Functions/Corporate Events: Common Questions
Listed below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients planning functions on an Amada Cruise. If you have any additional questions about private boat charters on Auckland Harbour with Amada Cruises, please contact us. Our functions co-ordinator will be more than happy to assist you.
- What is the timeline for booking a function with Amada?
- Do you have any example itineraries of a typical cruise?
- Can we have candles on board?
- Can we arrange our own DJ / Entertainment?
- Can we bring our own CD’s on board?
- Can Amada Cruises tailor menus to suit
... our specific requirements? - Can we bring our own food and/or beverages on board?
- Does Amada Cruises cater for children?
- Does Amada Cruises provide any
... complimentary decorations? - Does the vessel anchor throughout the cruise?
- Does Amada Cruises charge wharf fees?
- What do we do if a guest is running late?
- When do I need to advise the function coordinator of our menu choice
... and final head count? - When is final payment required?
- What happens if less than the advised number of guests show up
... on the day of the cruise? - Can we extend our cruise on the day?
- Are your vessels wheelchair accessible?
What is the timeline for booking a function with Amada?
Our standard booking process is as follows:
Quotation: A quotation will be supplied by Amada Cruises with the details for your cruise. We do also encourage you to make an appointment time to come and view the vessel.
Tentative Booking: Once the quote is received and you are happy with the details, please contact Amada Cruises to place a tentative booking on the specific date, time and boat you are after. This will be held for 7 working days. In order to confirm the booking we do require a deposit to be paid. A copy of the terms and conditions to be signed and a copy sent back to Amada.
Confirmation: Once the above is received your charter confirmation will be sent to you.
4.5 months prior to the wedding: We will need to confirm the wharf you would like to use.
4 months prior: The wharf will be booked and confirmed.
1 month prior: Menu and beverage choices to be confirmed.
16 days prior: Final guest numbers to be confirmed and final tax invoice sent out.
14 days prior: Final payment received.
Do you have any example itineraries of a typical cruise?
Yes we do. Click on the links below to see example itineraries of some of our more popular cruise options:
- Corporate Cruise with a Buffet Menu, 4 hour charter
- Corporate Cruise with a Formal Menu, 5 hour charter
Can we have candles on board?
We do allow tea light candles and floating candles. However, we cannot allow any other types of candles on board the boats due to safety issues.
Can we arrange our own DJ / Entertainment?
Yes – there are no additional costs for you to arrange your own DJ or band. Please be advised that they must have proof of their own public liability insurance to be able to play on board. If, however, you do require assistance in sourcing a DJ, band or other entertainment, our function co-ordinator will be happy to help you find an option to suit your tastes and requirements, but please note that additional costs do apply.
Can we bring our own CD’s on board?
Yes, you are more than welcome to provide your own CD’s to play whilst on board or iPod. In order to ensure that the music you wish to hear is played when you want to hear it during your cruise, we strongly advise you to provide us with written instructions detailing your requests. Please note that our CD player does play the CDs in random order. Our iPod player has a docking station.
Can Amada Cruises tailor menus to suit our specific requirements?
Our Executive chef is more than happy to tailor a menu to suit your requirements. Please note that the price per head may vary depending on the changes that occur to the menu.
Can we bring our own food and/or beverages on board?
Unfortunately, due to our liquor license we cannot allow BYO beverages on board, though we can special order beverages for your cruise should you wish to serve a particular brand of drink. It is also our company policy that we do not allow BYO food. However, our chef will gladly tailor menus to suit your specific requirements.
Does Amada Cruises cater for children?
Yes, Amada Cruises offers the following rates for children:
- Children 5 years and under receive complimentary catering
- Children aged 6 to 12 years receive 50% off the normal catering price
- Children 13 years and older are charged at the full adult price
These rates are offered off your selected menu. Depending on the beverage package you choose, we can either charge for soft drinks per glass on a consumption basis or offer a soft drinks package to children under 18 years old. Please note that we do require children to be supervised whilst on board the vessel.
Does Amada Cruises provide any complimentary decorations?
Yes we provide the following complimentary decorations for your cruise:
- Fitted navey table covers
- Paper napkins
- Fresh seasonal flowers with greenery in glass vases for the guest tables.
- Christmas decorations
Does the vessel anchor throughout the cruise?
Yes, we are happy to anchor the boat during meal service. There are a number of scenic locations around the harbour where we can anchor. The captain will choose a spot that is most suitable to the weather conditions on the day.
Does Amada Cruises charge wharf fees?
Amada Cruises includes wharf booking fees. Any additional wharves will incur an additional fee. The cost of additional wharves is available from your function co-ordinator. Please note that some wharves have additional fees these will be advised at the time your wharf is discussed.
What do we do if a guest is running late?
