If you have a question that has not been answered below please call us on +61(2)4984 9388 or send us an email to info@moonshadow-tqc.com.au. It is a good idea to ask before your cruise so that we can ensure you have the best possible experience.
Booking & Payment
-
Moonshadow-TQC Cruises operates every day of the year except Christmas Day. Be sure, however, to check our winter and summer schedules on the specific cruise you wish to travel on as departure times can vary.
-
All bookings require payment at time of booking. We accept VISA, Mastercard (no surcharge), AMEX (3%) EFTPOS, Cash.
-
It is highly suggested to pre-book your tour as we cannot guarantee that on the day that you wish to travel there will be availability on the cruise of your choice. Booking online is a great way to secure your cruise.
-
2 adults and 2 children are classed as a family. The children must be between the ages of 0 and 14 years.
-
Child 4-14 years’ and ‘Infant 0-3 years
-
Concessional fares apply to holders of Australian Seniors Cards. This does not include overseas seniors. Full time students (15-25 years) must provide relevant Australian ID. YHA & Nomad card holders are also eligible with valid ID. Companion card holders and their carers.
Relevant ID must be provided at time of request.
-
We sure do! Moonshadow-TQC Cruises gift voucher is the perfect gift for all occasions, ideal for family, friends and corporate clients.
Gift vouchers are available for purchase at a monetary value allowing the recipient to choose the cruise. The voucher is valid for 3 years from date of purchase and is open-dated until that date of expiry.
-
No, all cruises depart from D’Albora Marina Nelson Bay.
-
Boarding on all our cruises is open 15 minutes prior to the vessel departure time. We have a strict timetable to adhere to and arriving late and missing the vessel can result in the full loss of your fare. No refunds or transfers will be provided should you miss your departure time.
Make sure you give yourself time to allow for parking and make your way to the vessel, especially in peak periods such as Easter, Christmas and holidays. Should you know in advance you are unable to make the cruise by the departure time please contact our staff to discuss.
-
We pride ourselves on providing our customers the best experience possible and ensure that our set departure times are followed. Boarding commences 15 minutes to each advertised departure time, you will need to ensure that you allow yourself plenty of time to reach us by this time, find parking and make your way to the vessel. Should you know in advance you are unable to make the cruise by the departure time please contact our staff to discuss.
-
Standard Cruises:
- 100% cancellation charge within 24 hours of departure time
- A travel voucher or refund with more than 24 hours’ notice
Pre booked catered cruises:
- 50% cancellation charge within 48 hours of departure time
- A travel voucher or refund with more than 48 hours’ notice
Any amendments to bookings will incur a $10 administration fee.
Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable unless authorised by MSTQC Cruises
-
If we cancel your cruise for whatever reason you will be offered a full refund or transfer to another available day of your choice.
-
You are welcome to contact our office and if we have sufficient notice and availability we will transfer your cruise date to a mutually agreeable time and date. A $10 admin fee may be charged.
NB: Conditions may apply.
-
To make an enquiry you can email us or phone our office on +61(02)4984 9388 or you can book direct on our website.
-
The Terms and Conditions set out are the terms on which you book and travel on any cruise operated by Moonshadow-TQC Pty Ltd trading as Moonshadow TQC
ABN: 52610638312
Cruise Experience
-
Yes of course. The height for children to go onto the nets/slide UNATTENDED is 1.1 meters. All other children are permitted on the net but MUST go on with an adult.
-
Unfortunately, our vessels do not allow BYO as they are all fully licensed. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on board all our vessels, for consumption while enjoying the cruise. Alcohol cannot be removed from the vessels.
-
As per the NSW Smoke Free Environment Act 2000 and the Smoke Free Environment Regulation 2016, smoking is not permitted on any of our vessels at any time
From 1 July 2018, under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 and the Passenger Transport(General) Regulation 2017, people cannot use e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas.
-
Yes, all our vessels have both male and female toilets. Some vessels’ access to the toilets is by stairway. Please call our office if you have any concerns.
-
Moonshadow-TQC has the largest, safest and most comfortable passenger carrying vessels in the region. With all offshore cruising the possibility of uncomfortable and dangerous sea conditions can force the cancellation of a cruise. Moonshadow-TQC monitors the weather closely and decisions are made not just on safety but also being able to offer an enjoyable experience when travelling offshore. Should poor weather conditions force the cancellation of any cruise passengers are notified as soon as that decision is made – our office staff will discuss further cruising options or transfers for you at this time. Please ensure you are contactable preferably by mobile phone so we can contact you.
Standard cancellation policies can apply.
-
Unfortunately, our vessels are not easily suited for wheel chair access. In the event the guest can access the vessel out of the wheel chair, the chair can be bought on board the main level of the vessel. Due to WHS risk assessments wheel chair bound guests cannot be assisted onto the vessel by our crew. Travel is not recommended for guests incapable of accessing the vessel with minimal assistance.
