Know Before You Go: Cruise Policies, Accessibility & Booking Information

Everything you need to know before booking and boarding an Australian Cruise Group experience.

Last Updated: July 2026

Planning your cruise should be simple and straightforward. This page brings together the answers to the most frequently asked questions about booking an Australian Cruise Group experience, including cancellations, accessibility, dress codes, dietary requirements, weather policies and what to expect before you travel.

Australian Cruise Group partners with trusted cruise operators across Australia. While many policies are consistent across our experiences, some details may vary between operators. Where a specific cruise has different conditions, these will always be stated on the individual product page and in your booking confirmation.

Jump To A Section

QUICK BOOKING INFORMATION

Topic	At A Glance
Cancellation Policy	Most scheduled lunch and dinner cruises can be cancelled 4 days or more before departure for a full refund. Group bookings generally require 7 days' notice for a full refund. Charter/private deck hire booking cancellation require a longer notice period of 45-60 days before event date.
Booking Changes	Amendments are subject to availability and the applicable booking conditions.
Accessibility	Accessibility varies by vessel. Many modern vessels provide wheelchair access and accessible facilities. Contact us before booking if you require mobility assistance.
Dietary Requirements	Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other dietary requests can be accommodated on many cruises when advised in advance.
Dress Code	Casual attire is suitable for sightseeing cruises. Most premium lunch and dinner cruises recommend smart casual dress.
Weather	Cruises generally operate in light rain. Severe weather may result in itinerary changes, travel credit, rescheduling or refunds, depending on the operator's policy.
Boarding	Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure, unless otherwise advised in your booking confirmation.
Children	Many cruises are family-friendly. Age restrictions may apply to selected adventure experiences.

Cancellations & Refunds

Cancellation terms vary depending on the type of cruise you've booked. The applicable cancellation policy is displayed on each experience page before booking and is included in your booking confirmation.

Scheduled Lunch & Dinner Cruises

For most scheduled lunch and dinner cruises:

Cancel 4 days or more before departure to receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 3 days of departure are generally non-refundable.

Group Bookings

For bookings of 10 or more passengers:

Cancel 7 days or more before departure to receive a full refund.
Cancellations made within 6 days of departure are generally non-refundable.

Group Bookings with Deposits

Selected group bookings can be secured with a deposit.

For these bookings:

Your reservation is confirmed once the deposit has been received.
The remaining balance is due 7 days before departure.
A payment reminder is generally sent 10 days before departure, with a secure payment link valid for 72 hours.

If the balance is not received by the due date, the booking may be cancelled in accordance with the applicable booking conditions.

Cancelling or Amending a Booking

If you need to cancel or request a booking change, send an email to help@australiancruisegroup.com.au as soon as possible using the details provided in your booking confirmation.

Changes to travel dates, passenger numbers or cruise upgrades are subject to availability and the applicable booking conditions. Additional charges may apply where fares have changed.

Boarding & Check-In

To help ensure a smooth departure, guests should arrive at the departure location before the scheduled boarding time. Your booking confirmation includes the departure location, boarding instructions and departure time.

As a general guide:

Arrive 20–30 minutes before departure, unless your booking confirmation states otherwise
Have your booking confirmation ready when checking in
Carry photo identification if requested for your selected cruise

Good to Know: Boarding closes shortly before departure, and vessels generally cannot wait for late-arriving passengers.

Getting To Your Departure Point

Australian Cruise Group offers cruises from destinations across Australia, including Sydney Harbour, Whitsundays, Port Douglas, Cairns, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne and other regional locations.

Your booking confirmation includes:

Departure location
Boarding instructions
Recommended arrival time
Directions where applicable

If you are driving, allow sufficient time to find parking, particularly during weekends, school holidays and major events.

If travelling by public transport, check service schedules before departure to ensure you arrive with adequate time to board.

Dress Codes By Cruise Type

Dress requirements vary depending on the type of cruise you've booked.

Harbour Sightseeing Cruises

Casual, comfortable clothing is appropriate for sightseeing cruises. Comfortable footwear is recommended, particularly if you intend to spend time on outdoor decks.

Lunch Cruises

Most lunch cruises recommend smart casual attire. Neat clothing and comfortable footwear are suitable for these daytime experiences.

Premium Dinner Cruises

Premium dinner cruises are okay with smart casual attire but also encourage dressing up.

Suitable clothing typically includes:

Dresses or skirts
Collared shirts or smart tops
Long trousers or tailored shorts
Closed shoes or neat sandals

Swimwear, beachwear, gymwear and clothing likely to cause offence are generally not appropriate for evening dining cruises.

Reef & Island Cruises

Reef and island cruises are designed for outdoor and water-based activities.

Accessibility & Mobility Support

Australian Cruise Group works with a wide range of cruise operators and vessels across Australia. Accessibility features vary depending on the vessel, marina and destination.

Many modern vessels provide accessible boarding, wheelchair-friendly decks and accessible toilet facilities. However, some heritage vessels, sailing yachts and island transfers have operational limitations due to vessel design or boarding infrastructure.

Guests requiring accessibility or mobility assistance are encouraged to contact Australian Cruise Group before booking.

