For more information about Washington DC Group Events aboard Odyssey please visit our Group Website>>
Are there any age restrictions on
your cruises?
Midnight cruises have an age
restriction of 21 years or older except for our Post-Prom
events. There are no other age restrictions for any other
type of cruise.
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Does Odyssey have audiovisual equipment
available to use for a meeting or presentation?
Each room is equipped with a sound system and microphone
that may be used for a private dining room or ship charter.
Ask your Odyssey Event Planner about coordinating additional
audiovisual equipment for your event.
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If we do not have a private
dining room how will our servers know what our specific
bar package is?
Prior to boarding, all servers are given a list of the bar
packages of their specific guests' tables. If a passenger
steps to the bar, they simply need to present their boarding
pass, which indicates their package
What beverages are included in the standard ticket price?
Coffee, tea and iced tea are complimentary. All other beverages
may be purchased in advance through a Beverage
Package or on board at the cash bar.
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If we are arriving by bus, where
is parking available for our buses?
Please contact your motor coach company for this information.
If we are arriving by bus, where will we be dropped off
and picked up? Motor coach drop-off and pick-up areas are
located on Water Street at the stairs leading directly to
Odyssey.
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Do you have a discount for chaperones
of elementary and high school groups?
We exercise a chaperone policy for large groups of elementary
and high school students, one complimentary chaperone for
every 25 students.
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Are children allowed?
Children are allowed on all cruises, except Moonlight
cruises where all guests must be 21 years of age.
Do you offer any children discounts?
Yes, on our lunch and brunch and Sunday dinner cruises, children 3 and
under are complimentary and children 3-11 are half price.
There are no children discounts on any other dinner cruises.
Is there a children's menu?
Yes, the children's menu is available on all cruises
except Moonlight Cruises and includes items such as chicken
tenders, seasoned fries and pizza. Please notify your Odyssey
Event Planner of any children attending your event.
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When does the season end?
When does the season end? We cruise all year round!
In fact, December is one of our most popular months due
to the many Holiday Parties we have aboard. We also cruise
for both New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day!
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What is our Cruise Route?
Weather and tide permitting, we cruise as far North
as the Key Bridge. On occasion, when the tide is high, we
cruise south to Old Town Alexandria. Please refer to the
Cruise
Route Page for more details.
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Can I customize the cruise
to meet my needs?
Your Odyssey Event Planner will work with you on every detail
of your event, from menus to decorations to make sure that
all of your event objectives are met.
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What are the capacities of each room?
Please refer to the Deck
Capacities Page for capacities of each deck
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What décor does Odyssey provide?
Our greatest décor is unquestionably our unmatched
views, however Odyssey also provides elegant champagne colored
linen and seasonal florals. Dinner cruises also include
a candle votive on every table.
Can we bring our own decorations?
Small groups without private space can bring table
decorations. Groups with a private charter may decorate
their space with their own decorations and themes. Odyssey
works closely with several outside vendors that we would
be happy to refer to you.
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Can I bring my own cake
aboard for my event?
Cakes that do not require refrigeration may be brought
on board. Please provide your Odyssey Event Planner with
the details of delivery for your cake prior to the event.
What type of dessert will be provided for my Wedding
Reception?
Standard with our Wedding
Packages,
we offer wedding cake and chocolate dipped strawberries.
If you choose to bring your own wedding cake, Odyssey will
be happy to cut and serve to your guests with our signature
chocolate-dipped strawberries in place of our standard desserts
at no additional charge.
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Are there Vegetarian Options available?
Yes, our chef will be happy to prepare a vegetarian
option, simply notify your server. If you have a group with
many vegetarians or if you have any vegans please notify
your Odyssey Event Planner two weeks prior to your event.
Are there Kosher Options available?
Yes, Kosher meals are available for an additional charge.
Please notify your Odyssey Event Planner two weeks prior
to your event to arrange Kosher Meals.
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If we have a DJ, what type of music
will be played at our event?
Our DJs play a variety of music based on the type of
group. If your group has a privately chartered room or ship,
you may request a specific type of music for your event.
Odyssey prohibits the playing of inappropriate or offensive
music.
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What is the dress attire?
The atmosphere is special and we hope our guests experience it to its fullest. An Odyssey cruise is an opportunity to dress up! Please see our recommended dress by cruise type below.
Dinner Cruises:
Jackets are recommended for men and cocktail attire for women. We request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip-flops are worn on any cruise.
Lunch, Brunch or Moonlight Cruises:
We recommend dressy-casual attire, such as nice slacks and collared shirts. We request no jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip-flops are worn on any cruise.
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What kind of entertainment
is on board?
Odyssey offers inviting dance floors and a variety
of live music from classic jazz to contemporary favorites;
from a five-piece band to soft piano music. Please refer
to the Entertainment
Page for more details.
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How far in advance should
I begin planning the details of my event with my Odyssey
Event Planner?
