What is included in the boat hire only price?
The price of the boat hire charge includes the hire of the boat, a skipper and fuel and all prices are in Australian Dollars.
In the very unlikely event that you requested cruising outside of Sydney Harbour then you will be charged the cost of the extra fuel. Wharf fees are not included in the boat hire.
Food and bar services are also not included in a boat hire only charge - we do have a variety of food and beverage packages available for you to choose from once you select a boat and BYO is a popular option particularly for the groups of under 50 guests.
We can provide you with an exact price and full break down of the charges once you choose a boat and package. Personalised boat decorations are permitted but there are terms and conditions that have to be met and vary from boat to boat, so please discuss this with our team when booking.
Our team is available to answer your questions and help you to secure your Sydney Harbour cruise once you contact us.
What is the Security Bond?
A security bond is required on all cruises as a precautionary measure just incase your guests damage the boat or any of the furniture and fittings on board.
Damage may include, but is not limited to, things like - repairing or replacing furniture that may have been damaged or thrown overboard, repairing cigarette burns, marine toilet repairs caused by people flushing unsuitable things down it, excessive cleaning etc. The hire covers a normal clean for the boat but if additional deep cleaning is required (such as for vomit) then a fee may be charged.
The payment is normally processed as a pre-authorisation before your cruise.
What is a pre-authorisation and how does it work?
A Pre-authorisation is a type of banking transaction and it is required for your security bond.
In the week preceding your cruise we will send you a link to process your pre-authorisation online.
Once you submit this, the funds will be taken from your card and stored by your bank (i.e. frozen) for a window of time, typically around one week but it varies from bank to bank (we have no control over the duration of this window).
If there is no money owed (e.g. to cover damages) following your cruise then the pre-authorisation automatically expires and the money is returned to your card by your bank.
However, if money is owed then we will capture funds from your bank as long as we do this within the time window.
Only the amount owed would be captured.
What happens if it’s pouring with rain?
Rain does not usually cause a cruise to be cancelled. Assuming the conditions are safe, the cruise will go ahead in almost all cases.
Is it ok to bring the kids?
Yes it is fine to bring kids, it is your responsibility to ensure they are supervised at all times. Some boats are more suitable for infants or small children than others so, once again, check with our team if you are not sure.
How do I reserve a boat?
A deposit and a completed booking confirmation form from both parties is required to reserve a boat. For more details please visit: how to book.
What happens if I have to cancel the cruise?
The exact terms and conditions of your booking will be on your booking form so please refer to that but you should assume the deposit is non-refundable in most circumstances.
Can I wear high heels?
This varies by boat, common sense says avoid high heels if possible, small heels are generally ok, particularly on the larger vessels, but if in doubt, ask. Stilettos are banned from most vessels.
Can I bring my own DJ?
Many boats are set up to cater for DJs. Most of them will allow you to bring your own DJ but it is often simpler to use the resident DJ as they will have all their equipment setup on the boat and they are aware of the requirements unique to boats such as ensuring speakers are stable. The resident DJs are open to your music requests either before or on the day and they have a wide variety of music types and styles to suit your tastes.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
This varies on the boat you book, so let us know your requirements. There are food and beverage packages available for you to choose from. BYO is also permitted on many boats but usually is only suitable for hires with 50 people or less.
What sort of occasions are suitable for a private charter boat?
We have boats for all occasions. Some popular events include NYE Cruises and Christmas party cruises, and we have party boats suitable for basically any occasion such as bucks and hens parties, corporate cruises, birthday parties and more.