Frequently Asked Questions

The Sea Sydney Harbour team are more than happy to answer questions and organise vessel inspections upon request, as we work to create safe, memorable and fun experiences for all who come aboard.

How do we book?

Private charters – Once your booking details are discussed and confirmed the Sea Sydney Harbour team will send you a copy of the terms and conditions for review and signing. An invoice will also be issued with payment options listed. A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking, locking in your date, time and chosen vessel. This means that you are unable to change your vessel selection if guest numbers fluctuate after the deposit payment has been made. The final payment is due 14 days prior to your cruise date.   

Ticketed tours & events – Bookings can be made online for scheduled cruise options and payment can be processed via a credit/debit card. All tickets require full payment to be confirmed. If you need assistance with the booking process, contact the Sea Sydney Harbour team.

Are there age restrictions for those attending the cruise?

Passengers of all ages can board the vessel. Passengers of all ages must be accounted for to ensure that the maximum vessel capacity is not exceeded. If under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or another adult person who is responsible for you during the cruise. Supervision of children is the responsibility of the parent/adult person. Alcohol is to only be consumed by people 18 years of age or older.

Where can we board the vessel from?

Private charters – Boarding and disembarking locations can be customised according to convenience. The vessels can board from most central harbour locations, with a few exceptions, and the most popular location is King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour. The Sea Sydney Harbour team can provide a list of available wharf locations, when discussing your cruise details. Locations outside of the central harbour area may incur additional fees. 

Ticketed tours & events – Scheduled cruises depart at set times and from set locations. This does vary pending on your chosen experience, so check your booking confirmation for the correct information. If unsure, contact the Sea Sydney Harbour team prior to your cruise date.

What time should we arrive at the wharf to board?

Always plan to arrive at the wharf location 15-20 minutes prior to your scheduled cruise start time.

Are we allowed to bring food and drinks on board?

Private charters – There are BYO cruise options available and this includes the option to bring alcohol on board. If you do opt to BYO food you must bring along a substantial amount of food for all guests, as this is a requirement of all vessels to ensure RSA rules are met. All food and drinks are to be brought with you to the boat on the day. The crew can assist with loading these items on to the vessel from the wharf. At the completion of your cruise, the crew will assist to pack up remaining food and beverages, as these items are to be taken away with you when disembarking or disposed of at the completion of the cruise. All private bookings are customisable, and catering and/or beverage packages are available if preferred, pending your vessel selection and budget.

Ticketed tours & events – Some scheduled cruises are planned as BYO experiences and others are not. Check your booking confirmation for details. If unsure, contact the Sea Sydney Harbour team prior to your cruise date.

What is deemed a 'substantial' amount of food?

Private charters – A substantial amount of food equates to the quantity that would be provided for a meal (e.g lunch or dinner). Some examples of this include BBQ meats with bread rolls, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, sushi, etc, and you must bring enough food for all guests on board. Nibbles, such as chips and dips can be brought on board in combination with further food items, however just bringing nibbles is NOT deemed a substantial amount of food. To ensure the vessel adheres to RSA requirements, the vessel will not depart from the wharf if substantial food is not present.

Is ice provided for the eskies?

Private charters – Eskies are available on board all vessels. If your cruise booking is on Enigma X, Kirralee or Fleetwing II, ice will be provided for you on board. If your cruise is booked on an alternate vessel, please check your booking details.

Is crockery, cutlery, cups and serving equipment provided?

Private charters – If your cruise booking is on Enigma X, Kirralee or Fleetwing II, disposable crockery, cutlery, napkins, cups will be provided on board. Serving equipment including platters and bowls are also available to use, however if your serving needs are specific, we recommend that you bring the required items with you on the day. If your cruise is booked on an alternate vessel, please check your booking details.

Is there a BBQ on board and are BBQ utensils provided?

Private charters – All vessels within the Sea Sydney Harbour fleet have a BBQ on board. Provided your cruise booking is for a duration of 3 hours or more, hire of the vessel does include use of the BBQ. The crew can assist with cooking the BBQ when the vessel is stationary. All BBQ utensils and cleaning facilities are provided on board.

Ticketed tours & events – The BBQ is generally not used, unless the tour description outlines that a BBQ meal is included. Check your booking confirmation for details.

Is drinking water provided? Are non-alcoholic beverages provided?

Private charters – If selecting to BYO beverages, bring all drinks with you on the day, including drinking water and non-alcoholic beverages. Eskies or cooling facilities are provided on board. Beverage packages including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available if preferred, pending your vessel selection and budget.

Ticketed tours & events – Check your booking confirmation for details.

Does the vessel have a toilet on board?

All vessels within the Sea Sydney Harbour fleet have marine toilet facilities on board.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

Cruises are generally not affected by weather and the cruise proceeds in all weather conditions, as vessels contain indoor and outdoor areas. While we do hope for sunshine, Sydney Harbour is an amazing place to be, no matter what the weather delivers. If Sea Sydney Harbour deems the weather conditions unsafe, your cruise will be rescheduled to an alternate date.

What is the best way for music to be played?

All vessels within the Sea Sydney Harbour fleet have a sound system on board that “connects and plays”. Connectivity will be either AUX or Bluetooth and this will vary pending your vessel selection. There is no need to bring speakers on board.

Private charters – Music can be customised and played according to your group’s preference.

Ticketed tours & events – Music will be selected and organised by the crew.

Can external entertainment be organised to attend the cruise?

Private charters – Entertainment can be arranged by you and your guests to attend the cruise. Sea Sydney Harbour does have some extra charter activities available that can be organised through the team if preferred. Please note that extra personnel hired for your event must be included in your passenger count to ensure vessel capacity is not exceeded.

Is swimming allowed while on the cruise?

Private charters – Swimming is allowed on daytime cruises when the vessel is at anchor. Entering the water is at your own risk and you will be asked to sign a ‘Swimming & Injury Waiver’ on the day, before leaving the vessel.

Ticketed tours & events – Swimming is generally not allowed, unless the tour description outlines this as an optional activity. Check your booking confirmation for details.

Can we decorate the vessel?

Private charters – Decoration of the vessel within your charter time is allowed, provided no damage occurs to the vessel when installing or removing these items. It is recommended that decorative items are kept simple and conservative. Confetti, glitter, flower petals, tinsel or other items that will shed and create excess mess on board are not allowed. All decorations must be removed from the vessel upon disembarking.

Is pre-access prior to the cruise start time available?

Private charters – Pre-access to vessels prior to the scheduled cruise start time cannot be guaranteed, as this is dependent on the vessel’s schedule. If access is available, the Sea Sydney Harbour team will provide you with the location details and will allow a 30-60 minute access window pending logistics. A ‘pre-access surcharge’ will be applicable.

If we have tickets to a scheduled cruise and we miss the boat, can we come another day?

Unfortunately, if you miss the boat a refund or reschedule to an alternate date cannot be offered. Cruises are often at maximum capacity and a ticket purchase means that the spot on board is held specifically for you. If you miss the boat and would like to join on an alternate date, you can re-purchase your ticket at 50% off the regular price. The Sea Sydney Harbour team can assist with organising you a new ticket and the payment process.