Although tattered ragamuffins with gambling hands are prone to dining with the fishes, it's the esteemed members of land-society who dine atop the fishes. Merge seafaring and supping proclivities with today's Groupon: for $40, you get to step aboard a two-hour dinner or brunch cruise from Island Queen Cruises (up to an $85 value). The value of this Groupon is based on adult admission; children (ages 4–12) are normally $35–$43. Throughout the year, ships set sail from Bayside Marketplace on select days that coincide with various holidays, including Easter, Mother's Day, and Fourth of July.

The tri-deck Venetian Lady yacht of Island Queen's luxury fleet regales guests with fine dining, dancing, and dolphin’s-eye views of the city. Mother's Day dinner voyagers can graze on a limitless buffet packed with roasted tenderloin, chicken marsala, and more, and Easter Sunday brunchers can stuff their foodsacks with fruit and cheese, mashed potatoes, and honey baked ham. Entertainment abounds on the Fourth of July dinner cruise, which provides views of the fireworks, views of the clouds that look like American flags, and views of the standard beautiful sights of the skyline.

Each excursion includes unlimited access to the ship's two bars—at which some combination of premium alcohol, beer, wine, and soda is available—and access to the dance floors, which are backed by tunes spun by a professional DJ. New Year’s Eve cruises are not valid with this Groupon.

Reviews

Ten TripAdvisors give Island Queen Cruises an average rating of four owl eyes, and 14 Yelpers give it an average rating of 3.5 stars:

• This is a very nice tour with a nice boat crew who give you many details about the islands and houses of the famous. – Stephanie L., Yelp, 8/19/09
• A definite must for those who want to get on the water and see Miami and its various island communities. – DLHyde, TripAdvisor