Yes. Our office is typically open every day from 9am – 5pm. We recommend calling ahead to make an appointment, but you are welcome to stop by and make a reservation with cash or check. All cruise reservations must be made in advance.

You will see spectacular, up-close views as we cruise along the Tennessee River such as: Neyland Stadium (Home of the Tennessee VOLS), the Sunsphere, and Thompson Boling Arena at Food City Center. You will cruise through Sequoyah Hills lined with beautiful homes on the water and experience unforgettable sunsets before returning to the Volunteer Landing Marina.

Our cruises are not narrated but we provide information sheets on each table with information about the river, the sights being seen and the yacht. Feel free to join the Captain in the Pilot House for an up close and personal experience with our operating system. The captain will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and may even let you take the wheel for a spin!

The Volunteer Princess departs from Volunteer Landing Marina located behind Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse off of Neyland Drive. We cruise downstream as we pass the Sunsphere – the symbol of the 1982 World’s Fair, Neyland Stadium – the mecca of Big Orange Country, the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center – infamously known as the Body Farm, and the plush Sequoyah Hills community.

As many of our cruise lengths vary, the distance we travel depends on the length of the cruise. During our one-and-a-half-hour cruises, we reach the top of Loony Island, located just before the US Naval Reserve Center on Alcoa Highway. On our two-hour cruises, we pass Loony Island and sail into the Sequoyah Hills community before we turn around. If you join us for an additional thirty minutes, we cruise past Cherokee Country Club next to Lakeshore Park before we return to dock and end our three-hour cruises.

No two cruises are the same. There are a number of factors our captains must consider each time we leave the dock.

Current
The downstream current can run up to five knots. The downstream cruising speed could be considerably faster than the speed returning to the dock.

Wind
Sometimes wind from the east makes docking much more difficult. Don’t be alarmed; wind typically does not impact our cruise route unless those east winds are extremely fast.

Boat Traffic
Cruising can be altered by other boaters. We always keep safety in mind while cruising along the Tennessee River, especially during higher traffic times throughout the year.

Parking is located to the left-hand side of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse under the overpass in spots labeled “Volunteer Landing Marina” or “Adventure Center.” Hangtags are not required. If those spots are full, you can park in Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse parking lot. Ignore any signage such as “Ruth’s Chris Parking Only”. You will not get towed. Do not park in the orange coned spots (Ruth’s Chris Valet).

Guests who require handicapped parking may park in the designated handicapped spots at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.

Once you’ve parked, simply walk past Ruth’s Chris onto the cement walkway to the right-hand side of the building. Keep left at the fork, and you will see the yacht shortly thereafter.

Game day parking for our guests is located at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame 700 S Hall of Fame Dr, Knoxville, TN 37915. Payment and a reservation to reserve a spot will be required in advance. Please call our office to add a parking spot to your cruise reservation.

A golf cart may be available upon request if needed for pickup from the parking lot to the marina. Please make a note upon booking your reservation online or over the phone if golf cart transportation will be needed. Pickup will start at the time of boarding.

Cruises are non-refundable. If you decide to cancel at least 48 hours in advance, we can reschedule you for no charge. If you decide to cancel less than 48 hours in advance, you will be subject to a $15 per person rescheduling fee. Please call our office for any cancellations.

Please note a full refund will not be given if a cruise remains dockside due to inclement weather.

A full refund will be given if a cruise is cancelled entirely due to inclement weather.

Any person failing to appear on the day of departure will not be refunded

Boarding time is the window in which guests can board the yacht. Boarding time begins 30 minutes prior to departure unless otherwise noted. Due to Coast Guard regulations, admittance to the yacht is not allowed prior to the boarding window. Seating at the marina is available until boarding time.

All cruises depart promptly at the specified time due to our schedule. All guests have been informed of the cruise departure time and should anticipate it to be accurate. It is imperative that guests arrive 30 minutes prior to the cruise departure time to avoid missing the boat.

We do not have a specific dress code; however, you may find some guests dressed in more formal attire, especially those celebrating special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. Attire varies from dark, nice jeans to formal cocktail wear. We encourage our guests to have fun with their attire as a cruise aboard the Volunteer Princess provides the perfect opportunity to dress up!

Our two fully enclosed and climate-controlled decks allow us to cruise year-round regardless of weather. In the case of inclement weather or upon directed of the US Coast Guard, the yacht will remain dockside until weather permits us to sail.

Volunteer Princess Cruises does not issue tangible tickets for public cruises. Upon booking your reservation, you will be sent a confirmation email for your review and your records. Simply provide your name upon check-in, and we will cross check it with our manifest.

The Volunteer Princess departs from Volunteer Landing Marina and heads downstream towards Neyland Stadium and into the Sequoyah Hills area before we return to dock. See “Yacht Route” under our “About the Yacht” page for more detailed information.

The maximum capacity of the yacht is 132 guests. We can accommodate groups of 2 – 80 during our public cruises. We offer discounted group rates for parties of 20 or more. Please contact our office at 865.247.6584 for more information.

We can accommodate standard wheelchairs on the main deck of the yacht. We do not have an elevator to access the upper deck, so guests in wheelchairs will be confined to the main deck. We do have a handicap accessible restroom located on the main deck. Please indicate whether you or your guests require wheelchair access when making your reservation online.

Yes, our Chef can accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies. Please make sure to call or email us before booking to ensure we accommodate your requests.

Smoking is allowed on the outside areas of the lower deck only.

Yes, you may bring your own birthday cake from a licensed caterer. You must bring your own plastic plates, forks, and serving utensils to cut and serve the cake. Please call our office at 865.247.6584 if you would like to do so.

Enjoy background music played from the pilot house during most of our public cruises. For holiday cruises and special events, live DJ entertainment or live bands may be available.

Yes! Private tours and charters are a great idea for any special event you are planning such as weddings, anniversaries, corporate gatherings, special birthday parties, etc. We believe that “The Best Events are on the Water” and we specialize in special events!