Here’s a list of the most common questions/inquiries we encounter daily. If your questions aren’t answered here please call us or reach out to us through email!
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Before you pay your deposit be aware that all Classic Boat Rides Vessels do not allow smoking of any kind.
A deposit is required to hold the date. You can charter any of our 3 boats. The 100+ Passenger Navesink Queen – The 35+ passenger Mariner.
Our 6 passenger boats require payment in full at booking. Lady Jill and our new 6 passenger “Electric Boat” WATTS UP. All charters and public trips are booked online.
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The balance will be paid on the day of the trip thru the FARE HARBOR booking software that you paid the deposit with. A bar tab and bar tip can be paid at the end of the trip thru a separate transaction with cash, check or card. The crew tip will be included in the balance payment. Navesink Queen – 20% of the charter price will be added for the crew tip. Mariner – 15% of the charter price will be added for the crew tip. Lady Jill and WATTS UP charters are paid in full and the tip can be added at booking or given to the Captain.
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We can often get trips in with light rain with little wind. High winds and heavy rains would be reason to cancel the trip. Clouds and the chance of pop-up showers are not reason to cancel. If we must cancel the trip for weather, we will find another date for you. If we can’t find another date your deposit will be refunded. More details about this are in your charter agreement.
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You can run a tab for drinks and pay at the end or have cash bar. We have a full-service bar and are licensed by the state of NJ to serve alcohol to those 21 and over. We also sell bottled water and soda. Outside beverages are not permitted. If you have any special drink request let us know.
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Most folks arrange for catering and self-serve. Your caterer should be prepared to deliver to the boat and set up the food. If you self-cater you are responsible for set up, serving and break down. If you would like us to take care of the catering, for an additional fee, we will arrange to have extra crew to assist with food management during the trip.
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Live music or a DJ are welcome aboard the Navesink Queen and Mariner. A minimum Load in in and set up fee of $100. Shall be added to the charter price for a maximum of 2 band or DJ staff. Each additional member shall add an additional fee of $50. Each.
KISS – Keep it Simple Sailor. The Navesink Queen has a have a very nice multi-level sound system that you can Blue Tooth your playlist to. We also have a premium SPODIFY account with access to many playlists for you. Mariner and WATTS UP also have a blue tooth systems for your playlist as well.
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Navesink Queen has a wireless MIC for your speeches that can be heard on both levels. Mariner has a chorded MIC for main deck announcements. Music cannot be heard during the speech as the sound system will be switched over to MIC input.
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For a separate fee ($150 as of 10/23/22) we can also set up a separate 2 speaker PA system aboard the Navesink Queen that can be heard only on the deck it is set up on. This is a nice option if you want to play “blue tooth DJ” at a loud volume on the 2nd deck only. Softer separate music may then be played on the main deck in the cabin.
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The 2nd deck on the Navesink Queen is best suited for dancing. In addition to perimeter bench seats there may be as many as 4 picnic benches. We can fold up and stow as many tables as desired to make room for dancing. The crew may also do this after your guests have eaten. Mariner does not have a dance floor option but a Conga Line works well.
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Navesink Queen: We have 2 large screen TVs in the main cabin for picture or video scrolls if desired. They may also be used to watch the game or show. Plus, they have camera access to the 2nd deck so folks on the main deck can watch the 2nd deck dancing or band / DJ.
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Generally, You (or your caterer / band – DJ ) may load in and set up one hour before departure time (Navesink Queen) – 45 Minutes for Mariner – 10 minutes for WATTS UP and the Amazing Lady Jill. Call us when you arrive, and we can bring our dock cart up to help you. Once the boat is ready (we will help you set up as much as we can – decorating etc.) We can begin boarding your guests. Boarding usually begins 15 to 20 minutes before departure. If some guests arrive late, causing us to depart late, we still return at the scheduled time. Please urge your guests to be on time.
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We will help you with your decorations as much as we can. We supply you with BLUE Painters tape. No other tape, nails or tacks may be used as it will damage the surface. String or twine is permitted. Balloons never fair well in the wind and are not good for sea life. Balloon release is not permitted. Balloons and decorations must be removed by the charter. Balloons can NOT be popped on the boat. Any decorations that need to be removed by the crew shall incur a $100. removal fee. Any decorations or props with feathers or fake feathers are not permitted.
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Is abundant and free. Just be sure NOT to park in the paved lot right next to Sissy’s and On the Deck restaurants. Those spots are 2 hours only. If you Google Earth Atlantic Highlands harbor you can get a pretty good layout of parking. For load in / set up you may be able to park in the 10-minute spots in front of Sissy’s. If you were to walk out the back door of Sissy’s, you’ll be on Franks Pier where the Navesink Queen is in slip 65. If you make a right at the front door of Sissy’s and go down the ramp you will be on Pier 1 where you will find the Mariner in slip 3. For your GPS, please use 8 Simon Lake Drive Atlantic Highlands NJ. For Red Bank Molly Pitcher INN trips please be sure to park in the top lot near the hotel. The lower parking is for boat owners only.
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Your trip begins at the time scheduled. Please instruct your guests to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure time. Late arrivals and departures will lead to a shorter cruise.
Please be sure not to park in any of the 2-hour parking spaces adjacent to Sissy’s and On the Deck. We look forward to having your group aboard for a fun trip.
CHARTER SET UP CREW MAY ARRIVE UP TO 1 hour EARLY TO STAGE OR SET UP THE BOAT and to load in catering. Guests may begin boarding 15 TO 20 minutes before departure. At the end of the trip all guests must depart the vessel no later than :15 minutes after docking. All catering / band or DJ equipment must be removed no later than half an hour after docking. IF ANY ADDITIONAL PREP, STAGING OR BREAK DOWN TIME IS NEEDED IT SHALL CONSTITUE A FEE OF ANOTHER HOUR OF CHARTER TIME.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Classic Boat Rides LLC / Charters may only be canceled by the Captain and crew due to impending bad weather. We check the weather before all trips. Don’t let the hype of the TV weatherman ruin your plans for a fun day. The boat sails in light rain and light winds. Charters may also be canceled due to unforeseen mechanical failure. In the event of cancellation, Classic Boat Rides LLC will make the best efforts to reschedule the charter. If a new date can’t be agreed to the deposit will be refunded. If the customer cancels the charter for any reason, customer will be charged the full price and receive a credit for a future charter. If the customers cancel the day of the trip, an additional $400 fee will be charged to cover the costs of vessel and Captain Preparation. Classic Boat Rides LLC and their Boats are licensed by the state of NJ to sell alcoholic beverages while under way. Outside drinks of any kind are not permitted. Unsafe behavior by any passengers may be cause for cancelation with no refunds. Swimming and diving are not permitted. PLEASE NOTE: THE CAPTAIN AND CREW ARE THERE FOR YOUR SAFETY AND TO OPERATE THE VESSEL. WE ARE NOT THERE TO SUPERVISE CHILDREN OR YOUNG ADULTS. THE BEHAVIOR AND SUPER VISION OF CHILDREN IS THE CHARTERS RESPONSIBILITY.