Wow, and not in a good way. My husband booked this 'adventure' as a treat while we are in town. We travel full time and really enjoy boat and train excursions. We were looking forward to a calm, romantic evening on a sunset cruise. As many reviews state, the parking situation is dismal. The lot is confusing and in bad shape. We boarded the boat and it looked good from afar, but once on board, it was dirty, rundown and full of bugs/spider webs. There was no safety brief or information given. The two staff members we spoke to were very nice. The boat didn't leave until well past sundown, so the sunset was not a part of the experience. We didn't experience the meal so I cannot comment on that. Unfortunately, the music on the interior of deck 2 was much too loud for us and deck one had the meal, then a saxophone player that was also not the calm, soothing experience we had hoped for. So, we got stuck on the top deck exterior area. This would have been great because the weather was gorgeous. However, the seating is sparse and awful; hard metal benches, the few with cushions were filthy and so thin that they made no difference. The biggest disappointment for us was that they allow smoking on ALL deck exteriors. Most of the staff are smokers as were many of the customers. As non-smokers, we could not escape the smoke. There was a group smoking marijuana also which really stunk up the air. It would be nice if there was a designated smoking area at the back of the boat so that non-smokers had some respite. We spent three hours standing at the front of the top deck, trying to stay upwind of smokers. I still came home with a headache and the smell of smoke on my clothing. The boat has great potential, it just needs some good deep cleaning, seating and maintenance. It would have been nice to have some dialogue that gave information about the history of the boat and the area. A designated area for smoking would be a huge improvement. I realize the parking lot is a shared area, but better signage to where to board the boat and improvements for the lighting and surface of the lot is needed. My husband, who didn't have a drop of alcohol, tripped over a huge crack and fell in the parking lot. It was a terrible topper to an already bad experience. read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - A photo of the lighthouse as the excursion began, well after sunset. - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

Always a good time on the Southern Empress Cruise. New Years 2026! A lot of dancing, refreshments and snacks. Enjoyed it a lot. Captain Kurt always welcoming. HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2026 read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - New Year's Eve party boat! - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

This is our secound time and every time just keeps getting better. Amazing food and stuff make you feel at home. Can't wait to go back to try the theme game night. read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

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We purchased a Groupon and they wouldn't let us redeem it. They supposedly didn't have any available dates and then tried to charge us and extra $120+ Now we have to fight with Groupon to try and get a refund. I would avoid this place and the bait and switch scam they are running. There are plenty of other fun experiences to explore...But absolutely pass on this one. read more

I don't wanna give them a bad rating and have them like eventually shut down, but I came here to say that they had one bartender for the entire boat and it was a struggle to get a drink all night some people in our party didn't even drink because of it, and that part hugely sucked. We were there to wipe out their liquor supply and I literally had one drink because it took an hour to get. read more

The staff did their bess with rainy weather I like their cruises HOWEVER they need to replace the carpet and other repairs They need to have a clearly marked entrance read more

My husband and I play a dating game with our dates. We plan our dates around an alphabet letter and then surprise each other with our plans. It was my turn to plan and I had the letter "C". This is where the "Southern Empress" CAME in to play. I wanted to do a dinner CRUISE and how perfect that the boat happens to be on Lake CONROE and exciting that it was a murder mystery CRUISE. The Southern Empress resembles an 1800s sternwheeler riverboat and showcases a rich history and CHARM of an era. The boat is supposed to look a bit old, but in all seriousness I believe the look added to the boats CHARACTER. So, what my husband still didn't know was there would be a CRIME COMMITTED while we sailed around Lake CONROE. The first hour on the boat was COCKTAIL hour. We were able to walk around the boat and enjoy its CHARISMATIC CHARM. Some of the CHARACTERS walked around the boat and CHEERFULLY introduced themselves to set the scene. We went to the lower deck for a planned dinner of CHICKEN, mashed potatoes, and blackforest CAKE. As dinner CONTINUED on, we learned of the CRIME and were given CONFIDENTIAL papers where we could CHANNEL our inner detective. We engaged in CONVERSATION, gathered CLUES, and solved the CASE. It was a lot of fun and the evening was quite CAPTIVATING. The CREW were friendly, entertaining, and attentive to us all. The CASH bar selection was great (they did take CC) and the food was good especially for having to serve so many. We had a great time and we both said we wanted to come back. read more

