FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Come to the boat. All cruises depart from dock C, d’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay. Guests will be checked-in at the vessel, at the time of boarding. Boarding on all cruises is open 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
ALL CRUISES DEPART ON TIME. Boats run on a strict schedule and allowances cannot be made for passengers arriving late. Arriving late and missing the vessel can result in the full loss of your fare. Boarding on all cruises is open 15 minutes prior to the vessel departure time. Make sure you give yourself time to allow for parking and to make your way to the vessel. Allow extra time during weekends and peak holiday periods. Should you know in advance you are unable to make the cruise by departure time, please contact our office on +61 2 4984 9000 for assistance.
If your GPS tells you that you may be running late please call our office to discuss the situation.
To make an enquiry you can email us (info@imaginecruises.com.au) or phone our office on +61 2 4984 9000. You can also book directly on our website.
It is highly suggested to pre-book your tour as we cannot guarantee that on the day that you wish to travel there will be availability on the cruise of your choice. Booking online is a great way to secure your cruise.
Bookings need to be paid for at the time of booking, we accept VISA, and MasterCard. Please be advised a 2% surcharge applies on all Credit Card purchases. Applicable surcharge applies for EFTPOS.
A children’s fare is available for persons 4 – 14 years of age.
Concessional fares apply to holders of Australian Seniors Cards. Full time students (15-25 years) must provide relevant ID.
Yes, we sell gift vouchers! Vouchers can be purchased directly via our website or by calling our office on +61 2 4984 9000. Vouchers are generated and emailed at the time of purchase.
Gift vouchers are valid for 3 years from date of purchase, dollar amount vouchers can be redeemed on any cruise until the date of expiry, cruise specific vouchers are valid for the cruise they have been purchased for only.
No refund will be issued for cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, or for failure to check-in for a cruise.
PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME A CRUISE IS CANCELLED IF IT IS RAINING. If you have any concerns please ring our office on +61 2 4984 9000.
We can give you more information as well as weather updates. We monitor the weather closely and decisions are made based on safety as well as guest comfort. If the cruise goes ahead no refunds will be issued.
Port Stephens is a beautiful coastal destination with a wide range of nature-based, cultural, adventure and family-friendly experiences to enjoy before or after your cruise.
Popular things to do in the region include exploring local beaches, walking tracks and lookouts, visiting Tomaree Headland, enjoying sand dune experiences at Stockton Bight, discovering local cafes and restaurants, visiting nearby villages and shopping areas, and taking part in other tourism experiences throughout Nelson Bay, Shoal Bay, Fingal Bay, Anna Bay and surrounding areas.
Port Stephens is also known for its marine environment, coastal scenery, wildlife, national parks, Worimi cultural significance and relaxed holiday atmosphere.
For the most current information on local attractions, events, accommodation, dining options and visitor experiences, we recommend visiting the official Port Stephens tourism website:
Port Stephens Visitor Information
Our team is also happy to provide general local suggestions where possible, however we recommend checking directly with each operator or venue for current opening hours, accessibility information, availability, weather conditions and booking requirements.
Accessibility and Guest Support Information
At Imagine Cruises, we are committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable experience for all guests wherever possible. We aim to support passengers with mobility challenges, hearing or vision impairments, language barriers, sensory needs and other accessibility requirements.
The information below is designed to help guests choose the most suitable cruise experience for their needs. Due to the marine environment, vessel design and public wharf infrastructure, some accessibility limitations apply. If you have any questions or specific requirements, please contact our friendly team before booking.
Phone: (02) 4984 9000
Email: info@imaginecruises.com.au
Travelling with Children
Families are warmly welcomed aboard Imagine Cruises. Our cruises are designed to be safe, enjoyable and memorable for guests of all ages.
Children are welcome on scheduled cruises and all guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Family fares are available on many cruise experiences.
Lifejackets suitable for children and adults are available onboard for use in the unlikely event of an emergency.
For safety reasons, prams cannot be used while onboard. Collapsible prams may be brought aboard and stored by crew during the cruise where space allows. Our crew are happy to assist families with boarding and settling in prior to departure.
Easy and Accessible Booking Options
Guests can book with Imagine Cruises in several ways:
• Online via www.imaginecruises.com.au
• By telephone on (02) 4984 9000
• By email at info@imaginecruises.com.au
• In person at our booking office: Shop 7, 6 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315
• Through selected local, national and international booking agents
Our website is mobile-friendly and designed with clear navigation, readable information and straightforward booking steps.
Payment options include Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer and cash.
Booking confirmations and boarding information are provided by email. Guests may also receive reminders and important cruise updates by SMS prior to departure. Pre-cruise information includes departure times, vessel details and boarding locations.
Concession and Companion Support
Imagine Cruises is committed to making our experiences accessible and affordable for as many guests as possible.
Senior and concession fares are available on selected cruises. Guests who require the assistance of a support person may be eligible for discounted companion fares.
While Imagine Cruises is not a registered participant in the NSW Companion Card Program, we recognise Companion Cards and offer a 50% discount for accompanying carers or support persons on eligible cruises.
Guests wishing to access companion discounts are encouraged to contact our reservations team prior to booking. Guests may also book online and include Companion Card details in the “special requirements” section.
Mobility and Wheelchair Accessibility
We aim to make our cruises accessible to as many guests as possible. However, due to the marine environment, vessel access and public wharf infrastructure, some limitations exist.
Imagine Cruises is not easily suited to wheelchair access. We may be able to assist guests with limited mobility who can safely manage approximately five stairs.
