HOW DO I MAKE A RESERVATION?
Reservations can be made online or by phone at (727 ) 462-2628 with a major credit card. Seats are not held without payment. If you would like to pay in cash, reservations must be made in person at least 24-hours in advance. Reservations are required to ensure cruise availability. Sea Life Safari cruises are booked directly through the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Upon arrival the day of your cruise, check in at our ticket kiosk with your confirmation number to receive your boarding passes.
WHAT PAYMENT OPTIONS DO I HAVE?
We accept most major credit cards for reservations and for purchases on board. If necessary, you can pay with a money order by mail. Please call our reservations department at (727 ) 462-2628 for more information. You may pay cash at all cruise locations (see "How do I make a reservation?" ) . On board purchases can also be paid with cash.
CAN I HOLD A RESERVATION AND PAY ON ARRIVAL?
We do not hold reservations without payment.
I HAVE A GIFT CERTIFICATE / COUPON / DISCOUNT OFFER, HOW DO I REDEEM IT?
All gift certificates, coupons and discount offers must be mentioned at the time of booking in order to be honored. Most coupons or discount offers can be redeemed online by entering the three letter source code at the beginning of the booking process. Gift certificates must be booked by phone at (727 ) 462-2628. Please bring your gift certificate, promotional card or coupon with you on the day of your cruise and present it at the ticket kiosk prior to boarding.
IF ONE OR MORE PEOPLE IN MY PARTY ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT OR WE MISS THE CRUISE WILL WE RECEIVE A REFUND?
No. Once payment is received cruises are non-refundable. With a 24-hour or better notice we will be happy to reschedule your cruise date. Cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable within 24 hours of your cruise. We do not compensate for no-shows or late arrivals.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
StarLite Cruises sail rain or shine. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard, we will remain dockside, but provide the full dining service. In the event that we have to cancel, a full refund of the ticket price purchased will be issued. Dolphin Racer and Sea Life Safari cruises are weather permitting.
DO YOU OFFER ANY INFANT DISCOUNTS?
Infants (ages 2 and under ) are complimentary on most regularly scheduled cruises, but must be included in your passenger count at time of reservation. Some special event cruises may not offer complimentary infant fares.
ARE THERE ANY AGE RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR CRUISES?
There are no age restrictions for most of our cruises. All minors require adult supervision. Please call with questions about any of our special event cruises, as minors are not restricted on most cruises, but the cruise may not be appropriate for all age groups.
IF I PURCHASED TICKETS ONLINE, DO I NEED TO CHECK-IN WHEN I ARRIVE?
Yes. Upon arrival the day of your cruise, check in at our ticket kiosk with your confirmation number to receive your boarding passes.
WHAT IS THE DRESS ATTIRE FOR THE CRUISES?
Dolphin Racer & Sea Life Safari Cruises: Casual attire, such as shorts and t-shirts are appropriate.
StarLite Yacht and Calypso Tropical Daytime Cruises: We recommend Florida casual attire.
StarLite Yacht and Calypso Tropical Evening Cruises: Resort casual to dressy casual attire is recommended for our family-friendly evening cruises. For men, slacks or chino/tailored style pants or shorts and a collared shirt; for women slacks or skirt, or dress. We request no tank tops, swim suits, swim cover-ups, excessively revealing attire, exposed undergarments, see-through clothing, sheer/mesh outfits, or attire with offensive language.
You may find that some guests are dressed more formally, especially those celebrating special occasions. However, attire varies from comfortable shorts to the more formal. Bring along a light jacket or wrap as it may get a bit breezy on the outer decks.
WHAT TIME DO I BOARD THE SHIP?
Boarding time is usually 30 minutes prior to departure for all cruises. Please check your boarding time when making your reservation.
IS SMOKING ALLOWED?
Dolphin Racer & Sea Life Safari: Smoking, vaporing and e-cigarettes are not allowed on board. StarLite Yachts & Calypso Tropical: Smoking, vaporing and e-cigarettes are allowed on the outside decks only. Please dispose of all refuse in proper receptacles. Do not throw anything into the water.
