Yacht StarShip Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions about Yacht StarShip. If you need further assistance, or information that cannot be found on this site, please contact Yacht StarShip Reservations at 813.223.7999. Please click on the question to see the answer.
Reservations
How do I make reservations?
You can make your reservations either online by visiting our reservations page here or by calling us at 813-223-7999. Our reservations booth is open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm 7 days a week.
Do I have to pay when I make the reservation?
Yes. We take the full payment in order to make your reservation. You can either do this online by our reservations page or over the phone with a credit/debit card.
I do not have a credit card. Can I make reservations?
Our main office is located at our dock at 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa, Florida and open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm. A reservation may be made at this location with either cash or money order. Reservations can be made for both the Clearwater and Tampa locations.
How far in advance do you recommend I book my reservations?
We recommend at least a week in advance for a regular dinner cruises. Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest nights and tend to book up very quickly, so calling as soon as possible is always recommended.
For special event or holiday cruises, we recommend booking two weeks in advance. All of our special event cruises are very popular and have limited seating, the majority of them selling out in advance. We do not guarantee any availability for special events a few days leading up to the event.
What is included in the price of my ticket?
For public lunch or dinner cruises, your ticket includes your cruise, reserved table, and 3-course seated meal (choice of soup or salad, choice of entree, and dessert). Dinner cruises include DJ entertainment and dancing after dinner. Your ticket does not include any on board purchases such as beverages or menu upgrades.
Does my ticket price include gratuity?
The compensation for your server for your meal service is included in the price of your ticket. For most special events and private charters, gratuity will be added to the ticket price.
Can I request a window seat?
We do not take requests for window seats, however for your convenience you may purchase a guaranteed window seat for $25 per table. You can add this onto your reservation online or request it at the time of booking over the phone. The purchase of a window seat must be done in advance. We do not offer window seat upgrades once you have boarded the yacht.
Do you offer any senior discounts?
At this time, we do not offer any discounts for seniors.
Dress Code
What is the dress code attire for dinner?
Resort Casual to Dressy Casual Attire. Also known as "Sunday Attire" or "Florida Casual". This includes: nice jeans, dress shorts, Tommy Bahama-style shirts, polos, button-down shirts, slacks, sundresses, dress sandals, and boat shoes.
Cut-off or frayed jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, casual hats, skullcaps, and flip-flops are prohibited on the yacht. Management reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone if they are inappropriately dressed.
What is the dress code attire for lunch/brunch?
For men, we recommend dress shorts or pants with a dress shirt, polo, or Tommy Bahama-style shirt. For women, we recommend a sundress or skirt/shorts with a blouse. Worn or torn clothing, tank tops, or flip-flops are prohibited in the dining room.
Parking
Where do we park for the cruise out of Channelside Tampa?
Paid parking is available in the lot directly in front of the Yacht StarShip's Dock at 603 Channelside Dr. There is also the Tampa Port Authority parking garage located across the street from Channelside. Garage parking is $2.00/hr. When special events are taking place at the Amalie Arena, Yacht StarShip offers ChipCoin validation for the garage to keep your rate at $2.00/hr. Please contact the parking companies for rates and parking schedule.
Do you charge for parking?
Yacht StarShip does not own a parking lot, though there is parking in Channelside. Paid parking is available in the Garrison Surface Lot directly in front of the Yacht StarShip Dock. The Port Authority parking garage also charges a fee for parking. Please call the Channelside parking companies for current rates and schedule.
Where do we park for our cruise from Clearwater?
Parking is available for our Clearwater location in the marina parking lot. Daytime prices for parking are $3.00 per car and passes may be purchased at our ticket booth.
Tickets/Boarding Passes
Where do I pick up my tickets?
Your tickets will be at the Yacht StarShip Ticket Booth (either in Tampa or Clearwater), located next to the ship. For your convenience, this booth opens one hour prior to the scheduled departure time.
What kind of security check is required when I pick up my tickets?
Your photo identification and reservation number are required at our Ticket Booth when picking up your tickets. Wrapped gifts or packages of any kind are not allowed onboard and will not be stored in our Ticket Booth. All gifts should be in gift bags and available to search by our marine crew.
Can you e-mail or mail me my boarding passes?
