|
Frequently
Asked Questions
General and Dockside Answers Cruising on the Ship Answers Other Frequently Asked Questions Location, Hours of Operation, and Ticket Fees GENERAL AND DOCKSIDE QUESTIONS Do I Need Reservations to Visit the Ship Dockside ? Reservations are not needed to visit the ship dockside, unless your group is greater than about 10 people or you request a special guided tour. Call the office. What is the Cost to Tour the Ship ? The cost, location, and hours are covered on the Visit & Cruise pages. Details on Group tours are included on that page. Do you offer Discounts to Veterans or Anyone Else ? As we are a non-profit organization, the expense of operating the ship is quite significant, and as many of our members are veterans, we are only able to offer discounts for visiting the ship shoreside. We are unable to offer discounts for cruises (see below). Where are You Located ? Maps are available on the Contact Us page, and are sent with each ticket for Cruise departure information. Where Can I Park ? When visiting the ship when she is tied up at Pier 45, parking is available in Shed A at the head of the pier or at any of the public lots in the vicinity. Be sure to confirm the cost when you park. Parking information for Cruises is included with the ticket. What Should I Wear When Visiting the Ship ? It depends on the time of year. San Francisco can be chilly and windy, even in the summer when the fog rolls in, and the ship is not heated when tied up at the pier, so it's like visiting any outdoor monument. So it's best to layer up. For shoes, wear sturdy ones, no flip-flops or anything with open toes or high heels. Is the Ship Wheelchair Accessible ? The ship is a historic registered National monument and as such we are not permitted to alter the original design of the ship. Therefore, the ship is NOT wheelchair accessible. People with walkers can come aboard, but they must be able to go up the Gangway at an angle without the walker (about 45 steps on an open metal stairway, inclined depending on the tides), and use the ladders in the ship without the walker. Portable wheelchairs and walkers can only be used on the main deck after the passenger comes aboard under his or her own power. The passenger should be accompanied by an able-bodied adult during the visit to assist and carry the equipment. Are Any Parts of the Ship Off Limits ? Almost the entire ship is open to the public when the ship is accepting visitors, including the Engine Room and Bridge. The only parts not open for safety reasons are the shaft alley, holds 3 and 4, and a small section on the flying bridge where the Captain, Pilot, and Helmsman stand during underway cruises. They are usually available for questions from visitors unless involved in a critical maneuver. Personal Staterooms where the volunteer crew sleep are open but roped off for privacy concerns. What Credit Cards are Accepted ?We accept MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. We do not take American Express. Are Gratuities Included ? As all our crew are volunteers, we do not accept gratuities. However, donations to the ship are always welcome at any time. Is Smoking Allowed ? Smoking is allowed on outside decks only. Please place all materials in the red sand-filled coffee cans. CRUISING THE SHIP Do I Need Reservations to Sail on an Underway Cruise ? Reservations are very strongly advised for underway cruises. We accept a small number of ticket purchases at the gangway, but many cruises sell out, especially the Fleet Week cruises, which may sell out a month or more in advance. What is the Cost to Take a Cruise ? The cost, location, hours, and methods of ordering are covered on the Visit & Cruise pages. Do you offer Discounts to Veterans for Cruising ? Again, as we are a non-profit organization, the expense of operating the ship is quite significant, and as many of our members are veterans, we are unable to offer discounts for cruises, as the number of tickets is limited by the US Coast Guard. Are Children and Teenagers Allowed on the Cruises ? Children under 4 are allowed and issued a free ticket in order to meet USCG requirements that all passengers be listed on the ship's manifest. Children 4 and above are welcome, but there are no childcruises. Our insurance limitations require that all passengers under 18 be accompanied by an adult. Can I Hold a Reservation and Pay Later ? We generally do not accept reservations to pay in the future. Our office staff is a small group of volunteers and keeping track of funds owed is too difficult. It is okay to call to find out if we are sold out or how many spaces are remaining, but please call back soon to purchase tickets for your group. We cannot guarantee that the ship will not sell out before your firm purchase. Where or How Do We Pick Up Our Tickets ? Tickets for Cruises will be mailed to you with instructions, directions, and helpful hints concerning your cruise. If your order is placed too late for the tickets to reach you, they will be held for you at the ship's gangway for Will Call. How do I Redeem a Gift Certificate, Cruise Credit, or Raffle Winner Coupon ? You should decide on what Cruise you would like to use your discount. Then when you call the office and order your tickets, inform the office person what you are redeeming. What Time Do We Board the Ship for Cruises ? The Boarding Time will be listed on the Tickets along with the Sailing Time. The gangway opens one hour before Sailing, and the gangway will be raised promptly at the time of departure. The ship is considered underway when the gangway is raised. We absolutely CANNOT hold the ship for late arrivals. We generally recommend arriving at least 1 hour before sailing to allow for traffic and parking delays, especially if you are arriving from out of town. Many of our out-of-town passengers arrive in San Francisco the night before and stay in a hotel and enjoy the town. See the Local Attractions section for information. A continental breakfast is usually available on board when the gangway opens. How does Weather Affect the Ship's Cruises ? The SS Jeremiah O'Brien sails under any conditions unless the US Coast Guard directs otherwise. If a cruise is cancelled for any reason, a credit for a future cruise will be issued. The ship has never missed a sailing in it's almost 30 year history as a museum due to an unscheduled problem. If rain threatens, be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella. What happens if we miss a cruise ? Cruise tickets are non-refundable, but if your party or one of your party misses the cruise or is otherwise unable to make it, a credit for a future cruise will be issued. Is Smoking Allowed on Cruises ? Smoking is allowed on outside decks only. Are Life Preservers On Board ? The ship is 100% US Coast Guard certified with life preservers and safety equipment, including child life preservers. Is there Pre-Assigned Seating ? There is no assigned seating. On cruises, you can sit anywhere on the main deck, in the superstructure, except for staterooms, and in Cargo Hold #2, where tables and chairs are provided. OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How Do I Donate Items to the Ship ? We accept donations of items specifically related to Liberty Ships. Unfortunately, we do not have much space for other maritime memorabilia, and please understand if we don't have space, we may sell it to help fund our other programs. Does the SS Jeremiah O'Brien have a Registration Number ? The ship has always been registered as a civilian merchant ship, so she has never had a naval registration number. She was known to the US Maritime Commission (the agency that procured the Liberty ships) as emergency hull #806, and to the shipyard that built her she was hull #230 (these are the numbers that appear on her builders plates). Upon completion she was issued the official number 243622, which is the government registration number that is used on official paperwork to this day. She was also issued the FCC callsign KXCH, which is also maintained to this day. Under What Regulations Does the SS Jeremiah O'Brien Operate ? All ships carrying passengers operate under US Government Regulations listed in Title 46 of the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). The SS Jeremiah O'Brien, along with 5 other museum ships, operates under a special permit which exempts it from some regulations listed in the Code. The Coast Guard inspects the ship before every cruise, and we must follow the directions of these inspectors. |
