FAQ's

Of course! We do ask that adults accompany children and perhaps bring games, etc. to occupy their time on board.

No. Due to Minnesota State Law, we do not allow any outside food or alcoholic beverages.

Our boats can be fully enclosed, and our salons are climate-controlled for guest comfort. Cruises operate rain or shine.

In the event of severe weather conditions or if directed by the U.S. Coast Guard or National Weather Service, vessels may remain dockside until conditions improve. Please note that the weather can change quickly, and severe conditions often pass within a short period of time. A cruise that begins under less favorable weather conditions may improve later in the day.

We recommend casual attire with comfortable shoes or sandals, and guests should dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Guests are asked to avoid excessively revealing clothing as well as swimsuits. Any guest who does not comply with the dress code may be denied boarding, and no refund will be issued.

The upper and lower interior decks are climate-controlled for guest comfort. However, on warmer days, interior temperatures may vary as guests move in and out of doors and windows are opened throughout the cruise. These fluctuations are outside of our control.

We make every effort to maintain a comfortable and enjoyable environment for all passengers throughout the vessel.

We offer limited handicap accessibility across our fleet. We are able to accommodate most standard manual wheelchairs on board with assistance; however, we are unable to accommodate motorized wheelchairs.

Please note that our vessels do not fully meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards, including but not limited to accessible restrooms, walkways, or ramps.

On our Mississippi River vessels, docking facilities include ramps whose angles may vary based on river water levels. These locations also have limited gate and doorway widths of approximately 32 inches, along with United States Coast Guard–required 6-inch thresholds at exterior doorways. A ramp is available to assist with navigating these thresholds; however, accommodation cannot be guaranteed without prior inspection of the location and confirmation of wheelchair dimensions.

On Lake Minnetonka vessels, similar doorway thresholds are present; however, ramps are not available. We are still able to accommodate most standard manual wheelchairs of typical size and width.

To arrange an on-site inspection prior to your cruise or to discuss accessibility needs, please contact our office at 952-474-8058.

Lake Minnetonka and the Mississippi River have very minimal wave movement for yachts of our size. Some movement may be felt, but usually not too disturbing. Seasickness on board is rare.

Our vessels are smoke free. Smoking of any kind or vaping is not allowed on board.

Our sightseeing cruises are an hour and a half long. Our meal cruises are two or two and a half hours long, depending on the type of cruise. Boarding begins about 15 minutes before departure.

The boat leaves promptly at the scheduled cruise time. No refunds or transfers will be given to anyone who misses the boat.

Paradise Charter Cruises and The Minneapolis Queen offer cruises departing from two scenic locations: The Port of Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka and Bohemian Flats on the Mississippi River.

Guests can enjoy a relaxing boat ride with beautiful waterfront views and, on select cruises, an amazing meal served onboard. Please note that sightseeing cruises do not include meals.

Yes, our cruises are a popular choice for date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special celebrations. There’s no better way to elevate a meaningful occasion than on the water.

With scenic views of Lake Minnetonka or the Mississippi River and a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere, our cruises provide a memorable setting for any special event.

Our meal cruises feature a variety of freshly prepared meals served onboard, depending on the cruise selected. Menu options may vary by cruise, but guests can generally expect a buffet-style dining experience.

Beverages are available for purchase during the cruise. Please refer to your specific cruise details for the exact menu being served.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover for online payments. Cash and credit are accepted on board the boat.

Final passenger counts are due 14 days prior to your cruise. Only count increases will be allowed within 14 days, up to 3 days prior to your cruise. Final payment is due according to the terms of your contract, dependent on cruise type.

Sales tax and alcohol tax are not included in pricing. All applicable local and state sales taxes will be applied in accordance with current tax laws.

Private Cruise deposits are fully refundable, less a 4% processing fee, if the event is cancelled at least 90 days prior to the scheduled event date. *Wedding Events are fully refundable if the event is cancelled at least 180 days prior to the scheduled event date.

Cancellations made within 90 days of the event date are non-refundable.

Refunds on eligible deposits may take up to 30 days to process.

Please refer to your charter agreement for complete terms and conditions.

Sightseeing cruises are available on a first-come, first-served basis; however, reservations are strongly recommended. Specialty Cruises and Cocktail Cruises require advance reservations.

A minimum of 20 passengers is required for each scheduled cruise to depart. Reservations are not confirmed until payment is received, and a confirmation/reservation number has been issued.

All cruises operate rain or shine.

Payment terms are as follows:

• Afternoon Sightseeing Cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time.
• All public cruises that include food service (including Dinner Cruises, Pizza Cruises, Brunch Cruises, and similar experiences) are non-refundable and non-transferable once the reservation is made.