Passengers with mobility concerns are asked to contact our office before booking so we can discuss their individual needs and determine whether Imagine is a suitable vessel. This assessment considers guest comfort, safe boarding, movement around the vessel, emergency procedures and crew workplace health and safety obligations.
If a passenger requires excessive manual handling to board or move around the vessel, the cruise may be deemed unsuitable for safety reasons.
Accessible parking spaces are available within public parking areas near our departure location.
Our team will always do their best to provide practical assistance and ensure a comfortable boarding experience where it is safe and reasonable to do so.
Hearing and Vision Support
Imagine Cruises is committed to helping guests who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision enjoy a safe, comfortable and memorable experience.
Where requested, safety briefings can be provided in alternative formats. Crew members are happy to repeat important information, provide individual assistance and support guests with written information where practical.
One crew member is able to communicate using Auslan, subject to availability. Written notes can also be provided using pen and paper where required.
Educational materials and wildlife information may be available in written formats. Guests requiring additional communication or visual assistance are encouraged to notify our reservations team before departure so appropriate arrangements can be made where possible.
Assistance Animals
Accredited guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome onboard. Please advise us prior to your cruise so suitable arrangements can be made.
Because Imagine is a working marine vessel, advance notice helps us consider boarding, movement around the vessel, safety requirements, available space and the comfort of the assistance animal, guest, crew and other passengers.
Language Support
Imagine Cruises welcomes visitors from around Australia and around the world. We recognise that travelling in a different country can present communication challenges, and we aim to make every guest feel comfortable and informed.
If you require information in a specific language, please contact us prior to your cruise and we will assist where possible.
Sensory Considerations
We understand that some guests may prefer a quieter or less stimulating environment.
Weekday cruises outside school holiday periods are generally less crowded. Private charter options may also be available for guests seeking a more personalised or lower-sensory experience.
Please discuss any sensory or accessibility requirements with our team before booking so we can recommend the most suitable cruise option.
Additional Assistance
If you have any special requirements or accessibility needs, we encourage you to contact us before your cruise. This allows us to make reasonable arrangements where possible and provide honest advice about the most suitable experience.
Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming, safe and enjoyable adventure for all guests.
For further information or to discuss your individual requirements, please contact us:
Phone: (02) 4984 9000
Email: info@imaginecruises.com.au
We look forward to welcoming you aboard Imagine Cruises.
Should a cruise not operate for any reason, guests will be given the opportunity to reschedule put the booking on hold or to receive a full refund. We always try to give guests as much notice as possible if we need to cancel a cruise. Cruises cancelled due to poor weather/sea conditions are done so for the safety and comfort of our guests. Imagine Cruises require a minimum of 10 paying customers to operate a cruise, and cruises will be cancelled if minimum numbers are not met.
See cruise terms and conditions.
Envision does not have any snack or beverage facilities.
Guests are welcome to bring a reasonable amount of food (fruit, sandwiches, snack bars) and nonalcoholic beverages onboard either vessel.
For Winter cruises (whale watch), we recommend warm layers including a jacket. You can always take a layer off if you are too warm, but you can’t put on a layer you didn’t bring. Long pants and enclosed shoes are highly recommended. It is also a good idea to bring a water proof layer; not only does it keep you dry, it also protects you from the wind.
For summer cruises, a light jacket is recommended. Guests wishing to enter the water should bring swimwear and a towel.
Hats or sun protection are recommended on all cruises, even on overcast days.
NO HIGH HEELS OR WEDGES PERMITTED. All guests must wear flat shoes or shoes with a small heel up to 30mm (thongs/flip flops are OK). We apologise for this but this is a safety measure to avoid injury.
In addition to the recommended clothing and sun protection, you may want to bring a camera, binoculars, water and snacks.
For guests onboard any summer cruises, swimmers and a towel are recommended for those wanting to get in the water. ‘
On any cruise, a light jacket is recommended.
‘Sea sickness’ can be different for individuals, making it difficult for us to advise on the matter. If you suffer from other types of motion sickness, such as on a plane or car, you might get seasick.
PREVENTION is better than CURE. If you have concerns about seasickness, we recommend you seek advice from a local pharmacy about preventatives prior to the cruise.
We offer motion-sickness prevention for free onboard before the tour, however pharmacists recommend taking tablets 1 hour before a cruise.
As per the NSW Smoke Free Environment Act 2000 and the Smoke Free Environment Regulation 2016, smoking is not permitted on any of our vessels at any time.
From 1 July 2018, under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and the Passenger Transport (General) Regulation 2017, people cannot use e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas.
Yes, we welcome infants on board. There is a comfortable inside cabin and small life jackets available on request.
Baby prams/strollers are permitted on board our vessels. Please understand that space is limited. If it is possible to travel without the pram/stroller it is appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact our office on +61 2 4984 9000
There is no time of day that is better for viewing dolphins or whales. Encounters vary day to day and there is no way to predict sightings or behaviours.
Pick the cruise time that best suits you and let nature surprise you!
Even with our excellent sighting percentage occasionally we have a ‘miss’. When we do not see a whale on a Whale Watch Tour or a dolphin on a Dolphin Watch ad Sailing Tour we notify passengers by email that they are entitled to a free return. Those same passengers are welcome to come back in the next 12 months to try again! We understand that sometimes passengers cannot take up the free return voucher for whatever reason, but we do everything we can to locate whales or dolphins during cruises.
Free Return invitations are not transferable between guests and vessels.
