Where do I start? I booked this cruise one month in advance, so the ship had plenty of notice that my party of 3 would there. Boarding time was 5:30 for a 6 pm cruise, and their verification email reminded us not to be late. We arrived around 5:40, stood in line and were on board by about 5:50. There were several groups behind us, and the last one boarded a little after 6.
We were sat immediately and brought bread from our server assistant, but it took a while for our actual server to greet us. When he finally did, we were ready to order. We ordered 1 beer, 1 wine, one non-alcoholic spritzer, and our main dish and dessert. We assumed the salad was a given since that was the first course and there was only 1 choice.
As the tables around us were served their drinks and their salads, we sat there with our half-empty waters and our 2nd round of bread. A manager eventually came over a little before 6:30 and asked if we were having a good time or if he could get us anything. I let him know that we had ordered our food but were waiting on our drinks. He asked what they were and went to get them immediately. They were out of the wine I ordered, so I ordered a different kind and he brought it back, letting me know it was on him.
Around 6:45, I went to the restroom which stunk to the hills and had only 1 working faucet out of 3. On my way back, I saw my server and asked for another glass of wine. He had me remind him the kind and also said our food would be coming soon. I asked if we were getting salads. He said he would be right over with them. When he brought my wine quite a bit later, he let me know they were out of salad. Ok, fine. It is now an hour into this boat ride that we planned our lunch around, and we have still had only bread and drinks that we had to chase. Keep in mind, those folks in line behind us who were sat after us, one was a group of 8, they had their salads. The server comes back a little later and brings 1 salad, the "last one on the ship." My starving 21 year old son ate it.
A bit later, the server comes back to let me know they are short staffed and only have 2 cooks, but the food is coming and will be out soon. Finally, at 7:42, we get our food. And it was most definitely not worth the wait. I didn't even want to eat it. The poor table behind us, with only 1 English speaker, did not get their food until we were docked, and he had to chase their food down as well.
When we finish eating, we decide we would like 1 more drink. I go to the bar and order 2 beers from the bartender. It is just before 8 pm when the cruise is ending. She apologizes and lets me know they are done serving for the night. I politely tell her that I waited an hour and 45 minutes for my dinner and never even got my salad, but yet I booked a month in advance and was on time for this cruise and followed all of their rules. Another bartender or manager asks her what I want and she tells her to give me what I am asking for and that it's on them. The original manager who talked to me was also behind the bar at that time, and it was only the 2nd time I saw him even though he knew we were not getting the greatest of service from the beginning.
As everyone is getting off the boat, we are sitting and waiting for our bill for our drinks. Instead of dining and dashing, I again go find my server and let him know I would like to close out. He tells me that my final bill is with the wine taken off. I am not one who is looking for freebies and I will always pay for what I have. I pay the the new adjusted amount we owe, plus a generous tip for crap service/experience.
I got a survey from the company the next day. I completed it with all of this information as well. Haven't heard a word from them. They have my money, so why do they care? I have never written a review before. I am writing this in hopes that they don't get your money too. It isn't worth it. Go eat at some other fabulous restaurant in Chicago and take a boat or lake tour with a different company. You will have a better time than we did without a doubt!