lake conroe dinner cruise

The Southern Empress Cruises

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Review Highlights

“ We took our 4 year old grandson on a lunch cruise and had a wonderful experience! ” in 6 reviews

“ We were then called down to the dining deck for dinner. ” in 2 reviews

“ I want to thank Barbara for her help. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

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7035 Kingston Cove Ln

Willis, TX 77318

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Overall rating

113 reviews

On a whole the experience was very good. The captain greeted us at boarding and gave instructions on how the evening would transpire. All the staff were very pleasant and eager to please. The meal was not anything elaborate but all very well presented. The reason for 4 stars not 5 is because the ship is in need of some major TLC .

What a great night out! We went on the Valentine's Day Cruise and had so much fun! The food was delicious, prime rib was cooked well, and cheesecake was awesome! Jeff the owner was so nice and made sure we were happy and Barbara was also so fun and funny, what a great staff!

Our first time with 3 couples. I was pleasantly surprised how good the food was! DJ was amazing and he sang too! Captain and staff were amazing. I would definitely go again. The boat does need a little TLC but overall we all had an amazing time.

We went on the 4th of July cruise. I want to thank Barbara for her help. Food was a delicious BBQ dinner with dessert. We paid for alcoholic drinks, which was so good! Get the Rum Punch if you like sweet cocktails. So good!! View of fireworks was amazing, band was awesome, and everyone had a great time! For those complaining about the shape it's in, people it's been around forever. Of course it's going to be old looking. Just enjoy the moment. Not many people have the money to enjoy a great boat ride on a unique vessel. Thank Southern Empress for a great night!

I so wanted to like this experience and give it more than one star. But I just can't. We can started with trying to find the place first. Which is next to impossible. You have to play dodge the potholes first, then park in what looks like an apartment complex but is actually a restaurant. Then you will find a very small sign that tells you to take a path to the boat. Not a good path to walk in heels.. So we get the the "dock" which is falling apart! Matter of fact all the docks are like that or already half gone! Now for the boat! OH MY GOSH!!! This thing needs a good overhaul! Dirty, spiderwebs, smelly, broken windows, broken bathroom stalls. Just horrible! Like take a dang weekend and clean this thing! Food: nope! I was told it was going to be a chicken breast. What we got was 1/2 of a chicken thigh and potato salad! And not really sure what the dessert was. Our friends told us it was an underdone brownie. It was just horrible. My friend complain and they just looked at her like, oppppsss sorry. I went to complain and that is when they said they would call the restaurant and have something waiting for her, which was another hour wait. Entertainment: hhhmmmm the girl who played the bride was good. But it felt like they were not organized. It was hard to follow and rushed. In the end, will I do this again - No. Do I think that it was worth the $120 per person price - No. Do I wish I could get my money back - YES. Please read all the reviews before you spend the money. I wish i had.

I've never seen a boat in such horrendous condition. The first floor has a STRONG odor of mold/wet carpet. The food looks the same. All of the wood is badly chipped and warped floors. Very dirty doors. All of the seating is warped, torn, rusted. The bartenders (women) will add additional charges / gratuity on each one of your purchases. So if they tell you something is $35. They'll swipe your card for $42. And they all look like Meth-any's.

