Vista Yacht Cruises — Local services in Weehawken

My fiancé, best friend, and her fiancé all went on a Vista Yacht cruise for valentines’ day and it was such an upset. The first annoyance was the fact that no one warned us that there is a decent walk from the parking lot to the boat. My friend and I both had dresses on and heels and were not expecting to have to walk so far in the cold if we had been informed about the walk our outfits for the night would have changed to accommodate. Once we got on the boat we came to find out that we’d be seat at a large table with 10 people rather than the table for 4 that he had called/emailed the company about getting 2 weeks prior to the cruise. Lucky for us to start there was only one very nice couple that sat with us so we weren’t too crowed but if there had been ten people there would have been no elbow room at all. When we got on the boat we found out the only way to get a drink alcoholic or not was a cash bar – again never informed of the cash bar situation so we had to drink water all night. There was no wait staff coming around with water pitchers…actually there was pretty much no wait staff for anything we had to self-serve ourselves for everything. Every time my fiancé went up to get water the bar tender ignored him and when she did finally get around to him she was very rude. Once time she accidently poor two glasses of wine instead of water (no idea how she got Pinto Grigio out of water) and when he told her he wanted water not wine she poured it back into the bottle! I’m almost 95% sure that’s a health code violation. All the drinks were served in small plastic cups like we were at a frat party or something. Forget hearing any safety announcements or music because the sound system was horrible. The DJ played multiple songs over. The food was the only decent part of the night but we were herded like cattle onto the buffet line by again rude staff. The choices of food were minimal- chicken, pork, and fish which was fine and only potatoes or pasta no green veggie. There was salad offered with a role. The portions were so small and staff care fiancé dirty looks when he went up for seconds (which he was actually only able to get a roll because there wasn’t anything left). The dessert was a terrible vanilla with chocolate icing cake and coffee/tea was severed in paper cups instead of mugs and again all self-serve. I’m not sure what the point of the assigned tables were anyway because halfway through the cruise some rude drunk couple just decided to sit at our table and none of the staff did anything about it. The staff was actually too busy flirting with other passengers and being incredibly loud. The icing was put on the cake towards the end of the cruise when I decided to use the bathroom to find it not only pretty dirty but no running water to wash my hands and an offer of disinfecting wipes ….but not the kind for your hands the kind you use to wipe down our kitchen with! Overall this whole cruise was a joke and a waste of money. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyway. The only cool thing was seeing the Statue of Liberty but even at that you’re better off just making a day trip to see the...

Wish I could write about how the cruise went...instead I get to write about all the issues on even getting there.

First of all, it isn't in Weehawken like the descriptions say it is. Departure is from Lower East Side. Best part about that is that you don't find out until the tickets are booked.

Once you come to terms with the location change, getting there is a nightmare and a half, and actually figuring out where the docks is is near impossible. No Pointers. No easily locatable signs. No well communicated instructions. GPS routing takes you to the wrong location (Hint: look for the Giant PIER 36 sign, and walk into the hidden alley). No Marked Parking (How do these guys even claim to do weddings and corporate events?)

And then, even when you get there on the time posted, they don't actually let you board. Apparently you need to be there 15 minutes prior. Wish that was communicated.

At least we got to watch the boat leave without us...Did I mention no refunds?

Could some of this have been avoided? Maybe. Probably actually if some of our questions were answered before we purchased, and before we left. But the most obnoxious part of this trip was that Vista was completely unresponsive to our phone calls throughout the day. At the distinct times that we called, we consistently hit voicemail, without any message to guide us to where we could get further information.

tldr; hard to find, hard to...

Pleasant, enjoyable experience overall.

Free parking nearby. Boarded and cast off on time. Crew served a buffet lunch on lower deck shortly after getting under way: pasta dish, Caesar salad, mashed potatoes, Chicken Marsala, Tilapia, bread and butter with coffee and black cake for dessert . Not gourmet but good. CASH-ONLY liquor bar with limited beer selection.

Long walk on floating walkway from the gate to the gang plank was challenging for a few passengers. Wheelchair was available however.

Lower deck is secure and comfortable with sealed bay windows all around with access to bow. Upper level features bench seating in DJ's fully enclosed area with access to the stern, where you can stand, dance or grab one of the 2 or 3 tables for 2. This area has swing up windows to shelter you from the weather, should you choose to brave the elements.

Particularly appreciated and enjoyed the DJ. From his booth on the upper deck he announced points of interest on both sides of the Hudson throughout the 3 hour cruise. He provided continuous, varied, recognizable music, well suited to the occasion and the audience. He invited guests to submit requests.

Keep your expectations reasonable and you won't be disappointed by this...