Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all passengers need to have a ticket. This is because our boats are coded to carry 100 or 12 passengers, everybody on the boat is included in our passenger numbers even a baby sat on your lap. Please ensure you purchase a ticket for every passenger.

Yes, we welcome dogs on onboard. On the ilfracombe princess dogs are welcome on the lower deck only.

From Easter until the end of October

There are several car parks in the vicinity of Ilfracombe harbour. Immediately adjacent to the harbour is the pier car park and normally parking is available there each day. We are experiencing high volume of visitors and this car park is regularly full. Please ensure you allow enough time for parking. You should be ready at the harbour 30minutes before your trip.

Yes! You can now book online! Or you can telephone 01271 879727 or 07837 569667 to book, we will need to take payment over the phone to secure your booking. If we have any concerns about the weather we will telephone you as far in advance as we can. Full refunds will be given in the event that we have to cancel due to weather or unfavourable sea conditions.

We assist many people with walking difficulties on our cruises each summer. Our vessel is located down a minimum of 15-20 steps on every cruise. Whilst there is a good hand rail and our staff are always available to lend a hand. We advise you to come and have a look at the access if you are unsure. With the tidal range in the Bristol Channel averaging 8 meters, the number of steps will have changed upon your return. Less or more depending on a in-coming or outgoing tide. Unfortunately, we can't accommodate wheelchairs due to safety.

We enjoy having children on our cruises and many have taken the wheel of the vessel for short periods subject of course to conditions being safe. Children are classed as 15 and under.

Without a doubt, school holidays are our busiest time, we advise you to book online to ensure that you have your place. Outside of these months there is not usually any difficulty in obtaining places on our vessel. Parking will be difficult during these busy periods. Please ensure you allow plenty of time before you trip. We board he Ilfracombe Princess 15 minutes before and cannot wait for you if you are late.

If you have booked tickets we would ask that you arrive half and hour before the vessel is due to sail. To collect your tickets and direct you to the appropriate Queueing area within the harbour. Seats are first come first served. We are unable to reserve upper deck seating. We advise you to queue early if you would like to sit upstairs.

For children undoubtedly the Seal cruise has proved most thrilling. There are a colony of seals located on the coast to the west. Seeing the seals is a thrilling experience for any child. The coastline to the west is also spectacular. The nesting birds and Exmoor coastline is however more spectacular and because of the nature of the coastline we can get very close into the coastline. Also this tends to be more sheltered from the prevailing winds and is therefore perhaps better for those a little concerned that they may be ill.

There are toilets on board which we strive to keep meticulously clean. We have sheltered accommodation as well as accommodation on the flying bridge and open seating at the rear of the vessel. You are free to move around on those trips and can usually comfortably do so due to the size of the vessel.

We believe that our trips represent a stimulating and an exciting event in the lives of the children who come out with us. We will be happy to discuss your requirements over the telephone on 07837 569667.