PRIVATE CHARTERS

Black Cat’s Charter Cruises make it possible for function and event organisers to create a dramatically different event – whether it’s for a social club group, function, conference delegate entertainment or something very special, like a wedding. You have the opportunity to enjoy the highlights of our Lyttelton or Akaroa cruises in the comfort of our spacious catamarans Black Cat or Canterbury Cat.
We add the option of a fully catered buffet meal, courtesy of Speciality Spit Roast Catering Company and you have a complete experience on the water.Summer evening cruises give you the chance to enjoy the backdrop of a stunning sunset over the water, as you and your guests relax to your choice of music with a full bar and catering on hand. The perfect floating function venue!

TO MAKE A BOOKING CALL US: 03 328 9078 or email: lyttelton@blackcat.co.nz

Please include a contact phone number when emailing charter enquiries.

2020 CHRISTMAS FUNCTION SPECIAL OFFER

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Dinner Cruises

We offer two types of dinner cruises from Lyttelton Harbour….and a new third and simple finger food option.

The dinner cruise’s are one of our most popular charter options – it’s a great way to create something different for an end of year event, Christchurch christmas party idea or a special occasion such as a wedding or birthday party.

You can book either a 3 hour cruise complete with a 2 course spit roast meal, or a 90 minute Freeman’s pizza cruise, or a2 hour lyttelton harbour charter with platters

Schedule & Prices

  Spit Roast Cruise
Duration:

3 hour dinner cruise (Lyttelton)
Price per person: $89.00 per adult
$40.00 per child
Minimum charge: $2,670 (30 adults)
Maximum capacity: 70 people
Includes: Full boat hire
2 course spit roast buffet meal
Pizza Cruise

90 minute pizza cruise (Lyttelton)
$55.00 per person
$24.00 per extra pizza
$1100 (20 adults)
70 people
Full boat hire
Half a pizza per person
Charter with Platter

2 hours (Lyttelton)
$75 4ppp,$80 6ppp, $85 8ppp
$2,250 (30 people)
70 people
Full boat hire

Spit Roast Cruise

You begin your cruise with a one hour voyage around the harbour keeping an eye out for Hector’s Dolphins, as well as other marine life, and then anchor in a sheltered bay to enjoy a 2 course buffet meal. This is normally a three hour booking.

Cost: $89 per person. 30 people Minimum

2-Course Buffet Spit Roast Menu

Speciality Spit Roast Company provide up to 2 staff members who are professionally trained in the art of food handling and preparation, health and safety, carving the spit roasts, as well as preparation and layout of the buffet tables.

Main Course

  • Crackling Roast Pork with
  • Apple Sauce
  • Angus Beef with Wholegrain Mustard
  • Gourmet Potatoes tossed in herb butter
  • Seasoned Chicken with Cranberry Sauce
  • A selection of six salads
  • Optional add on of NZ Lamb with mint jelly for an extra $2 per person or Ham off the bone for an extra $1 per person

Dessert

  • Classic Kiwi Pavlova
  • Fresh Fruit Salad
  • Please talk to us if you
  • would like to add more
  • desserts or make any changes.
Contact us

Pizza Cruise

Start your evening cruise down on the wharf with us in Lyttelton. Once the delicious hot pizza arrives from Freemans Italian Restaurant, we will let the lines go and cruise the sights of Lyttelton Harbour for an hour and a half.

Cost: $55 per person. (we have allowed for half a pizza per person. If more is required you can order these at $24 each).

Contact us

Charter With Platters

Looking to charter a boat for a couple of hours and simply have some delicious nibbles. We can organise a charter with platters of numeours sizes to cater for your party. Tea and coffee are complimentary.

Cost: 4 pieces per person $75, 6 pieces per person $80, 8 pieces per person $85

Please note that with any charter you can talk to us to arrange additional time on the water.

There is also the option to book private charters from both Lyttelton and Akaroa, and organise your own catering . Price starts at $1,500 for two hours. Please click through to the charters page for more infomation.

Contact us

Charter Cruise

We can supply a choice of either platters, nibbles, finger food, cheeses, breads and dips. Please contact us for a qoute.

Please note that in accordance with our Liquor Licence we expect at least 4 food varieties excluding chips, peanuts, snack foods etc. We reserve the right to refuse service of alcohol if the food requirement is not met.

If you don’t want to have a catered meal, you can charter the boat for a 2 – 3 hour harbour cruise experience.

You are welcome to bring your own food, and still have access to our full bar service so long as the food you bring is sufficient enough to feed all guests.

We can supply platters of nibbles for your guests if required.

Passenger numbers for chartered cruises are a minimum of 30 people, however if you have a smaller group, please contact us as we may have another group who would like to share the boat with you.

Schedule & Prices

Duration Price
2 Hour Charter:

$1500
3 Hour Charter: $2000

Weddings

Create an enchanting and memorable wedding on board one of our catamarans.This is your opportunity to have the wedding you’ve always imagined – with the setting sun over the harbour as the most perfect backdrop.

You can choose to have your wedding ceremony at a venue in Lyttelton or Akaroa, followed by your reception on the water, or have the whole event hosted on the harbour with Black Cat Cruises.

You’ll have up to four hours on the water with us, plus you can take time prior to departure to decorate and theme the boat to create exactly the atmosphere you are looking for.

