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Activity #846 |
Narrated Nature Cruise on Canyon Lake |
Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?
To guarantee a seat on board, you must purchase tickets in advance. 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 on line.
What type of ticket should I buy if I'm bringing a child?
For children ages 5 to 12, you should purchase a reduced price Child ticket. Children ages 4 years and under may attend for free, 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.
What can we expect to see on the tour?
On this 90 minute-narrated nature cruise you will travel through beautiful canyon walls extending over 500 feet high, see desert wildlife such as the desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, white-tailed deer and birds of prey including the bald eagle. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, and flora and fauna native to the Sonoran Desert.
Are food or drinks served on the cruise?
Usually, food or drinks are not included in the regular price of the cruise. If lunch is being offered on the cruise, you can purchase a Lunch ticket that will include a full meal with all the trimmings (though not an all-you-can-eat setup). There is also a snack bar on board where you may purchase soft drinks, candy, popcorn, film, and miscellaneous souvenirs. Food and drinks are NOT ALLOWED to be brought on board with the exception of bottled water. CREDIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED ON BOARD, CASH OR CHECK ONLY....
What should I wear?
We recommend you dress "weather appropriate." Casual attire is generally the clothing of choice. A hat, sunscreen and shades are recommended year round, and a light jacket is recommemded during the winter months.
Can I bring my own alcohol on board?
There is NO alcohol allowed or served on daily nature cruises.
What happens if it rains?
The Dolly Steamboat departs 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. A favorite of many guests.
Is there air conditioning aboard the Dolly?
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.
How do I know if lunch is being offered on a specific day?
The lunch ticket price is $39.95 for both adults and children who would like to enjoy a meal on board (before tax). You can check the schedule and for the events that lunch is being offered the higher lunch ticket price will appear next to that event. Once you click to buy tickets for that cruise, you'll be able to see a general menu for that day.
If lunch is being served, how do I know what the menu is?
If you click to purchase tickets for the specific cruise, there will be a note next to the ticket specifying the menu for the day. Please note that the lunch would be a full, hearty meal but not an all-you-can-eat setup. Possible menus include: Desert Deli: Ham, turkey or roast beef sandwiches with potato salad, coleslaw and apple pie. The Smokin' Steamboat: Sirloin, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable du jour and apple pie. The Roadrunner: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, vegetable du jour and apple pie. Dolly Cookout: Hamburger, hot dog, baked beans and apple pie. The Dutchman: Barbeque sandwich, baked beans, potato salad and apple pie. All lunches include iced tea and coffee.
Why is lunch only offered on certain days?
A minimum of 35 guests is needed to offer a lunch cruise. If your party is interested in lunch for a specific cruise and it isn't being offered, you can get more information by clicking the "Contact this seller" link. Otherwise, there are two restaurants in the area, Lakeside Restaurant at Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat Restaurant.
Is gratuity included?
Guests should feel free to contribute a gratuity on the regular nature cruises if they feel they’re received great service. For the occasional lunch cruises, guests do not need to worry about a gratuity for the staff, as this will be accounted for already.
Is seating assigned on the cruise?
No. Seating is based on a first come-first serve basis.
Are lifejackets available for use?
Life jackets are available for each passenger. Children 12 and under are REQUIRED by Arizona State Law to wear life jackets.
Are there restrooms on the boat?
There are two restrooms on board the boat. One of the restrooms is wheelchair accessible. There are also wheelchair accessible restrooms available near the restaurant before boarding.
Is the boat wheelchair / stroller accessible?
The lower deck of the vessel is wheelchair accessible. You are also welcome to bring strollers on board.
Is smoking allowed on the cruise?
Due to changes in the Arizona State Law, smoking is now prohibited aboard the boat.
Is there shade on the boat?
Yes! The Dolly Steamboat has a wide array of different seating options. On the lower deck, which is the only wheelchair-accessible area, you can find shade in the fully enclosed cabin. On the upper deck there is also a covered area to protect you from the sun, but it is not enclosed and you will be in the open air. If you’d prefer to sit in the sunshine, you can sit in an uncovered, open air area on either the upper or the lower deck of the boat. Please keep in mind that all seating is on a first-come first-served basis!
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 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 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.***
May I bring my dog?
Yes, well behaved dogs are allowed on the Narrated Nature Cruise. Please note that you and the dog must stay on the outer deck, away from any carpeted areas of the boat. If you will be bringing a dog, please be sure to let us know via a “message to seller” when you purchase tickets. Dogs are not allowed on any meal-serving cruises.
Are gift certificates available for the Dolly Steamboat cruises?
Yes, gift certificates are available for the Narrated Nature Cruise and the Twilight Dinner 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.
How is my gift certificate delivered? Can I print it out now and give it to the recipient myself?
Yes, you can! When you purchase your gift certificate online, you will be presented immediately with your gift certificate so that you can print it out and deliver it. If you buy it over the phone, a link to your gift certificate will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase is completed.
What if I want the gift certificate emailed to the recipient instead?
That's no problem, either! When you purchase your gift certificate, just select the option to have the certificate emailed directly to the recipient and provide their email address. You'll even be able to decide whether you want the email sent immediately or if you'd prefer to schedule it to be emailed on a future date. (For instance, if you want to buy it today so you don't forget, but you don't want it emailed to the recipient until their special day!)
Do gift certificates have due dates?
No! You may redeem a gift certificate at any time, though we do recommend doing so during the season in which it is purchased.
Are private charters available?
Yes! We offer private charters, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. For more information regarding charters contact us directly by clicking the "Contact this seller" link and letting us know what you're interested in! Please also provide us with the best way to reach you to return your inquiry.