Your confirmation e-mail will include your confirmation number to pick up your tickets at our ticket booth when you arrive for your cruise. We do not not send the boarding passes to you prior to your cruise.
Boarding Process
Is the vessel handicap accessible?
StarShip I has an elevator on board with a maximum capacity of three (3) passengers. StarShip can accommodate most wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and walkers. Please indicate when making your reservation that you have disabled guests in your party.
Yacht StarShip II can accommodate standard wheelchairs on the first deck of the ship, however there is no elevator for access to the second and third decks. There is a restroom on the first level with limited handicap access.
Yacht Sensation can accommodate standard wheelchairs on the first deck of the ship, however there is no elevator for access to the second deck. There is a restroom on the first level with limited handicap access.
Is there pre-assigned seating?
As you board, our captain and marine crew will direct you to your deck. From there, our hostess will show you to your assigned table(s).
May I bring my own camera on board?
Guests are more than welcome to bring their own camera for personal pictures during boarding and aboard the ship. Our crew members will be happy to take your photo for you.
Cruising & Dining
Where does the boat dock and depart from?
Yacht StarShip docks regularly out of Tampa and Clearwater. Your departure site is printed on your confirmation page when booking online. When docking in Tampa, Yacht StarShip normally departs from Channelside, near the St. Pete Times Forum. When docking in Clearwater Beach, the yacht will depart from the Municipal Marina
Where is the normal cruise route?
Yacht StarShip's normal Tampa route includes cruising out of Ybor Channel into the Hillsborough Bay and Garrison Channel. While in route, passengers view Bayshore Drive, Harbour Island, Davis Island, and Downtown Tampas Skyline.
Yacht StarShip Clearwater Cruise route includes views of the scenic intercoastal waterway from Bellair to Island Estates. Weather permitting, we will cruise into the Gulf of Mexico for a famous West Coast Sunset.
How soon will my party begin eating on our cruise?
Once on your deck, our hostess will greet you and escort you to your private table where your wait staff will introduce themselves and give you the opportunity to decide for yourself how to pace your service. Serving may begin immediately.
What type of entertainment do you have?
After dinner, dance to the sounds of our cruise directors vast repertoire on the lounge deck or relax beneath a blanket of stars, while taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of Tampa Bay or Clearwater Beach with 360 degree views from our promenade deck. From exciting dance music to romantic dinner music, Yacht StarShips Cruise Director will simply dazzle you.
Lunch cruise feature an interesting and informative narration that describes the points of interest along the route.
Does my ticket price include gratuity?
All cruise tickets include the compensation for your server for the meal service.
Do you offer any vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options?
Yes, we offer a vegetarian option on all of our dinner cruises. For any other dietary restrictions, please let your reservations agent know at the time of booking so we can notify the chef. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions.
Do you have a kid's menu?
Children are welcome to order off of our regular dinner menu or we have chicken tenders and french fries available for purchase on the yacht.
Weather/Rescheduling/Cancellation Policies
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
Yacht StarShips cancellation policy states that public Yacht StarShip tickets are non-refundable, however they are transferable for up to one year. If you reschedule within the 24 hours prior to your cruise, the reservation may be subject to a $10 per person rescheduling fee.
Special event cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. In the event you are not able to make it, you may change the name on your reservation to let someone else use your tickets.
What if it rains?
Yacht StarShip will cruise in most weather conditions all-year round. Each enclosed deck is climate controlled and the weather will not affect your cruise. In the case of severe weather conditions or upon the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard, the ship will remain dockside for the length of the event.
Special Occasions
Does Yacht StarShip do anything special for anniversaries, birthdays, etc.?
For birthdays or special occasions, we will include a message on our welcome board in the boarding area and decorate their dessert plate. We also have bottles of champagne available for purchase on board. Please let us know when you make your reservation if you are celebrating a special occasion.
Can I bring a birthday cake on board?
Small cakes that do not require refrigeration are allowed to be brought on board. Your server will place the cake in our galley until it is ready to be cut and served.
Do you offer private parties?
Yes, we offer several options for semi-private or private groups of 50 people or more. For more information on booking a private group, please call us directly at 813-223-7999 and ask to speak with a group sales manager or you can fill out our event contact form here.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, you can purchase Gift Certificates here.
Career Opportunities
How can I apply to work at Yacht StarShip?
You can fill out our job application here.