CAPITAL YACHT FAQs:

Attire. What is the dress code on Capital Yachts?
Check with your group leader or event planner. Our cruises are usually casual, however evening cruises or functions are usually a little dressier. Regardless, we recommend that guests not wear high heels, particularly not narrow ones!

Boarding. What is "Boarding Time" and "Cruising Time?"
"Boarding Time" is the time guests board the yacht. Typically we begin boarding 15 minutes prior to the cruise departing. "Cruise Time" is the time you are scheduled to depart. The cruise organizer may choose to delay the departure for late guests, and begin the event dockside.

Cancellations. What is your cancellation policy?
Check your reservation form for details on refunds. Typically, you can still get a refund on monies paid if you cancel in writing more than 30 days before your scheduled event. We cruise rain or shine (some of the best skies are just before/after precipitation!).

Children. Are there any age requirements?
No. We've accommodated people from 2 to 92 years old, and they all seem to have a great time! *Except for specific Public Events, as some are 21+ only. Be sure to check the event description for more details on possible age restrictions.

Coast Guard Regulations. Is the vessel Coast Guard certified? Insured?
Yes. All our vessels are Coast Guard certified and maintained regularly to adhere to strict safety regulations. The vessels are all insured for damage and liability.

Directions. How do I get to the yachts?
Our office/dock is at Washington Marina, 1300 Maine Avenue SW, near the foot of 15th Street in Southwest Washington, DC. Your cruise will begin and end there UNLESS your host or invitation indicates otherwise (with prior arrangement, we ALSO PICK UP GROUPS at Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor/Gaylord and Mount Vernon.) Click here to see directions/maps by Metro or car.

Events
CYC does special event cruises - including Fireworks, Cherry Blossom and Holiday 'Parade of Lights' - that are open to the public. Tickets may be purchased through our web site or from our promotional partners. We cruise rain or shine, so tickets are non-refundable.

Food and Drinks
Food and drinks will be available if your organizer has arranged for them. CYC offers and a wide assortment of catered options.

Gratuity.
Please check your reservation form to determine whether gratuity has been included in your bill or not.

Groups. What size group can CYC accommodate?
Our fleet can host parties and groups from 15 to 149 guests (or up to 275 on two yachts simultaneously).

Handicap Accessibility. Is the ship handicap accessible?
Several of our yachts can accommodate wheelchairs for boarding and restrooms. Virginia's Jewel comes equipped with a chair lift, and is our most handicap accessible vessel. Please notify us of any special-assistance members in your party prior to the cruise so we can provide the appropriate assistance upon arrival.

Parking. Is there parking close to the Yachts?
There is NO PARKING at our location or in the marina building's parking lot for the Cherry Blossom Cruises or 4th of July, as these are reserved for slip-holders and boat owners only. There is metered parking about 500 feet down Maine Ave in the Fish Market/Phillips Restaurant area, which gets extremely busy/full on the weekends. As such, we strongly recommend NOT driving to our location during the Cherry Blossom Festival weekends, Fourth of July, and other peak times when large activities & marathons are taking place on or near the National Mall. Maine Avenue has frequent (weekend morning) road closures during the spring/summer months, especially during marathon & parade season, so be sure to check local listings for published road closures and plan accordingly.

For our PRIVATE (non-ticketed) events, there is a pay lot immediately in front of our yachts (usual cost: $15/vehicle) that is mostly available on a limited first-come basis. However, we cannot guarantee parking, especially during peak times.

Special Event Parking - $15.00

Payment. What type of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, cash and credit cards (V/MC/Amex). Please send checks or money orders to the address below.

Mailing Address:
Capital Yacht Charters
PO Box 44489
Fort Washington, MD 20749

Phones. Will my cell phone work on the cruise?
Yes, your cell phone will work on the cruise. For the comfort of other guests, we ask that cell phone conversations be held only on the outside decks.

