Malta: Private Picnic Cruise around Valletta & 3 Cities

Two harbours, one slow sail.

This private picnic cruise gives you the feeling of a personal VIP moment, drifting past Valletta and the Three Cities on a traditional Luzzu boat. You sip a bottle of wine or Prosecco, eat a prepared platter, then listen as your private driver explains what you are seeing as you glide along.

I love the private setup and the way the boat feels ready for romance, with blankets, cushions, and a decorative artificial flower arrangement. I also like the custom touch options, from choosing the decoration color theme to setting up a personalized letter board for photos.

One drawback to plan for: there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You will need to get yourself to the meeting point on time.

Key highlights worth planning around

• A Luzzu boat picnic that feels styled for couples, with cushions, blankets, candles, and a photo-ready arrangement
• Food and drinks included, including one bottle of wine or Prosecco plus soft drinks and a charcuterie platter
• Dietary options built in, with vegetarian, vegan, peschetarian, and gluten-free choices available
• You pick the look, choosing a decoration color theme and customizing the letter board
• Comfort items for the moment, including an ice basket, Bluetooth speaker, and selfie stick
• A short, focused 1.5-hour cruise, ideal when you want views without turning it into a whole day

A Malta Private Picnic Cruise on a Luzzu, Not a Tour-Factory Feeling

Malta is great for big sights, but it can also be great for small moments. This experience is built for that. Instead of squeezing into a group and rushing from one stop to another, you get a private cruise on a Luzzu, the traditional Maltese boat style that instantly changes the vibe from sightseeing to something more like a personal outing.

The boat setup matters more than people think. You are not just sitting on a deck watching the water. You are surrounded by picnic comforts: plates, glassware, cutlery, napkins, blankets, and cushions. There are candles and decorative artificial flowers, plus a letter board you can tailor. The result is that you can relax and still feel like you are part of an occasion.

And yes, it is the kind of ride that pairs nicely with a romantic mindset. If you are traveling with someone you like, this one gives you time to actually talk, eat, and take photos without the constant stop-start rhythm.

Price and What You Get for $447 (Group up to 2)

At $447 per group up to 2 for 1.5 hours, this is not a budget choice. But it also is not only a boat ride. You are paying for several things that usually cost extra if you book them separately.

Here is what is included that typically pushes the value up:

• A private driver who shares history explanations as you pass viewpoints
• A private cruise for 1.5 hours on a Luzzu
• Picnic-ready setup: blankets, cushions, tableware items, candles, and decorative elements
• One bottle of wine or Prosecco plus soft drinks
• A charcuterie platter with multiple dietary options available
• Extras for your own fun: Bluetooth speaker and selfie stick
• A customizable letter board and the ability to choose a decoration color theme

If you were to price this like separate parts, a private driver, a custom-themed private setting, and a prepared platter plus drinks would add up fast. The biggest value lever here is that you get the privacy and the “staged” experience in one package.

A practical note: there is no hotel pickup. That means you might want to budget time for your own arrival logistics so the start does not feel stressful.

The 1.5-hour Loop Around Valletta and the Three Cities: What You Will Actually Do

You should think of this as a viewpoint cruise with a picnic pace. The total time is 1.5 hours, which is short enough to keep energy up and long enough to feel like you got a real experience, not a quick photo stop.

As you move around Valletta and the Three Cities, you will pass the kinds of landmarks that make Malta famous: shorelines, harbor views, and built-up historic areas. The key is that your driver provides the context while you are in motion, so you are not just looking at buildings. You are learning what they are and why they matter in the areas you pass.

Because the route is described as a cruise around those zones, you will want to set expectations accordingly:

• You are not doing a museum visit.
• You are not getting out of the boat for a walking tour.
• You are getting a moving vantage point with story explanations built in.

This is a great length for sunset timing too, if your departure time lines up with that. Even if you do not catch the final golden light, you still get a relaxed pacing that works well for photos and conversation.

The Picnic Setup on Board: Wine, Charcuterie, Blankets, and Custom Decor

This is where the experience feels different from a standard boat trip. The boat is romantically decorated with blankets and cushions, and it includes a decorative artificial flower arrangement. There are also plates, glassware, cutlery, and napkins, which means you are not eating from awkward containers or paper wraps.

Then there is the drink situation. You get soft drinks plus one bottle of wine or Prosecco for the group. That is a big quality-of-life detail because it sets the tone for the whole trip. You can start tasting right away and keep the picnic rhythm going while you take in the views.

Food is handled with a charcuterie platter. Charcuterie is easy to love on a boat since it is portionable and made for grazing rather than meal pacing. The nice part is that there are dietary accommodations available, including vegetarian, vegan, peschetarian, and gluten-free options. If you have a dietary need, you should still confirm what the option looks like when you book, but at least the framework is there.

