Q. What special Health and safety protocols will be in place?
1) The crew is no longer wearing masks, doing temperature checks, or providing hand sanitizer. We have also gone back to community coolers.
2) Hand sanitizer will be available on board and required to be used prior to boarding.
Q. how long will we be aboard the kraken?
A. Our standard tour in Tampa and Jacksonville is approximately 2 hours from the time you step aboard the “Kraken” to the time we drop you off. If you are booking a special event, we may have the ability to increase the length of your tour per your request, depending on availability.
Q. what is our pricing?
Q. What should I bring?
A. Here are a few suggestions for you to maximize your experience:
Drinks/Ice: If bringing adult beverages, 36oz. of beer or 18oz. of wine per person should be plenty.
Don’t forget to bring some water, we do have a canopy to keep you shaded, but it can still get warm out on the water!
Music: The “Kraken” sound system can be run by your phone. We have some great playlists, but we know every group has their own favorites.
Sunscreen: Florida is named the sunshine state for a reason! Our collapsible canopy blocks a lot of rays, but it’s still best to lather up!
Snacks: Bring aboard anything your group would like to munch on.
Clothing/Footwear: When selecting your outfit, make sure to take into consideration both time of year and conditions on the water. Also, I know we Floridians like to wear flip-flops, but you may want to consider wearing a close-toed shoe for pedaling.
Q. I can't wait to step aboard! How do I book?
A. We can’t wait to have you aboard! Whether you are booking the entire CycleBoat or booking by the seat, just follow these 3 steps to sign up for your Kraken CycleBoat experience:
Go to our online booking page and select a date/time.
Choose to book by the seat or book the entire boat and pay via credit card.
Read and sign your electronic waiver.
Q. I want to host a party or event. Can I book the entire CycleBoat?
A. YES! We will work with you to customize your ride aboard the "Kraken" to make sure you and your guests have an experience you'll never forget! In fact, because we give a discount for booking the entire CycleBoat, we recommend that those of you celebrating the following events or any other large group event book the entire “Kraken”:
Birthday Party
Bachelorette Party
Company Events and Team Building
Bachelor Party
Conventions
Family Reunion or Class Reunion
Q. Is it hard to pedal?
A. Not at all! Our riders always comment on how surprisingly EASY the CycleBoat is to pedal, especially compared to the Pedal Trolley's on the street! There are no hills on the waterways in Florida and we can raise and lower the paddlewheel to increase or decrease resistance. We also have a motor; just in case your pedaling turns into dancing by the end of the cruise! ;)
Q. where do we meet for our kraken cycleboat experience?
A. Tampa: We will pick up and drop off at the Tampa Convention Center Marina near the Sail Pavilion. You can’t miss our bright green paddlewheel! Public parking is available in several nearby lots.
1) Tampa Convention Center Garage
2) Under the Selmon Expressway
3) If you are feeling lucky, try the roundabout by the Sail Pavilion.
Q. do you make any stops?
A. In Tampa, due to 2 hour cruise length, we have a designated 15-20 minute HALFWAY STOP for: Bathrooms, Food, and Beverage. We typically stop at the docks near Armature Works and Ulele or Rick’s on the River. (Although these docks are available 99% of the time, we cannot guarantee your halfway stop in the event of circumstances outside of our control.)
Q. How many passengers can fit on the CycleBoat?
A. 16. Our CycleBoats have 10 pedal stations seated around a central bar and a large bench seat for non-pedalers or those who would like a break from pedaling. There is also plenty of room to stand up and walk around.
Q. can I drink aboard the "kraken?"
A. Absolutely! The “Kraken” is a BYOB experience, meaning we will not be providing any beverages, but you are welcome to bring your own! We will provide souvenir cups to transfer over any drinks from glass containers.
Q. My captain and crew gave us an incredible experience; can I leave them a tip?
A. If you had a great experience and our crew added to your enjoyment please feel free to show your appreciation with a tip.
Q. Can you bring your own drinks and snacks?
A. Absolutely, bring whatever you'd like!
Q. Do you provide food and beverages?
A. We will not provide food and beverages but you are permitted to bring aboard drinks and food of your liking. Many of our boats will be docked at locations that provide food and beverage services.
Q. what in the world is a kraken?
A. For those of you that live in a hole and haven’t seen Pirates of the Caribbean, this is a great question! A Kraken is a mythical sea monster in the form of a giant octopus that was the cause of great drama and destruction on the sea for pirates and ships alike. Like the Kraken was a one of a kind creature you would never forget, the CycleBoat experience is one in the same!
Q. is there room to stand up and walk around?
A. You bet there is! If you want to stretch your legs for a few minutes, feel free to stand up and walk around the deck. Just don’t let your friends see you take your feet off the pedals!
Q. will we see any dolphins?
A. There is a very good chance you will, especially in Jacksonville. In Tampa, sightings are not incredibly frequent but we always have our eyes open for them.
Q. are children allowed onboard?
A. Depends on the tour.
Children are not permitted on public tours but are welcome on any PRIVATE, FULL BOAT booking!
Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 25. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please feel free to give us a call at (813) 603-3117.
Q. How many seats need to be filled to operate the kraken?
A. As few as 6 can pedal the “Kraken” but we prefer to cruise with 8 or more. We will contact you if there are less than 8 seats filled for your time slot. If we have to cancel due to a shortage of passengers we will refund your payment if we are unable to reschedule your tour. When scheduling with us, check our live availability, and if possible, book a tour that already has some seats taken to avoid running into this scenario. Keep in mind that your party does not necessarily need to have 8 people in it, as you could be sharing the boat with another group during a public cruise.
Q. does each cycleboat have a captain?
A. Yes! Each Kraken CycleBoat will be managed and operated by a United States Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain as well as a 1st Mate!
Q. what happens if we have bad weather on the day of our cycleboat cruise?
A. The “Kraken” pedals rain or shine thanks to a protective canopy that covers the boat. In the case of extreme weather including thunder, lightning or high winds (over 20mph), the captain has the authority to cancel the tour if the weather is still severe after our standard 30 minute delay and issue vouchers for a tour when the weather is more cooperative. Your safety is our top priority.
Q. is there a bathroom on board?
A. No, but we do have a designated halfway stops at participating restaurants where you will have the ability to exit the “Kraken” for bathroom needs as well as to refresh your beverages or even order food from our on board menus.
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
A. The entire team at Kraken CycleBoats values your business and experience with us! In order to maintain efficiency and accuracy in our schedule of availability for our guests, and a reliable work schedule for our staff, we have instituted the following policy regarding cancellations.
All sales are final. Any cancellations made more than 7 days in advance will be entitled to a voucher for a future tour. Any cancellations made within 7 days of the scheduled tour will not be entitled to a voucher or refund. In the event that inclement weather causes the cancellation of your tour, each passenger will be provided a rain check for a future cruise.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as hurricanes, pandemics, waterway restrictions, etc., vouchers and refunds will be determined at the companies exclusive discretion.
Again, we thank you for your support and look forward to providing you with an incredible on the water experience!
Q. do you provide life jackets?
A. While our service is here to provide you with a fun filled time, your safety is our number one priority. Each of our Kraken CycleBoats have been inspected and certified by the U.S. Coastguard and are equipped with all necessary safety equipment including life preservers for adults and children. Whether you wear them is your personal choice.