Dutch Apple Commuter / After-work Cruise

Wednesday, May 13, 2009


Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the boat board and let off?

In Albany, passengers will board and get off at the corner of Quay Street & Broadway. (The location is kind of tricky area where Madison Avenue becomes Broadway, and where Quay Street becomes Broadway.) The Dutch Apple is docked just below the U.S.S. Slater.

In Troy, passengers will board and get off at the Green Island Gateway Bridge (just north of the former Fresno's, almost underneath the Green Island Bridge).

Please check out the maps section of this website, for walking, driving and bus maps.

What happens if it rains?

The cruise will go on, rain or shine. Although we hope it will be a sunny day, the Dutch Apple has indoor and covered areas where you can keep dry. Passengers waiting for the boat in Troy can keep dry underneath the Green Island Bridge.

How many trips does the boat make?

The Dutch Apple will make two round trips during the day. It will leave from Albany both times, in the morning and in the evening. The boat will stop in Troy to drop off and pick up passengers in the morning and evening. The boat then heads back to Albany.

You can ride the boat into one city in the morning and return to the same city after work. Or you can board in Albany for a round-trip pleasure cruise up to Troy and back. The after-work cruise is perfect for people who just want to go on a boat ride after a long day at work!

How do I get home?

In the morning, the Dutch Apple will make a round-trip journey from Albany to Troy and back to Albany. In the evening, the Dutch Apple will make the same round-trip journey from Albany to Troy and back to Albany. Passengers may board the boat in Albany or in Troy. That means you can ride the boat one-way in the morning and the other way in the evening. Please be aware of boarding times.

How long is the ride?

The journey between Albany and Troy should take approximately 40 minutes. For pleasure passengers on a round-trip, the total cruise should last about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with time for docking and boarding in Troy.

Can I ride the boat if I'm not commuting?

Yes. Pleasure passengers can board in Albany and take a round-trip cruise up to Troy and back during the morning or evening cruise. Please specify that you are purchasing a round-trip pleasure cruise ticket.

The after-work cruise is an excellent opportunity for a pleasure cruise.

Why is it such a long day for Albany to Troy commuters?

If you want to commute from Albany to Troy in the morning and return to Albany in the evening, you'll have a very long day. Because there are more office jobs in Albany, we assume that most people will be commuting from Troy to Albany. Therefore the boat needs to leave Albany very early in the morning in order to pick up passengers in Troy and bring them to Albany in time for work. You can still experience the commuting fun and avoid the long day by purchasing a one-way ticket and making other arrangements to get to work or home from work.

Why are you selling one-way tickets?

The Troy to Albany commuters have it easy. Unfortunately, those who live in Albany and commute to Troy will have a long day if they want to commute to and from work on the boat.

For those who can't spend the time it takes to commute both ways, you can ride the boat one-way for your morning or after-work commute and do the other leg of your journey by other means (bus, cab, carpool, etc.)

You can also ride the boat into Albany or Troy to meet up with your friends in the evening. Now that's arriving in style. You could hitch a ride home with a friend, call a cab or take the bus.

Can I purchase a ticket on the day of the cruise?

You are advised to purchase your tickets in advance. However, depending on availability, you may be able to purchase tickets on the day of the cruise. Try calling a few hours ahead if you decide you want to catch the boat on day of the cruise: 518-463-0220. Or you can test your luck and try to puchase a ticket at the boarding locations, but you might miss the boat!

Is there parking?

We encourage those who can to walk, take the bus, or take a taxi to your boarding location. Those who must drive, please try to carpool with other passengers. The Dutch Apple has a parking lot for passengers in Albany. Contact the City of Troy to purchase a day parking pass 518-270-4661. http://www.troyny.gov/parking.html

You can try to hook up with other carpoolers in our discussion forum.

Can I take my bicycle on the boat?

At your own risk you can ride your bike to the boat and lock it up for the day. If enough people are interested, an organization might be willing to shuttle bicycles to either end of the cruise. If you are interested in this option, leave a post in our discussion forum.

Can I take this cruise to work if I don't live in either Downtown Troy or Downtown Albany?

Sure you can! Just drive in or hitch a ride to either Downtown Albany or Downtown Troy and hop on the boat. Please note that parking will be limited in Downtown Troy. And keep an eye on when Angelina Jolie will be filiming her movie in town as portions of I-787 may be closed.

What happens if I miss the boat?

Unfortunately if you miss the boat, you may have to call a friend or a taxi to bring you to where you're going. You can also catch one of many CDTA busses. Round-trip commuter passengers can still catch the boat home in the evening if they miss the boat in the morning.

Why do tickets cost $25 Round-Trip and $15 One Way?

These cruises include several special extras. The morning cruise features complimentary newspapers, coffee and a light breakfast offering (probably bagels). The evening cruise will feature live music by the Clarinet Marmalade (a trio of members from the Skip Parsons Riverboat Jazz Band), complimentary finger foods, and a cash bar. Trolley shuttle service to select destinations will be available in both downtown Troy and Albany. Those extras add up! But they're worth it.

What other days are you offering Dutch Apple commuter service?

For now, the Dutch Apple Hudson River Commute is a one-day-only event in honor of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial. If this event is successful and profitable, we may see more commuter days in the future. But we have to pack the boat this time, first.

How can I become a sponsor of this event?

There are several ways you can sponsor this event. For $5 you can have your name and company name listed as a sponsor in the passenger booklet. For larger sponsorship amounts, you can purchase a display ad in the passenger booklet. Display ads sell for $15 (1/3 page), $25 (2/3 page) $40 (full page) $70 (2 page spread). To sponsor this event, email info@DuncanCrary.com or call 518-274-2723. For more information, click here.

I've heard of the Dutch Apple, but what is Duncan Crary Communications?

Duncan Crary Communications is a small publicity, communications an event planning consulting business based in Troy. Learn more about Duncan Crary and his consulting business at DuncanCrary.com.