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Activity #1790 |
Astronomy Dinner Cruise |
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and cruises often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book well in advance. Tickets can be purchased with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
What is the Astronomy Cruise?
Once a month we offer a special cruise hosted by Dr. Sky, renowned astronomy expert and radio personality. Dr. Sky will give a presentation on the solar system and you'll be able to use telescopes on board. You will also enjoy a complete Ribeye or Filet Mignon dinner with all the trimmings.
Is seating reserved?
Yes. While we cannot guarantee specific seating arrangements, we do our best to accommodate your requests. Please indicate any preferences, such as wheelchair accommodations, upper deck, etc. when you are purchasing tickets. The lower deck is enclosed year round. The upper deck is usually open, with a roof over most of the area. In the winter, we install glass in the windows of the upper deck as well. Only the lower deck is wheelchair accessible.
What type of ticket should I buy if I'm bringing a child?
For children between the ages 5 and 12, you should purchase a reduced price Child ticket. The children's regular dinner option is always grilled chicken, served with salad, baked potato, vegetable du jour, and apple pie, or you can choose the vegetarian option for your child. (If your child would like the Adult menu option, you should purchase a full-price Adult ticket for your child.) Children ages 4 and younger are complimentary as long as they do not participate in the dinner, but you'll still need to enter the appropriate number of Wee One tickets labeled "Free" when purchasing. All passengers, regardless of age, must have a ticket, so please make sure your entire party is accounted for in this way.
How do I find out which menu will be served? What if I'm a vegetarian?
Once you click through to purchase tickets for a specific cruise, you'll be able to choose from the menu of the day or the vegetarian option. The vegetarian menu is pasta primevera, served with salad, baked potato, vegetable du jour and apple pie.
Are drinks or food served on the cruise?
Yes! We will be serving a buffet-style dinner (not all-you-can-eat) with all the trimmings, including coffee, tea, or lemonade aboard the cruise. There is also a snack bar on board where you may purchase soft drinks, candy, popcorn, film, and miscellaneous souvenirs. We ask that you refrain from bringing your own food or drinks (other than the limited amount of alcohol) on board. Please bring cash or check if you plan on utilizing the snack bar, as credit cards are not accepted on the boat.
How does the buffet dinner work?
The dinner is buffet-style in the sense that attendees will be served by employees from platters of food lined up in one section of the boat. Each attendee will be served generous portions of food, but please note that the buffet dinner is not all-you-can-eat!
Can I bring my own alcohol on board?
For the dinner cruise only, you are allowed to bring alcohol on board. However, each individual customer may only bring on one of the following: 2 cans of beer (12-ounce), or one 6-ounce, originally-sealed plastic bottle of wine. No other food or beverage is allowed to be brought on board.
Is gratuity included?
Yes, for your convenience, gratuity is included in the price of your ticket. All attendees pay a 10% gratuity as part of their ticket cost, so you will not be expected to pay any additional gratuity during or after the cruise!
What tax do I have to pay?
Your ticket includes the cost to attend plus a gratuity. The tax rate has been adjusted so you only pay tax on the cost to attend the cruise.
What can we expect on the tour?
On the twilight dinner cruise you will travel through beautiful canyon walls extending 500 feet high. Before the sun sets, you'll see desert wildlife such as the bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer and birds of prey such as the bald eagle. Enjoy breathtaking scenery as night falls, and flora and fauna native to the Sonoran Desert.
What happens if it rains?
The Dolly Steamboat runs rain or shine. Our lower deck is enclosed for your comfort. Keep in mind that the desert comes "alive" in the rain, and there is always a chance that you will see waterfalls if there is enough precipitation. Rainy day cruises are a favorite of many guests!
Is there air conditioning on board?
No, during the summer months we remove the windows on the upper deck and open the windows on the lower deck. There are awnings overhead to help protect you from the sun. Dress appropriately for the cruise based on the weather. We recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses as well as sunscreen.
Are there restrooms on the boat?
There are two restrooms on board the boat. One restroom is wheelchair accessible.
Is the boat wheelchair / stroller accessible?
The lower deck of the vessel is wheelchair accessible. You are also welcome to bring strollers on board.
What should I wear?
For the dinner cruise we recommend that you dress "business casual." Jeans are okay! Some customers do decide to dress more formally for special events. Just remember to dress appropriately for the Arizona desert.
Is smoking allowed on the cruise?
Due to changes in the Arizona State Law, smoking is now prohibited aboard the boat.
How far is the boat from the parking lot?
Depending on where you park your car, you could be as close as 20 feet or as far as 100 feet from the boat. If there is someone in your party who would have difficulty walking 20 to 100 feet, you do can drive your car as close as just 10 feet from where the boat boards (at the ticket booth) in order to let those guests off to get settled on the boat before you go to park the car.
Do I have to pay to park?
No, parking is free in the Canyon Lake Marina parking lot.
How far is it from?
Apache Junction: 30-40 minutes; Gold Canyon: 45-50 minutes; Mesa: 45-60 minutes; Tempe: 1hour; Chandler: 1 hour to 1hour and a half; Gilbert: 1 hour to 1hour and a half
Sun Lakes: hour and a half; Ahwatukee: hour and a half
Phoenix: hour and a half; Phoenix Airport: Hour 15 minutes to an hour and a half; Glendale: Hour and 45 minutes; Scottsdale: Hour and a half; Cave Creek: 2 hours; Sun City: 2 hours; Anthem: 2 hours; Tucson: 2 hours; Tortilla Flat: 5 minutes. ***All times are approximate, depending on your starting point, traffic conditions and time of day.***
Are gift certificates available for the Dolly Steamboat cruises?
Yes, gift certificates are available for the Twilight Dinner Cruise and the Narrated Nature Cruise, and they make a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion! To purchase a gift certificate for either of these Dolly Steamboat cruises please click on the "Gift certificates: Purchase" link in the yellow box above. Gift certificates are unfortunately not available for Astronomy Dinner Cruises or other special events.
Can I book a private charter?
Yes! In addition to our public tours, the Dolly Steamboat also offers group and private charters, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. For more information, please contact us at directly by clicking the "Contact this seller" link.
