Discover Dorset Cruises in Poole with essential information on boat trips, prices, private charters, food and drink and departures from Poole Quay. Cruises take place aboard the historic Dorset Queen, a restored vintage motor yacht offering themed experiences including fish and chips, afternoon tea, gin and jazz, Wareham trips and special events. With onboard bars and views across Poole Harbour, Dorset Cruises combines sightseeing with food, drink and entertainment for a more experience-led day on the water.
Dorset Cruises offers distinctive boat trips from Poole Quay aboard the historic Dorset Queen, a restored 1938 vintage motor yacht. Rather than standard sightseeing cruises, its programme focuses on experiences including fish and chip cruises, afternoon tea, gin and jazz, vineyard trips, Wareham cruises and special evening events. With an onboard bar, panoramic upper deck and cruises through Poole Harbour, Dorset Cruises is an appealing option for couples, groups and visitors looking for something different to do in Poole.
Operating location: Poole Quay, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1HJ
Telephone: 01202 844199
Email: info@dorsetcruises.co.uk
Boat: Dorset Queen
Booking: Advance booking available online
Private hire: Available for celebrations, weddings and corporate events
Dorset Cruises operates from Poole Quay and specialises in themed cruises and private events around Poole Harbour and the surrounding waterways.
The company's vessel, Dorset Queen, was originally built in 1938 and restored by Dorset Cruises in 2008. The company states that the vessel is believed to have taken part in the Dunkirk evacuations of 1940 and is now included on the UK Historic Ships Register.
Today, the boat provides a characterful setting for everything from relaxed afternoon cruises to evening events, birthdays, weddings and corporate occasions.
A large part of the Dorset Cruises experience is the vessel itself.
Dorset Queen has several different spaces onboard, including:
The main bar stocks more than 25 artisan gins, rums and vodkas alongside lager, wine, Champagne, soft drinks, Dorset Tea and coffee.
One of Dorset Cruises' signature experiences is the Dorset Fish & Chip Cruise.
The cruise lasts approximately two hours, departing Poole Quay and travelling around Poole Harbour's islands. When conditions allow, the route can also extend towards Poole Bay before passing locations including Sandbanks and Parkstone Bay on the return journey.
The experience includes:
The current listed price starts from £35 per person, and the cruise is for guests aged 12 and over. The website currently lists the next available Fish & Chip Cruise for 4 May 2027, so visitors should check the live calendar for newly released dates.
Dorset Cruises runs a changing programme of themed sailings throughout the year.
Current and recurring experiences listed by the company include:
Because individual cruises run on selected dates rather than daily, availability, prices and age restrictions vary between events.
For example, the currently listed Wareham Sunday Brunch lasts around four hours and starts from £40, while Brownsea Music Nights are listed from £55 and are for adults aged 18 and over.
Dorset Queen is also available for private hire.
The company caters for:
Dorset Cruises can also arrange tailor-made routes and has docking arrangements with several locations around Poole Harbour and the surrounding area, including Brownsea Island, Sandbanks, Wareham and Studland.
Food and drink are a major part of many Dorset Cruises experiences rather than simply an optional extra.
Depending on the cruise, packages can include fish and chips, afternoon tea, brunch, Champagne, oysters, gin tastings or other refreshments.
The main onboard bar remains available during many sailings, with a selection of spirits, wine, lager, Champagne, hot drinks and soft drinks.
Visitors with dietary requirements should provide details when booking, particularly where food is included within the ticket.
Dorset Cruises operates primarily through pre-booked ticketed events, with different dates released throughout the year.
Prices vary significantly depending on the experience. Current examples include:
Because the programme changes seasonally, visitors should use the Dorset Cruises website for the live schedule rather than relying on fixed opening times.
Dorset Queen is a historic vessel with multiple decks, steps and different onboard areas. Dorset Cruises does not provide extensive general accessibility information on its main visitor pages, so anyone with mobility requirements or other specific access needs should contact the team directly on 01202 844199 before booking.
Dorset Cruises operates from Poole Quay, within easy walking distance of Poole Old Town and the town centre.
Poole railway station is also within walking distance, while several public car parks serve the quay and surrounding town-centre area.
Visitors with a timed cruise should allow enough time to park and reach the departure point before boarding begins.
Dorset Cruises is best suited to visitors looking for more than a straightforward sightseeing boat trip. The emphasis is on combining Poole Harbour scenery with food, drink, entertainment or a special occasion aboard a historic vessel.
As cruises operate on specific dates and many have minimum age requirements, visitors should check the individual event listing carefully before booking. Popular sailings have limited capacities, so booking ahead is recommended.
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