Frequently Asked Questions

Boarding is possible from 15 minutes before departure at the designated pier. An earlier boarding time can be arranged upon request.

In the event of delays beyond our control, or if the ship is made available earlier than scheduled, waiting time charges may apply.

Our trips usually start and end at the Martini pier in Bremen's city centre. On request, the trip can also begin or end at a different pier — in this case, a deadheading surcharge will apply.

The route depends on the duration of your trip and can be freely chosen by you. Tides, lock operating times, bridge opening times, and speed restrictions will need to be taken into account.

If your preferred route is not possible, we will find a suitable alternative together. A stopover during your trip is of course possible.

Our crew speaks German. Menus and buffet signage can also be provided in English or in both German and English.

If you would like English-speaking service staff on board, please let us know and we will do our best to arrange it. For English or other language commentary on the route and sights, we can arrange an external speaker (at additional cost).

Children under 4 travel free of charge. For children aged 4 to 14, we charge half price for catering.

Any supervision of children on board required must be provided by the organiser. We are happy to accommodate children's wishes when it comes to catering.

We need the final number of guests one week before your event. For trips with catering provided by us, the confirmed number forms the basis for ordering food and for invoicing.

Please note that the confirmed number of guests is binding and must not exceed the maximum capacity of the ship. Details on each vessel can be found under Fleet.

Smoking is permitted on the outer decks in designated areas. Smoking is not allowed in any indoor areas.

On the Weser and its tributaries, there is usually no swell. Our ships therefore generally do not rock. Due to passing traffic, turning, and docking manoeuvres, the ship may move slightly for brief moments.

On trips in the Weser estuary, for example near Bremerhaven, some swell may be noticeable.

We are happy to take you and your guests to a venue by ship. Simply ask us about our transfer options.

Of course! Simply arrange a viewing appointment with us — that way you can find the perfect ship for your event.

There is no parking directly at the Martini pier. The nearest option is the car park at the Pressehaus on Langenstraße.

Access to the pier is possible for deliveries, such as decorations, or for taxis. We are happy to provide information about parking at our other piers. Further details can be found on our directions page.

Our ships also operate in the rain — most have sheltered indoor areas.

In extreme weather conditions such as storms or flooding, there may be restrictions or, in rare cases, cancellations. We will notify you in such cases as soon as we receive the relevant information.

We operate all year round! The ships we use during the winter months are heated — so nothing stands in the way of a cosy cruise on the wintry Weser.

We are happy to accommodate allergies and food intolerances and can offer alternative dishes — including individual portions. Please let us know in good time.

In addition, an overview of the 14 declarable allergens for your chosen catering is available on board.

A fresh cut flower is part of every table setting on board. For more elaborate floral arrangements, we are happy to provide a quote — or you can have your own florist deliver directly to the ship.

We work with a renowned catering service and can respond flexibly to your wishes — even for more unusual requests. Our catering prices already include service staff, crockery and cutlery, table settings, and buffet equipment.

Please note that guests may not bring their own food. If you would like to commission your own commercial caterer (hotel, restaurant, or catering service), this is possible by arrangement. In this case, we will charge for service staff, equipment, and cleaning and disposal depending on the scope.

You are welcome to bring your own decoration and come on board before your guests to set up. We will coordinate the timing with you.

Decorations must be easy to remove, must not interfere with ship operations, and must be made of fire-retardant material.

We have put together an overview of our beverage selection for you, which you can also find on our downloads page. Is your favourite brand missing? Just get in touch — we will be happy to source it for you.

Please note that drinks may not be brought on board and that special orders must be purchased in full.

Of course! We can supply a wedding cake for you. As wishes for such a cake are usually very individual, we recommend commissioning a confectioner of your choice directly and having the cake delivered to the ship.

We are also happy to put you in touch with our partner businesses.

If your event includes a meal, we place a card on every table with the menu and drinks selection. Please let us know if you have any particular preferences.

For easier planning, we are happy to provide a seating plan for the relevant ship.

You can submit your place cards to us in advance — our staff will then distribute them according to your plan.

We work with experienced DJs who know our ships inside out. We are happy to arrange a DJ who will discuss your event and music preferences with you in advance.

Of course, you are also welcome to book your own DJ or other entertainers.

You are more than welcome to celebrate to the fullest! We simply ask that the music is no longer audible from the riverbank — especially along the city route in the centre of Bremen and at the piers.

If you are planning a particularly lively celebration, we are happy to discuss a suitable concept with you in advance.

A microphone is available on our passenger ships. Speeches and announcements can be heard throughout the entire ship.

It is possible to play background music through the ship's own sound system. Common playback devices can usually be connected — the options vary depending on the ship.

For dance music, we recommend a DJ with their own equipment, as the on-board systems — with the exception of the Oceana — are not designed for this purpose.

Absolutely! Our ships can also be chartered for party cruises. We are happy to prepare an individual offer — depending on the scope and requirements.

On request, we can provide a screen, projector, or flipchart for a fee. Additional conference or event equipment can be sourced through external providers.

On board the Oceana, a multimedia system is also available.

Weekend dates are in high demand, especially during the summer months. Some event organisers book up to a year and a half in advance.

With a little flexibility on timing, however, shorter-notice bookings are usually still possible.

A deposit of 10% of the estimated total is usually due upon signing the contract.

For certain events, full payment may be required before departure — we will arrange this individually with you.

Our terms and conditions can be found here. Please read them carefully before booking.

The duration of your event is based on the contractual agreement. Our ship is available for boarding 15 minutes before the start and should be vacated 15 minutes after the agreed end.

The latest an event may run is 1:00 AM. Please note that extending the event on the day is generally not possible, as our staff are scheduled in advance.

You will receive a contract from us that covers all agreed arrangements. We require a signed copy back from you before the event.

A deposit is usually due upon signing.

If your event has not been paid for in advance or directly on site, you will receive an invoice afterwards — less any deposits already made.

Payment is generally due within 7 days of receipt of the invoice by bank transfer.

Our team is happy to help! For questions about our scheduled cruises and experience tours, call us on +49 421 33 89 89. For charter enquiries, call +49 421 33 89 888.

Or send us an email at info@hal-oever.de or charter@hal-oever.de.