FAQs

HOW DO I BOOK A CRUISE?

Booking your tiki cruise is easy!
click on the book now  button on the home page and select your desired cruise.Select your date and time.Checkout with a credit card using our 2048-bit encrypted payment platform.

WHAT IS THE COST?
To book the boat is $540 plus tax (covers up to the first 6 people),  each additional person over 6  is $90 per person additionaL. Aboard TIKI BAR, up to a maximum total of the 13 passengers  (charterer plus 12 passengers)  excluding the crew.  6.35% sales taxes to the State is charged and booking fee may apply.  Aboard TIKI TOO, $540 plus tax covers the first six passengers, and each passenger beyond six is $90 pp + tax. The maximum passenger total is 20,plus two crew.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?   Aboard Tiki Bar
All cruises include a captain and a bartender that you hire, if you are aboard Tiki Bar (we make that easy for you, as we will offer you a selection of crew to consider, with at least one team (captain and mate) who will work for gratuities only for your cruise.  The provision package that is included as part of the cost of boat reservation includes three beverages per person, including a selection of beers, wines, rum punch and spirits, along with non-alcoholic beverages. You must be 21 or over to consume alcoholic beverages. Please note: A person's unconsumed alcoholic beverage(s) CANNOT be transferred to another person and drinks are NOT allowed to be  taken off the boat.The boat is stocked with choices of beers, wines, and spirits to allow you to each have three (3) drinks, poured by your hired bartender while your hired experienced  captain ensures safe passage on the Mystic River.  We make sure you have a  captain and first mate willing to work for tips (only) standing by, waiting for your to hire them,  ready to work for you. 

Aboard Tiki Too 

Once Tiki Too is fully licensed and operating, it will come with assigned captain and mate (bartender.) See the above policy statements as they will continue to apply to this new boat.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept cash, credit card and debit payments only: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover.
CAN I PAY ON THE DAY OF THE CRUISE?

All cruises must be pre-booked online and paid for at the time of reservation. Added passengers (not initially paid for) may be added prior to departure by emailing tikibarcruises@gmail.com and providing the names of the passengers you wish to add and authorizing the placement of the charge on the credit card originally used by the charterer to book the cruise. (If a different mode of payment is desired, please so state in your email to us.). 

HOW LONG IS THE CRUISE?

Our standard cruises run approximately 90 minutes (1.5 hours) from beginning to end, including a quick safety run-down before we depart.  Our boats may be booked for longer cruises and half day or day trips to a beach (i.e. Sandy Point).

WHAT WATERS DO YOU CRUISE?

We depart from Noank Shipyard located at 145 Pearl Street, Noank  and embark on daily cruises on the nearby waters (Mystic river) . Longer cruises are available for certain destinations within one mile off shore. 

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

There is NO dress code for the boat! If your cruise is in the daytime, you may want to consider bringing hats and sunglasses. If your cruise is at night, you may want to consider bringing a sweatshirt or light jacket. Please note that you may be splashed due to waves and wakes as other boats pass by. To make your experience more enjoyable, you should wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet.

SHOULD I BRING SUNSCREEN?

Yes! We encourage passengers to bring sunscreen. We do ask that you refrain from bringing spray sunscreen as it tends to get everywhere when sprayed, including on the bar and can make the deck/hull slippery. We thank you in advance for your understanding.

WILL I GET WET?

Our vessel is subject to others' boat maneuvers along with wakes from passing boats  that can create waves, wake and spray. While the amount of water also depends on weather and water conditions, all passengers should expect to get at least some spray. For this reason, you may also want to bring a hand towel.

CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE BACHELOR / BACHELORETTE PARTIES?

Yes! In fact  they are dancing fools! :) In fact, we can acommodate a total of 13, when you book the boat, you don't count as a passenger, (and it is a 12 passenger cruise).

DO YOU OFFER WEDDING PACKAGES?
Yes! We are proud to host weddings aboard the tiki bar  Our all-inclusive wedding package includes a wedding officiant, champagne toast, drinks and more. Please contact us for more info and availability on booking an all-inclusive wedding package.

WHAT KIND OF ALCOHOL IS SERVED ON THE BOAT?

We serve beer, wine and our Tiki Bar rum punch and spirits, along with non-alcoholic beverages.  

DO YOU OFFER NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

Yes! We also offer non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas juice, and bottled water.

IF SOME OF MY PASSENGERS DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL, DOES THE PRICING CHANGE?The price is the same regardless of how many passengers drink alcoholic beverages; the price does not lower for non-drinkers.

CAN I BRING MY OWN BEVERAGES? If you are aboard Tiki Bar, you may provision the boat yourself at your option, but there is no reduction in price if you do so.   Aboard Tiki Too, you are not allowed to bring your own alcohol on board. 

DO YOU PROVIDE FOOD?

