On‑board essentials — practical tips for cruising on the Niña

A private boat charter on Lake Balaton is quite different from a hotel or restaurant experience: the deck is your living room, dining room, swimming spot and viewing terrace all at once. So everyone has a great time and the boat stays in the same condition for the next guests, it helps to clarify a few simple rules upfront. The cheat sheet below covers the basics — worth a quick read before you arrive, and worth sharing with the rest of your group.

Footwear on deck

On board the Niña please do not wear dark‑soled shoes. Dark rubber leaves marks on the light deck surface that are hard to remove. The best choice is barefoot, or if you need something, light‑soled boat shoes or soft sandals. Wipe your feet before stepping into the cabin.

Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited everywhere on board — including e‑cigarettes and vapes. It matters for fire safety (upholstery and wood trim are extremely sensitive), and the smell lingers for days in the enclosed interior. If you'd like to smoke, please do so on shore at the next mooring.

Pets

The Niña is a dog‑friendly boat: well‑behaved pets are welcome, free of charge, under the owner's continuous supervision. Please tell us at booking if you're coming with a dog — that way the captain can prepare a water bowl and, if needed, we can help with our own dog ramp for safe entry and exit in the water.

Tidying up and cleaning

We don't charge a separate cleaning fee — on the condition that after the program guests take their rubbish with them and leave used kitchenware (glasses, plates, cutlery) washed up on deck. We handle the technical cleaning of the boat, but basic tidying is the guest's responsibility. For larger waste, champagne or beer bottles please use the recycling bins on shore.

The bathroom — how the marine toilet works

There is a proper enclosed toilet and shower on board, but a marine toilet works differently from a home one. Only what leaves the body, plus the provided toilet paper, may go in.No other paper, wet wipes, sanitary pads, tampons or food scraps — even if your home plumbing would handle them.

The captain gives a brief intro on arrival. In case of a blockage — dismantling a marine toilet is serious work and takes time — we have to charge a HUF 100,000 extra service fee. We've avoided it so far; after a 30‑second demo nobody tends to have trouble.

Swimming in Lake Balaton

Anchoring in a quiet bay and a swim are an integral part of the program. A comfortable ladder at the stern helps you in and out, and on request we provide a floating platform, SUP and pool floats too.

Two important requests:

• Bring your own towel — there is only a limited number of towels on board.
• Don't step into the closed cabin with a wet body.The wood trim and upholstery don't take prolonged exposure to water, and it's slippery too. Dry off on the sun platform first, then come inside.

Food, drinks, atmosphere

You're welcome to bring your own drinks and food — and on request, grilling is also an option. A modern Bluetooth sound system handles the mood, and anyone can connect their phone to it. Champagne, wine and snacks can be pre‑ordered, and full catering can be arranged with our partners.

Book your slot

If you have a question about any of the points above, feel free to write — we're happy to help. Booking is just a few clicks: book your slot here.