Q. Do I need a reservation for your regular daily cruise?

A.We DO NOT accept reservations for historically-narrated cruises or Cocktail Cruises UNLESS you opt for the Picnic on the Paddle-wheel deli lunch option, which is available on every scheduled cruise.  The deli meal includes a gourmet deli sandwich on fresh-baked bread from Brick Village Gourmet, chips, cookies, and a non-alcoholic beverage from our on-board bar. If you would like to make reservations for a Picnic on the Paddle-wheel please call 716-269-BELL (2355).

Q. Where in Chautauqua Institution do you pick up/drop off?

A. We come ashore at the Miller Bell Tower, directly adjacent to the swimming beach.

Q. Where are you located in Mayville?

A. We are located at the Lake Side Park/ Steamboat Village (78 Water St. Mayville, NY 14757).

Q. Can I disembark at Chautauqua Institution if I board in Mayville Park?

A. In order to disembark in Chautauqua Institution, all passengers must present a valid Chautauqua Institution Gate Pass before exiting the gangway.  Since each cruise is round-trip, passengers with valid Gate Passes who board in Mayville and disembark in Chautauqua Institution may board the Chautauqua Belle at a regularly scheduled time later in that same day to complete their round-trip fare.  Please check the online calendar in order to ensure later cruises have not been canceled and notify the crew of your intentions to board on a later cruise.  To purchase a Gate Pass, visit the Chautauqua Institution website, found in the “Partner Links” page.

Q. Do you have restrooms on-board?

A. Yes, we have restrooms available on-board the Chautauqua Belle and at our home dock in Mayville.

Q. Do you accept credit cards?

A. Yes, we accept both MasterCard & Visa.  Please remember that we prefer cash payment and ask anyone paying with a credit card to wait until all cash passengers have been ticketed and boarded before approaching the Ticket Window.

Q. Do you have a group rate?

A. Yes, we have group rates available for parties of 20 or more. Please see rates page.

Q. Is the boat handicap accessible?

A. Yes, The Chautauqua Belle is very handicap accessible.

Q. Is the boat air-conditioned?

A. The Chautauqua Belle is an open-air vessel with no air-conditioning.  It is covered to provide shade, often experiences a cool, refreshing breeze across the second deck, and has side curtains in the event of inclement weather.  Most passengers find a ride on the Chautauqua Belle to be very comfortable on warm or hot days and prefer to bring a jacket along on cool days or for most evening/night cruises.  Please dress accordingly.

Q. Do you have priority seating?

A. We offer priority seating & boarding for several reasons.  Passengers with disabilities may be offered priority seating on the lower deck to circumvent any stairwells.  Bus groups, group reservations, and season ticket holders may request priority reserved seating at the time of their reservation, including access to tables.  We ask that all other passengers please respect crew member instructions and priority seating guidelines.

Q. Can we bring our own food or drinks?

A. No.  We kindly ask all our guests to refrain from bringing outside food or beverages on-board the Chautauqua Belle.  We have a full-service bar with snacks, water, soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, & mixed drinks on-board and open during every cruise for your convenience.  If you would like a deli lunch, please call to reserve a Picnic on the Paddlewheel, available on every cruise.

Q. Do you have food or drinks available for purchase?

A. Yes, we have chips, cookies, pretzels, large deli sandwiches, chicken barbecue dinners, & your favorite soft or hard drinks.  Please call ahead for deli sandwiches, chicken barbecue dinners, or catered events.

Q. What time do we need to arrive?

A. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled cruise to allow for ticketing, boarding, and a timely departure.  Remember that passengers paying in cash are ticketed first and have priority seating, while passengers paying with credit card or check are ticketed and boarded after all cash passengers.

Q. What are the age limits for the children’s rate?

A. Children age two (2) and under are free.  Children age 3-12 fall under the children’s rate of $10 per child.  Teenagers and seniors fall under the adult rate of $20 per person.

Q. Do you have dinner cruises?

A. Yes!  We offer chicken barbecue dinner cruises every Wednesday night and dinner cruises catered by Brick Village Gourmet on select Friday & Saturday nights during the 2010 season.  Reservations required, minimum passenger count applies.  See Calendar for more details and a daily-updated listing of available cruises.

Q. Do I need reservations for the specialty cruises (dinner, fireworks, etc.)?

A. Yes, all specialty cruises require reservations.  Please call 716-269-BELL (2355) to make a reservation.  Payment must be made at the time of reservation before tickets may be issued.  Visa or Master Card may be taken over the phone and cash/credit/checks are taken at the Mayville ticket office.

Q. Do you serve alcohol?

A. Yes, we have a full-service cash bar available on-board for every cruise with a fine selection of beers, wines, and liquors.  Photo identification required.  No alcohol may be served before noon on Sundays.

Q. Do you allow pets?

A. At the Captain’s discretion, we can allow small, well-behaved, leashed pets aboard the Chautauqua Belle.  If allowed aboard, passengers must purchase a boarding pass for the pet.  Pets may not be a nuisance to other guests and are the sole responsibility of the individual that brought the pet aboard.  Please remember that the Chautauqua Belle is an open-air vessel.  Pets must be kept from jumping off the side of the vessel, running around the vessel, or otherwise jeopardizing the safety of any person on-board.  They must be fully cleaned up after by the person that brought them aboard and supplies to do so must be brought aboard along with the pet.  Note that it is at the sole discretion of the Captain as to whether an animal is well-behaved, small, or generally allowed aboard.  Any passengers that refuse to cooperate with the Captain will be asked to disembark the vessel at the Captain’s convenience without refund and/or return transportation to port of origin.