CanTeen supports young people aged 13 to 24 who are living with cancer, and also supports their siblings.
The Child Cancer Foundation also provides backing for younger children and their families.
Eighteen excited young people who belong to the organisations were joined by 10 supporters and caregivers on the afternoon trip aboard the luxury launch MV Tiakina.
They cruised to Careys Bay for a picnic aboard the 24.4m vessel, which is a former pilot boat, before returning to the Fryatt St wharf.
Maureen Williams, the Otago member liaison co-ordinator for CanTeen, said the participants had greatly appreciated the generosity of the vessel's owners, Lindon and Paula Colloty, who had offered the free cruise in association with Random Act of Kindness Day.
The "fantastic" three-hour trip had provided a welcome break for the young people, many of whom were preparing to sit examinations at high school or university.
The cruise also marked the end of CanTeen's fortnight-long "Bandanna Challenge" fundraising event, which raised about $18,000 in Otago last year.
Final figures for this year were not yet available but the total was expected to be similar to last year's, she said.
