MV Enigma

MV Enigma is $990 per hour from May to September, with a 3-hour minimum. From October to April, excluding December, the rate is $1,100 per hour with a 4-hour minimum, and December is $1,300 per hour with a 4-hour minimum. Public holidays carry a 20% surcharge on the total charter cost.

Waitstaff cost $300 per staff member for up to 4 hours, then $75 per additional hour, with a 100% surcharge on public holidays. You'll need one staff member for up to 12 guests, two for 13 to 30 guests and three for 31 to 41 guests; staff aren't included in beverage packages. Wharf fees are $50 per wharf, paddleboards are $80 each (up to four), and the lily pad is free. A $2,000 deposit confirms the booking, the balance is due 14 days before the event, and a $1,000 bond is paid before the cruise and returned afterwards.

MV Enigma has its own catering menu covering canapés and platters, buffet and banquet options, a BBQ menu and table dining; ask for the current menu when you enquire. BYO food is also welcome, and no fee currently applies to it.

At $15 per person, per hour, the Standard Beverage Package pours unlimited beer and sparkling, white and red wine, with soft drinks, tea and coffee as well. Spirits can be added for $5 per person per hour, or champagne and spirits for $15 per person per hour, and a kids package is $6.25 per person per hour for soft drinks and orange juice. With a beverage package you can add a roaming wine tasting run by a sommelier from Upstairs Wines for $400 per sommelier, with one needed per 20 guests.

There's also a pay-as-you-go bar, with champagne from $120 a bottle, wine from $60, spirits and mixers at $15 (Aperol Spritz $18), beer and cider from $10 and soft drinks from $4. Shots aren't permitted. BYO drinks are $20 per person and cover crockery, cutlery, glassware, serving equipment and eskies; waitstaff are charged separately.

MV Enigma is available daily, subject to her calendar. The minimum charter is 3 hours from May to September and 4 hours from October to April. Preferred time slots are 10am to 2pm, 11am to 3pm, 12pm to 4pm, 1pm to 5pm, 5pm to 9pm and 6pm to 10pm, with exact times confirmed on enquiry.

Pick-up options include King Street Wharf, Casino Wharf, ICC Wharf in Darling Harbour, Hollys Wharf at Pyrmont Park, Yeend Street Wharf in Balmain, Longueville Wharf and Huntleys Point, at $50 per wharf. Other wharves may be possible for an extra fee. She can't use Man O' War Steps at Circular Quay, Darling Point Wharf (McKell Park) or Taronga Zoo Wharf. Watsons Bay is available on application, and Manly carries a $200 surcharge each way with a maximum of 12 passengers; larger groups can cruise only as far as Middle Harbour. Drinks can usually be loaded free of charge at Gladesville Bridge Marina earlier on charter day, subject to the vessel's schedule.