SalsaBoston Entertainment

OK... Opposite to previous two reviews, I had a wicked,wicked, good time.

I had better time than previous two reviewers because:

1. I came with my friend
2. She had a gift certificate and I got in for free.

Usually I don't go to any salsa night alone because I am not that good yet. So I usually bring a companion who is equally skilled and don't mind my occasional clumsiness.

The lesson on the dock? It didn't look very helpful. As instructors weren't equipped with microphone or anything, it was really hard to hear for some people standing on the edge of the group. Hence we skipped that part.

As mentioned by other reviewers, lower deck had meringue oriented repertoires. On the middle deck, there was a salsa DJ. As oppose to meringue, salsa takes up far more space but the space was far smaller than lower deck. However, I prefer smaller space middle deck as it was pretty much outdoor. It would've been way too hot to dance if it was on the lower deck which was indoor.

Like what happened to Jenny N said, don't over dress. I dressed up semi good but I've seen some old dude with wife beater shirt and shorts. He rather looked like he accidentally got on the boat while he was to pick up the newspaper on the drive way.

Buffet looked and smelled really good. But I didn't have any. I'd skip that anyway. So get the cheaper tickets and dance the night away. And bring your friends(preferably opposite gender friends to dance with).

It's not like going to a club where you can leave at any time. You'll be on the boat and will be stuck on it for a few hours. So make sure secure all elements that enable you to have good time.

My friend and I went with another couple on SalsaBoston's Salsa cruise Friday night, and I was very disappointed with the whole experience.

I signed up for the beginner salsa lesson (it costs extra), which was scheduled to take place the hour before the boat departed.  The lessons, which started late, were actually held ON THE DOCK next to the boat.  Mind you, this isn't a private dock, but the main stretch on Long Wharf, which means there was a steam of people trying to walk through us while thirty people are taking up the entire dock trying to learn how to salsa.  There was no microphone or PA system (just an ipod plugged into a tiny Fender amp), so we could barely hear the instructor.  Plus we were right in front of the open air bar where people drink before the booze cruises, so we were fighting with the music blasting from their sound system (and taking lessons in front of the drunks was a little unnerving to some of the people in our group).

All in all, I couldn't believe how unorganized it was - it was like they decided to give impromptu lessons on the sidewalk in front of a club.  And I don't think they taught us enough, just one quick step and they were done (and there was no help on the boat once we got going).

My disappointment continued once we got on board.  They had two 'dance floors' set up - downstairs was Latin dance mixes (too fast to salsa - just enough to bump and grind), and upstairs was more traditional Salsa.  The problem was (in addition to the boat being run down) there was almost no room to dance.  Downstairs the dance floor was maybe 20 x 25, but upstairs the dance floor couldn't have been more than 15 x 12.  Maybe it's just my pet peeve, but I think the biggest flaw any dance club can have is a small dance floor.

It was hot, crowded and lots of people were smoking, you were elbowed and stepped on if you went near the dance floor, and I felt the crowd was unfriendly and sometimes downright rude.  Maybe I'm being too judgmental because I'm comparing it to some of the swing dance venues I go to, but I struggled to enjoy myself and certainly won't be going back.

Note: This is a review for SalsaBoston's Salsa & Latin Dance Cruise, which departs from Long Wharf, Gate 2.

My friends and I were looking for a fun venue to try salsa dancing in the city, and I happened to stumble upon the SalsaBoston dance cruise. I thought, "What could be better than dancing the night away to some sexy Latin beats as we sail out into the harbor?"

Salsa instructors Johnny and Kelly lead the pre-party lesson on the dock. But be careful on those wet docks, ladies! It can get slippery out there when you're wearing heels...It seemed like a rather long lesson as we were all eager to board the boat, but in reality it was probably only 15-20 minutes.

Once onboard, the game plan is to grab a drink on the lower deck and then make your way to the upper deck to enjoy the sunset and some fine people-watching while waiting for the boat to push off into the harbor. My friends and I seemed overdressed by comparison in our summer dresses as we didn't get the memo that appropriate attire includes booty shorts, jeans with cutouts and lacing down the legs, dresses and tops cut down to the navel, etc...Next time, I'll hit up Tello's beforehand.

In place of the ballroom-style dance floor I had imagined, the management had laid down some plywood boards on the upper deck. It was a serviceable replacement; we gamely made our moves on the dance floor and occasionally accepted gracious offers to dance from gentlemen onboard. It seems to be the polite protocol for gentlemen to ask the single ladies to dance at least once (even if said men already came onboard with dates). I thought this was rather charming.

Once you tire of counting your "quick, quick, slow" steps, you can head downstairs to the lower deck for more "club-style" dancing. The DJ pumps popular reggaeton dance beats and we witnessed some serious grinding. Again, prime people-watching territory!

I advise ending the 2.5-hour cruise on the upper deck, enjoying the slow glide back into Boston Harbor, with all the lights of the city twinkling before you. At the end of the evening, you'll probably be sticky from the ocean air and humidity, but it's a perfect happy ending. We skipped the free after party at Mojitos Lounge.

Reason for 3 stars? It can get pricey if you are doing the whole package deal. Tickets are $24 dockside and $19 in advance, but you can usually get several dollars off if you purchase on Goldstar Events. The cruise offers a buffet-style dinner onboard ($10 per plate), but I did not partake so I can't comment on the tastiness. Be aware that there is little signage and many ticket booths at the Long Wharf area, so it makes it a bit confusing for first-timers like me who wander from one area to another, trying to locate this elusive salsa cruise. You'll also probably have more fun if you come with a group. You don't want to be the lone wallflower in a sea of dancing couples.