Booking a private boat charter for the first time brings a lot of questions. Where do you go? Who handles what on the water? What does the captain do versus what your group manages? This guide walks through the full experience from the moment you book to the moment you step off the dock, so your group arrives prepared and ready to enjoy the water.
Step 1 — Book Through privedc.com
Booking with PRIVÉ is handled directly through the FareHarbor reservation widget on privedc.com. Select your date, vessel, and charter duration. After confirmation, you will receive a booking confirmation email that includes your departure details and the approved captain list.
Contact a captain from the approved list as soon as possible after booking. Captain availability is limited, particularly for peak-season weekends. Do not wait until the week of your charter to make contact.
Step 2 — Before Your Charter Date
Once your vessel and captain are confirmed, the pre-charter prep is minimal:
- Review PRIVÉ’s onboard policy (detailed below) and plan your food and drink order accordingly.
- Confirm the departure time and dock location with your captain.
- Brief your group on the parking situation at Gravelly Point — public parking is available but fills quickly on summer and fall weekends.
- Build your playlist in advance and download it offline — cell signal on the water can be inconsistent.
- If you are bringing decorations, review what is and is not permitted (no glitter or confetti).
Step 3 — Arriving at Gravelly Point
Gravelly Point Boat Ramp is located at the southern end of Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, VA, off the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The park sits immediately north of Reagan National Airport — you will see commercial planes on final approach passing directly overhead, which is one of the more unexpected features of departing from this location.
Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. Your captain and the vessel will be staged at the boat ramp. You will meet at the waterline. There will be a brief safety orientation covering life vest locations, onboard equipment, weather protocols, and sound system setup before you depart.
Step 4 — On the Water
The PRIVÉ cruise corridor runs between Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown — a 10- to 12-nautical-mile stretch of the Potomac River framed by some of the most photographed skylines in the country. Depending on your departure direction and timing, your group may pass the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center, Key Bridge, Georgetown waterfront, and the Alexandria waterfront.
What happens during the charter is entirely your group’s call:
- Connect your phone to the onboard Bluetooth sound system and run your playlist.
- Set out food and drinks in the onboard cooler and at the table.
- Use the retractable roof to go open or covered depending on conditions and group preference.
- Take photos from positions you cannot access from any viewpoint on land.
The captain handles vessel operation and navigation. Your group manages the experience.
Step 5 — PRIVÉ’s BYOB and Onboard Policy
PRIVÉ operates a bring-your-own-food-and-drinks policy. Guidelines:
- Cans only — no glass bottles of any kind.
- Plastic cups only — no glassware.
- No red wine (stain risk to vessel upholstery).
- Decorations are welcome; no glitter or confetti.
- All items and trash must be cleared by your group at the end of the charter.
There is a large onboard cooler available for your drinks and perishables. Bring ice.
Step 6 — End of Charter
The charter ends at the dock at the originally scheduled time. If PRIVÉ has a subsequent booking on the vessel, the timeline is firm. Tip your captain directly at the dock — cash or payment app. Clear your belongings and any trash from the vessel before stepping off.
If you want to extend your charter time, contact PRIVÉ before your departure date to check availability. Do not request an extension at the dock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a restroom onboard?
Not all PRIVÉ vessels include a restroom. Check the vessel amenities page on privedc.com when booking to confirm.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Light rain is not grounds for cancellation. PRIVÉ’s covered roof option provides full shelter for the seating area. PRIVÉ cancels charters with full refunds only for lightning, thunderstorms, heavy rain, or high wind within two hours of scheduled departure.
Can children come on the charter?
Yes. Children must have properly sized life vests. Guests are responsible for bringing child life vests sized to the child’s age and weight. PRIVÉ does not provide child life vests.
Can we swim from the boat?
Swimming is not permitted on PRIVÉ charters. Potomac River water conditions and vessel safety protocols prohibit it.
How early should we arrive?
Plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. Parking can fill quickly at Gravelly Point on weekend afternoons. Build in extra time on peak-season weekend days.
Ready to see what a private Potomac charter feels like? Reserve your date at privedc.com.