Sunset cruise in Venice?

You want a great view of the canal at sunset...walk along the sidewalk past San Marco out to St Elena. Sit on the park bench at the water's edge and gaze at the beautiful harbor and the boats passing as the setting sun lights the sky on fire. You'll have a wide view from that vantage point, all the freedom you could want, and take a bottle of wine, some wine glasses and a snack of cheese, fruit, or bar of chocolate. You don't even have to confine yourself to the park bench...you can actually just sit on the sea wall/sidewalk and take it all in.

Cruises on a vaporetto are never fully enjoyable because it's just a public bus. Ever take a sunset ride on a greyhound??

The Sunset cruise I see is not on a vaporetto; it is a different kind of boat and operated privately. The price of $184 for two is a bit steep for my taste.

With your 24-hour pass you could do as we did---head over to Murano in the afternoon and time the return to watch the sunset from the boat. Figure out which stop boards first so you can get on a mostly-empty boat and sit outside. When we did this in October the boat was not at all crowded and we easily found seats outside at the back.

Also consider a night "cruise" down the Grand Canal to see the lighted palazzi. I would board at Piazzale Roma for this! as you want a seat outside at the front. The Ferrovia stop is way to crowded.

Tim's idea of Sant'Elena is also a good one if you don't need to be on the water in a boat.

Here's another vote for Tim's idea of going to that charming park to watch the sunset. Here's a link to the view he's talking about: Great sunset viewing location in Venice

Thank you so much everyone! Good to know that there are other options besides an expensive sunset cruise. Fingers crossed for a lovely sunset that day!