In the event that a guest is running late, a water taxi can be arranged to deliver the guest to your function. The guest must cover this cost. We like to recommend that you inform your guests of Auckland Water Taxi's phone number: 0800 111 161 (It's a great idea to print it on invitations.) Then, if needed, guests can call Auckland Water Taxis, who will radio our vessel to find our location.
When do I need to advise the function coordinator of our menu choice and final head count?
We require final confirmation of guest numbers as well as meal choices NO LATER THAN 14 working days prior to your cruise. The number advised will be the amount you will be invoiced for. Please note that no refunds are available if fewer guests attend on the day.
When is final payment required?
Final confirmation of guest numbers is due NO LATER THAN 10 working days prior to your cruise. The number advised will be the amount you will be invoiced for. Final payment must be paid in full NO LESS THAN 7 working days prior to your function date.
What happens if less than the advised number of guests show up on the day of the cruise?
If this occurs, we will still require the full payment for the number of guests confirmed. In regards to beverages, if you are on a package we are happy to refund you for the number of people who didn’t show up.
Can we extend our cruise on the day?
We are happy for your cruise to go overtime - providing there isn’t another cruise scheduled later that evening. Should a cruise go overtime, an additional cost will be incurred.
Are your vessels wheelchair accessible?
If you need access for a wheelchair, please discuss this with your function co-ordinator in advance of your booking.
Please feel free to contact us with any further questions you may have.
"As usual our customers and staff had a wonderful afternoon on board Olympic Spirit. Your staff make the cruise a real fun day out.-Tranquillity Pools
"Thanks for everything.
Feel free to use us any
time for a reference."
-Bill Armitage
"The cruise was fantastic, beyond all our expectations. Indeed The Amada Cruise should know how important your contribution is to fostering goodwill for New Zealand. The staff were great and I would like your organisation to know how much we appreciated their hospitality.
–
"Wonderful evening, not a thing went wrong. The staff were very friendly and efficient. The food was superb. I am sure I will have another function and my guests will not forget the evening as well. It ended too soon."
–Lynette Marslew
"A very successful evening. I have received many favourable comments. We would use the ‘Olympic Storm’ again. The staff were very friendly and helpful."
-Lend Lease
Just wanted to say what a fabulous time myself and family had on your boat Olympic Spirit yesterday. My husband said he could not fault the day and he was buzzing afterwards. The boat, the crew, the captain, the food -everything was amazing. Also the price was so reasonable. I would definitely recommend this to all my friends. The weather was also kind to us. Thoroughly enjoyed getting up close to the action especially the Tug Boats and getting inside knowledge of different boats from your captain. Well done on a great cruise and pats on the back to all the crew that made our day so memorable. Sandra Burge
"The best night of my life! Keep up the good work. You are a great team."
-Kerry Dent
"All round an excellent cruise and afternoon out – A great team event – I would highly recommend this!"
-Price Waterhouse Coopers
"We had fantastic time and I couldn’t have asked for anything to be done differently!"
-Wizards of The Coast Australia
"A most enjoyable night was had by all, regardless of the weather. Our overseas visitors were nost impressed. A delightful environment in which to entertain clients and staff. Thank you!!"
-Matcon
"Great day - as usual, staff were fantastic. Day went too quick, may have to extend next year."
-NSW Race Horse Owners Association
"We have nothing but praise for another fantastic cruise you people put together. Our emails and phones are still running hot with heaps of thank yous. As word gets round the country of the ‘Great Custom Fleet Cruise’ more people will jump on the band wagon for next year."
-Customfleet
"We’d like to pass on our thanks and congratulations to The Elite Cruise Company for giving us a memorable dinner cruise aboard Olympic Spirit on Sydney Harbour. We found the crew very attentive and our meal was excellent. The roulette table gave us the opportunity to have some extra fun. We believe the whole evening helped to build lasting working relationships, enabling us to move forward as a team to achieve our goals. Our team’s consensus: The cruise on Olympic Spirit was our highlight of the week."
-BOC Gases
"This is the 4th year in a row we have used The Elite Cruise Company for our annual trading cruise. As usual, the boats/staff and catering were first class. We had great feedback from our invited guests. The Sydney jet boat rides were definitely the highlight of the afternoon.”
-Origin Energy
"As usual, the cruise was a great success… Many thanks to your staff and crew and see you again next year."
-Polifilm
"The professional, attentive, yet unobtrusive service provided by you and your people on the night was an integral factor in making the evening a memorable one.
-The Mortgage Bureau
"We were fantastically happy with all aspects of our cruise – food/beverage, the staff and vessel."
-BTC Booths Hire
"Jayne and I would just like to thank you and your stag for organising such a wonderful day for us on the weekend. Everything went very smoothly - Ellen and the staff were excellent and looked after our guests with plenty of food and drink coming throughout the day. A number of the guests commented what a wonderful day they had and how beautiful the boat is."
– Leon and Jayne
