FAQ
Can you accommodate passengers who are wheelchair bound?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the experience, passengers will need to be mobile to board and disembark the vessel.
What payment do you accept?
Willie Cruises requires full payment at time of booking, we accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards and Australian debit cards. Passengers booking through an agent or Broome Visitor Centre will need to check with provider on payment conditions.
Any purchases made on board the vessel during a cruise can be paid using cash or card.
Is food available on board and do you cater for dietary requirements?
Willie Cruises provides complimentary canapés for our passengers to enjoy during the cruise. There will be a range of choices to cover most dietary requirements, but they may contain traces of allergenic food items such as nuts, eggs or seafood. Passengers are welcome to bring food with them. Additional snack items are available for purchase at the bar,
Please note our canapes are finger food and is not a substitute for lunch or dinner. We recommend still making lunch or dinner reservations before and after the cruise.
Is smoking permitted on board?
For the comfort of all passengers, we are a non smoking vessel.
What is the minimum age recommendation?
There is no minimum age restriction. However adults must be responsible for their children at all times. Also important to note, boarding and disembarking the vessel will be from the beach, so children may require assistance and adults may require use of both their hands. Children and infant life jackets can be found aboard the vessel. Please ask crew if you would like access to these.
Will we get our feet wet boarding and disembarking the tender?
Yes you will. We advise wearing slip-on shoes which can be left on our courtesy bus. You will be required to walk through salt water just above your ankles to board our tender, which will transfer you to and from Willie.
What are the minimum/maximum number of passengers?
Willie Cruises will run with a minimum 8 passengers and is licensed to accommodate a maximum 29 passengers.
What are your cancellation penalties and restrictions?
Cancellations made more than forty-eight (48) hours prior to departure date may be made without penalty and a full refund will be given to the customer. Cancellations made within forty-eight (48) hours of departure date, will result in loss of total costs.
Private Charters: cancellations made more than six(6) months prior to departure date (as logged in operator’s booking system) may be made without penalty and a full refund will be given to the customer. Cancellations made within six (6) months of departure will result in loss of specified deposit, and cancellations made within two (2) weeks prior to departure will result in loss of total costs.
The operator has the right to retain all deposits received up to the amount of the cancellation fee and invoices will be issued for any further amounts outstanding.
Weather Cancellations: Cancellations made by the operator due to weather conditions will entitle the customer to a full refund of the Fare Price. Please note that if the customer made the booking for a cruise or Private Charter through a booking agent all refunds of deposits and booking fees are to be obtained directly from the booking agent. Such booking agent may at their discretion retain booking fee less than or equal to 100% price.
Other Cancellations: Cancellations may be made at the Operators discretion due to mechanical breakdowns which may result in the vessel being unable to operate. If this occurs the customer will receive a full refund of Fare Price. Please note that if the customer made the booking for travel through a booking agent all refunds of deposits and booking fees are to be obtained directly from the booking agent. Such booking agent may at their discretion retain booking fee less than or equal to 100% of price.
Failure to Board: It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that they arrive on time at the nominated point of pick up by the courtesy bus or for the departure of the tender for boarding of the vessel. Failure to do so will mean that the passenger forfeits the full fare price to the operator.
What time do you get picked up and returned to your Broome accommodation?
Our bus provides complimentary pick-up and drop-off transfer from Hotels & Caravan Parks within Broome. All times will be noted on your booking confirmation at time of booking.
Unfortunately we do not pick up from local residences or Airbnbs as our bus timetable is pre-scheduled to ensure an on time arrival to Gantheaume Beach for the cruise. General alternative pick up locations include;
Cygnet Park - corner of Sanderling Drive & Corella Road
Ampol Broome North
Corner of Gubinge Road & De Marchi Road - Bus pull over bay
Are there lifejackets available on the vessel?
Yes, lifejackets are available on board. If you require one for use during your cruise please notify the crew.
What do I need to bring with me?
Sunscreen, hat, bathers, towel, camera and money for bar purchases. The Willie has a fully licensed bar from which guests can purchase both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, plus additional snacks. Merchandise is also available for purchase onboard.
What about stingers and other harmful sea creatures?
At certain times of the year stingers are more prevalent in the waters around Broome. We take the utmost care as to reduce the chances of any harm to our passengers through the use of the boom net and only allow passengers to swim during the months recommended by the authorities. We have a comprehensive First Aid kit on board and are equipped to deal with such situations.
Is there shade and seating available for all passengers?
Willie has specific shades set at mid-ships. These apply to the first half of the cruise whilst passengers have use of the boom net. Once we set our sails, the shades are removed. However, shade can be found around the vessel. Comfortable seating is available around different parts of the vessel for all passengers.
Is there somewhere I can store my belongings?
Guests are more than welcome to store any bags or belongings in our below deck wheelhouse/saloon area. As there is no availability for secure storage, all guests are responsible for any belongings brought aboard the vessel. Shoes can be kept safely on our courtesy bus.
How many toilets are available for passengers?
Willie has newly renovated bathrooms below decks. There is a female and male toilet available with wash basins.
Is there drinking water on board?
Willie offers bottled water for purchase at our fully licensed bar. We have free drinking water available on board, but please note we make our water through a desalination process then the water is held in tanks below deck. This water is potable, but may taste different to bottled water.
What if I get sea sick?
If you are prone to sea sickness or worried that you might become sea sick, we advise seeing your local chemist and acquiring anti-travel or anti-sea sickness medication as a precaution and follow instructions according to the use of that medication. As a vessel is a moving platform, we cannot guarantee that you won’t experience sea sickness. We take no responsibility for passengers becoming sea sick, but will do our best to seek out calm waters.
Will I need warm clothes?
During the daylight hours the temperature is generally very comfortable. However , in the winter months (June-August), once the sun has set, the evenings can become quite cool. A light weight long-sleeved top or jacket is recommended.