🎄MAGICAL GOLD COAST CHRISTMAS LIGHTS CANAL CRUISE 🎅🤶SAT 20 DECEMBER-CONFIRMED

🎅 ***As at 22 Sept PLEASE HOLD BOTH Sat 20 and Sunday 21 open in your Diaries.. We're back on 'hold' while the cruise co confirms which date will be secured for us. It will either be **Sat 20 Dec or Sun 21 Dec.**
The decision depends on how many other boat operators are granted access to the canals those eventings. The co will have final confirmation in about two weeks, and I'll update you all straight away.
Either way - our Christmas Lights Cruis is locked on for one of these festive nights, so keep both dates free if you can. It's going to be a sparkling evening together! 🌟🚤

Last year's cruise was such a wonderful shared experience, sparking requests for a repeat and generating buzz among members who couldn't make it.
🤶 Get ready for more festive fun, twinkling lights, and holiday cheer together, on the beautiful Gold Coast canals!
* *please see pinned message below for any updates

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CRUISE:
✨ Gorgeous Christmas lights displays lighting up the GC canals.
🎶 Fun atmosphere with Christmas music and a friendly, welcoming crew.
👀 Spot the quirky displays! The 'three big baubles, rhinoceros, and dog stealing Santa's mail' are all part of the interactive and whimsical displays that make this cruise so fun and memorable. It'll become a bit of a game for us to spot these quirky decorations!
✨We'll enjoy a pre-cruise drink/cuppa together at the Runaway Bay Tavern Bar, ensuring we're all gathered and ready to head to the Cruise Dock on time (short 6 min walk to the dock)
🚤 Our enchanting Christmas Lights Cruise is a 1.5 hour experience, including one free wine, champagne, or beer from the bar onboard. There's also a licensed bar available with club prices, plus chips and nuts for purchase.
🎄 One complimentary welcome glass of wine or cuppa included
🎄 Please bring a small plate of Christmas nibbles to share: Ideas include: Mini mince pies, festive biscuits or cookies, small fruit platter, savoury treats or Christmas themed finger foods.
🎄Fun atmosphere with Christmas music and friendly crew.
🎄Spot the quirky displays! The three big baubles, rhinoceros, and dog stealing Santa's mail' are all part of the interactive and whimsical displays that make this cruise so fun and memorable. It'll become a bit of a game for us to spot these quirky decorations!

HERE's THE PLAN (Subject to minor updates closer to the date) :
For our members wishing to secure a return seat on our 14 Seater Hiace, it's Most Important that you send me a Message AT TIME OF RSVP WITH TRANSFER to secure your seat, and advise your meet spot as follows. Please see Pinned Message below for current seat availability in bus
🔹 Nudgee Train Station @ 2.30 pm. Please have $10 cash on day to cover Fuel.
🔹 Eagleby Private residence @ 3.10 pm - for convenient off-street parking thanks to our kind member/resident. Please have $14 cash on day. This is for the 'private off-street parking and Fuel'. (no parking on street please), address will be shared with you closer to event date.
🔹 Beenleigh Train Station @ 3.20 pm (please have $7 cash on the day to cover Fuel costs
For our Gold Coast members, or any who choose to self-drive
🔹 We'll gather at the Runaway Bay Tavern for pre-cruise drinks/cuppas and mingling approx 4.00 pm
nb. above times to be refined closer to event

PAYMENT AT TIME OF RSVP IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO 23 AUGUST 2025
-Spots are limited (30), so book early!
-Secure your place with an initial payment: either a $12 non-refundable deposit OR the full $76 at time of RSVP.
- If paying $12 deposit option, the $64 balance must be paid by 23rd Aug.
- Importantly, If you require bus transport from Nudgee, Eagleby, or Beenleigh, you MUST Message me when you make your initial RSVP/payment, so i can monitor available seats. (11 seats max)
National Bank
Account : Natalie Stewart
BSB : 084-961
Account Number : 308470164 Reference GC/your name
-The final date of event (Sat 20th or Sun 21st Dec) will be confirmed early September.
Cruise returns to dock around 8.30 pm, when we head back to our chosen meet spots fill with Christmas Cheer!

✨ Christmas Spirit Alert! ✨ Let's get into the festive vibe by donning those favourite Christmas colours! Whether it's a splash of red, green, or a touch of gold, let's make this a colourful celebration. Feel free to go all out - think Santa hats, tinsel scarves, or even those fun reindeer antlers! The more festive, the better - after all, it's Christmas on the Canals!

REFUNDS AND CONDITONS:
.. Please ensure your Meetup Email Notifications are ON. I send important pre-event messages (usually one week prior and the eve before the event) These emails via meetup include: Your confirmed meeting spot/What to bring/Group Rules/Any Last minute updates.
.. Minimum RSVP's 15 : Maximum 30 RSVP's
.. If minimum RSVPs are not attained by closing date 23 August, 2025, a full refund is provided
.. The $12 'deposit option' portion is always non-refundable.
.. No refunds issued after bookings close 23 August 2025 or minimum RSVPs attained
.. .. If you cancel after bookings close, I will endeavour to sell your ticket for you, but no guarantees
.. Reselling tickets is a courtesy, not an entitlement
.. Refunds directed to your bank account only
.. Reselling a ticket incurs a $18 Cancellation/Amendment Fee
.. Tickets may not be sold after 1 December 2025
.. Event Date Confirmation: final date Sat 20/or Sun 21 Dec confirmed early September
.. Carpooling: Organiser is not responsible for any private carpooling
.. If you resign or are removed from our meetup group, the Cancellation/Amendment fee still applies : even if the adventure has not yet commenced.
.. Tickets may not be passed onto another person without prior approval

General Group Guidelines:
.. As with all our adventures, No Smoking/Vapour and No Mobile phoning/texting/it while in company as is considered discourteous
.. Please bring all medications which you would normally take at home
.. If you are prone to Motion sickness, please bring appropriate medication with you
.. All meals and drinks are your own expense, unless noted with a ✔
.. Failure to arrive on time will void the ticket entirely with no refunds
.. Minimum attendees = 15; Maximum attendees = 30
.. RSVPs close 23 August 2025, or when minimum 15 RSVPs are claimed, whichever comes first
.. If minimum RSVPs are not attained by closing date 23 August 2025, a full refund is provided
.. No refunds issued after RSVP's close or minimum RSVPs attained
.. If you cancel after bookings close, I will endeavour to sell your ticket for you, but no guarantees
.. Reselling tickets is a courtesy, not an entitlement
.. Refunds directed to your bank account only
.. Reselling a ticket incurs a $18 Cancellation/Amendment Fee
.. Tickets may not be Re-sold after 1 December 2025
.. If you resign or are removed from our meetup group, the Cancellation/Amendment Fee still applies ; even if the adventure has not yet commenced
.. Tickets may not be passed on to another person without prior approval
.. In the event of any changes or amendments to the adventure or itinerary, or reallocation of hosts, there are no refunds.
.. In the very rare event that a member's behaviour is significantly disruptive and impacts the group's experience, the host reserves the right to discontinue that member's participation in the tour. This includes any unused portions of the ticket, such as return transportation. Unfortunately, no refunds will be provided in these instances, and the member will be responsible for their own return arrangements and associated costs.
.. by joining this adventure, you agree to respect the group's pace and decisions made by the host to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all :-)

🎄 CELEBRATE WITH FRIENDS 🎄
This is all about enjoying the magic of the season together, making memories and sharing laughs with our group - because the best adventures are shared with friends!

SPARKLE, CRUISE, CELEBRATE!

NEVER TRAVEL ALONE AGAIN - - - ✈