Illuminations Cruise Questions

[jsbowl16]

Last year when we were walking back from Hollywood Studios at night, it looked like they pulled the Illuminations boats over to watch the fireworks at Hollywood Studios. Illuminations was at 9pm and then the Hollywood Studios fireworks were at 9:45. Is this normal and is it included in the Illuminations cruise price? Does anyone have any information about the food you can get for the Illuminations cruises and how much the food costs?

 

[pjweaver]

It was probably a specialty cruise, something they added to the Illuminations cruise for a few hundred extra. The Illuminations cruise is about $350 on a pontoon boat that holds up to 10 people (10 is a tight fit). Specialty cruises can be chartered for an additional fee. For those you have to call 407-WDW-PLAY and explain what you want done. I'd recommend calling 6 months out because they will fill up at times.

A cruise review is at http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm

You get some snacks and soda or water, small bags of pretzels and crackers, but you can't bring your own. If you want anything special you need to contact the Yacht Club for specialty food or drinks or alcohol. I have not done that but assume it would be similar to room service prices. 407-939-3160

 

[RebelHawk]

We did the Illuminations cruise back in July and just before the fireworks show started our captain asked if we wanted to go back to the dock after the Epcot fireworks or head over to Hollywood Studio to catch the Star Wars fireworks show. Of course we wanted to and as soon as the fireworks ended she let the boat captains beside us know that we were powering over to HS. We pulled out first and made it over just before the Star Wars show started. There was no extra charge, but we did add some extra $$ to the tip and at least 3 other boats joined us.

We had also contacted the Yacht Club private catering and had a bottle of wine and a cheese/fruit plate catered on. This is something that we have done for the three Wishes cruises we have booked in the past as well.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

WOW, that is soooo exciting to hear!
We have an IllumiNations cruise schefuled for our trip, so I hope we have that option.
Does anyone know the proper amount or percentage to tip? How much extra did you tip?
Thanks so much!

 

[RebelHawk]

WOW, that is soooo exciting to hear!
We have an IllumiNations cruise schefuled for our trip, so I hope we have that option.
Does anyone know the proper amount or percentage to tip? How much extra did you tip?
Thanks so much!

I certainly hope that they do this for you guys as well. It didn't feel like a normal thing but if your captain doesn't say anything you can always ask. =) For all of our fireworks cruises we have tipped around 20% which I suspect is higher than what you should. For the captain that took us to both fireworks I just handed over everything in my pocket so was likely around $100. Did I mention that we had catered on a bottle of wine? So between the booze and excitement of seeing both shows I'm glad I didn't have much more than that or I might have handed it all over.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I certainly hope that they do this for you guys as well. It didn't feel like a normal thing but if your captain doesn't say anything you can always ask. =) For all of our fireworks cruises we have tipped around 20% which I suspect is higher than what you should. For the captain that took us to both fireworks I just handed over everything in my pocket so was likely around $100. Did I mention that we had catered on a bottle of wine? So between the booze and excitement of seeing both shows I'm glad I didn't have much more than that or I might have handed it all over.

Thanks for this info! How many were in your party? Were you tipping for the entire boat or just your party?

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

We did the illuminations cruise in May and our captain also took us over to DHS to see those fireworks. Of the 5 boats that went out that night to see Illuminations ours was the only one that went to DHS so I'm not certain if all the captains will offer this.

We also had a bottle of wine and a birthday cake catered on the cruise. The captain even decorated the boat with the birthday banner and balloons (even though we didn't order the birthday package.) For other cruises we also tipped 20% but this last time we tipped $100 since we felt he definitely went above and beyond between the decorations and taking us to DHS.

As far as price goes for food it will be similar to the BC/YC in-room dining cost (with the same fees tacked on). Our cake (regular 8" cake) and wine cost about $120. The price of the cruise included snacks (bags of chips) and canned drinks which were in a little basket that you could help yourself to.

 

[RebelHawk]

Thanks for this info! How many were in your party? Were you tipping for the entire boat or just your party?

We had the entire boat for us so the whole tip was from us.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I certainly hope that they do this for you guys as well. It didn't feel like a normal thing but if your captain doesn't say anything you can always ask. =) For all of our fireworks cruises we have tipped around 20% which I suspect is higher than what you should. For the captain that took us to both fireworks I just handed over everything in my pocket so was likely around $100. Did I mention that we had catered on a bottle of wine? So between the booze and excitement of seeing both shows I'm glad I didn't have much more than that or I might have handed it all over.

So like me! I tend to way over tip when I get someone who goes above and beyond... Not that they don't deserve it!