A 4% cancellation fee applies to all approved credit card refunds.

Guests who are not present at the scheduled departure time will be considered a no-show. No refunds or rescheduling will be issued for no-shows.

By purchasing tickets online, by phone, or in person, guests acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

Paradise Companies, Inc., d/b/a Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen Cruises, LLC, are not responsible for circumstances arising from or associated with adverse weather conditions. Public cruises operate rain or shine and will depart as scheduled whenever possible. If weather conditions prevent safe navigation, the vessel may remain dockside until conditions improve or the scheduled cruise time has expired.

Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen Cruises are not responsible for river, lake, channel, or lock closures, repairs, restrictions, or other circumstances beyond our control that may affect cruise operations or routes.

Unless otherwise stated, public cruise tickets are non-refundable. Cruises canceled due to circumstances beyond our control may be rescheduled, converted to a dockside event, or otherwise handled at the sole discretion of Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen Cruises.

Passengers assume all risks associated with participation in the cruise, including the risk of personal injury and loss of or damage to personal property. Guests are expected to exercise reasonable care and follow all safety instructions provided by the crew.

Alcoholic beverages will only be served to guests who are 21 years of age or older and can provide valid identification upon request.

Boarding begins 10–15 minutes prior to your scheduled cruise departure time. Cruises depart promptly at the scheduled time, so please plan to arrive early to allow time for parking and check-in. No refunds or transfers will be issued for missed cruises.

Your Paradise Cruise Coordinator will assist you with every detail of your event, helping ensure a smooth and memorable experience from initial planning through the day of your cruise. From menu selections and timeline planning to vendor and florist recommendations, our coordinators are here to guide you every step of the way.

Each event is assigned a dedicated Event Coordinator who will provide information about our products and services, answer questions, and arrange tours of our vessels. Most events require approximately 1.5 hours of coordination services.

As part of your event package, Paradise Charter Cruises and the Minneapolis Queen include up to two hours of coordination services and up to two vessel tours at no additional charge. Should additional coordination time be required, we reserve the right to bill for those services at a rate of $75.00 per hour.

If you have any questions, please contact us at 952-474-8058.

No, buffets are not all you can eat. Buffets are limited to one serving per person.

Our chef is happy to work with you on menu substitutions and dietary accommodations whenever possible.

When selecting food quantities, we recommend ordering for the total number of guests attending your event. Please note that appetizer-only menus during lunch or dinner hours may run short, as guests tend to consume more food during these meal times.

Minimum order quantities may apply to certain menu items. If you have questions about menu selections, portion recommendations, or dietary needs, our event coordinators will be happy to assist you.

No. Due to Minnesota State Law, we do not allow any outside alcoholic beverages.

You are welcome to bring your own decorations for your event. However, the following items are not permitted: clear tape, paper-mâché streamers, confetti, rice, glitter, or other small decorative items that may damage or interfere with our vacuums, air vents, or intake systems.

If you would like to decorate prior to your cruise, please contact us at 952-474-8058 to arrange a decorating time.

Yes, we will hold a boat for you for up to 72 hours unless another party is requesting the same date and time, at which time you will have the first option to confirm your date.

We offer many music options for your cruise. Bluetooth and satellite radio options onboard, as well as a large list of outside entertainment venues to meet your needs.

As is standard within the hospitality industry, the service charge collected helps support the overall guest experience. These funds allow us to provide competitive wages for our crew and staff, support sales commissions, and compensate the many team members who work behind the scenes to make your cruise successful.

The service charge also helps cover ongoing staff training, safety programs, licensing requirements, equipment upgrades, vessel maintenance, furnishings, and other operational expenses that enable us to deliver exceptional service and exceed our guests’ expectations.

We make every effort to identify ingredients that may cause allergic reactions and to train our food service staff on the seriousness of food allergies. Items labeled gluten-friendly are prepared without gluten-containing ingredients; however, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.

Due to the volume of meals served, daily menu variations, supplier product changes, and the possibility of cross-contact during food preparation and service, we cannot guarantee that all allergens will be identified or that allergen-free conditions can be maintained. Manufacturers may also change product formulations without notice.

Guests with food allergies should be aware of these risks. We cannot assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or contact with food products served onboard.

Passengers with severe or life-threatening allergies who may require an EpiPen must carry their own medication. Our staff is not trained or authorized to administer EpiPens and cannot provide them. If an allergic reaction occurs, please notify a crew member immediately so that appropriate emergency assistance can be contacted.