Where do I leave from and how do I get there?
Captain Cook Cruises departs from Perth or Fremantle for selected cruises.  Our office in Perth is located at Pier 3, Barrack Square, Perth.  Our Fremantle office is located at C Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle.

For information on how to get to our Perth departure location, please visit the City of Perth’s “Getting in and around” website for transport information, as well as road closures that may affect you.  We strongly recommend using public transport where possible to avoid any parking problems.

For Fremantle, please visit the City of Fremantle’s “Getting around” page here.

Please note parking at Barrack Square is limited to 2 hours. The nearest parking area is 500 metres to the east along Riverside Drive at the Terrace Road carpark.

When do I have to pay?
Bookings need to be paid for at the time of booking.  We accept all major credit cards – AMEX, VISA, Diners and MasterCard, and there is no credit card surcharge either!

For group bookings of 6 or more passengers, please read our Cancellation and Refund Policy

Which boat am I travelling on?
Whilst our friendly staff can advise you what vessel is currently operating for your cruises, vessels may be changed without notice due to scheduling requirements or passenger numbers.  Should you have a preference, please enquire at time of booking, but we do reserve the right to change vessels without prior notice regardless of circumstance.

When does boarding commence?
Boarding for all cruises commences 15 minutes before departure. We recommend you are here at least 15 minutes prior to this to ensure that you are ready to board and to confirm and ticket arrangements. All vessels leave at the advertised time. See our Cancellation and Refund Policy for details regarding 'No Shows'.

Can I smoke on your vessels?
Due to passenger comfort, there is no smoking on board the River Lady, Lady De Vine and River Bells vessels (“upstream vessels”).

On our larger, two storey vessels, the MV Captain Cook and MV James Stirling (“downstream vessels”), smoking is permitted in designated areas. Onboard the Captain Cook, this is on the bow (out the front) while the James Stirling’s designated area is on the lower-aft deck (out the back)

Do you have toilets on your vessels?
Yes, all of our vessels have toilets on them. On the downstream vessels the toilets are located down a flight of stairs.

Is there wheelchair access to your vessels?
Our larger vessels, the Captain Cook and James Stirling, do have manual wheelchair access to the main deck level.  Toilets on these vessels however are found on the lower deck, down one flight of stairs.  Due to the limited clearance of the entry points to all our vessels we regret that ELECTRIC wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.

Our upstream vessels, the River Lady, Lady De Vine and River Bells, have four steps down as you enter the boat.  To ensure the safety of our crew, Captain Cook Cruises’ staff are unable to lift wheelchair passengers into the vessels.  If accompanying members of the wheelchair-bound person’s party are able to assist with lifting, then we welcome these passengers onboard.  If assistance cannot be provided by your party, unfortunately, it will not be possible to travel on these vessels.

Disabled toilet facilities are available at both Perth and Fremantle departure locations.

Can I BYO alcohol or do I purchase my alcohol onboard?
Unfortunately, our boats do not allow BYO as they are all fully licensed.  Alcoholic beverages can be purchased on board all vessels, for consumption while enjoying the cruise.  With the exception of sealed bottles of wine sold on board certain vessels expressly under Bottle Shop off sales licensing, or sealed bottles purchased at 3rd party venues (e.g. Sandalford Estate, Waters Edge Estate) no alcohol can be taken from the vessels.

Can I take bikes and luggage on board your vessels?
Our downstream vessels are able to take bikes and luggage on board.  As our upstream vessels are smaller, a limited amount luggage and bikes can be taken on board, so as to maintain passenger comfort.  Please enquire when booking.

Is there a dress code for your cruises and if so, what is it?
Smart casual is the expected dress code.  As you are on a moving vessel, we recommend enclosed shoes.  For dinner cruises, we recommend collared/polo shirts and long pants or dress jeans.  No thongs, singlets or work boots please.

Do your boats still operate in bad weather?
Our vessels are amongst the largest cruising the river and as such, are very stable.  Our skippers are well trained to only take vessels out when it is safe to do so and the ultimate decision rests with them.  If they decide it is safe to run, then our standard Cancellation and Refund Policy applies.

Should the weather be extreme and we are unable to run safely, we will advise passengers with as much notice as possible, and offer to transfer to a different date or a refund as applicable.  To avoid any inconvenience to your plans, please ensure that you give Captain Cook Cruises your best contact number, preferably mobile, so that we can contact you at short notice.

During winter due to high tides and storm fronts, there may be occasions where the upstream vessels are unable to navigate under certain bridges.  On these occasions we reserve the right to use alternative landing jetties to those stated in our literature and transport passengers by coach (Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise), remain on board for the duration of the cruise (Swan Valley Lunch Cruise) or cancel as necessary.

Can I get a table for two on your dinner cruises?
Due to the fixed seating configuration on board our vessel, individual tables of two cannot be guaranteed.  For the ‘City Of Lights Dinner Cruise’ you can upgrade to a guaranteed table for two for $25.00 per person. There are limited amount of tables available per cruise with this option.  Please enquire when booking.  For all other cruises, regretfully individual tables cannot be guaranteed.

What are the seating arrangements on your cruises?
Our tables accommodate six or eight people per table on most vessels.

On the Swan Valley Wine Cruise and Christmas Dinner Dance Cruise, there is assigned seating to a possible full table.

The Swan River Scenic Cruise, Fremantle Explorer, One-Way Cruises, Evening Vineyard Cruise and the Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise are all first-in, first-choice basis.  On the Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise, luxury booth seating can be reserved for an additional $10.00 per person and for groups of 4 or less; this will not be an exclusive booth.

The City of Lights Dinner Cruise is assigned seating, where couples could be sharing with another couple on tables unless the upgrade option of $25.00 per person is taken (see above)

Can I have a window seat?
Can I sit next to/away from the dance floor?
We will gladly accept seating requests and accommodate where possible.  We cannot guarantee requests, but please do notify us of your preference so that we may attempt to place you where you prefer.

Are drinks included throughout the cruise?
Captain Cook Cruises believe in the Responsible Service of Alcohol.  For all cruises, if we deem passengers to be drunk, they will be requested to have a break from drinking, drink some water and recover before we can resume alcohol service to them.

On Perth’s Famous Wine Cruise there is house bottled wine included on the return cruise. On the Swan Valley Lunch Cruise there is wine included with lunch on the cruise upstream.  Passengers can choose to purchase alcohol on the return cruise from our fully stocked bar.  On both of these cruises, beer is available to be purchased throughout the day.

The ‘City of Lights’ and ‘Christmas Dinner Dance’ cruises include beer, house bottled wine and soft-drinks throughout the cruise.  The ‘Evening Vineyard Cruise’ includes drinks on the cruise from Perth, and at Waters Edge Estate.  Drinks on the return cruise may be purchased from the bar onboard.

Spirits are available for sale on all cruises.  Spirits available include Jim Beam, Vodka, Bacardi, Bundaberg Rum, Canadian Club, Kahlua, Scotch and Gin.  In accordance with Responsible Service, all spirits will be served with a mixer.

No alcohol can be consumed off the vessels as this the only licensed area.  Drinks must be consumed prior to disembarking vessels.

What is Captain’s Club and what does it entitle me to?
Captains Club entitles its members to 15% off all cruises. There is a quarterly newsletter that is available on line with special discounts for that season.  The only condition of membership is that a cruise must be purchased at full fare prior to joining.  Please enquire now to captainsclub@captaincookcruises.com.au for more information on this great loyalty club.