Allen Batista Travel

My first experience with this company was not a positive one initially signed up for the comedy Cruise at the end of June via Groupon. I was really excited about the idea as was my girlfriend .That got canceled because of inclement weather the day prior although the next day it didn’t rain grudge here, the weather man isn’t always right. They moved us to the the 14^th of July. This was canceled the day prior due to increment weather, This time bothered me because everywhere I looked the weather up there was like a 10% chance of precipitation and it was supposed to be like 90 degrees called the lady in change and she told me a bunch of people backed out and they didn’t have enough to sail expressed to her that I was unhappy that this kept getting canceled and she responded by assuring me rain or shine they would be sailing on the 28^th. She also offered me a free drink credit however I never received
finally we get to the dock that it states on Groupon, there was a large line at the dock how ever nothing that stated Allen Batista Travel so we were confused called the lady again to ask if we were in the right place. She said she was coming outside and kinda rushed my girlfriend off the phone. ironically it actually was drizzling this
they finally let us on the boat and I was literally immediately disappointed. I didn’t Expect a 5 star floating restaurant but it looked like a basement to me with tables and chair’s inside is mostly painted black with the foundation and pluming visible are lights all over the ceiling (possibly disco light’s probably would look really cool at night but just not very appealing at 2 pm. So as soon as we get on the boat there was a line for the food. This was when my disappointment escalated dramatically «Menu» was very lackluster .I didn’t expect a 5 star meal but I honestly would have rather gone to McDonald’s. They had a Salad of Mixed greens and tomatoes 2 tuba-​wear containers (reminiscent to what Chinese fast food restaurants sell homemade ice-​tea in) filled with dressing .One Blue cheese the other Ranch. Then there was some Yellow rice. Some of the Driest grilled chicken breast I have ever encountered in my life with no type of condiments honestly didn’t even taste like it was seasoned had some kind of fish, I didn’t ask what it was but it was OK. Then some white rice and then another tray with rice and beans white rice for some reason smelled burnt so it made it rather unappealing they randomly had some unsalted most likely Ore Ida french fries (no ketchup).The food was all served on Paper plates with plastic utensil’s felt as if I was at a barbecue than at something I was expecting to be a a bit more elegant. .Eventually we migrate up stair to a more clustered dining area than downstairs with a dance-​floor and a bar. Apparently drinks were not included because when I requested 2 sprites I was charged 4 dollars keep that in mind this is not all inclusive and I received a small plastic cut filled with Ice to the top with probably 3 FL oz. Me and my girlfriend find a
I try to enter the Chair, the tables are just to close to the seat for me because a fellow passenger has his chair to far out asked him if he could please move up a bit so I could sit, and he decides to make what he considers a joke at my expense and states in very broken English that I am to fat to sit behind him sit down anyway because I’m
this particular cruse date had a Zumba Class, Salsa, and a Comedy show. Now I don’t do or know much about Zumba (I just thought is was a game on Nintendo Wii) but it initially appeared to me like a bunch of middle aged woman twerking. However they seemed to have about 3 instructors doing a routine to a song. The instructors would actually almost fall as the boat rocked back and forth was interesting to watch. The the same man who insulted me turned out to be the guitarist for the Salsa portion .I honestly walked out to enjoy the view after the this so I couldn’t tell you if he was any good or not just that his is a douche bag. Enjoying the view was the best part of the encounter honestly don’t know If the comedy show even happened because it seemed like most people was just out side enjoying the weather on the top of the boat. The scenery was beautiful and we got really close to the statue of liberty, closer than I have ever been. Around 4:30ish we make it back to shore and I honestly couldn’t wait to get off of this
an overview I could not in all honestly recommend the Dinner or Lunch Cruise food wasn’t good .If you were to use this company for anything I recommend the $ 20 cruise that doesn’t charge for food really had High hopes for this and I feel I was let down. However the business would just have to make changes to this system they are doing for it to thrive and be memorable. Change the aesthetic of the boat as well as the food quality would add value to this deal.

Joanna,
I gave you my address several times, and yet you still got it wrong, when it’s located in our email trails. I highly doubt you even sent anything considering the fact that you could not reply to one single email of mine regarding the money you owed me. You provide terrible customer service and should be ashamed to even call it that. Zozi refunded me on your behalf. I don’t want your money anymore. You obviously need it more than I do.

I went to Salvador, Bahia with Allen Batista Travel in 2008 and really enjoyed myself. Ms. Allen organized group get togethers before we went on the trip so we could get to know our group members. The hotel was nice and in a central location, could walk to mall and take public transportation. The group excursions were a lot of fun; we took a dance class, went on a boat ride and observed a festival. I would travel with Ms. Allen on a future trip.