Southern Empress Cruise was just ok. But, I wouldn't do it again! They accommodated special diet requirements & food was good. But, here's the dining experience caveats. My husband told our server that he was unable to eat the salad dressing that was served & asked for a vinaigrette & was told they only had that one dressing. When we told them we made known our dietary restrictions prior to booking the cruise, which they assured us they could accommodate, viola, they brought vinaigrette dressing. Oh, so you do have other selections. Hmm! I was only able to eat about 1/3 of my meal because servings were generous. I asked for a take-home container & was told they'd bring one. After waiting for a while, the server came by & said "oh, you're waiting on a to-go container aren't you"? I said, "yes". More wait time passed, so I asked again only to be told, "oh, we don't carry to-go containers on the boat", so sorry. Then one of the servers came over & took my plate & said she would just hold it in the back for me. So now, I'm really confused. After paying $176 for the cruise, it really irked me to have to throw away perfectly good food that would have made 2 more meals for me. Had I known, I would have taken my own darn to-go container. That part of the dinner was not at all accommodating. So, that left a very bad taste in my mouth. It left me wondering, if the "we only have one kind of dressing" along w/the ".....we don't have to-go containers on the boat" stories were nothing more than cockamamie BS. After dinner, our group went back upstairs to the 2nd deck to listen to the music & hopefully dance. However, the music wasn't that pleasant & certainly not what I would consider good or appropriate dance music for seniors. Also, there were multiple fans on high speed circulating air to an already chilly deck since it was a windy & chilly night. So, the fans made it very uncomfortable temperature wise. Seating to the 2nd deck used for after dinner entertainment was extremely limited & the tables were so wobbly that several times, I almost ended up with drinks in my lap. Bottom line is: Would I do it again? Nope! Am I glad I went? Not particularly! Did I have a good time? Not especially! Did I feel the value was good for the money? Not at all! Do I wish that my husband & I had saved our money & spent it elsewhere? Absolutely! So, my tip & recommendation to those thinking about going.......Save Your Money & go have a nice dinner somewhere that offers a much more pleasant ambiance & that you can at least take your expensive leftovers home with you to enjoy the next day! On a brighter note.....we had a beautiful sunset! Do yourself a favor...Go enjoy a fabulous meal at Brenner's Steakhouse.

I took my husband for his birthday to the Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise and we had a blast. The crew was wonderful and the show was fun, the food was good also. All the people on board were friendly and enjoying themselves. A great experience!!

Although my first impression was the Paddle Boat sure needed some updating on the outside, after going inside and having such a warm welcome into the bar area, I soon changed. We enjoyed the staff and the music before dinner. Then we moved to the lower deck for a really nice relaxing dinner and a beautiful sunset. Enjoyed visiting with the owner and the chef. After dinner we went back to the bar where there is a dance floor for more music. The music was good, but a little disappointed there was never any dance music, just more of a concert. Would recommend this cruise to friends.

If you are trying to scratch your cruise itch, but are short on funds and/or time, this is your saving grace. If you cannot get away for 3 or more days to cruise, a river or lake cruise is a nice alternative. When you do a river cruise, in comparison to a large body of water cruise, you cannot come here expecting gambling in most states, exotic destinations and things of that nature. Those amenities are normally set aside for the traditional cruise. With this particular excursion, you should expect 1 meal, libations and a dance floor while sailing smoothly around Lake Conroe. My meal was 3 courses: Traditional salad of moderate size. Chicken, mashed potatoes, beans with tomatoes and onions, a roll. Chocolate cake with raspberry glaze. Water and tea are complimentary but you can buy several other drinks including a nonalcoholic fruit punch. All in all, the meal was not bad. The chicken was juicy and seasoned, as well as a decent sized piece. The mashed potatoes did not seem boxed. Surprisingly, the beans were actually better than expected. The tomatoes and onions complimented the beans well overall. Do not come here expecting to be blown away by the food! I cannot emphasis that enough! After the formal meal, everyone goes upstairs and you have a DJ taking and playing all request. What is a dance floor without the option to purchase more alcohol? Well, of course, upstairs you can continue to purchase alcohol and dance to your heart's content. All in all this excursion is a cool break from the norm. Do not expect unlimited eats like a Carnival cruise line situation, but you definitely can have fun doing this as well. Search Groupon to see if you can experience this excursion on discount. This 3 hour event will run you at least $66 without the Groupon. As always, check the terms and conditions of the Groupon so you can know what extra fees you may have to pay. The boat is not going very fast, so I do not foresee motion sickness being an issue for anyone. They truly did traverse Lake Conroe very smoothly the entire time. Take a few bucks, and take a few hours to get a minor cruise experience. Just make sure to show up at least 30 minutes prior to departure to check in or risk getting left and losing your money.

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Southern Empress Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Dinner Cruise on Lake Conroe

The Lake Conroe Dinner Cruise is three hours in duration and offers guests an unforgettable evening filled with dining, drinks, and dancing. Come aboard and enjoy a delicious meal on the main deck, followed by a party on the Magnolia deck, complete with a cash bar and DJ to keep the good times flowing. Head onto the Texas and Hurricane decks for a gorgeous view as you watch the sunset while the lake slides by below.

Cost is $69.95 per person ($59.95 for seniors) or you can purchase a Groupon for 2 or 4 people for a very significant discount. https://www.groupon.com/deals/southern-empress-2

To register for the cruise (with or without Groupon, you still need to register!):

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/southernempress/items/34922/availability/371628556/book/?selected-items=34922

If you have questions, please email Amy Taylor at [email protected]

Bring a friend and introduce them to America’s Boating Club Houston.