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Unfortunately a terrible experience. Due to weather, they cancelled my reservation but decided not to return my money. I was called to be notified of the cancellation and was told I could either get a refund or schedule for another day. I was told to notify them via email or phone call which I would like to do. To date, (months later), no one will answer my calls, return my emails or make any contact with me. Lost more than a hundred dollars on this one. At this point it's theft. Will not recommend. read more

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! read more

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Such an amazing experience aboard! The staff is attentive and friendly, the food is delicious and the tiramisu is the best I've ever had!! Add all of this in with some of the best views of the lake and a night of dancing!! 10/10 cannot wait to come back again! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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 . read more

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. read more

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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! read more

What a great experience! From the Owner to the Captain to the Crew, everyone is top notch! The food is exceptional and the shows are fantastic!!! I highly recommend taking a cruise on this fabulous vessel!!! read more

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. read more

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. read more

Great Boat, Food, Cruise and Crew! It is a wonderful cruise with a third floor outdoor deck. Is taking floor deck for dancing and music indoors.. And a first floor for dinner with a stage. read more

Pre-dinner you are in the bar/music area. Out boat tour was basically ruined when we saw the bartender opening a Jack Daniels bottle with her teeth, and later taking cherries out of the cocktail ingredients container with her fingers... to snack on them. The food was no more than OK for such an expensive arrangement. The live musician was OK when he played, but spent most of this time jabbing with his family over the microphone. There is nothing wrong with having your family in the audience, but they are not the audience. read more

Worn down but a good idea. The murder mystery was fun. The boat and food sucked. The parking lot is falling apart and run down. You follow a small sign down a path that is basically one way as it's all overgrown. You get a small dock that is falling apart. Board on some beat-up ramps that don't make it easy for some to board. Then it hits you. You would think it's an original 100+ year old boat. It's just worn down. Spider webs all over. Dead bugs all over. Signs of leaks in ceilings inside. Broken windows. The bathrooms didn't work too well. It's worn down and falling apart. I like the concept and wish them well but just spend a week or two cleaning alone and you could improve the visit for so many. Then you can start updates to the interior and food. It needs a lot of work. I'd strongly recommend you stay away. You pay a lot and I didn't expect anything amazing but it was just bad read more

Gilligan had it better! Learning her birthday surprise was a 3 hour murder mystery dinner cruise so close to home, my date was excited. Rolling into the parking area was the start to our adventure. Hopefully the lake would be a little smoother. We parked and followed the one small sign down a narrow walkway, badly overgrown with trees and plants. Part concrete, part wood deck that looked more fit in a horror flick and was worse than the driveway we encountered in the car just before. Her wedges weren't suited for hiking but we held on and just a few steps more, the boat ramp stretched out to us at a very strange and steep angle. Maybe because it wasn't down all the way. We conquered the 3 obstacles to sign the manifest and walk aboard. Immediately I noticed the lack of maintenance on the boat but kept it to myself. We walked into the dining area to be seated and waited for the evening to begin. The staff brought the tea we asked for albeit warm and watered from the melted ice along with the salad and main course shortly after. The food was mediocre at best. At one point my date asked if I tasted something plastic like that we later concluded was the potato skins. We listened and followed along for the murder mystery and of course the guests always make the experience fun but the surroundings and musty dining area made us go up top to get fresh air and enjoy each other for the rest of the cruise. The un continuous handrail for the steep steps gave me a splinter and almost broke her nail twice. Who has a weathered handrail on steep steps, split by another piece of wood in the middle of a stair run? Mystery solved. Southern Empress. Conversation and sunset made the evening but as the boat pulled in, we both were more than ready to be off the heap. The top deck was in the same rundown condition. The chairs were split open and bent. The smell and fumes, bugs didn't help make it a romantic evening. The ramp and walk way after was extremely tough for the elderly directly in front of us leaving and I know there were more. We felt worse for them. If I would have read the reviews, I wouldn't have booked this for a birthday surprise for my worst enemy and definitely not my love. Today I apologized and asked for a do over. Fortunately for me, she is an amazing woman! Southern Empress not so much. You got me. April fools is gone and we won't be back. Use the 270. to do some work on that boat or better yet sell it for what you can get and refund everyone's money. The reviews have been largely unchanged since 2013! Shame on me for not checking. read more

