The Moon Chaser Bay Tours
When it comes to gastronomical experiences at sea, the "Moon Chaser" takes the cake. Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout August, this 65-foot, 250-passenger ship, which sports a fully equipped bar, takes off from Captree State Park stocked with seasonal delights from Flynn's restaurant on Fire Island. Featured in the all-you-can eat buffet are Flynn's famous baked clams, chilled "u-peel" shrimp, king crab legs with drawn butter, sliced steak in bourbon sauce and pasta primavera.
The Moon Chaser Bay Tours
110 Center Bay Drive
West Islip, NY
(631) 265-1848
themoonchaser.com
Lady Liberty Cruises
Looking for a dose of patriotism with your Black Angus prime rib? Then Lady Liberty's Sunset Dinner Cruise is definitely for you. Tuesdays through Sundays in July, August and September, the M/V (as in "motor vessel") "Sterling" departs from Port Washington on a four-hour excursion into New York Harbor. Sights include Kings Point's "millionaire's row," Manhattan's skyline and the Statue of Liberty. As for fare, LL's menu is a melting pot, featuring (in addition to the prime rib) chicken Francese with lemon and caper sauce, stuffed shells with ricotta and roasted garlic marinara sauce, vegetable egg rolls with plum sauce and beef franks in puffed pastry with spicy mustard.
Lady Liberty Cruises
Manhasset Bay Marina
10 Matinecock Ave.
Port Washington, NY
(516) 922-9214
ladylibertycruises.com
The Lauren Kristy
The Old South is alive and well--and chugging quaintly along Long Island's Great South Bay. That in the form of a replica Mississippi paddle-wheel boat called "The Lauren Kristy." During its four-hour dinner cruise, the 65-foot, 150-passenger craft casts off from Bay Shore Marina and cruises past Fire Island's picturesque communities. There are cocktails and dancing on the upper deck, and dinner is served below. Menu picks include seafood newburg, roast prime rib, chicken Francais, rice pilaf and string beans almandine.
The Lauren Kristy
S. Clinton Ave.
Bay Shore, NY 11706
(631) 750-5359
laurenkristy.com
Skyline Princess
While not quite "Love Boat" proportions, the Skyline Princess easily dwarfs its fellow Long Island liners. At 120 feet from bow to stern, the tri-level yacht, which leaves from Port Washington, N.Y., and cruises along the Gold Coast, accommodates up to 450 passengers year round. And when they dine, it's on fare fit for a, ah, princess. That includes Caesar salad, prime rib, lemon sole stuffed with crabmeat, roasted new bliss potatoes and chocolate mousse cake.
Skyline Princess
Dock Lane
Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 504-9965
skylinecruises.com/licharter.html