No, we do not provide food. You are welcome to bring your own food and snacks. Due to the sometimes windy conditions on the water, it is best to bring food and utensils in containers with lids. (Sorry, we do not provide plates, cups and utensils and there is no refrigeration available for passenger use.) You may want to grab some meals or snacks at Costello's Clam Bar (where we are located) before boarding, but there are often lines and a long wait,  which could impact your cruise.

HOW FAST DOES THE TIKI BOAT GO?

It’s a slow, relaxing ride. Our tiki boat has a top cruising speed of around 5 knots (approx. 6 mph), depending on wind, current and the number of people on board.

CAN I PLAY MY OWN MUSIC ONBOARD?

Yes and No: We have a bluetooth-capable speaker system that can sync to your phone and play your choice of music, but only if there is no offensive language in it and the captain has vetted your play list. Only family friendly music is allowed. NO EXCEPTIONS. We aim to be a good neighbor in Mystic.   Feel free to dance or singI!

IS THERE A USB CHARGING PORT AVAILABLE FOR USE?

Please plan to bring your own. 

IS THERE A BATHROOM ONBOARD?

Aboard Tiki Bar, the short answer is "No." Passengers are strongly encouraged to use bathroom facilities before boarding the boat. Costello's has public restrooms available.  If you need to go to the bathroom during the 90-minute tour and it is a true emergency, we do have an emergency porta-potti with privacy screen.  Tiki Too does have a bathroom (flush toilet and sink/water.)

ARE THERE LIFE JACKETS ON BOARD?

Yes! There is a type 1 wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for each person. All children under the age of 13 MUST WEAR a life jacket while the boat is underway. If you do not know how to (or cannot) swim, you MUST WEAR a life jacket at all times. There is also a throw ring on the boat.

WHO IS THE CREW?Your crew must consist of a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and a bartender.

WHO IS MY CAPTAIN?

Your captain must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard and have been vetted and trained per U.S. Coast Guard requirements. "The captain's word is the law on the boat." For the safety of all passengers and crew, please listen to and follow instructions given by your captain. Please pay attention to your captain's safety procedures at the start of your cruise. The captain will provide a short rundown regarding safety equipment and emergency protocols, including how to stop the boat in case of an emergency and man overboard procedures. This important information could save a life!  

WHO IS MY BARTENDER?

All of the crew are professionals who are dedicated to helping you and your guests enjoy your trip. They'll take care of the drinks. You make the memories! (You must show an ID and be 21 years of age to drink alcohol.)

SHOULD I TIP MY CAPTAIN AND BARTENDER?

Yes! Gratuity is greatly appreciated as the captains and bartenders work hard to ensure your enjoyment, comfort and safety. Tips are equally split between the captain and bartender. If you are pleased with the level of service received, the customary gratuity is 20% of the charter fee. We appreciate your generosity!

ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED?

Yes, we are family-friendly and children are allowed! Please note that children under 13 years old MUST WEAR a life jacket which we have on board or you can bring your own U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket(s). Tiki Bar is equipped with two child's life jackets and Tiki Too is equipped with four child's life jackets. There are not appropriate for infants. Check with us to see if we can accommodate, but if we don't have one, YOU will need to supply your own or the infant cannot board.  

CAN I RIDE IF I AM PREGNANT?

Since each pregnancy is different, we encourage you to consult with your physician. Please let us know upon arrival so we can accommodate you accordingly.

CAN A DISABLED PASSENGER TAKE PART IN THE TRIP?

Our passengers may be exposed to sun, rain, sea spray and other outdoor elements and may be splashed due to waves and wakes as other boats pass by. Please consider this when determining suitability for all passengers. Only passengers in good health should participate. For your safety, please consult your physician if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, have heart, neck or back issues, have had recent surgery, suffer from motion sickness or have any other condition that may be aggravated by this boat ride. All guests, including those with disabilities or those who use a wheelchair, must be able to transfer into and out of the boat by themselves or with assistance of a member of their party.

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

We love our pets ...but for the safety of all passengers, pets and/or therapy animals are not allowed onboard.

CAN WE BRING A SERVICE DOG ON THE BOAT?

An active service dog for physically-impaired individuals is allowed. Notification that a service dog will be boarding with you is required upon making your reservation. Please bring your own dog life jacket. As a safety measure, we do not allow pet carriers onboard.

CAN I GO SWIMMING OFF THE BOAT?

No, swimming is not allowed. Passengers are not allowed to enter the water from the boat or swim off the boat.

CAN I BRING MY FISHING POLE OR CRABBING NET?

Sorry, we do not allow passengers to fish or crab from the boat.

IS SMOKING ALLOWED ON BOARD?

Sorry, smoking or vaping is not permitted on the boat.

WHAT ARE SOME OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT ON BOARD?

Firearms, weapons, fireworks and drugs (inicluding cannabis) are not permitted onboard. . No coolers(unless on the bare boat experience of Tiki Bar it was previously cleared through management). No glass containers. No pets.