I’m on a boat!
Cruising on the water along the east side of Manhattan island while rocking out to good music and seeing some terrific sights on a beautiful night is always a plus. Doing this for free is even better!
Not too long ago I received an email from Goldstar with a free offer for tickets to attend a Rocks Off Concert Cruise. I figured it would be cheesy good fun for me and my girl to enjoy a night out, especially when she is a Journey and Bon Jovi fan, and a cover band called “BonJourney” was performing on the boat. Yes, I am serious. This was just too funny!
The weather was absolutely perfect for this that night. The crowd was certainly mixed and was almost cartoonish. Younger rockers, older women in outfits they have no business to be wearing, middle aged people pounding down overpriced drinks, a group of older Asian ladies hanging out and eating food they snuck in, a group of loud drunk Russians dancing horribly, cougars on the prowl and mauling some of the younger guys the drunker they got, older married women acting like groupies as if this was the real band, etc. It was a sight to behold, and made you chuckle as if you were observing a really bad reality show competition. This was people watching perfection! Almost like a train-wreck people of Wal-Mart television show.
The boat itself, the Jewel, is set up as two floors with the band playing on the lower deck below, and the upper deck with seating and a small dance floor. Bars are on both levels, while food is served on the lower deck. Men’s and woman’s bathrooms are also down there. This is one of their smaller boats and fits around 300 people, but last night there was nowhere near that many and was nice and open without too much of a crowd problem. We stayed on the upper deck all night enjoying the sights and listening to the band over the loudspeakers. We had our own table and secured our spot for the evening when we got on board. It was just too nice out to go on the lower deck to watch a cover band play, plus it seemed really warm down there when I hit the bathroom.
Overall, the crowd was in good spirits, the band put on a decent enough show (even though the singer flubbed a few verses now and then), people were considerate when they bumped into you, and we had a great time. Between sets they pumped out tracks ranging from AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Prince, Van Halen, etc. As expected, the mixed drinks were a bit overpriced at $8 for a sea breeze in a small plastic cup, but at least the bartender did a heavy pour of vodka which helped ease the sticker shock. We didn’t bother with the food but I did see some wings, Ceasar salad, and pasta for purchase by the food station. Boat is clean and well maintained.
The sights as you pass under multiple lit-up bridges at night, the glimmering lights of the city, and the majestic Statue of Liberty just make for a dramatic visual along the whole evening. It’s a terrific thing to experience at least once, and totally worth it if you can score free or highly discounted tickets to this three hour tour. Best to go with a group of friends to have fun with. Normally, tickets are in the $25-$30 range, and is actually a cheap night out, especially for a cruise around Manhattan, but look on sites like Goldstar for the free or super cheap offers.
Maybe if I ever get out there, that’s how I’ll check out the view of the Statue Of Liberty….I’ll bet it’s gorgeous.
Hey Kitt!
It is a beautiful statue. At night when lit up it looks amazing.
Looks like a lot of fun, and worthwhile just for the scenic views, or perhaps if you enjoy a few chuckles people watching.
Hey Peggy!
The views are pretty amazing, and the people watching was too funny! At least it was free and the music was good!
It sounds great for people watching haha.
xoxo Aimee
bowsandbeau-ties.blogspot.com
Hi Aimee!
Thanks for dropping by my blog! It as like a People of WalMart booze cruise! 🙂
Hilarious! I bet the sights were amazing. I went to a Motley Crue concert as an adult and saw this woman with a hot body. I kept looking at her out of sheer desire to have her body…and then she turned around. OMG! She was about 60 and her face did not match below the neck. Not that 60 is old, but it wasn’t a well-maintained 60 in the upper region. Oh well, live a learn. Nice post.
Haha! Jennifer, my friends and I call that the “1960’s look” – 19 from the back, 60’s from the front! With older women keeping fit, it happens a lot these days and the “ew” factor is big when you walk past from the back and then look at the front … or they turn around. Women can usually spot it coming but I’ve had a few good laughs watching guys react. (I’m in my 60’s so usually have pretty good radar for it.)
Hey Patricia!
I have been one of those guys to check out the back and then discover the shocking reality! Hey, some guys dig that kind of older woman thing.
Hey Jennifer!
Thanks for dropping by my blog! I see that a lot in the city here. Lots of older woman dress and look a lot younger. I see it at all the concerts I go to. No one wants to age anymore.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
At least you’ll get some cred for taking her out!
BonJourney? That’s just wrong.
UP
Hello UP!
It was wrong but oh so right! Think of a floating WalMart booze cruise!
It sounds like you and your girl had the right approach snagging a great seat and relaxing with the fab views, people-watching ops and decent tunes. Nice that the weather co-operated too!
Hi Patricia!
This is one of the best ways to enjoy a relatively cheap night out, and the views are amazing! The people are kind of funny too.
The drinks on all cruises etc. seem to be over priced. They always make a ton of money off the drinks 🙂 It sounds like a fun night though, and getting free tickets is always a good thing!
Hey Foodie!
At least the free tickets offset the drink prices! Plus, the music was fun and the views were terrific!
BonJourney sounds like a FUN time! One of my first concerts was Bon Jovi. 🙂 Add in the people watching and I’d do that cruise in a heartbeat!
Hey Coleen!
Then you would have loved it! I can see you with big hair, long nails, big hoop earrings, and zebra striped spandex leggings on rocking out! 🙂
To complete that look–add in my denim jacket and matching denim boots! *cringe*
Nice! Yes, don’t forget the f**ck me boots and bedazzled shirt!
I would have gone just to see all the people!
Hey Holly!
It’s a fun time actually, and the people are part of it! It’s always good to be with someone you can make fun of others with!
You had me at “Bonjourney”.
I’ve been on a couple Marco Polo booze cruises. The food was surprisingly good.
Hey Jill,
If you enjoy cheesiness this was a good one! I just went right for the booze!
Sounds like you had fun! ‘BonJourney’ – I’m still smiling about the name 🙂
Hi Christy!
Thanks for dropping by my blog and commenting!
Yeah, it was goofy cheesy fun! I would do it again.
Rock on! I envy you for having such wonderful trip! This is totally amazing, the sights, the food, the entire trip was indeed great! I wish I could just be in that trip someday! Thank you for sharing such wonderful things about your trip!
Hello Mark!
Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting. I love these fun evening cruises with bands playing alog with food and drink. It makes for a great night out!