Refund Policy. Do you offer refunds?
Usually refunds are available if cancelled far enough out to allow a re-booking of the yacht. Please check your reservation form for details.

Reservations. How can I plan a cruise for my group?
Please call us Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.:

  • 202-554-0677
  • Office hours are Mo - Fr, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Urgent, after-hour calls: 202-689-5707

Scenery. What will we see along the way?
Depending on the length of your cruise, sights along the way will include the Washington Monument, East Potomac Park, Titanic Memorial, Anacostia Naval Air Station, Bolling AFB, US Naval Research Lab, General's Row at Fort McNair, National War College, Capitol Building, Reagan National Airport, Masonic Temple, Pentagon, Air Force Memorial, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and up the Anacostia River is the USS Barry and Nationals Stadium! Many of these sights are only viewable from the river!

Sea sickness. Will I get sea sick?
It is highly unlikely. The Potomac River is a protected water way, meaning that it is not a broad, open expanse of water such as a bay or ocean. Therefore, the winds and waves tend to be modest. Sea sickness is extremely rare.

Seating Arrangements. How is seating arranged on board?
Our yachts feature comfortable seating on the upper deck, where there is likely to be sun and breezes, and on the lower decks which are climate controlled. Seating is unassigned and on a first come basis.

Ship Information. Can you tell me a little about the ship?
Capital Yachts operates four different vessels each featuring a comfortable, climate-controlled environment, stylish decor and panoramic windows. In addition, each has an open-air observation deck. Most yachts are handicapped accessible and all are Coast Guard approved. They also feature multiple bathrooms and flexible seating arrangements.

Smoking. What is your smoking policy?
All interior areas of our ship are non-smoking areas. Passengers who smoke may do so on the outdoor observation decks subject to the Captain's discretion.

Weather.
Our tour boats have enclosed salon and seating areas and are climate-controlled for your comfort. We recommend a light jacket/sweater when temperatures are below 70-degrees. We sail rain or shine.

CAPITAL YACHT FAQs:

Attire. What is the dress code on Capital Yachts?
Check with your group leader or event planner. Our cruises are usually casual, however evening cruises or functions are usually a little dressier. Regardless, we recommend that guests not wear high heels, particularly not narrow ones!

Boarding. What is "Boarding Time" and "Cruising Time?"
"Boarding Time" is the time guests board the yacht. Typically we begin boarding 15 minutes prior to the cruise departing. "Cruise Time" is the time you are scheduled to depart. The cruise organizer may choose to delay the departure for late guests, and begin the event dockside.

Cancellations. What is your cancellation policy?
Check your reservation form for details on refunds. Typically, you can still get a refund on monies paid if you cancel in writing more than 30 days before your scheduled event. We cruise rain or shine (some of the best skies are just before/after precipitation!).

Children. Are there any age requirements?
No. We've accommodated people from 2 to 92 years old, and they all seem to have a great time! *Except for specific Public Events, as some are 21+ only. Be sure to check the event description for more details on possible age restrictions.

Coast Guard Regulations. Is the vessel Coast Guard certified? Insured?
Yes. All our vessels are Coast Guard certified and maintained regularly to adhere to strict safety regulations. The vessels are all insured for damage and liability.

Directions. How do I get to the yachts?
Our office/dock is at Washington Marina, 1300 Maine Avenue SW, near the foot of 15th Street in Southwest Washington, DC. Your cruise will begin and end there UNLESS your host or invitation indicates otherwise (with prior arrangement, we ALSO PICK UP GROUPS at Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor/Gaylord and Mount Vernon.) Click here to see directions/maps by Metro or car.

Events
CYC does special event cruises - including Fireworks, Cherry Blossom and Holiday 'Parade of Lights' - that are open to the public. Tickets may be purchased through our web site or from our promotional partners. We cruise rain or shine, so tickets are non-refundable.

Food and Drinks
Food and drinks will be available if your organizer has arranged for them. CYC offers and a wide assortment of catered options.

