southern empress cruises

I live just around the corner from where the Southern Empress is berthed. I do enjoy watching her go out at night, with all of her lights on. She looks quite majestic from a distance. The music is quite loud, and we hear the people on board hooting and having a great time. I was excited to go when Hubs made the reservations. Perhaps things have changed in the year since I took the trip, but this past January, the Southern Empress was anything BUT "empressive" once it got on board. The boat is tired. Needs a lot of repainting, refinishing of the wood. The carpet needs to be replaced. The stairs were downright scary. (Because of the stairs and carpet alone, I would never think of taking my elderly in-laws aboard - too afraid they'd trip and fall). It was cold outside, and there wasn't enough seating on the second deck (enclosed) for everyone. The third deck had plenty of seating, but it was filthy - dust, debris, and droppings (we dubbed it the "poop deck"). The lower deck is the dining area and you were not allowed to sit there until the meal is served. The meal itself was not good at all. I think they went to Wal-Mart and got several of the Banquet brand's family-sized salisbury steaks and peach cobblers and served those along with a salad that was pretty much wilted, and the salad dressings were warm. The staff was not professional at all - dressed in jeans and t-shirts (and not even matching t-shirts at that), chomping gum, hurried - and quite frankly, rude because of it. And you get to pay an $8 gratuity for such rudeness before you ever board the ship! This might be a good cruise if you are having a party and it's the cocktail cruise. If you MUST go for a meal cruise, I would highly recommend getting a Groupon, Living Social, or Amazon Local deal. And bring your own snacks in case the food hasn't gotten any better.

We had a really romantic time on the Southern Empress. It was a relaxing experience with a gorgeous sunset. And it's really close to our home in Houston. Its just what we needed to 'recharge' ourselves. We will be coming back often. Great experience. Thanks!

Me and my friends had a great time on the Southern Empress it was very nice and clean too we were lucky enough to get a cold front. It was such a fun environment and we just loved the staff they were so nice and treated us like family! The food was phenomenal and the view was so beautiful. We will definitely be coming back out again!

We took the dinner cruise and it was lovely! They had a cool band playing a mix of classic rock, country, jazz, soul, & even disco! Food was delicious and crew was very professional as well. We can't wait to go again!

I tried throughout the whole trip to stay optimistic and just knew things would improve but to no avail. The state of the ship was disappointing, run down, peeling paint, spiders and their webs all over the upper deck banisters. Banisters on top decks are loose. The main course I chose was the Lasagne. We were the first table served. Half of it was still cold and it had hard edges all the way around it, I evidently got a corner piece. My plate of food was handed to strangers I didn't know at my table to pass to me. The servers reached over guests across from me wanting me to hand them my dirty dishes. I sat next to the window that had dirty, dusty curtains. The ladies door to the restroom was kept propped open so all of their staff going by it to their galley, including all males walking by could see inside. The DJ on board kept calling it the lunch cruise. It left port at 7pm, it was a dinner cruise. After dinner we went back upstairs to relax and enjoy the view. Well we tried, my husband killed 3 spiders at table we were sitting at and the folks next to us were doing the same. Would it take much to power spray everything off. There were webs with nests all under the banisters. I can say the views were nice with the sunset and the Captain greeted us coming and going. I would not recommend or return again. This place has so much potential. It was a BIG disappointment!!

Please don't waste your time or money on this "bootleg" cruise - you will be beyond disappointed.I bought a Living Social deal and used it toward the Cocktail Cruise.The boat is old, worn, dated (cob webs everywhere). The furniture on board was just plain "tacky." The women's restrooms des not have locks on the door at all and the stalls are tiny.I have never been so anxious to leave something in my life (longest 2 - 2 1/2 hours in my life) - I think I was one of the first people to flee the boat.Pro: $4 beers (Corona & Dos Equis)Trust this review and don't bother.

To see a steamboat replica seems like a dream but quickly turns into a nightmare once aboard. The boat is in bad condition, wasp fly around everywhere on the third deck, the food is in line with MREs, and you may not cruise Lake Conroe but drift due to engine failure. You are mandated to pay for gratuity but more than likely had you had this same service somewhere else you would likely offer no tip or less than the 15%. Don't spend the money on this spend it on something else more deserving.

Let's just say you get what you pay for but you also can make it what you want it to be. The ship wasn't as great as I thought it should be. It could use a complete scrap down and repainted. Since they don't cruise all the time they should have taken the time to make it nicer. Now as far as the food it wasn't anything great but I really didn't expect it to be amazing, it was just fine. Make sure if you have allergies to let them know but the food is catered so you may want to call ahead. The staff was friend especially the first mate and captain. We enjoyed the trip and were seated next to some really great people and had a good night. We would return. The sunset was amazing. It gets chilly at night so bring a jacket.

Even with the Groupon price don't bother. It is as if they don't even try to fix up the boat. It has been in various stages of disrepair for years. Torn carpet, broken deck chairs, dirty, cobwebs abound. Food is so-so, think Chili's on a busy night. Service was nothing to brag about, but acceptable. We had a great time, but not because of anything provided by Southern Empress Cruises. Just good people and good conversation. We would have had a better time, for less money, at a nice restaurant. With proper management, this could really be a destination in North Houston. As it is, they are not reinvesting in the quality of the experience. We won't bother going back.

