Please read if you're planning on using them:
I was in contact with Ken at Viva Limousine. I assumed based on reviews that they were a reputable company. Unfortunately, they are the furthest thing from it.
I had ordered a party bus, wine tour for a surprise bachelorette party. We were a party of 12. I cannot put into words how excited we all were- we are hardworking people and hardworking Mom's finally able to get away for some girl time to celebrate our friend!
We were getting picked up in San Diego, and taken to 3 wineries in Temecula, and driven back. We were told the bus would be decorated with 'bachelorette themed' decorations and that champagne would be provided. The champagne was provided as well as the glasses. However, the 'decorations' were CHEAP and had been used 100x prior to us. They were ripped and faded. It was a disappointment considering it probably costs $10 at Party City to spring for a new ones, but that wasn't the issue!
We were scheduled from 11am-4pm. The weeks prior to the date, I was told multiple times, to please be 10 minutes early and prompt as everything runs on a tight schedule. NO PROBLEM! We were on time and waiting outside at 10 minutes to 11am. The party bus rolled up at 11:25am without a phone call or text. I finally reached out to Ken at about 11:15 am and he responded "he should be there." So we were already 25/35 minutes late with no apology or reasoning.
Well, once we got on board, the first thing our driver Eddie said was "where is the cash?" We laughed- thinking he was joking- RIGHT? C'mon man...you were just 30 mins late, but unfortunately he wasn't kidding. He said, "We don't leave until I get paid." Well, we were ready to pay, I had all the cash in an envelope- I just didn't realize I couldn't set my purse down first. (Oh well, I get it. Get the cash and the tour will start) Once I paid, we were off and rolling, ready for the day to start. We were excited, taking pictures, listening to music etc. About 10 minutes into our ride, we asked Eddie to please turn the air up- it was quickly heating up in the bus. He did, but unfortunately the bus never cooled off. 10 mins later, we said something again, everyone is now sweating, and Eddie said "It'll cool off once we hit the freeway and the bus gets moving." Makes sense...so we waited.
Well, the bus never cooled off or came anywhere close to it. Even Eddie was pouring in sweat. The bus was a miserable, a hell hole. We opened the windows, but unfortunately it was 93 degrees out so we didn't find much relief (and the windows were very small, so there was very little air flow). The bus ride was a little over an hour long and we were miserable the entire time. Multiple people on the bus got car sick due to the heat. When we got to the first winery, we couldn't wait to get off the bus and get some fresh air. As we were getting off the bus, Eddie told me he was going to call back to home base and see what he could do because even he agreed, the bus was miserable.
Winery #1 came and went, and we were off to winery #2. It was only a 7 min ride, but it was hell on board, however we understood it would be hard for a bus to cool off quickly. As we got off, Eddie brought us our 'gourmet lunch.' We each ordered salads/sandwiches. They were the furthest thing from gourmet. They looked and tasted like they were bought at a local gas station. After lunch, the ladies went on to start their second tasting, but I went and spoke with Eddie to see if he had contacted Ken. He said that Ken said "there was nothing he could do." So I get it- probably hard to bring a new bus up, but I don't think it was too much to ask for some sort of compensation. Multiple people on our tour couldn't drink because they were car sick from the heat. Our entire day was ruined. I literally had one small tasting just so I could toast to the bride.
We went to the 3rd stop, but by that time everyone wanted to go home. Everyone was miserable, sick and overheated. After we returned home, we cleared out the bus and tipped Eddie. Aside from being late and demanding the money before we even sat down, he was very kind and was trying to help us with the bus. Again, he was in hell sweating with us. He said he would go back and try and talk with Ken, but warned us that he wouldn't understand.
Needless to say, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY under any circumstance. We wasted $1500 and couldn't enjoy what was supposed to be a joyous bachelorette celebration. STAY AWAY!!
** I reached out to Ken 3 times before posting this to see if we could come to some sort agreement. I was hoping for some sort of compensation and perhaps a simple apology. He replied once, 3 days later, and said he would talk with Eddie. I never heard back. I waited 25 days before posting this- as this was a last resort. I wouldn't want ANYONE to have to go through a day like we did for $1500. read more