PARTY BOATS DESTIN PRINCESS & DESTINY COVID-19 FAQ

After six weeks of being tied to the dock, we are now open in a limited capacity that allows us to maintain safety and physical distancing between groups as well as our crew.

If you’d like to support our business, please consider booking a trip or buying a gift card for later use! This can be done directly on our website in a few minutes. When you come out fishing with us and have a good time, let the deckhand know you appreciate them by leaving them a good tip. We’ve had a pretty rocky start to our season, so your help and support are much appreciated by all!

Destin is one of the largest “drive to” destinations in the Southeast. We are opening in accordance with all State of Florida and local laws, mandates, and orders, and we have been working closely with state and local agencies to ensure we provide a safe venue for fishing. We urge to abide by all guidelines for individuals, as each individual may have different considerations. If you are from a different state, please abide by your state’s mandates, as well.

Our normal cancellation policy is 24 hours before your trip. Due to the extreme set of circumstances we find ourselves in, we will be flexible if the reasons for a cancellation have anything to do with quarantine, isolation, or flu-like symptoms. Please understand that we do this in good faith, and we appreciate as much notice that you can give us if you need to cancel your trip. We will already be operating with severely reduced numbers, which makes it hard to pay all expenses and still make a profit. Last minute cancellations will be a big loss for all of us involved, who are trying to make it through these crazy times.

Yes! That is a great way to play it safe. To buy out the whole boat, call us directly at (850) 837-5088 to schedule a private charter.

Our crew has stepped up the already thorough cleaning measures taken after each trip. The deck and outer surfaces of the boat are scrubbed daily. Pole handles, rails, and inside surfaces are further disinfected with appropriate cleaners. Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer is available onboard for use during the trip.

For the comfort of all of our passengers in these uncertain times, we ask that if you are coughing for any reason (more than just a normal cough to clear your throat) that you DO NOT GO FISHING. Even if it is allergies, it makes everyone onboard very uncomfortable in present circumstances. You might try booking for later in the season when the pollen is not so prevalent.

We don’t do so in every case, but in the interest of safety, we reserve the right to take temperatures before allowing anyone to board the boats. As always, our largest concern is that we keep our passengers, captains, and crew as safe as possible. We recommend that you take your own temperature daily leading up to the trip to make sure you aren’t running a fever. Anyone with a temperature over 100.4 degrees will not be allowed to board the boat.

Yes! What doesn’t sound better right now than getting out in the fresh air and hauling in some fish! You have the unique opportunity to fish from large, comfortable boats with a smaller number of people onboard! Our crew loves fishing, and even though reduced numbers make it tough to pay bills, we just want to get out there and do what we love. We know you’ll have a great time, even if we all have to make some adjustments to the way we normally do things. Also consider that you are directly contributing to keeping our crew working during this difficult time, so we can still be here for you when things start to get back to normal. Thanks for your continued support!

Please rest assured that we are working closely with the government entities in the City of Destin, Okaloosa County, and the State of Florida as well as national, Florida Wildlife Commission, and the U.S. Coast Guard mandates to make sure that we continue to keep folks safe throughout the remainder of the season. All people travelling to Florida should follow state and CDC guidelines for individuals to keep themselves safe. Also, please read carefully all orders from Governor DeSantis and abide by state mandates regarding individuals and travel.

Hotels and motels have remained open in Florida. Short-term rentals are not yet available.

The number one way to keep us all safe is to STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK. Also, PLEASE STAY HOME IF A FAMILY MEMBER IS SICK. If you have knowingly been exposed to someone with COVID-19, PLEASE STAY HOME  We do ask that you call us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your trip so that we can work to get the seats filled.

Our normal cancellation policy is 24 hours before your trip. Due to the extreme set of circumstances we find ourselves in, we will be flexible if the reasons for a cancellation have anything to do with quarantine, isolation, or flu-like symptoms. Please understand that we do this in good faith, and we appreciate as much notice that you can give us if you need to cancel your trip. We will already be operating with severely reduced numbers, which makes it hard to pay all expenses and still make a profit. Last minute cancellations will be a big loss for all of us involved, who are trying to make it through these crazy times.

CALL US IMMEDIATELY. We would much rather keep our passengers, captains, and crew safe than take a chance. We are being extremely flexible with refunds due to the extenuating circumstances.

IF YOU ARE SICK, PLEASE STAY HOME. We are trying to be as flexible with refunds as possible, but we also need to be fair to our crew members who count on having healthy folks to take out fishing. We give folks multiple opportunities for a refund if they simply call before their trip, even the morning of the trip! If we refund someone who is sick but showed up at the dock to fish anyway, our crew goes home without pay for that seat (and so do we). We simply ask that you keep very close tabs on your own health and DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE SICK. We may be forced to mandatory temp-checking each passenger before they board the boat until it becomes clear that it isn’t necessary to do so anymore.

Our booking booth operators have returned to work with the boat crews but are available by telephone toll-free at (888) 837-5088 or (850) 837-5088.

Yep! Our booking office opens 30 minutes prior to the first trip and closes at Sunset with a break from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In order to avoid large groups gathering at the booth, please stand six feet apart from the group ahead of you, and we will check you in as quickly as possible.

The number of people allowed onboard will likely vary with each boat and each trip type, but our current policy is to allow at least 6 ft of space between groups. DESTINY is being limited to 36 passengers, and DESTIN PRINCESS is being limited to 30 passengers. We do anticipate allowing more passengers as regulations relax, when and for as long as it is safe to do so.

Due to physical distancing requirements, we are asking all passengers to use the cabin sparingly, mainly if you need to use the head (restroom) or retrieve a bag. If you need to use the cabin for a short time, please make sure your face covering is in place, and avoid sharing cabin space with members of other groups. You’ll be outside most of the day, so please make sure you have sunscreen and temperature-appropriate outerwear!

We are currently requiring a face covering for every passenger during the temperature check (pre-trip) and during any time onboard that a 6 ft. distance between groups is difficult to maintain and while receiving help from a crew member. We ask you to bring your own snug fitting mask, bandanna, thick neck-sock, or scarf. Any are acceptable as long as they can fully contain a cough or a sneeze.

Yes, deckhands will be required to wear face coverings unless a safety concern dictates otherwise (i.e. needs to have clearer vocal communication to keep folks safe, etc.).

Captains may wear face coverings, but due to the nature of their duties (frequent radio and loudspeaker use that require clear vocal communications), we do not plan this as a strict requirement at this time. We are also locking the bridge/wheelhouse to keep the captain distanced from everyone.

There will be a jar on each boat for the deckhand’s tips so that you can still keep your distance. If you prefer to leave a tip by card, just call us at the office and let us know – we can help.

Yes, but only while the boat is underway (not while stopped to fish). We ask that you smoke only on the back deck while the wind is blowing the smoke away from other passengers.

Yes, our filleters are trained in safe food handling practices, and are using the utmost care in handling your fish.  As always, we recommend that fish should be cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Due to physical distancing measures, please send only one person from your party to collect your fish. If there is already someone picking up their fish, please wait until they are finished before approaching the area and keep at least 6 ft distance between people not in the same family.