IS THERE PRE-ASSIGNED SEATING?
StarLite Yacht and Calypso Tropical: As you board, our captain and host will direct you to your deck then show your party to your assigned table(s ) . Decks are never guaranteed to non-private groups. We assign seats based on needs, order of reservation and capacity for each cruise. Dolphin Racer & Sea Life Safari trips offer open seating.
WILL I GET MY OWN TABLE?
On the majority of our cruises, we assign private tables to the individual parties. However, on some of our special holiday cruises, we do have cabaret-style seating, where we will ask you to share a table with other parties. If this is the case, you will be told at the time you make your reservation.
ARE WEDDINGS AND/OR RECEPTIONS ALLOWED ON BOARD?
Yes, we love working with clients to plan their special day! We offer a variety of options for weddings, vow renewals, rehearsal dinners and receptions. Additional information about our packages can be found on our wedding page. Contact our Group Reservations Team and speak to a StarLite Event Coordinator to schedule an appointment to tour a StarLite vessel. For our wedding and/or reception clients booked on one of our public cruises, we provide a contract that guarantees that they will be the only wedding party seated within their same dining deck (only 1 wedding party per dining deck ) . If a group arrives and can visually be identified as a wedding (wearing any type of wedding attire, carrying a bouquet, wedding cake in-hand, etc. ) and has not booked their reservation with us as a wedding and/or reception, we may have to turn them away. Please make sure to be forthcoming with information so that we can provide you with our special wedding services.
ARE ANIMALS ALLOWED ON THE CRUISE?
In accordance with the federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA ) and Florida law, people with disabilities may bring their service animals. The ADA and Florida law defines a service animal as a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. The tasks or work the animal performs must be directly related to the person’s disability. The ADA and Florida law do not recognize emotional support animals as service animals, therefore, we do not allow emotional support animals or pets on our cruises. We may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.
ARE THERE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS AVAILABLE? CAN I MAKE A SPECIAL MENU REQUEST?
Yes, for dining cruises, vegetarian options are available. If you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions, once on board, please notify your server. We can accommodate most other special dietary needs in our galley.
DO YOU OFFER SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS FOR BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES OR SPECIAL OCCASIONS?
We offer a variety of special enhancements to add to your dining experience. Please ask your reservations agent about our special occasion packages. These options are also available when booking online.
In addition to purchasing special occasion packages, we are happy to acknowledge all special occasions on our dining cruises. Please let us know what you are celebrating and the name(s ) of those being honored, and our entertainment will be happy to make an announcement during the cruise.
ARE YOU REGULATED BY THE U.S. COAST GUARD?
Our vessels are all subject to inspections by the U.S. Coast Guard and our crew are all properly licensed. We also follow Marsec security guidelines. Should the Marsec security level be elevated, we may opt to increase security measures onboard our vessels to ensure everyone’s safety.
ARE LIFE JACKETS ON BOARD?
Each vessel is 100% Coast Guard certified with personal flotation devices (PFD ) and all required lifesaving equipment, including child PFDs.
ARE THE VESSELS HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE?
Not all vessels, decks, doorways or restrooms are accessible. Please call (727 ) 462-2628 with any questions and to ensure handicap accessibility of the vessel you are planning to cruise on. Please let us know if you or a guest will be using a wheelchair, oversized wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or scooter.
DO YOU HAVE ELEVATORS?
None of our vessels have elevators. Access to the upper decks on all vessels are by stairs only.
WILL I GET SEASICK?
The vast majority of our guests experience no discomfort at all as our dining vessels generally do not leave the calm waters of the intracoastal. If you are sailing on the Dolphin Racer, we may go out into the open water and as a result, the chance of getting seasick increases.
IS THERE A PHONE ON THE BOAT THAT RECEIVES CALLS?
StarLite does not have phones for guests' use. Most cellular services are available on the water as we do not cruise beyond one mile off shore on most of our cruises.