Frequently Asked Questions

Your health and safety as well as the health and safety of the Waterways’ crew is our most important priority. Waterways Cruises has put special measures in place on our vessels for the safety of all our guests and crew. Please visit our Stay Healthy Measures page on our website to see all of the safety precautions we have implemented onboard all of our yachts for our guests and crew at this time.

No, face masks are not required at this time.

Yes. If you have multiple guests of your party booking separately, and would like to be seated together, please include a common party name in the Additional Comments section while making your reservation. We will be sure to seat your guests together at your Private Table.

Waterways’ office hours are limited during this time, but someone will be available to respond to emails Monday – Friday. Our email address is: [email protected]. Or, you may leave a voice mail by calling our office at 206-223-2060.

Yes. Waterways Cruises operates year-round, rain or shine!

Our vessels have fully enclosed, climate-controlled salons for your comfort.

Yes, Waterways Cruises operates rain or shine!

In the event unexpected weather conditions are encountered and for the safety and comfort of our guests, the Captain may choose to alter the cruise route, return to port during a cruise, or remain dockside for the length of the event.

Cruises are rarely canceled. Customers will be notified at least 12 hours prior to a cancellation, except in the case of unexpected, severe weather which results in cancellation of a cruise while a vessel is underway.

If a cruise is canceled, customers will be allowed to reschedule to another cruise free of charge.

Waterways public dining cruises depart from Lake Union Piers (formerly known as Chandler’s Cove)La on South Lake Union. 901 Fairview Ave N., Seattle, 98109.

Be sure and check your confirmation for the Departure Location and Boarding Time!

There is paid parking available in the vicinity of Lake Union Piers (Chandler’s Cove). Please be mindful of the parking signs in the lots of which you park. Waterways Cruises is not responsible for any parking fees or fines. 

Boarding Time is the earliest you and your guests may board the vessel.

Departure Time is the time of the cruise’s departure from the Departure Location. The vessel will leave promptly at Departure Time.

You are free to board your cruise any time after the scheduled Boarding Time until Departure Time. We recommend allowing plenty of time for parking and getting to the vessel.

Your cruise leaves promptly at the listed Departure Time and passengers will not be able to board once the vessel is underway.

Yes. Each vessel has restrooms on the main deck level.

All our vessels are non-smoking and non-vaping, including all outer decks, pursuant to Washington State law and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

Only animals clearly meeting the definition of a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are permitted onboard our vessels. All other animals will be denied passage.

The ADA defines a service animal as any dog individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability, as defined by the ADA. The work done or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. A “comfort”, “emotional support” or “therapy animal” does NOT meet the definition of a service animal. If the animal is not individually trained to do work or perform a task in support of a person with a disability, it is considered a “pet” under the ADA. All “pets” will be denied passage on Waterways Cruises.

Yes. Our vessels are regulated and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. All crew are licensed and trained, as required by the USCG, to ensure everyone’s safety. Life preservers and all lifesaving equipment, including child-size life vests are onboard as required.

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all passengers over age 18 have valid photo identification.

Our boats are accessible to those with limited mobility but are not ADA compliant due to the unique nature of the marine environment. There are raised thresholds throughout the vessel that require guests to take a step or two.

Staff will be on hand to help guests with limited mobility. We can accommodate guests in wheelchairs if they are portable and collapsible and guests are able to take a few assisted steps onto the vessel. However, the upper decks of some of our vessels may not be accessible for wheelchairs. Please call 206-223-2060 during regular business hours, if you have any questions.

Restrooms are located on the lower level on all vessels but are not certified ADA accessible.

You can purchase tickets online or by phone. Waterways’ office hours are limited during this time, but someone will be available to respond to emails Monday – Friday. Our email address is: [email protected]. Or, you may leave a voice mail by calling our office at 206-223-2060.

Payment is required in full at the time of the reservation. Tickets may be purchased using Visa, MasterCard, Discover credit, debit cards or a Waterways Cruises gift card.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are required for all public dining cruises. We do not offer same-day ticket purchases. Tickets may not be purchased on premises.

You will receive a confirmation emailed to the email address provided at the time of purchase. The confirmation will provide all cruise information including the Departure Location, the Boarding Time, and Departure Time.

Please be prepared to present your email confirmation upon boarding.

Be sure and check your confirmation for the Departure Location and Boarding Time to assure that you arrive at the correct departure port on time for your cruise!

Waterways Cruises offers reduced rates for seniors over 65 years of age and members of the military on most of our cruises. Please check each cruise description for specific information in this regard.

If you are a member of the military, please present your military ID upon boarding your cruise.

Children are welcome aboard our family-friendly cruises, such as Brunch, Sunday Supper Cruise and select Special Events cruises. There is no charge for Children 4 and under, however, pursuant to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, all passengers must have a boarding ticket. Please select ticket option Child (4 and under) when making your reservations. Also, please request a highchair if needed when making a reservation.