Saturday, January 25, 2020 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Venue: Southern Empress Cruises

Banquet Rooms , Outdoor Destinations

Venue Phone: (936)588-3000

Venue Website: https://www.southernempress.com/

The Southern Empress has been featured in many blogs and magazines. The Empress hosts private and public cruises year round; from the annual Fourth of July cruise to company Christmas parties.

Your Upscale

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When you reserve the Little Palm Yacht for your event, you’re not just getting a tour of Lake Conroe. You’re getting quality service, a pleasant atmosphere, and an unforgettable experience. Explore all the features we have to offer.

Experience Our Upscale

Lake conroe cruises, birthday parties, dinner cruises, rehearsal dinners, anniversaries, family events, sunset cruises, casino nights, corporate outings, company team building events, fine luxury cruising.

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Beautiful lake conroe, entertain with, upscale dining features, why book with us.

With luxury yacht charters for any occasion, Little Palm Yacht Cruises transforms your special event into an unforgettable celebration on beautiful Lake Conroe. Providing you with an upscale experience that goes the extra mile is our goal.

Unforgettable Experiences

The 80-foot double-deck, “little palm” features upscale amenities worthy of any special occasion. our luxury yacht rental is a uniquely upscale experience that your guests will never forget., classy, romantic setting.

Enjoy dreamy anniversaries and dazzling sunset weddings on Lake Conroe. Our elegant yacht cruises are a beautiful and romantic way to celebrate a special occasion with your loved one.

Easy Planning Year Round

We offer flexible planning with cruises available every day, during every season. with an enclosed lower deck, you and your guests can enjoy your private yacht cruise in comfort any time of year., take advantage of, special discounts.

If you book an event with us, enjoy 15% off two nights or more at Margaritaville Lake Resort.

Lake Conroe Sunset Cruises

"and day time tours"

We'll See YOU on the Water!

Lake Conroe Sunset Cruises is looking forward to scheduling your excursion soon. Whether you are from the area or visiting from out-of-town, we welcome you to come experience the fun and beauty that Lake Conroe has to offer.

[email protected]

281-798-9592

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Learn about our services and the fun you can expect!

What to Expect

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Welcome Aboard!!

Specializing in :

• Private captained boat excursions

• Sunset cruises

• Water view real estate tours

• Birthday/anniversary celebrations • Site seeing & bird watching

Call for info 281-798-9592

General Boat Tours - (group of up to 6 ppl (Note: Pricing is per group, not per person)

1 hour - $160.00

1.5 hours - $240.00

Sunset Cruise Packa ge - Enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Lake Conroe while taking in a breathtaking sunset! - Starting at $160.00

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Look forward to scheduling your boat charter soon! 281-798-9592 [email protected] Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Cruises Offered

Tiki boat cruises for fun celebrations and events.

At Cruisin’ Tikis Lake Conroe, we offer several prescheduled tiki boat tours around Lake Conroe, TX. You may also request private tours for your various social gatherings. Just let us know how many people will join you as well as your desired date and time. Contact us for more information.

Cruise Details

Morning mimosa cruise | 1.5 hrs 10:00 am - 11:30 am $324 for private boat, or $63.00 per person.

Tiki boat holds 6 people

Lake Conroe Tiki Cruise | 1.5 Hrs Offered between 12:00 PM and 4:30 PM $324 for private boat, or $63.00 per person

Ayers Island Swim Cruises | 3 Hrs Offered at 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM $648.00 for private boat, or $126.00 per person

Sunset Tiki Cruises | 2 Hrs 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM $432 for private boat, or $84 per person

Karaoke Cruise | 2 Hrs 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM $432 (only offered as private boat)

Mother’s Day Cruise

Arrival Information

Duration: 2.5 hours
Boarding begins 1 hour prior to cruise time.

Celebrate Mom on the Lake Conroe Mother’s Day Cruise

Are you looking for a unique and special way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year? Look no further than the Southern Empress, a stunning paddlewheel boat that offers a luxurious lunch cruise on the picturesque Lake Conroe. Treat your mom to an unforgettable experience surrounded by breathtaking views and delicious cuisine.

Children are more than welcome on this cruise!

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