk tuk there---remember your last tuk tuk ride to sathorn...

How could i forget that tuk tuk ride, think i was hotter than when i got in!!!!

Will add then all to the list and then start to make pros/cons list. The problem with BKK is to many to choose from, not enough time!!!
Muffin fancies eating at Thiptara in the Pen (which i have - he was ill last time so i dined alone!)

that's an option, but some don't like the food....the location is certainly fantastic...

jesters is another possibility....there muffin's hair would not be blown...you know how he hates that!!

i vote lord jim

When I was In BKK I tryed Loy Nava dinner. It was perfect, I ordered one Thai Menu and one Sea Food Menu to my wife. The restaurant is a reformed Rice Boat and the owner is a gentle english man that always explains everyrthing during the triop. And the menu is ver ygood and not spicy.
Look for www.loynava.com
good luck !!!
Fernando - Brazil

I forgot to say that during my visit in BKK I could see one of the best shows ever, at Siam Niramit. The stage is imense with hundrets of actors, including elephant and a big river at the stage where you can enjoy the Thailands history and culture.
Dont miss it, its AMAZING !!!
Look at www.siamniramit.com

Ok so maybe i should check out Lord Jim its seafood right? The thing that has always put me off is
Its expensive (but then muffin is worth it) and its indoors. We get soooo little outdoor dining in the UK due to the weather i just love to be outside.

I plan to go to Ban Chiang or Harmonique cause its fits where i will be that night and then maybe Lord Jim and then one other!! i want special surroundins (not neccessarily expensive though) just a great experience. (am tempted to do supatra again but need to spread myslef around the many restaurants). Not interested in Italian/Med food can get plenty of that at home. i have read way too many guide bopks now as i really am spoilt for choice... Oh and Tong is taking us to Coconut palm!!