frequently asked questions

We do not serve or sell any food aboard the boat. We have seltzers and water available for $1. You are welcome to bring any food or drink you wish with you on the boat. If you wish to bring alcohol we simply ask that you avoid bringing hard liquor and are mindful about the amount of alcohol that you bring with you. Glass bottles and wine glasses are okay. We strive to be a plastic-free environment and to promote recycling and sustainability practices that are good for the planet and people. 

Our Osprey Eco-cruises are the best cruises for younger kids, as we offer hands-on activities. Both those and our farmers market cruises have discounted ($10) tickets for kids 16 and under and kids under 3 are free. Kids are welcome on our sunset cruises, but keep in mind that they are later at night and do not have specific kid targeted activities. The sunset cruises also do not have kid prices, although we do have student discounts for tickets.

We do allow well behaved and leashed dogs on the boat. You must always have the dog with you and under your control. Please be aware that the boat may have up to 70 people on it and folks will be moving around. The engines make vibrations, and the boat moves with waves so we ask that you are confident in your dog’s ability to handle those conditions. We reserve the right to ask folks to not bring their dog onboard if it appears that your dog will not be able to handle the cruise.

Our Saturday and Sunday cruises from the Ithaca market are one hour, our Sunday Club Cayuga cruises are 2 hours, all other cruises are 1.5 hours.

Our cruises leave punctually at the scheduled departure time. We will start to board 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure (if you are booked on a 7:30 sunset cruise, plan to arrive slightly before 7:15 to be ready to board).

Our cruises head partway up the lake, across the middle, then back down the lake to whatever dock we departed from.

The MV Teal is a 63-foot tour boat with plenty of space.

The M/V Teal can legally accommodate 90 passengers and we rarely exceed 70 so there is plenty of seating for the number of people we have onboard. Our public cruises are limited at 60 passengers to ensure that everyone has plenty of seating available.

All cruises ASIDE from our Ithaca Farmers Market tours and Sunday Lake monitoring cruises depart from the Allen H Treman State Marine Park (805 Taughannock Blvd (NY Rt. 89) Ithaca NY 14850). To get to the boat, follow the road that you turn off 89 on until the very end. You will see signs for Discover Cayuga Lake and a big white tour boat. The GPS address is 1000 Allan H. Treman Park Rd , Ithaca, NY 14850

The Ithaca Farmers Market tours and Sunday lake monitoring cruises are from the Ithaca Farmers Market (545 3rd St Ithaca NY 14850). The boat is located at the end of the dock as you walk through the market.

Our home dock at the Allen H Treman State Marine Park has a ramp leading up to the boat. There is a very small gap between our platform and the boat so heavier power chairs may be difficult. We will facilitate everything that is possible and we have hosted many folks with chairs or walkers.  The boat does not have wheelchair accessible bathrooms, but there are bathrooms at the dock.

Keep in mind that it is often cooler and windier on the water than it is on shore. We recommend you bring any layer you might need including a water/wind proof layer if there is rain or wind in the forecast. Sunset cruises will experience cooler temperatures as the sun sets so it is recommended to bring a light jacket or sweater. When the sun is out it is bright on the water so any hats or sunglasses you would like to have with you. We have sunscreen available but if you like a certain type we would recommend bringing it. Please bring your own water bottle.

There are currently no other large tour boats operating on Cayuga Lake. For smaller charters (6 people or less) there are a couple options. Spindrift charters operate a small sailboat out of Ithaca (607-280-7474), Schools out charters do fishing trips and charters aboard their motor boat (607-280-3538). The Finger Lakes boating center also does pontoon boat rentals, although they are often booked out a number of weeks. There are also two electric boats that hold 8-12 ppl being put into service by Lincoln Morse. He can be contacted at lincmorse@gmail.com or 607-592-8071. 

For other big tour boats, your best bets are Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake cruises out of Watkins Glen for dinner tours and hourly sightseeing cruises, Schooner True Love (also in Watkins) for cruises aboard a historic schooner, and Midlakes Navigation (in Skaneateles) for sightseeing and dinner cruises aboard their historic tour boat. Watkins Glen is about 40 minutes to the West of Ithaca and Skaneateles is about an hour to the Northeast.

• Non-gendered bathrooms are available, with flush toilets and running water.
• Wheelchairs and assistive technology can be accommodated but our bathrooms are not yet handicapped accessible.
• Carry in-Carry out policies are encouraged. Trash and recycling containers are, however, available.
• Guests are asked to bring their own reusable and full water bottles or other beverages. We aim to reduce single use plastic use. Seltzer is available on board, to be purchased via a donation.
• Pets are not encouraged, but well behaved pets are allowed, on leash and under the control of owners at all times.

We welcome your feedback as we strive to make our cruises a safe, inviting and successful experience for everyone!