Support may be available for:

Wheelchair access
Mobility assistance
Step-free boarding
Accessible restroom facilities
Assistance for guests with vision or hearing impairments

Travelling with Mobility Equipment

If you are travelling with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or walking aid, please advise us before booking so we can confirm whether your selected vessel can safely accommodate your equipment.

Island & Reef Experiences

Some reef and island experiences involve beach landings, floating pontoons, stairs, uneven terrain or snorkelling activities. Accessibility varies between operators and destinations.

Good to Know: Accessibility features vary between vessels and destinations. Contact us before booking so we can recommend the most suitable experience for your requirements.

Assistance Animals

Accredited assistance animals may be permitted on selected cruises, subject to the operator's policies and Australian regulations.
If you intend to travel with an assistance animal, please contact Australian Cruise Group before booking so arrangements can be confirmed.
Pets are generally not permitted on scheduled cruises.

Dietary Requirements

Many lunch and dinner cruises, as well as selected full-day experiences, can cater for common dietary requirements when advised in advance.

Depending on the operator, available options may include:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Nut allergy requirements
Other medically required dietary needs

Dietary requests should be submitted during the booking process or several days before departure, depending on the operator's requirements.

While every effort is made to accommodate dietary requirements, onboard kitchens may handle common allergens including wheat, dairy, seafood and nuts. Guests with severe food allergies should discuss their requirements before booking.

Good to Know: Some operators do not accommodate dietary requests when guest numbers are large and meals are freshly prepared onboard, as too many specifications may affect timely service.

Food & Drink Policies

Food and beverage inclusions vary depending on the cruise.
Some cruises include meals or beverages in the ticket price, while others have licensed bars or food available for purchase.
Unless specifically stated, outside food and beverages are generally not permitted, except where required for medical or dietary reasons.
Individual experience pages outline what is included and permitted with each cruise.

Weather Policy & Seasickness

Most cruises operate in light rain and normal weather conditions.

Cruises are cancelled or significantly altered only when weather or sea conditions are considered unsafe by the operator or relevant maritime authorities.

Where a cruise cannot operate due to severe weather, guests will generally be offered one of the following, in accordance with the operator's policy:

An alternative departure date
Travel credit
A refund where applicable

Itinerary Changes

Weather, tides and marine conditions may occasionally require changes to an itinerary, particularly for reef, island and wildlife cruises.
Where necessary, operators may substitute destinations or modify activities while maintaining passenger safety.

Seasickness

Harbour cruises generally operate on sheltered waterways with relatively calm conditions.

Offshore cruises to reefs, islands and whale watching destinations may encounter rougher seas depending on weather conditions.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider:

Taking suitable medication before departure
Staying hydrated
Spending time on the open deck where practical
Avoiding excessive alcohol before boarding

Good to Know: Light rain rarely affects cruise departures. Operational changes are made only when weather or sea conditions are considered unsafe.

Health, Fitness & Activity Requirements

Some cruises include activities such as snorkelling, swimming, diving, kayaking or extended walking.

These experiences may have:

Minimum age requirements
Swimming ability requirements
Medical restrictions
Safety briefings

If you are pregnant, have reduced mobility or have a medical condition that may affect your participation, contact Australian Cruise Group before booking so the suitability of your chosen experience can be confirmed.

Children & Family-Friendly Cruises

Australian Cruise Group offers experiences suitable for travellers of all ages.

Many sightseeing, lunch, wildlife, island and reef cruises welcome children and families. Depending on the operator, these cruises may offer child fares, family-friendly seating and facilities designed to make travelling with children more comfortable.
Premium dinner cruises are also popular with families celebrating special occasions, although some experiences provide a quieter atmosphere that may be better suited to adults.
Adventure cruises involving snorkelling, diving or high-speed vessels may have minimum age requirements, swimming ability requirements or other participation guidelines. These requirements are listed on the individual cruise page.

Still Have Questions?

If you can't find the information you're looking for, our reservations team is here to help before you book. Contact us on help@australiancruisegroup.com.au or (+612) 8296 7351

We can assist with:

Cruise recommendations
Booking amendments
Accessibility enquiries
Dietary requirements
Group bookings
Special occasions and celebrations
Questions about individual cruise operators and experiences

If you're unsure whether a particular cruise is suitable for your needs, we recommend contacting us before booking. Our team can help you choose the most appropriate experience based on your requirements.

Policy Information

The information on this page provides general guidance for cruises booked through Australian Cruise Group.

Australian Cruise Group works with a network of trusted cruise operators across Australia. Individual operators may have additional terms and conditions that apply to specific experiences. Where policies differ, the information provided on the individual cruise page and your booking confirmation will take precedence.

If you have any questions before booking, please contact Australian Cruise Group for assistance at help@australiancruisegroup.com.au or (+612) 8296 7351

Before You Book

Before confirming your booking, remember to:

Review the product page for your selected cruise.
Check the applicable cancellation policy.
Advise us of any accessibility or dietary requirements.
Arrive at the departure location at least 20–30 minutes before departure, unless otherwise advised.
Read your booking confirmation carefully for departure details and operator-specific information.

We look forward to helping you experience some of Australia's most memorable cruises and on-water adventures.

Related Guides

Continue planning your Australian cruise experience with these helpful resources:

Where We Cruise

Discover cruises and on-water experiences across Australia's most popular destinations, including Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Cairns and more.