Do you allow dogs on board?
Yes, dogs on leads are welcome on our daytime sightseeing cruises, but not our evening party cruises or cruises with catering (eg. Fish & Chip Fridays, afternoon tea cruises).
Are there toilets onboard?
Yes, there are toilets onboard our half-hour, two-hour, and evening cruises. Public toilets are also located 100m from our moorings.
How accessible are your boats for wheelchair users?
The Lady Diana and Mark Twain have wheelchair access to the rear deck (which is heated and enclosed) on half-hour and two-hour cruises in the daytime. There is step-free access to toilet facilities, but not full wheelchair access due to their size. Public toilet facilities with wheelchair access are available 100m from our moorings on The Groves.
For private parties and special events, wheelchair access will depend on the event – just get in touch to discuss.
Where is the nearest place to park?
There are a small number of car parking spaces at our moorings on The Groves (CH1 1SZ) where you can stay for up to 1 hour, or longer with a Blue Badge. The closest pay & display car parks are Little Roodee (CH1 1SL) or Pepper Street NCP (CH1 1DF). There is more information here about how to get here any where to park.
How close are you to public transport?
It is a 15-20 minute from Chester Railway Station to our moorings, or 10-15 minute walk from Chester Bus Interchange. There are other bus and Park & Ride stops in the town centre – check with your transport provider for services.
Do you still sail if the weather is inclement?
As our boats are heated and covered, we continue to sail in cold and wet weather. Occasionally flooding or strong winds will prevent us from sailing, and when this happens we will contact ticketholders. For party cruises and private hires, events can take place on a stationary boat if it isn’t safe to sail.
Do you sell food and drinks onboard?
All of our cruises have fully-stocked bars selling alcohol, soft drinks, and hot drinks. We don’t sell any food apart from crisps, but you’re welcome to bring a picnic with you on any of our daytime sightseeing cruises. As we have bars onboard, we don’t allow outside alcohol to be brought onto the boat.
Where do we buy tickets?
Tickets are cheapest when booked online. Half-hour City Cruises can also be booked at the quayside. Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruises can be booked at the quayside if available, but advance booking is strongly recommended as they can sell out. All evening cruises must be booked in advance.
Should I take the Half-hour City Cruise or Two-hour Iron Bridge Cruise?
Both cruises are great but there is a right cruise for everyone! The half-hour cruise covers most of the interesting buildings and historic sites, and the length is perfect for families and children. The two-hour cruise is a leisurely sail through leafy Cheshire countryside, ideal for relaxing with a drink from the bar and a picnic lunch. Young children may find this cruise a bit too long.
Is there coach parking?
Coaches can drop off and pick up at our moorings on The Groves (CH1 1SZ). The closest coach parking is Little Roodee Car Park (CH1 1SL).
Do you offer special rates for groups?
We offer discounts for groups of 20+ on our half-hour and two-hour sightseeing cruises. Please see our group bookings page for more info. We don’t offer group discounts for party cruises, but if you are a large group you may save by opting for a private party.