Please note: All rest room facilities are located down a flight of stairs. Please contact our friendly office staff for advice on our vessels regarding wheelchair access if you have any queries.
-
There is no free Wi-Fi available on our vessels. All service carriers have range on our vessels. Offshore excursions can provide some blackout of range dependent on distance.
-
D’Albora Marina (Nelson Bay) and Victoria Parade (Nelson Bay)
Up to 4 hour paid parking between the hours 8.30am – 4.30pm
Limited up to 8 hour paid parking in Victoria Pde
Car parking is free and unlimited in some streets i.e. Laman Street, Church Street, Magnus Street all within walking distance to the marina.Parking machines
Parking machines are located at Nelson Bay and use smart parking technology. You can pay by card, coin or the Park’n Pay app — remember, your number plate is your ticket to park.Paid parking operates throughout the Nelson Bay Town Centre and foreshore.
Please check kerbside signs for parking restrictions.
Outside the times indicated, parking is free and unrestricted. However, other parking conditions may still apply to ensure road safety. Please check the information on the kerbside signs before parking your vehicle.
By downloading the Park’nPay app makes finding and paying for parking easier. You can download it from your smart phone’s app store.
With the app, you don’t need to walk to a meter and pay — instead you can do it from your smart phone. You will receive a notification on your phone when your ‘ticket’ is about to expire to avoid fines.
Once you’ve registered you can keep track of your parking history and receipts. It’s a convenient and ticketless way to park.
You can also look up where to find a park using the app, all from the passenger seat!
-
On our day tours, bring a towel, sunscreen, hat, swimwear, warm jacket and camera. For onboard purchases i.e. drinks, souvenirs, snacks bring along your credit card or some cash.
Evening cruises warm jacket to avoid being cold. -
Smart casual is the expected dress code. As you are on a moving vessel, we recommend enclosed shoes. Ladies, we kindly ask you do not wear high heels or high platform shoes on board any of our cruises. For dinner cruises, we recommend collared/polo shirts and long pants or dress jeans for the gents and smart casual for the ladies. No thongs, singlets or work boots please.
During winter, we recommend warm, weatherproof jackets. -
On all our day cruises there are snacks & drinks available for purchase.
-
Allocated seating is only applicable to our dinner/lunch cruises, we do not guarantee but we are happy to take requests.
-
One of the great things about our cruises is the selection of beverages for purchase. Beers, wines, cocktails and soft drinks are all available to buy.
-
We recommend you bring your own towel. Towels are available for purchase.
-
As all our vessels are fully licensed we do not offer BYO alcohol on board. Moonshadow-TQC has a variety of food options when travelling on our cruises. If a passenger has a high allergy or dietary requirement, please contact our office to discuss. We do offer private charters/functions where the option of BYO food is available once discussed with our marketing team. Please contact our office to discuss further details.
-
Every individual is different, and it is difficult for us to advise on if you will get seasick.
If you have concerns about seasickness we recommend you seek advice from a local pharmacy on the correct medication to take.
-
There is no time of day that is better for viewing dolphins or whales. The dolphins live in the bay all year round and whale season is from May to early November.
-
Even with our excellent sighting percentage our crew do on occasion (although rare) not find dolphins or whales. If this is the case on the day you travel with valid tickets on a cruise that does not sight whales (on a whale watch cruise) or dolphins (on a dolphin watch cruise) you will be issued free of charge return voucher. This voucher is issued on a stand-by basis. This offer is only valid for tickets purchased direct with Moonshadow-TQC or one of its agents. Not valid with 3rd party bookings.
-
No, the return voucher is only valid for the person named on the voucher and is non-transferable.
Identification can be requested when returning with your voucher.
-
No, we understand that sometimes passengers can’t take up the free return voucher for whatever reason, but we do everything we can to locate whales or dolphins. We do not provide refunds.
-
Whilst our friendly staff can advise you what vessel is currently operating for your cruises, vessels may be changed without notice due to scheduling requirements or passenger numbers. Should you have a preference, please enquire at time of booking, but we do reserve the right to change vessels without prior notice regardless of circumstance.
-
Baby prams are not permitted on board our vessels. Collapsible strollers are permitted but cannot be taken to areas other than the main cabin of the vessel, upon boarding our friendly crew will advise passengers on where the stroller may be stored. If you have any questions, please refer enquiries to our reservations team.
-
Our standard menu includes Gluten Free and Vegetarian options. It cannot be altered for any further dietary requirements. Allergies cannot be catered for and we do not guarantee that certain products or ingredients will not be in our food dishes and we accept no liability in this regard. Passengers with serious allergies must take this into consideration when booking this product. Our staff’s comments are only to assist in identifying the dish and not the ingredients.