Group Reservation Information
Welcome aboard! Just a few details before we leave the dock! Please read, complete where blank and return to our offices.
A function aboard the Jon Anderson White means great memories for you and your guests. Our Riverboat was sturdily built in 1967 by the venerable Dubuque Boat & Boiler Company in coincidentally, Dubuque Iowa! The boat’s history is well chronicled in the Upper Mississippi River Museums archives and on our vessel’s cabin walls.
Our J.A. White is no less unique on its interior, featuring gilded pressed tin ceiling from a 150 year old Missouri factory, 52 – 2” solid oak rope columns, period varnished wainscoting topped with solid oak trim and drink railing. From the rope pattern carpet on the deck, upwards to the custom glass chandeliers from Murano, Italy hanging in the vessels clerestory, all décor features employ the vessel’s warm blue and gold theme.
The J.A. White was returned to service during the flood of 2008 with a new Coast Guard stability letter and Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for a total capacity with crew of 81. The J.A. White has two restrooms, its Bow (front) loading ramp and door is 36” wide with two side exits amidships. The 6 tons of ductless Air Conditioning insure everyone keeping cool while your meal is served from our on board Galley.
First Class Food and Beverage service for your group is our specialty. We pride ourselves on the overall quality and ability to customize our menu offerings. We believe it will be evident while dining with us that we are professional food and wine people who just happen to really love boats!
Included with your meal cruise are tablecloths, linen napkins, cutlery and china, handheld microphone, music system which you are welcome to plug your selections into, budvases, candles and of course a full service staff ready for several possible table and seating configurations based on your number of guests.
We can arrange for live music, special table decor or floral centerpieces. Theme cruises are a specialty. We have had everything from real Camels (on shore for Nile cruise), to being boarded by Pirates, so suffice to say within reason, if you can dream it up we can make it happen for you!
DEPOSIT
Once your date has been chosen and confirmed a $600 deposit will hold your booking and be applied to the final bill. Please make checks out to Stem To Stern LLC, 1701 South Union St., Des Moines, Iowa 50315. 515-883-BOAT. www.port-of-desmoines.com
CANCELLATION POLICY
When it is necessary to cancel more than 8 weeks prior to your event all but a $75 fee will be returned. When it is necessary to cancel within 8 weeks of your departure date 50% of the deposit will be applied to a future booking.
ALCOHOL SERVICE
We pride ourselves on providing the best in beverage service with a true sense of hospitality. Our rules are: 1) All alcohol must be provided by our staff and none other can be brought aboard. 2) Our crew will not serve an underage person. Any guest doing so will cause the bar to be closed immediately for everyone. 3) Iowa’s DWUI law calls for arrest with blood levels of .08 or more. If you or someone on your cruise suspects they might exceed this limit, we are happy to call a taxi. 4) Bar service can be halted at any time for any reason solely at the discretion of the Captain and crew. 5) A service charge of 15% and sales tax are added to the bar bill unless otherwise stated.
PlAN B IN CASE Of INCLEMENT WEATHER
The Port of Des Moines Company has many options to explore for you in the unlikely case we can not be on the river for your event.
You might be aware that the Des Moines River drains a large area of Iowa and South Minnesota with the help of several large reservoirs. This can create quite a torrent running thru our city. In the last 15 years Des Moines has suffered through two 500 yr. Floods with varying degrees of damage. Simply put we can not be out playing with the Riverboat when the river has these occasional fits.
What we can do though is the following:
Have the party at the dock! Same great food, ambience and service, plus we deduct half of the Charter fee to reflect no Fuel burned or Captain needed. We will even make the Paddlewheel spin!
Move the event to another location in the downtown area. We have many great back up locations with plenty of free parking. All with the same great menu and pricing you would have enjoyed on the Riverboat.
If you prefer we will cheerfully work to find a date to rebook your event later in the season.
The odds are in our favor to have none of the above options result but its always good to have a Plan “B”.
For additional detailed information about chartering the boat, call us at 515-883-2628 or email us at captainmike@port-of-desmoines.com