Manila Bay Cruise & Mall of Asia's Pyromusical Show

My boyfriend and I had a busy schedule last February, so much so that we had to postpone our Valentine date to the first week of March.
I booked two tickets from Suncruise Travel Agency, for their Manila Bay Cruise back in January.
I had a confusing and unpleasant time dealing with their booking officer, I asked what was the best time to watch the Fourth Mall of Asia, Pyromusical Show from the bay, 6PM or 8PM? The woman said we can either book on a Friday or Saturday and it would be best to join the 6PM sailing.
Before I bought tickets, I wanted to be sure, so I called other travel agencies who were offering the same deal, P550 per person, for an hour and fifteen minute cruise by the Manila Bay. The ticket included a set dinner.
The consensus was, better get the 8PM sailing, and the Pyromusical Shows were only held every Saturday, starting from February 16th, to March 23rd.
Fast forward to February, my sister, who was even more of a travelbug than I was, attended the SMX Travel Expo.She asked me via text if I wanted to join her in going to Corregidor Island. After a few seconds,  I said yes.I asked her if it's the same travel agency that's offering the Manila Bay Tours and asked her to book two tickets for me.We booked tickets to Corregidor and was glad to find out that they also gave us two complimentary tickets for the Manila Bay Cruise!
I called their booking office a few days before March. It was the same confused reservation officer I spoke with! After getting our name, contact number, and address, she asked where I bought the tickets.I explained that they were free when we bought tickets for their Corregidor Tour.I mentally said to my self, "Uh-oh, her she goes, again!"...True enough, she said "Uh, Ma'am, hanggang March 1 lang po pwede yung tickets na yan, " I overheard someone correct her "Booking starts on March 1." She then stammered, "Uh, Ma'am, I have your number naman, tawagan ko na lang ikaw." That was around after 3PM. I waited for a callback that never came.
I was really irritated, I didn't bother calling back but sent an email stated on their website, instead.Soon enough, I received a reply, apologizing for the way their employee handled the situation. I got the confirmation that my boyfriend and I had reserved slots for the 8PM sailing of their boat for Saturday, March Third.But I was told via email that we had to pay P100 extra per person.I sent them another email, I asked if the fee was for the fuel surcharge.They replied and explained it was for the meal.I asked again, I thought the ticket included dinner.I got another reply.They explained that since my chosen date was on a weekend, they only serve a buffet dinner.I sent them another email stating how confusing and troublesome it is dealing with them, now we are told we had to pay extra P100 for a buffet meal that was not in the terms of service printed on the ticket.
That Saturday morning, I received a phone call from one of their employees. The girl, named Ambell was really pleasant and seemed the only one who knew what she was talking about.Once more, she apologized in behalf of her bungling co-workers, she said the extra P100 was only optional.The ticket, indeed included a set meal, but if we wanted to upgrade to a buffet, eat-all-you-can meal, and occupy the upper deck, we can pay the extra P100. The other employee who was corresponding with me via email did not state that, I said.

Ambell, profusely apologized and aside from that, we were also upgraded to the upper deck, and we were also given access to the buffet meal at no extra cost.
My boyfriend was able to avoid the horrendous traffic along Roxas Boulevard by passing through the side-streets of Malate. We arrived at 7:20 PM and found an available parking slot at the side of The Folk Arts Theater.The guard at the parking lot should brush up on his customer service skills.

We finally boarded MV Spirit of Manila at quarter to eight, the airconditioned lower deck was almost full, there was even a guy with a bouquet of flowers for his girfriend. We were glad we occupied the upper deck, because we enjoyed the cool sea breeze more.The first batch of fireworks were being lit and I thought we'd miss the fireworks show since we were still in the pier.

We finally left our berth and cruised leisurely by the bay.The Mall of Asia grounds, including the MOA Eye (the huge ferris wheel) looked really nice, with all its lights.

We took lots of pictures. Finally, the crew announced that dinner was served.We looked at the limited choices, rice, pancit bihon with squid balls and a few veggies, fried chicken in a red sauce, pork in a creamy sauce, fish fillet that didn't taste very fresh  and  almond jelly with one piece of lychee served in ramekins for dessert.The chicken was the most palatable.The rest, I think a carinderia would serve better tasting fare.We were asked to go back for seconds but we didn't bother.They should get a better cook or switch to a better caterer.Service water was available.Drinks were not included, canned softdrinks and bottled iced-tea were available for P50.
At around 9PM, we heard the first boom...It was the second set of the Pyromusical Show!
The clear skies lit up with the magnificent fireworks show.

I found out later, that the first set was by the United Kingdom, the ones we witnessed were by Korea.

After all the hassle with the travel agency and the unremarkable food, the spectacular fireworks show and the soothing Manila Bay Cruise was well worth it.
I saw a deal offered on Metrodeal for a Manila Bay cruise at fifty percent ((regular price is P650) by Prestige Tours.The ad also boasted they've won rave reviews for their sumptuous buffet (not sure if they really taste better, but the food was better arranged and the array was more diverse.) The fine-print stated: Booking date starts in April 1st.
I'll check customer reviews first before I buy tickets, next time.