Our Dinner Cruises are designed for a more elegant experience and are restricted to guests who are 13 and older.

Additionally, select cocktail and party cruises are restricted to guests who are 21 and over.

Waterways’ gift cards may be purchased online ..

Gift cards can be applied toward the purchase of tickets for any Waterways’ cruise.

You can redeem your gift card online or by phone. Waterways’ office hours are limited during this time, but someone will be available to respond to emails Monday – Friday. Our email address is: [email protected]. Or, you may leave a voice mail by calling our office at 206-223-2060.

Gift cards are valid for onboard purchases.

Individual ticket prices do not include a Port Charge, Fuel Surcharge (if any), Washington State sales tax or Gratuity. These charges are additional and are paid at the time your reservation is booked.

Prices and schedules are subject to change.

A Port Charge is automatically added to your ticket price at the time a reservation is made.

The Port Charge offsets a wide range of costs unique to a maritime business operation such as Waterways Cruises, including charges for the use of public and private facilities used to operate Waterways’ cruises, together with fees, licenses, regulatory, environmental and maritime security costs imposed on Waterways by local, state and federal agencies for regulating the marine environment.

Your ticket price does NOT include a Gratuity.

If you have enjoyed the cruise experience and purchased additional items onboard, gratuities for our hardworking staff always greatly appreciated!

A Gratuity in the range of 15% to 20% of the cost of your tickets and any onboard purchases is appropriate. Gratuities may be paid in cash, added to your credit card payment for onboard purchases or paid at the time of making your reservation.

Yes, you will be seated at your own private table, with location depending upon the size of your party.

We assign seats based on customer needs, requests, and the capacity for each cruise.

There is pre-assigned table seating on all our dining cruises and some Special Event Cruises, with the exception of Special Event Cruises that offer limited cocktail-style seating.

Each dining cruise has window seating and non-window seating.

You can guarantee placement of your party at a window table at the time you complete your reservation online by paying for a guaranteed window table upgrade.

All purchases are final. All payments are non-refundable.

Cruise reservations may be rescheduled by the purchaser with advance notice of at least five days prior to the cruise date, without a reservation change required. If purchaser must reschedule within the five-day period prior to the cruise date, a reservation change fee of $25 per person will be incurred.

All reservations for special events and holiday cruises are final and will not be refunded or rescheduled.

Should Waterways cancel a cruise for any reason, the purchaser will be contacted by phone/email and can rebook the cruise on another date. In this event, a reservation change fee is not required to be paid at the time of rebooking.

There are no refunds or rescheduling options if you miss your cruise.

Yes, food is included on all public dining cruises.

You can change your dinner entree up to 5 days prior to your cruise departure. Please call our office at 206.223.2060 during normal business hours for assistance.

If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate your requests. If booking online, please list any dietary restriction or concern in the comment section at the bottom of the Purchase Ticket page.

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options, if available, are described in each menu.

Cakes that do not require refrigeration are allowed to be brought onboard. Your server will cut and serve the cake when you are ready. A cake cutting fee of $2.00 per person will be charged. The cake cutting fee for wedding or tiered cakes is $3.00 per person.

Please call 206-223-2060 at least 72 hours prior to your cruise to make arrangements for this service.

A wide range of handcrafted cocktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase during your cruise from our full-service bars.

Please bring a valid ID if you would like to purchase alcoholic beverages onboard. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, debit cards and Waterways Cruises gift cards for onboard purchases.

We are happy to offer a personalized cake for your celebration! Cakes are available for purchase and serve up to 6 people. We offer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting or white cake with vanilla frosting. Orders must be placed at least 72 hours prior to your cruise departure time.

We recommend business casual to dressy attire for our Dinner Cruises and Special Event Cruises, as many of our guests celebrate their special occasions onboard.

As it may be breezy on the open-air decks, we recommend that you bring a light jacket or sweater on all cruises in the event you wish to enjoy the sights from the open-air decks.

Waterways Cruises offers a cashless cruising experience. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, debit cards and waterways Cruises gift cards are accepted for all onboard purchases. We are keeping it simple for our guests to avoid the need to carry cash and to reduce transaction time at the bar and at the end of each cruise.

Waterways yachts are stable, gentle vessels. It is very rare for a guest to become sick, particularly since we cruise on the calm, interior waters of Lake Washington and Lake Union.

If you are sensitive to motion sickness, we recommend that you take advantage of preventative measures that are available to you.

Other than law enforcement personnel in the performance of their official duties, weapons are not permitted on property controlled or owned by Waterways, which includes all vessels, buildings, ports and parking areas.

For the safety and well-being of all guests, Waterways’ reserves the right to conduct a reasonable search of guests at any time before or during a cruise.

If you are not able to abide by these rules, you will not be allowed access to Waterways’ property.

Please send us an email at [email protected] or contact us at 206-223-2060 and leave a voice mail for answers to any additional questions. Waterways’ office hours are limited during this time, but someone will be available to respond to emails and voice mail messages Monday – Friday.