FAQ

Advance purchase is highly recommended, as tours often sell out in advance.

• We do not accept cancellations or changes via e-mail or voicemail. Please call us at 207-315-5544 during business hours.
• We require 24 hours advance notice for all cancellations and reservation changes to trip date, time or number of guests.
• We recommend you arrive 20 minutes in advance of your trip departure. All passengers MUST check-in no later than 15 minutes prior to departure.
• All paid reservations will be held until 15 minutes prior to departure. Reservations not claimed 15 minutes prior to departure will be forfeited at the customer’s expense and will be made available to our stand-by list.
• We require cancellation by phone 24 hours in advance of scheduled departure time to receive a refund less a $5.00 fee per ticket.  All other cancellations, cancellations made within the 24 hour window, unclaimed tickets and no-shows are non-refundable.
• In the unlikely event a trip is cancelled, all customers will receive a full refund.

Yes, we have a minimum of 6 adult passengers for the daily scheduled tours.

Yes! We can accommodate a variety of special requests and menus. Consider us for private tours, birthdays, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal parties, engagement parties, showers, reunions, cocktail parties, corporate retreats, lunches and dinners, business retreats and special meetings. For catering options and reservations, please email: info@damariscottarivercruises.com, or call 207-315-5544

Generally a 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation and balance is due 30 days in advance of reserved date.

Cancellation Policy: There is a 20% service fee for any cancellation. Refunds are available with at least 30 days’ notice from the reservation date. For cancellations with less than 30 days’ notice, we will try to rebook the boat. If we can rebook the boat then the deposit will be refunded, less the service fee. If we cannot rebook the dates then the deposit and balance is then forfeited.

Yes, we accept all credit cards for the purchase of tickets and at the bar.

For children under the age of 12, you should purchase a reduced-price Child ticket.

The Damariscotta River Cruises is very rarely canceled. The RiverTripper has a covered area that protects passengers from the rain and wind. We cancel a ride, if less than 6 passengers show or if the captain decides the trip would be unsafe due to weather or something else. Please call us if you have any concerns about the weather. Phone: 207-315-5544

Yes! We can accommodate individuals with ambulatory challenges and those in collapsible wheelchairs. Unfortunately, motorized wheelchairs are too big and heavy to navigate our ramp and docking system. Boarding and disembarking will be at the Damariscotta public ramp. Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled cruise time. Please call us at 207-315-5544 with any questions or concerns.

A ramp descends from the pier at Schooner Landing Restaurant and Marina to the float where we tie up. The steepness of this ramp depends on the tide. If you feel uncomfortable with the ramp, we can arrange to pick you up at the town floats where our handicapped passengers board.

Teciani, The RiverTripper, travels at about 7 knots.

Yes, the boat is equipped with clean restrooms that are handicapped accessible.

We have extremely limited space for luggages and strollers on board. Please leave them with your car if you can. The parking lot is very safe. Locals do not even lock their cars. We are not responsible for lost or missing items.

The RiverTripper is a safe vessel with a normal operating crew of two. Originally built for the Navy as an unsinkable troop carrier, today she is certified by the United States Coast Guard to carry 49 passengers while traveling our inland waterways, harbors and tributaries. She complies with all Coast Guard safety requirements.

No, there are no stops on our scheduled trips. We will be cruising for the entire tour. On the other hand, our private charters are custom tailored.

Yes, the Aquaculture Tour is partially narrated, as are some of the Special Cruises.

The RiverTripper is a heavy, 50-foot vessel designed for stability. The Damariscotta River has a mild temperament, and it is unlikely that you will feel much movement aboard the boat. If you often feel seasick, you may want to consider some light medication before beginning the trip.

No, we cannot officially advise you to take any medication. However, we sell products such as ginger ale and ginger candies at the bar.

Yes, about 80% of the deck is covered with a canvas canopy. There are wind and rain curtains.

Yes! We have a full bar, and snacks are also available. We accept cash and credit cards onboard.

No, you can not bring drinks on board. According to Maine State Liquor License Law, Chapter 1,10. “No licensee shall possess or permit possession, sale or consumption of any liquor on the licensed premises other than that which is permitted and purchased by the licensee in accordance with the license or licenses granted for said premises.” You will be able to purchase drinks and snacks at our full bar.

No. For the comfort and health of other passengers, we cannot permit pets on board.

For The RiverTripper, we recommend that you dress in layers so you can adjust to changing winds and cloud cover. You’ll find the temperature on the water is lower than on the land. While this can be quite refreshing on a summer day, it can also catch you unprepared, and leave you chilly.

Damariscotta is 15 miles from the open ocean and it rarely gets foggy, unlike other cruises on the Maine coast.

Yes, parking is available for FREE at Damariscotta’s spacious Municipal Parking Lot, more commonly known as the Back Parking Lot, along the river, about a two minute walk to the boat ramp at Schooner Landing Marina.

There is a three hour limit until 6 PM. Please disarm your car alarm.

While there are no guarantees in life, it is worth noting that locals tend to leave their keys in the ignition! The parking lot is in a bustling commercial area, surrounded by shops, galleries, and other businesses.