Just took a cruise with my fiancée and it was nice. You get a show, food, and take in the sites. There was a cash bar that I was worried would cost a fortune but thankfully it wasn’t bad.
Also, we too had another event taking place upstairs but it was only a faint noise, we could hardly tell the difference. But with that being said, it sounded like they were having a great time, I wished they allowed people to go to either event and mingle with other people on the cruise. It was a great time, I would def do it again.

A group of my friends and I bought tickets through Living Social for the comedy cruise, which came with dinner, drinks and a show.
1. We didn’t realize that we’d have the salsa cruise upstairs, sharing the bar with us and creating A LOT of noise.
2. The food was substandard with limited options and you had to wait on a ridiculous line to get to it… when you reached the front, they were running out of a lot. It looked as though you were supposed to be given a piece of greasy chicken, rice, and pasta, but most people got ²⁄₃.
3. Only one of the comics was good, and the rest of the audience did not laugh at ANYTHING. Can you say awkward? It was actually painful at times. Most people would have walked out if we weren’t surrounded by water. Then you’re stuck on a boat with the comedians who nobody laughed at…
4. The drinks were watery at times, overly strong at others.
5. The boat itself was dingy, but not unclean.
6. Bathroom facilities were okay.
7. Going out on the front of the boat, where other people didn’t venture, was nice. It was an opportunity to be outside, on the water, without deafening music.
8. There was not enough seating for everyone. Since we were early, we got a table, but many other people were not as fortunate and stood to watch the comedians and even eat (granted, those were also the people who were closer to the food, so they got full meals).
When we were waiting to board the boat, there was nowhere to sit and there were no bathrooms in the immediate area.
Overall, the fact that it was something different to do, and it was a cheap day out on the water, made it all okay. We were more than ready to get off the boat when it docked though. Just make sure you go in with really low expectations and you’ll fare just fine.

I attended a VDay Salsa Cruise for couples in the winter.
Cons:
sub-​par food, no décor, insufficient heating.
Pros:
Great Salsa Lesson & Show, Good dance music, nice water front views of the city.

I also signed up for the Salsa Cruise. Joanna Allen cancelled the cruise without notifying me. Good thing I called to confirm a few hours prior to departure. I was never refunded. Joanna Allen is a stupid woman who has no idea how to run a business.

I signed up for the Allen Batista «Salsa Cruise» because of NY Daily Deal that cut the usual $ 85.00 price to $ 40.00 per person and that’s the only reason I am not more disappointed.
The website describes the event as follows: Salsa Boat ride
Professional salsa dancers are on hand to help guests hone their salsa movements during a 20 minute lesson. Then, these dancers will dazzle guests will a 30 minute salsa show. DJ will spin salsa, meringue, bachata, and Latin house during this boat ride.
What we got instead was an extended comedy show with some salsa music at the end, with a belly dance number thrown in the mix — it was a hodgepodge of entertainment. The event planner was supposed to do Comedy on one floor o the boat and Salsa on the other. Both events were combined due to low turn out. We signed up for Salsa — dancing, dancing — and some more dancing. Instead, because the boat didn’t get filled up they forced us to sit through Latin comedy hour. The jokes were crude and grew old fast, including one stating fat women shouldn’t worry about being raped because only skinny women are raped– OFFENSIVE! But, you’re on boat so what choice do you have? You’re at sea and you can’t get off until the tour is over.
It felt like a bait & switch. To make matters worse the boat swayed on the water making it rather difficult to enjoy what little dance time there was — or, floor space for that matter since folks were huddled onto one floor of the boat as the event planner squeezed everyone together.
Definitely not a repeat for me.

My friend & I went to an Allen Batista Travel Three-​Hour Themed Cruise with food that we purchased through a special offer on
(it was $ 39 instead of the usual $ 85). The offer is listed here: (
). If it had been on land instead of on the water, we definitely would have made a run for it… but it was a cruise, and November is not a good time of year to attempt swimming to land.
Although the advertisement says «fill up on a buffet meal», the food was a portion-​controlled scoop of rice, watery pasta, and one piece of on-​the-​bone chicken. Then they ran out. The crew who works on the cruise ship informed us that this is standard with Allen Batista cruises. The first floor of the ship reeked like a port-​a-​potty and offered cringe-​worthy standup comedy. The second floor offered samba lessons from a guy with ‘white trash b*tch’ written on the back of his shirt. Worst of all, drinks are not included in this «deal»., so if you want to drink until it’s fun, it’s going to set you back at least double what you paid already.
I’m not sure how this cruise is still in business, but I have to assume it is because no one has written any Unilocal reviews on it before. I’m writing this in hopes that no one else will make the same mistake we did.