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!! read more

Just had an event for 230 people and the staff was exceptional. They took care of us and was on top of every detail. The boat is historic and a true gem. Definitely worth experiencing. read more

We had a party of 6 on the Southern Empress for a dinner sunset Cruz on a weekend night. Upon arrival we were asked to come an hour before ship off time, and had to wait outside while the staff scrambled to get ready. Upon entry into the First thing that hit me was an odor of wet moldy smell and engine fuel. We were told we had to go upstairs, and the stairs are very steep and difficult to climb for my elderly parents. The staff is very kind, friendly and professional. The empress herself is run down and dirty. You can barely see through the windows. At one point a huge spider decended down in the hallway almost landing on a client, which was terrifying. Ok so all in all we had a fun time, the drinks and DJ were good and dinner was delicious. I just think for the price they are asking they could polish her up and clean her up! read more

The cruise itself was enjoyable but for $120 to get four little pieces of barbecue and potatoes and corn and pay $9 for a drink was just horrible would not recommend this unless you just want to join a ride on a boat that's falling apart read more

We arrived at 6:15pm and checked in. You do have to pay gratuity up front at 15%. This is because they have no way on board the ship to add gratuity. I see no problem with this method and after the cruise I must say the waitstaff deserve at least a 20% tip. We boarded exactly at 6:30. We were able to purchase some drinks and have nice conversation. The boat is an old boat and this did show. The only thing I would suggest would be to clean the windows, they were a bit dirty. The cruise took off at 7:15. We were then called to dinner within 15 minutes of departure. We were given the option of chicken or roast beef. I got the roast beef and my partner got the chicken, we split. Both were very good but I recommend the chicken. It was accompanied by green beans and cheesy hash browns. We had a choice between Apple cobbler and cheese cake. I tried both and preferred the cheese cake. We then enjoyed the rest of the ride. The second floor was a dance floor with a DJ and the top was outside, which was peaceful and quiet. The staff was courteous and on top of things. I was asked if I needed a drink and it was brought right to me. I gave this 3 stars because I had a groupon and it was worth every penny. However, if I would have paid full price I may have been a bit disappointed. read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

We arrived looking forward to a nice evening dinner cruise. This place is a dump . The boat looks like it hadn't had maintenance in 20 years. Wood is rotted out, floors are buckled, windows are filthy. The wood on the dock/pier area is even rotted and buckled. Cocktails were served in cheap plastic cups. Don't waste your money on this place. read more

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. read more

The entire experience was HORRIBLE! Overpriced! Food was HORRIBLE! Music only country western guitar one man band, very boring! Overpriced drinks from Bar $74 for 2 drinks! For dinner my tea was served in a plastic cup, while water served in a glass. Infestation of bugs everywhere! Someone should contact the health department. I did'nt see a kitchen, so I'm wondering how was food prepared...smh. Boat old and very FILTHY. This company need to be sued for false advertisement! I'm convinced that the good reviews are made by family members and or staff. The boat look like it just been through a storm. No cleaning. Piss poor, they should be embarrassed! MY RATING IS MINUS 5 September 15 read more

My hubby took me on date night to this dinner cruise. I'm partially handicapped so I was not really interested in the dancing and drinking on the Magnolia deck so the very friendly Captain let us stay on the dining deck. Hubby got me a pina colada though and I really enjoyed it as I watched the water through the giant windows. Once we started moving a little after 7 pm the dinner started with a fresh crisp salad. Not fancy just very fresh greens, cucumber, tomato, carrot, etc. That was followed by the entre which was a chicken dish with a cream sauce containing tiny shrimp. A roll, mashed baby red potatoes well seasoned and crisped brussel sprouts tied that plate together. Yes it was a catered meal but from the known Wave restaurant right there at the Marina. Followed by chocolate cake and good coffee. Hubby and I talked as we watched the shores of Lake Conroe scroll by. A quiet and enjoyable time for me. The evening ended with two of the male staff pushing me up the hill to our car in a wheelchair since walking and I don't get along. I swear we laughed the entire trip about one thing or the other. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because the dock really could use some repair work. Not the ship's fault, but the Marina's. Will be back. Oh yeah. read more