Gratuity.
Please check your reservation form to determine whether gratuity has been included in your bill or not.

Groups. What size group can CYC accommodate?
Our fleet can host parties and groups from 15 to 149 guests (or up to 275 on two yachts simultaneously).

Handicap Accessibility. Is the ship handicap accessible?
Several of our yachts can accommodate wheelchairs for boarding and restrooms. Virginia's Jewel comes equipped with a chair lift, and is our most handicap accessible vessel. Please notify us of any special-assistance members in your party prior to the cruise so we can provide the appropriate assistance upon arrival.

Parking. Is there parking close to the Yachts?
There is NO PARKING at our location or in the marina building's parking lot for the Cherry Blossom Cruises or 4th of July, as these are reserved for slip-holders and boat owners only. There is metered parking about 500 feet down Maine Ave in the Fish Market/Phillips Restaurant area, which gets extremely busy/full on the weekends. As such, we strongly recommend NOT driving to our location during the Cherry Blossom Festival weekends, Fourth of July, and other peak times when large activities & marathons are taking place on or near the National Mall. Maine Avenue has frequent (weekend morning) road closures during the spring/summer months, especially during marathon & parade season, so be sure to check local listings for published road closures and plan accordingly.

For our PRIVATE (non-ticketed) events, there is a pay lot immediately in front of our yachts (usual cost: $15/vehicle) that is mostly available on a limited first-come basis. However, we cannot guarantee parking, especially during peak times.

Special Event Parking - $15.00

Payment. What type of payment do you accept?
We accept checks, cash and credit cards (V/MC/Amex). Please send checks or money orders to the address below.

Mailing Address:
Capital Yacht Charters
PO Box 44489
Fort Washington, MD 20749

Phones. Will my cell phone work on the cruise?
Yes, your cell phone will work on the cruise. For the comfort of other guests, we ask that cell phone conversations be held only on the outside decks.

Refund Policy. Do you offer refunds?
Usually refunds are available if cancelled far enough out to allow a re-booking of the yacht. Please check your reservation form for details.

Reservations. How can I plan a cruise for my group?
Please call us Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.:

  • 202-554-0677
  • Office hours are Mo - Fr, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Urgent, after-hour calls: 202-689-5707

Scenery. What will we see along the way?
Depending on the length of your cruise, sights along the way will include the Washington Monument, East Potomac Park, Titanic Memorial, Anacostia Naval Air Station, Bolling AFB, US Naval Research Lab, General's Row at Fort McNair, National War College, Capitol Building, Reagan National Airport, Masonic Temple, Pentagon, Air Force Memorial, Old Town Alexandria, National Harbor, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and up the Anacostia River is the USS Barry and Nationals Stadium! Many of these sights are only viewable from the river!

Sea sickness. Will I get sea sick?
It is highly unlikely. The Potomac River is a protected water way, meaning that it is not a broad, open expanse of water such as a bay or ocean. Therefore, the winds and waves tend to be modest. Sea sickness is extremely rare.

Seating Arrangements. How is seating arranged on board?
Our yachts feature comfortable seating on the upper deck, where there is likely to be sun and breezes, and on the lower decks which are climate controlled. Seating is unassigned and on a first come basis.

Ship Information. Can you tell me a little about the ship?
Capital Yachts operates four different vessels each featuring a comfortable, climate-controlled environment, stylish decor and panoramic windows. In addition, each has an open-air observation deck. Most yachts are handicapped accessible and all are Coast Guard approved. They also feature multiple bathrooms and flexible seating arrangements.

Smoking. What is your smoking policy?
All interior areas of our ship are non-smoking areas. Passengers who smoke may do so on the outdoor observation decks subject to the Captain's discretion.

Weather.
Our tour boats have enclosed salon and seating areas and are climate-controlled for your comfort. We recommend a light jacket/sweater when temperatures are below 70-degrees. We sail rain or shine.