06/17/08

Not As Advertised!!

by bstartrek

We had a great turnout - 151 students. The dining room was way too

tight for 157 or so of us. They literally squooshed the tables and chairs

together. It was so tight and crowded that Chaperones didn't have any

place to sit and eat. We, Chaperones, let all the kids eat first as this

was their party, and when a table was done, we recycled it. But by the

time we could find a table to sit, the buffet were OUT of MANY FOOD, that

were not being replenished, no additional silverware. Additionally, they did NOTcome to bus

our table with kids soiled dishes. We had to clear most of them off

ourselves. Then their servers were taking food out of the buffet (to eat

themselves) at the same time as chaperones were doing so. They should have

eaten AFTER we're all done.

We definitely didn't feel the "You will be treated to ?white glove service? including linens, glass goblets and china. Balloons and centerpieces will decorate your tables. Buffet includes Taco

and Pasta bars, Caesar salad, dessert bar and unlimited beverages." as was

advertised to us.

There were no Balloons & centerpieces??? was there?

The Dessert bar was awful. .Dinner was so-so and luke warm at best.

• Pros: The initial embarkation was exciting
• Cons: Bus your own table. What service??

01/03/08

Had a very good time...

by xmbecker

(Shortened for size limit): Wife & I went out on largest boat, Galaxy Commodore, for 2008 New Year's dinner cruise. Cost $350/couple, slightly less than cost of Hornblower Cruise price (SF Belle vessel). Overall were quite satisfied with outing. Been on a company event on the California Hornblower; in comparison, that boat a bit more plush & meal more refined and served to you at private tables in contrast to buffet style on Commodore; however, pay quite a lot more ($500 vs $350), & one irritation with Hornblower is compressed time on water whereas Commodore boat stayed out for a lengthier time; this is, in part, due to Comm having to go all the way back to Alameda dock after fireworks in contrast to Hornblower boat which docks right at SF Embarcadero. First the positives: the staff was consistently friendly, helpful. Boat was clean, had good amenities (comfortable lounge w/ leather sofas, clean spacious bathrooms (by boat standards), nice large dance floor, nice large viewing windows & plenty of outside space for people if they could brave the cold), good drinks from adequate (though somewhat spartan, decor-wise) bar). The buffet meal was much better than I'd expected and was good: prime rib, chicken goulash with cream/mushroom sauce, rice pilaf, nice caesar salad, and tasty, crunchy (i.e. not overcooked) string beans completed with adequate, if not stellar, desserts (chocolate cake, pumpkin/cinamon pie, cheesecake). As mentioned, the cruise was leisurely, departing sometime after 9:15 with roundtrip up to Golden Gate and back, excellent viewing of the fireworks, returning sometime past 1am. Just a few negatives: packed boat with some people sitting at temporary long folding tables on the dance floor; some staff somewhat young and discombobulated; buffet layout somewhat cramped with loud, bingo-like cattle-call system for table# by table# turns for getting food, desserts straight out of cold fridge, ... overall nothing to ruin a very pleasant evening.

• Pros: Pretty good price compared to other dining cruises
• Cons: Not quite as private and romantic as more expensive California Hornblower boat

05/14/06

One of my worst experience

by lsandjg

I was so excited to go on the yatch for Mother's Day. When we got there, there were not not any table for 6 of us. Were we told to wait. After 20 minutes of waiting with along with a couple who just walk in, we were told they are short of tables. They have to set up a new table. As soon as I saw they pull an urgly folding rectangle table on the dance floor, I told my husband that I lost my appetide. We left. I felt like we were some kind of uninvited guests that they didn't expect even though we reserved days ahead. If they could not even properly take care of guests with reservation, why are they taking walkins? What a horrible experience!