At the outset of this review, for context it is important to share that we paid $310 for 2 people for the Sunset Dinner Cruise.
Arriving at the dock was very pleasant – we were met at the entrance and directed to the correct boat for us. Upon boarding the boat we were shown to a table in the middle of the boat, not by a window and sat behind us was a group of 40 high school children. They had apparently been booked on to the wrong boat so our dinner cruise suddenly turned into being in the middle of a school party event full of very excited and energetic children. We were dressed in smart/cocktail wear and were amongst a group of children in matching polo shirts and shorts.
Given that other tables by the window were available, we asked the manager (who seated us) whether we could move to a different table, but were told that this was not possible as it was not in our package. When making the booking there was no option to choose a window table. We also asked what drinks were included in our package, to which we were told only water. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir that was on the menu for $52. Once boarding was completed, there were still window tables empty and the school group were extremely loud and encroaching into us as they were moving around their tables. In fairness one of the teachers did come and apologies to us for them being on the boat. We advised our hostess that we would be moving to one of the window tables, on the other side of the boat given the negative situation we were experiencing. She said she would go and check with her manager, but we moved before this conversation was had.
In terms of the food, we both had a cheese and charcuterie for a starter. When this arrived one of the plates was missing one of the cheeses, which was surprising as they were all set plates yet somehow the one delivered to our table was not complete. When we raised this we were then given another additional plate without explanation or comment – just forcibly put down on our table.
The main course of chicken was fine, but the food is all pre-cooked and then just heated up on the boat and brought to your table. Between courses we were able to go outside off the boat and walk around and look at some of the bridges and flights coming into Ronald Reagan airport. There was a DJ on the boat, but this could not be described as a guide. They pointed out maybe 4 or 5 sights during the 3 hour cruise but didn’t give any details or explanations about them or information regarding the City.
The DJ was mainly providing entertainment to school group with pop and dance songs and co-ordinating group dances for them. We had advised that we made the booking to celebrate a 40th birthday however this was covered through an announcement of wishing ‘everyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary a great time.’ As we arrived back at the dock we were asked to pay for our wine, which was now $54 (an increase of $2 from ordering) and when we questioned this we were told all the menus had been packed away and this was the price.
Overall, it was a deeply disappointing experience, made even more so by the initial price that we had paid and then to have to pay even more once onboard. Presumably the company is happy only having one time visitors as the experience for the price was hugely sub optimal and we would be amazed if anyone recommended this or returned to do it again.