La Barcaza Wedding Reception?

vwy2k · November 9, 2011

I'm getting married on May 2nd 2012 in Punta Cana and found out about La Barcaza a little to late. I messaged Fiori and they are booked for my wedding date. Are there any other companies that are similar and do this service?

I was satisfied before I learned about it, but now that i've seen it I would have loved to do the reception onboard.

Lasallebabe · November 10, 2011

Ladies...I had my wedding at Dreams Palm Beach just over a week ago and took all my guests out on La Barcaza the following day. Of all the wonderful wedding events/gifts/OOT bags, etc....my guests absolutely, without a doubt loved everything about La Barcaza. It was the best decision I made. Suspecting it may be good fun, I added two extra hours on right at the beginning. They picked us up at our hotel at 3 PM in an older, yet air conditioned bus. We drove about 20 mins to another resort, got off the bus and walked to the beach. We had 27 people in total to it took two trips on a smaller boat to shuttle us over to La Barcaza. There were about 5 staff on board (all men as Flori was away). The boat was clean and nicely set up. I didn't bring any decorations so they had vases with seashells, etc..on each table. It worked fine. They have sodas, beer, rum and mamajuana....and plenty of it! You can bring other liquour if you like at no extra charge...i didn't bother...The top deck is beautiful with white leather couches all around, which I thought might be hot to sit on becuz it was sooo hot but they weren't at all....Our first stop was snorkling....they have all the equipment and helped everyone get ready and to get in/out of the water. Two of the guys went into the water with us and led us to a reef area (not very far at all, they know the waters for sure). they also gave us bits of bread to attract the fish to us....those that snorkeled loved it! We then got back on board and went to an area they call "natural springs?" or something like that. It was an area fairly far off shore with crystal clear gentle waters....no waves. Those that were nervous of snorkeling got out to enjoy this area and absolutely loved it....including my 78 year old mother in law who is frightened to death of water! We did that for about 20/30 and got back on board, First up was the food....I must say OMG....I had the mixed grill for everyone. (I think it was about $80 per person). First they brought out a plate of french fries for the table and then the indiviudal plated dinner...It included grilled shrimp, beef skewers, mahi-mahi fish, chicken skewers and caribbean lobster...all with grilled veggies....my guests "lapped it up"...no kidding! For dessert they served warm grilled fresh pineapple...again...OMG... Then they moved the tables out of the way and lined up all the chairs along the railings....then the party began...we had an older crowd so we certainly danced some (I brought an ipod with music but they did have music as well) but then they involved everyone in fun stuff---pulling people up to dance, have people lap dance to one another, etc. They really got everyone involved. They kept on top of everyone's drink order and I noticed that when you tipped one guy...instead of stuffing it in his pocket...they would go over to the "tip box' by the bar and put it in there----I assume to share with all the guys...nice touch I thought. So, we danced and partied, and visited and chatted and drank and laughed and really just had the best time ever! It did not get too windy at all (maybe a wee bit) but it was still so humid it felt hot. We anchored at 9 PM & they shuttled us by boat back to shore. We arrived bach at our resort clost to 10 PM....my opinion is....if there is anyway you can swing it...you must experience La Barcaza!

britb618 · November 11, 2011

Lasalle Thanks so much for sharing! I am doing this the day before my wedding during the day as a snorkeling trip. I'm so glad to hear from someone else that did something like that say it was great Was there alot to see when snorkeling?

Lasallebabe · November 12, 2011

You will love it! yes, they took us by a reef......lots to see and fish came around......they sort of cordoned off an area so ppl didn't swim away....enjoy!

heavenone · December 2, 2011

I've booked La Barcaza for a welcome sail thanks to all the great reviews on here! Does anyone have any reviews on their appetizers? We're getting the mixed grill dinner plus some special appetizers (lobster, shrimp cocktail, tempura squid). I wanted to know what other people have gotten any of their regular app packages or something special. FMIL is concerned about not having a non-seafood appetizer option but she didn't really like the options in their appetizer packages (sigh).

britb618 · December 20, 2011

Hey! I did the sail option for my guests and because the water was too choppy that week we cancelled the snorkeling and just did apps. The apps were pretty good, I mean I kind of found the tuna fish a bit scary but the rest of the apps had meat or cheese on them and were pretty decent. The boat is awesome and so is the crew...HOWEVER just a forewarning if anyone has elder people or someone with weak stomachs, the bus ride to the barcaza gets very bumpy down some of the roads, (we had a few guests throw up on the bus) I definitely think having had alcohol the night before didn't help but honestly if anyone gets car sick they will not want to go on the bus and then get on a boat. Just something to keep in mind, I was suprised no one had mentioned it before on the site and my fiance (now husband ) was a little upset at first because it looked sketchy. BUT the crew was awesome on the boat and the water was beautiful so it was more than worth it, but I am not so sure my guests who got sick would agree.

heavenone · December 21, 2011

britb618 - The boat takes off from Jellyfish restaurant right? I think PPR is fairly close to there so hopefully we'll be able to avoid getting sick on the bus. Ooof.

sunny55143 · February 9, 2012

For any ladies who have already used La Barcaza - how long did it take to get everyone on board? I know it depends on how large the group is, but I'm just wondering if it was a fairly quick process?

Thanks!

heavenone · February 10, 2012

They picked us up on the beach of our resort. There were 45 of us. I think it took around 25 minutes maybe. Might have been quicker if my guests were focused on gettin on the boat instead of chatting away. If youre guests are like mine, designate a few people to help motivate people. I think it took about 3 boat trips to get us all aboard.

sunny55143 · February 18, 2012

The boat can come pick you up at your resort?? That would be awesome - our resort actually has a pier on the beach. So you didn't use the bus service, heavenone?

Originally Posted by heavenone

They picked us up on the beach of our resort. There were 45 of us. I think it took around 25 minutes maybe. Might have been quicker if my guests were focused on gettin on the boat instead of chatting away. If youre guests are like mine, designate a few people to help motivate people. I think it took about 3 boat trips to get us all aboard.