Event planning should begin as far in advance as possible
in order for us to have ample time to meet all of your event
needs. Final details should be provided to your Odyssey
Event Planner one month prior to your event date.
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Is gratuity included?
An 18% service charge is included in your final cruise contract.
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Is the Ship handicapped accessible?
Yes, the entire ship is handicapped accessible and
our crew is available for assistance. Please notify your
Odyssey Event Planner when booking regarding any special
needs.
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Is an Historic Tour of DC narration
available for our event?
An historic narration of our cruise route is given
on most of our lunch cruises. The narration is also available
for events with a private room or full-ship charters. An
additional charge may apply.
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How many life preservers are on board?
The Odyssey has 765 coast guard approved life jackets.
They are located throughout the ship.
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Where is the boat docked?
The Odyssey is located at Gangplank Marina, located
at 600 Water Street SW
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Do we need to pre-select the menu
before the day of cruising?
No, you do not need to pre-select your menu. Each guest
will be presented a menu to order from and each order will
be prepared fresh in our full service galley.
Is a special menu available for grade school and high
school events?
We offer several School
Packages that include a special food station menu aimed
to please students. Please consult your Odyssey Event Planner
for details and pricing.
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Where is the best place to park?
Limited parking is available in the Odyssey parking
lot. Other lots and street parking are available within
walking distance. Additional charges may apply for nearby
parking outside of the Gangplank marina lot. Please refer
to the Parking
Page for more details.
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How can I get the passcode for
Tour & Travel Policies and Pricing?
Licensed Tour Operators may register for the Odyssey Passcode
by calling the Odyssey Tour & Travel Event Planner at
866/816-3463
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When is our final passenger count
and payment due?
Final Payment and passenger count are due 30 days prior
to the event.
What payment options do I have?
Payment options include company check or credit card.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and
Diners Card. Cash and Money Orders are accepted at our 600
Water Street office, Monday through Friday, between the
hours of 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
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Is there a phone on the boat that
receives calls?
The Odyssey does not have a phone for use by guests.
Most cellular services are available on the water as we
do not cruise beyond one mile off shore.
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Are boarding photos available for
my event?
Boarding
Photos will be taken of your guests as they arrive and
are available for purchase at the end of the event. You
may pre-purchase the photos as mementos for your guests
at a discounted price. Ask your Odyssey Event Planner for
more details.
Is a photographer available to photograph my event?
A photographer is available to photograph your event
for an additional charge. Ask your Odyssey Event Planner
for more details.
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If my party is not able to make
it or we miss the ship, will we receive a refund?
We are sorry, but all unused tickets are non-refundable.
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Can I hold a reservation
and pay cash at the ticket booth?
Groups must have a paid-in-full reservation in advance.
Final passenger count and final payment are due 30 days
prior to the event.
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How will my group be seated? Will
we all be together?
All seating is assigned in advance of your cruise.
Your group will be seated together in the same section of
the room or ship. Unless you have privately chartered the
room, there may be other parties at tables surrounding your
group.
Is there pre-assigned seating?
As you board Odyssey our captain and marine crew will
direct you to your dining room and from there the host/hostess
will show you to your assigned table. Dining rooms are never
guaranteed to non-private groups. We assign seats based
on needs and capacity for each cruise.
If I charter a deck, can others walk onto our deck?
How do guests get to the public areas of the ship?
The foyer area and all outside areas are open to all
guests. This allows access to all areas of the ship. We
also provide Private Party signs that are placed on all
entrances into private dining room.
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Can we meet the Captain and visit
the bridge?
The captain will open the bridge once the ship has
left the dock. Guests are welcome to come and meet the captain
and his first mate. Regulations prohibit passengers visiting
the captain while the ship is passing directly beneath the
Potomac¹s historic bridges.
Can we privately charter or reserve
the perimeter deck?
All outside areas are open to all passengers and cannot
be privately chartered.
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Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is allowed on the outside decks only.
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Where or how do we pick up our
tickets?
Tickets are available the day of your event at our
ticket booth, which is located next to the boarding ramp
of our ship. Or if you choose, you may have your tickets
mailed to you in advance once final payment is received.
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Can my event last longer than the
scheduled cruise time?
If you privately charter a room or ship, you may be
able to extend the length of your event based on our availability.
Additional dockside may be purchased for either before or
after the scheduled cruise time and must be included in
your reservation prior to cruising. Ask your Odyssey Event
Planner for more details.
What happens during the hour of boarding, and when do
we get served?
Upon boarding one of our hostesses will show you to
your table and he/she will explain to your party how our
service works and begin with your first course. If you have
a private charter, you have your choice of using the one
hour of boarding for cocktail and hors d'oeuvres.
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What happens during rain or snow?
The Odyssey cruises rain or shine. 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.
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What are the Odyssey Cruises Passenger
Terms & Conditions?
To view the Odyssey Cruises Passenger Terms & Conditions
click on the following link.
Passenger
Terms & Conditions
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