We had a good time. The bartender makes great drinks. The DJ was jamming some good 80s tunes. The staff was really friendly. The boat is old, but that's what I expected. The food was good. You get a salad, then a chicken and mashed potato plate, Yea, and a dessert. The scenery and being out on the water is what I went for and that delivered. read more

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All in all, was a great experience. The captain and crew were wonderful to work with. Food and drinks were great! The boat was very charming, as it was not a classic paddle boat, but recreation from the early 80's. Other reviews said the price was too high, but for three hours of entertainment for two people, I thought it was well priced. The only weird thing were the people we shared dinner with, they up and disappeared! Was a comedy show, but this couple just up and freaking disappeared after they ate the dinner. Didn't even have dessert. Where the hell did they go? We walked all around the ship and didn't see them. It turned into a mystery show for us. Did they jump overboard? Are they swimming with the fishes at the bottom of lake conroe? So odd. read more

I had a wonderful evening cruse this last month. I was taken on a personal tour of the boat. Great DJ. LOADS OF FUN read more

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We very much enjoyed our cruise. The food was very tasty, the bartenders were very friendly, the drinks were tasty. We went up to the top, open-air deck, after dinner. The weather was perfect, there was slight breeze coming off the water and that made it even better. Fun! read more

Great family time on a Saturday 2-hour lunch cruise. Very friendly service by all the staff. Our 87-year old mother loved it. We will be back for dinner cruise! read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - Captains perch. - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

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My husband and I booked a dinner cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We were married on the Southern Empress in 1995 and thought it would be fun to go back where it all began. While the staff was nice and friendly and the dinner decent, I was really disappointed in the ship. It is in need of alot of repair. There were many holes in the paneling and visible water damage and mildew did not make for a pretty site. The white painted railings were covered in dirt and I'm assuming bird poop! We couldn't even see out the windows they were so dirty! It needs a good cleaning and lots of cosmetic repairs. We enjoyed the live music and had a good time, but I don't think we will be back anytime soon. read more

The lake is nice but the boat was dirty, stinky and run down. The food was bad. Over all I would not recommend this boat it is a waste of money and time. I ordered a Crown and coke and I don't know what they put in the drink but it wasn't crown and the drinks are over priced. read more

I took my husband for his 38th birthday & we had such a nice, relaxing, & fun evening!The food was not fine dining but who cares?! It was decent & the ambiance made up for what the meal lacked. There was a nice breeze on the outside decks & the entertainment was fun & enjoyable. I'd love to bring my teenage daughter & her friends read more

The Southern Empress Cruises - Views from the boat - Boating Near Me - Willis, Texas

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The good: 1. The staff are friendly and helpful. 2. It was fun to be out on the lake cruising around under the stars with a cool breeze. The bad: 1. Though they offered gluten free when we made our reservations, they did not provide other than to substitute the pasta. There was no roll substitution. They warned that the Alfredo sauce, which was on everything, may or may not have gluten. They did not provide a dessert substitution. So other than a salad, those who cannot tolerate gluten were left without a proper meal. 2. They didn't care. The ugly: 1. This boat is in need of much repair and though there are many reviews commenting in this, they apparently don't care. Considering how much they bring in for an excursion, you'd think some of that would be designated for repairs. 2. It is very dirty. There are many active spider webs. How hard is it to regularly clean the decks? 3. The deck seating is very dated and stained. 4. The landing dock is very warped and rickety, and obviously old. 5. The lighting is non-existent on the path to the parking lot. We had to use our cell phone flashlights. This place is a law suit waiting to happen. read more