FAQs

Please note that our web/printed sailing schedule is a guideline.

Please call the office for up to date cruise times and dates.

Q – Do I need to have a reservation to sail on your ships?
A – Yes we always recommend a reservation.
- We deal with a caterer to supply our meals, our caterer requires at least 24 hours advanced notice for all meal cruises.
- For a sightseeing cruise you may book the day of the cruise. We do recommend calling ahead, to ensure yourself a seat.

Q – What methods of payment are accepted?
A – A major credit card is required for all reservations at the time of booking. If you would like to pay by cheque, it must have cleared 1 week before the cruise, so you must send it well in advance of your cruise. We do not have debit available for reservations.

Q – What is your cancellation policy?
A – We have a no cancellation policy with no refunds. It is just like ticket master, you buy a ticket and you go to the show.

Q – What happens if it rains or the weather is threatening?
A – We sail rain or shine. The only totally exposed areas on either of our ships is the uppermost deck. Our dining rooms are fully enclosed. The weather must be extreme in order for us to cancel a cruise.

Q – Can I smoke on board? If so, where?
A – No. Both of our vessels are non-smoking.

Q – Are your steamships wheelchair accessible?
A – Wenonah II is equipped with an elevator inside, and a ramp for boarding.
– Segwun’s lower deck is wheelchair accessible while its upper decks are accessible only by stairs.

Q – Where are the washrooms located on your ships, and are they wheelchair accessible?
A – The washrooms on the Segwun are located on the upper deck. There is one access washroom on the main level.
– The washrooms on the Wenonah are located on the lower deck and they are accessible via our onboard elevator.

Q – Who owns the ships?
A – Our ships are owned by the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society.

Q – Can I meet the Captain of the ship?
A – Yes you can! Please keep in mind that at times he will not be free to chat, but we always welcome out passengers who would like to meet the captain

Q – Can I visit the engine room?
A – On the Segwun you may visit the lower deck and view the engine from there. However you may not descend into the engine room itself. Unfortunately you may not visit the engine room on the Wenonah II.

Q – Are pets allowed?
A – No, unfortunately our furry friends are not allowed in compliance with both liquor and health codes.

Q – Is there free parking? Where is it located?
A – Yes! There is lots of free parking all around the Wharf. Our parking lot is located on Cherokee Lane in Gravenhurst, just beside our Ticket Office. There is also bus parking available in our parking lot.

Q – Do you have group rates? Do you do private charters? How about weddings?
A – Yes. For groups of 20 or more, or weddings and private charters please call our office and ask for Christi Gardner our Group Sales Manager.

Q – Will you be doing a 3 lakes tour this year?
A – We do different specialty cruises each year, please see our Special Events page.

Q – Where is the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre?
A – Right across the wharf from Muskoka Steamships, at 275 Steamship Bay Road . It is the red building with the green roof. You can see our 5 boat house doors at the water’s edge.
- If you are walking from Muskoka Steamships, you can follow the boardwalk right to the Heritage Centre.
- If you are driving from downtown Gravenhurst on Bay St turn right at the street lights onto Steamship Bay Road and you will see our colourful building on your right hand side.
Hours of Operation June 1 to October 19: Daily10am - 6pm . Winter Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm

Q – Do I have to have a meal? Can I just sight see on a meal cruise?
A – No you do not have to have a meal! Sight Seeing Only passengers are always welcome.

Q – Can I bring my own food and drink onboard?
A – No, we offer snacks and sandwiches on board and have full service bars on both ships.

Q – How do I know when the second sitting is for meals and when it starts?
A – The purser or the captain will make an announcement when it is time for the second meal sitting during a meal cruise.

Q – Can I bring my drinks outside the bar area?
A – You may bring plastic beverage cups on the deck however glassware is not permitted outside the bar and dining areas.

Q – Can I have candles on my cake?
A – No, due to fire code restrictions we cannot allow candles in our dining rooms.