The decor is also interactive. You can:

• choose the color theme of the decorations, and
• customize a letter board with your own message.

For photo lovers, this is not just vanity. A good theme makes pictures look intentional instead of random. If you plan a trip proposal, a birthday, or even just a playful message, this is one of the easiest ways to personalize without bringing extra gear.

You also get helpful boat extras that make the picnic feel complete: an ice basket, candles, and even a selfie stick. A Bluetooth speaker lets you play music that matches the moment. There is also a waste basket, which is a small thing, but it helps the onboard setup stay comfortable.

Your Private Driver and the History You Get Without the Crowds

This is a private driver experience, and that changes the whole quality of the storytelling. Instead of hearing generalized facts over a loudspeaker, you get history explanations tied to what you are passing by in real time.

The driver language options listed are English and Maltese. If you care about language, this is the detail worth checking when you book so you know which explanation style you will get.

What I like about this approach is simple: you do not have to do homework before you go. You can let the driver help you connect the dots as the view changes. On a harbor cruise, the biggest challenge for many people is that everything looks similar from the water. A good explanation gives your eyes something to focus on.

Also, because it is private, questions are more natural. If you want more detail about something you see, you can ask. If you want less and you just want to enjoy the ride, you can.

Timing, Arrival, and How to Stay Comfortable at Sea

This is a 1.5-hour cruise, and the schedule starts with one clear instruction: arrive 15 minutes before departure. Do not treat that as a suggestion. Boat departures can be firm, and you want time to settle in and feel ready before the onboard picnic begins.

There are also two comfort realities you should take seriously:

• It is not suitable for wheelchair users.
• It is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

You might be fine if you handle small boat motion well. If you have ever felt queasy on a short ferry, take that seriously. Short trips do not always mean smooth sailing in a small boat setting. If you are worried, bring whatever strategies you normally use for seasickness, and consider skipping this if you know you are sensitive.

As for the start, you also have a note that there is skip-the-line access through a separate entrance. That matters if you are arriving when other people are funneling in. It helps the start feel calmer.

What you should bring is mostly personal: a way to keep your phone charged and a layer for wind. A deck cruise around the harbors can get breezy even when the weather feels warm on land.

Who This Private Picnic Cruise Is Best For

This experience is especially good for:

• Couples who want a break from walking tours and crowds
• Small groups who want privacy and a planned, romantic onboard setup
• People who value customization, like choosing the decoration color theme and writing something on the letter board
• Travelers who want a food-and-drink element without hunting for a restaurant

If you have dietary needs, it helps that vegetarian, vegan, peschetarian, and gluten-free options are available. That reduces the risk of the picnic becoming just a snack with a drink.

Where it is a poor fit:

• Anyone who needs wheelchair accessibility
• Anyone prone to seasickness

Because the group size is private and up to 2, it is a strong choice if you do not want to share your experience with strangers. If you are traveling solo, you might still like the vibe if the pricing works for you, but the value calculation depends on whether you want a solo romantic picnic moment or you prefer group social energy.

Should You Book This Private Picnic Cruise in Malta?

Book it if you want an experience that feels personal, not transactional. The combination is the selling point: private Luzzu cruise, a romantic onboard picnic setup, a bottle of wine or Prosecco, charcuterie with dietary options, and a driver who explains what you pass. It is designed for people who want to slow down and enjoy views with conversation and comfort.

Skip it if either of these applies: you are sensitive to motion at sea, or you need hotel pickup and easy door-to-door logistics. The lack of pickup is manageable, but it does require planning. The motion sensitivity requirement is not something to treat casually.

If you want to make the most of it, think ahead about your onboard theme. Pick a color theme that matches your photos, and plan a simple message for the letter board. It takes almost no effort, but it makes the whole cruise feel like an event.

If that sounds like your kind of Malta day, this private picnic cruise is one of the best ways to see Valletta and the Three Cities from the water while still having something meaningful to do onboard.

FAQ

How long is the Malta private picnic cruise?

The cruise lasts 1.5 hours.

What does the price include for a group up to 2?

The price includes the 1.5-hour cruise, a private driver, history explanations, boat decorations, soft drinks, one bottle of wine or Prosecco, and a charcuterie platter. Vegetarian, vegan, peschetarian, and gluten-free options are available too, plus extras like a customizable letter board, Bluetooth speaker, and selfie stick.

Can I choose the decoration theme?

Yes. You can choose the color theme of the decorations.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What language will the driver speak?

The driver speaks English and Maltese.

Who should not book this cruise?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users and it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

When should I arrive for departure?

You should arrive 15 minutes before departure.