We went on the Cocktail Cruise and it was a blast! We got way more than what we expected, there were 3 comedians, 2 were really funny and the other was ok. We did sit at the dock for quite awhile but once we left it was very nice, the entertainment started while we were still at the dock so it was not boring. Cocktails are available on all levels and there is also dancing. If you are on vacation and want to check out Lake Conroe, contact Southern Empress Cruises, there are several different types of cruises available, one is a Dinner Cruise and it is not too bad. This old paddle wheel ship has history behind it and you should search on the web on how it was delivered to Lake Conroe, this is a great place to start: http://www.southernempress.com/sec/visitor-information/southern-empress-historyHave FUN!!!!!!

I'll agree somewhat with other readers, the dining room tables are too close that sit by the windows. (Ask to be seated at the middle tables when you make your reservations if you need a little more room) The side dishes were very good as well as the beef and my friends seemed pleased with the chicken. It wasn't "make ya want to slap your momma good" but good :-) I spoke to the Captain and there is ongoing renovations and I do agree...some are still needed. There were four of us, no regrets on going...we did get our tickets from Groupon. The staff was very friendly as well as the Captain, the dj was fun and got out and line danced with everyone to try and get the party started! He also had a huge selection of music. I would say this was the perfect time of year, it was cool and comfortable for most the trip and warm enough inside when the weather got cold. The bathrooms are small...it is a ship. We couldn't help but laugh when we were in the ladies room, but it made it a funny part of the memory. I'll also add...I'm six feet tall...ladies you'll understand!We're actually planning on going again!

We had bought tickets for 8 people to celebrate a birthday for a friend. The ship never left the dock due to engine failure. So we told we could stay to eat, on a ship that was to be a 3 hour cruise with a dinner. Who in there right mind would want to sit at the dock and eat. They told us we could get a refund. But you had to call back in on a friday which was a week after the cruise was suppose to launch. The ship is in need of major over haul. It is run downed and the air conditioning wasn't working, this was in Aug. So it was really hot. It took me 5 phones calls and 5 weeks later to get my refund back. Which was over 600 dollars. Then I get a buch of excuses as to why this took so long. They took my money as soon as I ordered the tickets. But they have a real hard time in refunding you back your money. I will never go there for a cruise. Terrible conditons of the ship and terrible way to treat your customers. To high prices , Bathrooms were a mess.

We sat on the boat at the dock for 1/2 hr past the departure time. The seating for the luncheon was very cramped. The food was mediocre at best. There were not even enough rolls served at our table for everyone to get one. We returned to the dock and were served dessert while at the dock. My expectations for this cruise were much higher. I brought out of state visitors on this cruise and was embarrassed by that I had chosen this cruise. I would not recommend this experience to anyone.

for us to EVER go again. Starting with the embark time was one hour LATER than stated on the web site, person told us "We are trying to update the web site with correct times."-How hard is that? As compensation for the time error we were given tickets for 2 free drinks-which DID help our ruffled feathers. So back to the Tiki Bar(which was ok, not actually affiliated with the cruise but next door to it, nice bartender)for one more hour. After boarding, we went to the level where there was a dance floor and a surly, unfriendly bartender. He seemed to be miffed over us using the free drink tickets. The drinks were just ok.Next off to the dinning room-because the web site for Southern Empress Cruise had repeatedly stated "sumptuous hospitality", " romance and enchantment of dining" and the local of "Southern"-we expected the food to be, well, southern. Nope-choice of chicken parmesan, or beef parmesan(never heard of this)The beef was a big meat ball. The dinning room was very crowded and noisy-if sumptuous means the waitress smacks gum the whole time waiting on you, I guess it was. NO enchantment anywhere! Also the already added in and required to pay, before sailing gratuity was approximately $10 per person. I am old school and still think a gratuity reflects my level of happiness with the food and service, I wonder if the gratuity was so high so that they could make some of their money back from so many using Groupons, etc.Next back to the dance floor-there were small children on the floor running around. The live entertainment was a DJ. Restrooms were micro and smelly. Boat needs a total overhaul-hanging wires, rotting wood.Would not recommend except for the views on the actual cruising part.

For $34.95, the boat ride and lunch was a SHOCKING experience for 58 of us (senior citizens). They kept us on the boat for 30 minutes before it departs. Only one waitress took pre-lunch cocktails. During the lunch, in cramped 2nd floor air conditioned room, choice of chicken parmesan or meatball, both with noodles. The meal look like they were frozen products. Two small pieces of chicken and one large meatball. Chicken served mildly cold and no flavor. Meatball served undercooked, close to raw. Tomato pasta canned. The last few tables, they were out of noodles. No extra rolls to spare, out too. Lavatory on 2nd floor (both gentlemen and women) had foul odor with water on the floor. Like other reviewers, boat looks tired. We asked for group discount, they REFUSED.