The New Jersey New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise promises a festive night on the harbor, but reviews suggest the reality falls short of expectations. While the cruise offers a chef-prepared buffet and live entertainment, many guests report a disappointing dining experience and obstructed views. With excessive pricing and unmet expectations, the overall experience leaves much to be desired. Whether the cruise can deliver the New Year’s Eve celebration it advertises remains uncertain.
Overview of the New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise
This New Year’s Eve dinner cruise on the New York Harbor offers guests a three-hour celebration with a chef-prepared buffet and live DJ entertainment.
Passengers can enjoy spectacular views of the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey skylines. At midnight, guests can toast the new year with sparkling wine.
Props like beads, hats, and noisemakers are provided for festive photos. The cruise has a maximum capacity of 200 travelers and includes a guaranteed table for your party, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and gratuities.
Fireworks may be visible, weather permitting.
Dining Experience and Menu Options
While the buffet-style dining options on this New Year’s Eve cruise feature a chef-prepared spread, reviews suggest the food quality may not always meet expectations.
The menu is described as mediocre, with guests complaining about bland and uninspired dishes. Some report the options feeling limited, lacking variety, and not reflecting the high price tag of the experience.
The service is also criticized as poor, with guests noting long waits and inattentive staff.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Jersey City.
Entertainment and Onboard Activities
Along With the dining options, the New Year’s Eve cruise offers various onboard entertainment and activities.
Passengers can enjoy live DJ music with two music options, providing a lively soundtrack for the evening. As the clock strikes midnight, the cruise treats guests to a sparkling wine toast to ring in the new year.
Themed props like beads, hats, and noisemakers are available for photo opportunities to capture the festive atmosphere.
Despite the cruise’s capacity of 200 travelers, the intimate setting allows for a personal New Year’s celebration.
Fireworks Display and Ambiance
Although the cruise promises a fireworks display to celebrate the new year, reviews suggest the fireworks are unimpressive and fail to live up to expectations.
According to the feedback, the fireworks display is lackluster, with some guests describing it as "unimpressive".
The ambiance onboard the cruise is also a letdown, with reports of fogged windows obstructing the views of the Manhattan skyline and New Jersey coastline.
Embarkation and Disembarkation Process
The initiation and disembarkation process for the New Year’s Eve dinner cruise appears straightforward.
Travelers are instructed to meet at the Lincoln Harbor Marina in Weehawken, New Jersey, with the cruise departing promptly at 10:00 PM. Upon return, the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
The cruise accommodates a maximum capacity of 200 guests, ensuring an intimate experience.
Accessibility features include infant seats, service animal allowance, and wheelchair accessibility, catering to a diverse audience.
The casual attire recommendation of khakis, jeans, dresses, and button-up shirts creates a relaxed ambiance for the celebratory event.
Accessibility and Accommodations
The cruise offers several accessibility features to accommodate a diverse range of travelers. Infant seats are available, and infants under three cruise for free. Service animals are allowed, and the vessel is wheelchair accessible. The cruise is also conveniently located near public transportation.
Accessibility Features | Accommodations |
---|---|
Infant Seats | Infants under 3 cruise free |
Service Animal Allowed | Wheelchair Accessible |
Near Public Transportation | – |
The casual attire recommendation suggests a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, allowing guests to focus on the festivities without worrying about dress code restrictions.
Customer Feedback and Recommendations
Customer reviews for the New Jersey New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise paint a mixed picture of the overall experience.
With a 2.0 rating based on a single review, there are reports of mediocre food quality, poor service, and obstructed views from fogged windows.
The fireworks display was also deemed unimpressive, leaving the reviewer feeling the expensive price tag didn’t match the below-average experience.
While the cruise offered a range of amenities, including an open bar and guaranteed seating, the overall consensus suggests the New Year’s Eve event failed to live up to expectations for many guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Beverages on Board?
No, passengers cannot bring their own alcoholic beverages on board. The cruise includes a top-shelf open bar, so outside drinks are not permitted. Bringing outside alcohol would violate the cruise’s policies.
What Is the Dress Code for the Event?
The cruise recommends a casual attire, suggesting khakis, nice jeans, dresses, button-up shirts, and blouses. Formal wear isn’t required, but guests should dress in a way that’s comfortable for the evening festivities.
How Does the Refund/Cancellation Policy Work?
The refund and cancellation policy is not specified in the provided information. Reservations cannot be combined, but details on individual booking changes or cancellations are not included.
Is There On-Site Parking Available at the Marina?
Yes, the Lincoln Harbor Marina where the cruise departs from offers on-site parking for guests attending the New Year’s Eve dinner cruise. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is complimentary for cruise participants.
Can I Arrive Early or Depart Late From the Cruise?
No, the cruise has a strict start and end time. Passengers can’t arrive early or depart late from the cruise. The activity begins at 10:00 PM and ends back at the meeting point.
The Sum Up
The New Jersey New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise fails to deliver a satisfying experience. Guests encounter mediocre food, poor service, and obstructed views, leaving them feeling underwhelmed despite the steep price tag. While the cruise give you a festive atmosphere, the overall experience falls short of expectations, leading many patrons to express disappointment with the value and quality of the event.
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