Jungle Queen Riverboat

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

All the other reviews are true, both good and bad. Some vary a little because Im sure the crew members change from time to time. But just read about 10 reviews and you get a good idea of what to expect. So, what am I going to say that will supplement? First off, I am vegan, but lets get back to that in a minute. I will start by telling you what my friends told me about the all you can eat buffet. The buffet had baked beans, some kind of bread, potato wedge fries and cole slaw already on your table. They came around and served the main courses by hand. They started with BBQ ribs, then chicken and finally shrimp (regular and spicy). My friends tasted all the food. The BBQ ribs were too fatty and they didnt like the chicken for some reason. The two things they liked the best was the shrimp and potato wedge fries. Back to me being vegan, my meal was much different than anyone elses. They offer dont offer much vegan unless you request it. They claimed the baked beans were vegan, so I tried them. It may have been a bad batch but mine had chunks of burned/charred stuff in it (I think it was scraped from the bottom of an overcooked pot). They offered steamed veggies for my main meal, so I went for it. However, they were just overcooked steamed carrots, broccoli and cauliflower (not good and no seasoning at all). I asked for a salad instead and the most likely vegan dressing (Italian). The salad came with cheese and hard boiled eggs. And the dressing was cheap off the shelf kind that had Parmesan in it. I took a risk (of it maybe not being vegan) and ate two of the potato wedge fries and they were the best things I had. Besides my vegan misadventures, the ride was fun enough getting to see what the upper-class can afford to buy and hearing a few almost up-to-date jokes. On the island stop they gave a stand up comedy bit and a ventriloquist act. Everything was 100% family friendly except the ventriloquist cracked a couple of off-color jokes that kids would not get. Example: an audience member came up to the stage to take a picture. He asked what was her name. She said "Im Sharon". The ventriloquists dummy was an old man and asked "what are you sharing?" and looked around at the crowd for a laugh. At the end of the act, he was packing the dummy into a box and with a muffled voice, they dummy said "call me, Sharon". It was funny and ad-libbed and kids wouldnt get it. To me, they walked a thin line between humor for kids and adults very well. But most of it ran towards being for kids. Of other things to note, the boat is old (built in 1971). Thats something you may consider a good thing or a bad thing (its vintage versus its not new). Its not in bad shape, but its not luxurious either. They really push taking your photograph when you are boarding the boat and come around with developed pictures trying to get you to buy them for $20. When taking off or turning around, get ready for some exhaust fumes that are not pleasant. Another thing I want to say is that the waitstaff (especially in the buffet) were all very helpful and nice. They may not have understood what I needed, but they did try pretty hard, especially considering how many people they were serving in such a hectic manner. I give them an A+ for effort alone.

A

A Private User

I wanted to take my new girlfriend out for her birthday Tues, May 25, 2010. with something different, yet romantic. This covers ALL bases. The boat goes around the gorgeous tropical & romantic FtLauderdale intracoastal so there are no giant waves to get seasick on. She says she normally does get seasick, but not on this smooth cruise around the intracoastal. The MC was very funny AND informative about all the rich waterfront properties that the stars own. The weather was perfect, although it started to rain a bit, we just moved away from the sides and all was well. You then arrive at this little island where they serve all you can eat barbecue dinner. The ribs, chicken, shrimp, beans were ALL excellent. Even the chocolate cake dessert was good. Service was great also. Afterward there is an excellent comedy show, and the comedians were very funny, top notch. The whole experience was well worth the 80 bucks (for 2), as dinner by itself at a local nice restaurant would have been at least 60 bucks.Plus you get the cruise and the show, and no long checking in and out of the boat like you would have on Sea Escape or Discovery or similar. The only heads up is: 1)Parking is $5. 2)You have to pay for your own drinks, or soda is just $2. Water & coffee is free. 3)At the end they offer you to buy an excellently done photo picture they took of the two of you for $20 !!! You could take your own for free. After bitching about the $20 to myself, I coughed it up since it looked so nice and I hadnt taken any :-)

GA

Gavin Robey

I was under the impression that this was going to be a dinner cruise... meaning that wed eat dinner on the boat; not the case. Which is fine but overall this whole cruise is a waste of 5 hours and they need to cut back on the time this takes out of your day. Cruising down the international water way and the site seeing commentary is good, but; the boat seating was bad, no food or drinks were provided on the boat, the food at the island was bad and poor quality, the entertainment show was terrible and awkward to sit through, and the "caged animals" they seemed proud of looked sad and malnourished and mistreated. The alligator pen had two depressions for water that were completely empty and the gators never moved. Other animals just paced back and forth against the cage perimeter compulsively. I felt sorry for the couple there that went on this cruise during their honeymoon. The age group that might have a good time on this cruise seems to be 0-8 years old and 65-110 years old. This cruise is a waste of time and money... and we got it for free from our hotel! $7 for the parking was too much money. Until they update almost everything about this cruise, DO NOT WASTE 5 HOURS OF YOUR VACATION ON THE JUNGLE QUEEN!!!

NI

Nicholas Kathrein

Had a great dinner cruse with the wife. Very entertaining. You start out on the boat which isnt the fanciest but more than nice enough. The announcer tells you about who owns which home and cracks jokes that are funny. In sure hes told them many times yet he delivers them with feeling and energy showing he cares about our experience on the boat. I recommend sitting on the right side of the boat when you first get on post most of the homes they talk about are on the right side. Once theyre done showing you everything you want and where you will boat and eat. The food is good. They give you pictures of water but if you do want something else like soda or beer or pina colada will have to pay for it with cash. The ride starts aid six and everything is done usually around nine. They take pictures when you get on the boat and once youre done eating and get back on the boat and I was charged $20 for the copies. The photos came out great so we bought them. You cant go wrong with the sort cruise.