The cruises compared here
One geographical fact first. Barcelona faces south-east, so the sun goes down behind the city and the hills, not into the sea. From a boat you watch the skyline darken against the light, which is the reason to go out at that hour.
Civitatis sells three trips that fit an evening. Only one is formally a sunset product, and they suit quite different moods.
1The jazz catamaran: the one sold as a sunset cruise
Orsom's cruise leaves from Portal de la Pau, by the Columbus Monument, and spends 90 minutes at sea on a sailing catamaran with open deck space and cushioned seating. A live band plays jazz and chill-out music. The operator runs a full bar on board and the listing is clear that drinks are not part of the fare.
Its weakness is the ticket. It is non-refundable, and the listing says it is not wheelchair accessible. If the evening turns grey you still sail, with music and no colour in the sky.
2The open bar sailing boat: cheap drinks, weaker reviews
For from €17 the City Sailing boat includes 90 minutes on the water, recorded chill-out music and an open bar of water, soft drinks, beer, sangria, wine and cava. No food is listed. On paper it is the best deal in the port.
The record is less convincing. It scores 7.7 from 59 reviews, the lowest on this page, and the listing cannot decide whether the vessel is a wooden sailboat, a schooner or a catamaran. A sailing also needs at least 10 passengers. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before softens the risk, which the jazz cruise does not offer.
3The small sailing boat: a different kind of evening
The trip from Moll de Mestral in the Olympic Port takes at most 12 people for two hours. The crew anchor for a swim, then serve crisps, olives, fuet, cheese and bread with a glass of sparkling wine, and let you try the helm.
It is not sold as a sunset cruise. The listing describes a day of sun, and whether a late departure exists depends on the date you pick, so check the times offered before assuming you will be out at dusk. Commentary is in Spanish only and the minimum age is four.
4Doing the sums
Compare the totals for the evening you would really have. The jazz catamaran is from €28 plus whatever you drink. The open bar boat is from €17 with drinks covered. The sailing trip is from €55 with one glass and a snack, on a boat capped at 12 people.
If all you want is the light on the skyline, none of these is necessary. The solar catamaran runs the same water for from €14, so look at its latest departure on your date before paying more.