Q - Are there public washrooms available at the Muskoka Wharf?
A – Yes, they are located at the rear of the Lion’s Pavilion, across from Muskoka Steamships.

Q – What else is there to do around here?
A - www.discovermuskoka.ca

Directions to The Real Muskoka Experience – Muskoka Steamships

From the South
Take HWY-400 N toward Barrie
Continue on HWY-11 N (signs for Orillia/HWY-11/N Bay)
Take exit 169 on the left for Bethune Dr/DR-169 toward Gravenhurst
Turn left at the second streetlights onto Brock St. (It becomes Bay St )
Stay on Bay St (there is a right turn merge part way down, keep right)
Turn right at Cherokee Lane
Turn left into our parking lot. Welcome!

From the North
Take HWY-11 S toward Toronto .
Take exit 175 on the right for Bethune Dr /DR-169 toward Gravenhurst
Turn right at the first streetlights onto Brock St. (It becomes Bay St )
Stay on Bay St (there is a right turn merge part way down, keep right)
Turn right at Cherokee Lane
Turn left into our parking lot. Welcome!

Parts of a Ship

Aft: Towards the stern of a vessel.

Bow: The front part of a ship

Bulkhead: A wall-like construction inside a ship.

Dory: A small rowing vessel with a narrow, flat bottom and high sides curving outward.

Fore or Forward:Towards the bow of a vessel.

Galley: A kitchen in a ship or airplane.

Helm: A wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.

Keel: The central member on the bottom of the hull, extending from bow to stern.

Knot: 1. An interlacing of rope, cord, etc, drawn tight into a lump or end.
2. (Naut) A measure of Nautical speed about 1.125 statute miles per hour.

Mate: An officer of a merchant vessel ranking below the captain.

Quarterdeck: The rear part of the uppermost deck on a ship.

Rudder: A hinged or pivoted vertical blade or flat that is turned to steer a boat.

Port: The left hand side of a vessel facing forward.

Stern: The rear part of a ship.

Starboard: The right hand side of a vessel facing forward.

Tonnage: A measurement of the carrying capacity of a vessel.

Did you know?

The R.M.S. Segwun continues to be recognized by Canada Post as a "Royal Mail Ship" and that mail can be hand-franked or cancelled from the ship as they did more than 100 years ago.
In 1974, the Segwun was recommissioned by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
In 1996, the Wanda III Steam Yacht was recommissioned by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.
The Segwun's coal comes all the way from Kentucky.
Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre opened in 2006 and celebrates Muskoka's steamship era, grand resorts and hotels and the region's rich boat-building history.
Wenonah II is Canada's newest passenger vessel combining turn-of-the-century charm with modern conveniences such as air-conditioning and an on board elevator.
The Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre is home to North America's largest in-water display of antique and classic boats.
The ship's private label wine is one of the few given permission by the LCBO to be sold in stores throughout Ontario.
In 2001 and 2002, the Segwun won the award of "Best Large Attraction" by Attractions Canada.
In 1988, the Segwun won the prestigious "Phoenix Award" presented by the Society of American Travel Writers. Recipients are chosen for their outstanding efforts in preservation and conservation.
In years past, a steamship purser used to take tickets as passengers boarded. Today, our Purser is responsible for all guest services on board including your dining experience.
The Segwun used to carry passengers, freight and mail to a variety of ports on the Muskoka lakes before the days of the automobile.
Each year, the Segwun and Wenonah II host upwards of 30 memorable wedding ceremonies and receptions.
In recent years the shift to air transport for mail has left only three ships with the right to the prefix; RMS Segwun, which serves as a passenger vessel in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada, RMS St Helena, which serves the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic,^[9] and RMS Queen Mary 2. QM2 was conferred "RMS" by Royal Mail when she entered service in 2004 on the Southampton to New York route as a gesture to Cunard's history – The RMS Segwun is the oldest Royal Mail Ship in the world.