FAQ

All charters include a USCG Licensed Captain for your enjoyment while underway and utmost safety.  Fuel, dockage fee and any port/mooring cost if applicable are also included.  Aperitivo can accommodate up to 10-12 guests for a cruise within the harbor utilizing all seats from stern to the bow. For all ocean bound charters there is a 10 guest max.  The number of adults with children will also be taken into consideration to ensure comfort and safety for all.

We are located at 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663, departing from the beautiful Balboa Bay Resort & Club.  Your car service may drop you at the Balboa Bay Resort entrance and/or the valet is subject to a parking fee at their discretion.  Your Captain will meet you here to escort you to the resort courtesy dock where Aperitivo will be waiting for you to board. Plan to arrive to the valet 30 minutes prior to your charter.  Off-street parking is also available.

Yes, of course, please do! Aperitivo has two mini-refrigerators and one cooler filled with ice for your use.  Choose to bring aluminum cans, non-glass containers when possible.  Your favorite bottle of wine (white/rose only) and Prosecco are perfect choices, but please no red wine or anything like it (grape juice, blue berries, etc.) is not allowed.  Aperitivo has a gorgeous teak deck and interior and red wine will stain.  Catering is also available from the Balboa Bay Resort to be delivered direct to the dock prior to boarding. Please inquire we’re happy to forward you their menu and process your food order on your behalf for ultimate ease or provide other catering options.

Absolutely! Catering is available from the Balboa Bay Resort to be delivered direct to the dock prior to boarding. Please inquire were happy to forward you their menu and process your food order on your behalf for ultimate ease.  May we also suggest a beautifully prepared charcuterie board from Newport Charcuterie, inquire for this option or any other catering desire we’d be happy to provide.  Newport Beach also has many “dock and dine” restaurants, inform customer service upon your booking and arrangements will be made for you.

Fishing is typically not an activity aboard Aperitivo.  If a fishing boat is what you’re looking for, we can refer you to another boat option. Swimming is allowed in Newport Harbor Center Channel but for the best swimming and ultimate water fun then an Emerald Bay Excursion is the charter for you.  With its sheltered cove and crystal clear calm waters, you couldn’t dream up a better destination for swimming and soaking up the sun!  Use of our 8′ PopUp Dock and Paddle Board are also included.

If you plan on swimming or sunbathing or being in the water in any fashion, wear a swimsuit and coverup, you many bring a change of clothes with you.  Towels, beach bag, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are also must-haves.  If you have personal goggles or snorkeling gear we encourage you to bring it.  Aperitivo has a shower on the swim platform to easily rinse off the saltwater and a cabin with a bathroom for privacy to change clothes.  Dependent upon your charter chosen and ocean conditions, the speed of Aperitivo will thrill you, but the ocean breeze even on a warm day, can bring on a chill.  We recommend having a jacket or sweatshirt on hand to stay comfortable. Dressing in layers is always the smart choice and so is sporting proper shoes. The teak deck feels great on your bare feet, we can safely stow away your shoes, however if shoes are a must onboard please no hard sole/heel shoes and wear only white/non-marking tennis shoes, flip flops are best.  Also, we don’t want any regrets, please choose to leave any valuables behind, we cannot be responsible for any lost or damaged belongings during the charter.

If we must cancel your charter due to unsafe weather conditions and/or a small craft warning, we will contact you as soon as possible to make other arrangements.  We understand how disappointing this is and we’ll do everything we can to reschedule you, though if this doesn’t work out, there’s no worry, we will refund you.  Of course a credit for a future charter is always an option. If you’re visiting from out of town, we recommend you schedule your charter at the beginning of your trip, so if need be there is time to reschedule to another beautiful California day while you’re still in town.  We want you to have your amazing Aperitivo experience!

Aperitivo is a Sea Ray yacht-certified 2021 Sundancer, a world class, sea-worthy vessel with a very smooth and relaxing ride in normal sea conditions.  Engineered and crafted to ride effortlessly through ocean swells (as well as thrill you with her performance), however in the event this becomes an issue, not a worry, your Captain will drive you right back into the largest recreational harbor on the West Coast with 21 square miles and 840 acres of waterways.  More than enough surrounding beauty and fun to keep you entertained, but with that said, if you are prone to sea/car sickness may we suggest you take motion sickness medicine up to 24 hours prior to your charter (please seek your doctor’s recommendation).

The last thing we want to do is not give you an amazing Aperitivo experience! Credits for future charters we are happy to give. To receive 100% refund you must cancel no less than 5 days before your scheduled charter. (ie. to cancel a Saturday charter, cancel by the Monday prior). Please be mindful that there is only one Aperitivo, we ask you to please cancel as soon as you can, especially for reservations made weeks ahead of time, enabling another guest to enjoy. You may take a credit for a future charter up to 24 hours prior to departure based on availability. Unsafe weather is always taken into consideration when a charter has to be cancelled, and a credit for future charters will always be given, even when there is less than 24 hours before the charter.  No shows result in no refund and no credit.

You must be 21-years-old to charter with a valid driver’s license, be sure to bring your license with you.  You will also be required to sign a waiver of liability along with all guests in the charter. With your booking confirmation you will receive a the waiver to sign via email along with a link to send all your guests to sign prior to your charter.

All passengers 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway, even infants. We have life jackets for all passengers onboard per US Coast Guard requirements.

Gratuities are not included in your charter/captain fees. Tipping your captain 15% and more is industry standard for excellent service. Completely at your discretion, we can include a tip at the time of your booking to use a credit card.  You may also tip your captain directly at the end of your charter.  Cash is most typical though tipping via Venmo (or other electronic means) is available for your convenience.