Our charter catamarans are among the most unique and affordable wedding venues in Canterbury.

Talk to us about your ideas and our team will be happy to accommodate any special requirements.

Schedule & Prices

Wedding cruise: Price on application
Minimum charge: $1500.00 for 2 hours
Maximum capacity: 70 people
Includes: Full boat hire
Additional hours: $500.00 per hour

The Canterbury Cat in Lyttelton Harbour provides a unique meeting and conference venue in Christchurch. It’s a fantastic choice for companies looking for something a little different that will both inspire and engage. The surrounding views of Banks Peninsula create the pefect backdrop for a calm, productive environment.

With the current unavailability of many conference and meeting venues in Christchurch city as a result of the earthquakes, the team at Black Cat are happy to work with anyone planning a conference, meeting or other type of event.

As a venue, the Canterbury Cat can accommodate up to 60 or 80 people depending on how you wish to use the venue.

There is a full bar available, and catering can also be organised as part of your event. BYO alcohol is not available under the terms of our liquor licence.

You can also theme the boat if required.

A minimum of 30 people is required for any charter booking.

Please contact us directly to discuss your options if you have a meeting or event to plan.

Our Charter Vessels

Canterbury Cat

  • Features: Open/Closed rear deck. Open top deck and front deck. 2 toilets.
  • Harbour based in: Lyttelton
  • Licensed capacity: 92 pax
  • Comfortable cruising: 80 pax
  • Dining Cruising: 70-80 pax depending on style of cruise
  • Enclosed seating: 60 pax
  • Sound System: Yes

Black Cat Catamaran

  • Features: Open/Closed top deck and rear deck. Open front deck. 2 toilets
  • Harbour based in: Akaroa
  • Licensed capacity: 99 pax
  • Comfortable cruising: 80 pax
  • Dining Cruising: 60 pax
  • Enclosed seating: 70 pax
  • Public Address System: Yes
  • Sound System: Yes

BAR & BEVERAGES

  • Beer (Heineken, Speights, Steinlager Pure, Steinlager Light) $8.00 per bottle
  • Wine (Torlesse – Sav Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir) $8.00 per glass
  • Sparkling Wine (Lindauer Brut) $8.00 per glass
  • RTD’s (Coruba & Coke; Gordons Gin & Tonic; Smirnoff Ice Vodka & Lemon) $8.00 per bottle
  • Non-alcoholic (Soft drinks and orange juice) $4.00 per bottle

You can download our most recent Charter brochure here.

Frequently asked questions

Can we have music / live entertainment?

Yes. We have a large range of music that we can play or you are welcome to bring your own for us to play. Or really looking for something to liven up your party? We can arrange both a professional DJ with suitable sound and lighting or a “one-man-band”. Call us for more details.

Do you staff the boat?

Yes. Minimum of 1 skipper and 1 crew person. 1 Speciality spit roast staff member (dinner charter).

Where do the cruises depart?

Departures are from B Jetty, Lyttelton or from main wharf, Akaroa.

Where do the cruises go?

Our charters cruise the internal harbour and out to the heads, weather permitting. If you have specific requirements please let us know at the time of booking.

Do you have a bar or offer BYO

All of our vessels are fully licensed however our liquor licence does not allow for BYO. Payment for the purchases made on the bar can be made by visa, mastercard, eftpos or cash. A tab can be arranged but must be paid for in full at the end of the charter.

Can you offer tailor-made cruises?

Yes. Our standard charter packages have been put together based on our cruise experience. However if they are not what you are after please do not hesitate to contact us.

What if i / a member of my party suffers from sea sickness?

We are so confident you will not have a problem with seasickness we are prepared to give the person who is sick their money back!!

What happens if the cruise has to be cancelled due to bad weather?

Unfortunately weather is something out of our control but you can be secure in the knowledge that we have to cancel due to weather on approximately 5% of our cruises so you would be very unlucky!!.We are still able to hold the event inside the boat and if necessary stay tied to the jetty.

Terms and conditions

  • A $600 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. Bookings are confirmed on receipt of this payment.

  • For exclusive use of the boat a minimum of 50 passengers must be paid for.

  • Final numbers and remainder of payment are required 10 working days prior to cruise date. After this time catering numbers can be increased not decreased.

  • Full payment must be made 48 hours prior to departure.

  • We do not accept personal cheques at the bar.

  • The vessel used and the departure point is at the discretion of Black Cat Cruises and may be subject to change.

  • All prices are inclusive of GST unless otherwise stated. Black Cat Cruises reserve the right to cancel the cruise due to unsuitable weather conditions with full refund or agreeable alternative on the night. We also reserve the right to refuse service of alcohol should catering you choose to supply not meet minimum provisions.

About us

The Award Winning Black Cat Group is internationally recognised as one of the success stories of the New Zealand tourism industry and an eco-tourism pioneer. We were the first to offer cruises in Akaroa and we are recognised as New Zealand’s first Eco-tourism operator.

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WHERE WE ARE

Our Nature Cruises and Dolphin Swimming experience depart from Akaroa which is only a 90 minute scenic drive from Christchurch. The Diamond Harbour and Quail Island ferry depart from Lyttelton in Christchurch.

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