Active since Apr 2025
********** experience. I booked a champagne sunset cruise for my fiance's birthday as a surprise. We surely did get a huge surprise. Not a good one! Firstly, I would like to point out that the form requires that we mention dietary requirements. I specifically stated that I am vegan AND emailed to remind them. Upon arrival, we were offered half a glass of warm champagne and a canapé that contained both fish and dairy products, neither of which are vegan. On the boat, we were given a plate of entirely meat and cheese containing items. After some time I politely asked the staff where my food was, and was instructed that I need to share with him. I informed them that this wouldn’t be possible as I was vegan. The said there was nothing that could be done. I would like to say that this was the least of the problems... What is of much greater concern to me was the extreme noise on the boat. Approximately 30minutes into the 2h journey kwaito-style music of extreme, beyond club level commenced. It was so loud that we could not hear one another talking at all (sitting right next to each other). People got up and started to dance as though it was a club. As it was clear that others were enjoying it, the staff refused to turn it down, even though I asked 4 times. My fiancé had to put serviettes in his ears. It was beyond torturous to me. I loathed every second of it and was extremely embarrassed for having put my fiancé in such a horrific situation on his birthday. He is in his 50s. He is not an 18 year old Zulu student. I was under the impression that we would be going on a peaceful boat trip where we would enjoy pleasant conversation and have a few nice snacks. What I was forced into could not have been further from this. This was a huge amount of money for me and was a huge decision. I really wanted it to be special. When I emailed the company to complain and request a refund so that I could use the R1200 that I had spent to try to mitigate some of the damages done by taking my fiance out for a nice quiet dinner, I was told that "the caterer is new, but vegetarian options are available" (vegan and vegetarian are NOT the same) and that "the public cruises cater to the majority of guests (NOT TRUE!) and for a more personalised experience book a private cruise where music and possibly dietary requirements can be tailored to your requests" In future, be transparent about the fact that your alleged 'champagne cruise' is in fact a hip-hop party boat and that there are no meal options.
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