Service Terms and Conditions

1. RIGHT OF ADMISSION
Right of admission is reserved, and all passengers bear the sole risk of injury to their person or loss or damage to their property from whatsoever cause arising, and they acknowledge that they waive and abandon any claim or claims which they may have against the owners, master or crew of the vessel arising from any cause whatsoever including the negligent action or omission of the owners, master or crew of the vessel.” All passengers are required to be in possession of a valid boarding pass before boarding a vessel. No access will be granted at any time without a boarding pass.

2. PAYMENT
2.1 .1. A 50% deposit must be remitted and received within 7 days of receipt of the Private Charter invoice.
2.1.2. Full payment must be received at least 7 days prior to the event.
2.1.3. Private Charters must be booked for a minimum of 2 hours over the sunset period (between 17h00 and 21h00 depending on the time of year.)
2.1.4. Full payment is required before a ticket or boarding pass is issued. A boarding pass is required for access to the vessel.
2.1.5. If payment is not made within the time of the agreed arrangement, the agreed fee will be raised at prime plus 5%.

2.2 1. Enquiries and provisional bookings are only confirmed when they have been paid. A booking will only be ticketed on the day of the cruise.

3. CANCELLATION
3.1 Cancellation Policy – Private Charters – (Exclusive Hire )

3.1.1. The Cancellation Fee will be 100% of the Private Charter Rate should the client cancel the charter within 2 Days ( 48 Hours ) of the departure date of the Private Charter.
3.1.2. In the case of Special Private Charters over Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, Easter Weekend and Ocean Race Events, the Cancellation Fee payable by the client will be 100% of the Private Charter Rate.
3.1.3. In the unlikely event that we as Waterfront Charters cancels the Private Charter for any reasonable reason, such as Engine Failure, then Waterfront Charters will not be held liable for any additional losses incurred by the person or company chartering the vessel. Waterfront Charters will endeavour to find a suitable replacement vessel if required and any additional extra costs in chartering an alternative vessel will be for the client’s account.

3.2 Cancellation Policy – Applicable to Daily Scheduled Cruises (on a per-person basis.)

3.2.1. Waterfront Charters charge a 100% cancellation fee on all confirmed or pre-paid bookings cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time. This is in line with industry practice and means that no refund will be received for late cancellations, and the voucher or order will be considered redeemed towards that scheduled cruise. A non-arrival for a scheduled cruise will also be treated as a “No-show” with the 100% cancellation fee applied. A request to reschedule the cruise within the 24 hours of the scheduled departure time will also be seen as a cancellation within the 24 hour period. Any cruise that is rescheduled during this 24 hour cancellation period will be charged at the regular ticket price and be deemed a new booking.
3.2.2. Clients may receive a full refund if the booking is cancelled in writing more than 24 hours from the scheduled departure time of the booked cruise. The refund request must be submitted in writing to refunds@waterfrontcharters.co.za and will be subject to the refund policy detailed in clause 4 below
3.2.3. The 24 hours prior cancellation period does not apply to Special Scheduled Cruises as detailed below: the cancellation period is extended to 72 hours before scheduled departure time of the booked cruise. Special Scheduled Cruises are cruises over the peak season that are normally booked out. These include all cruises on South African Public Holidays (New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Easter Weekend, etc.); the New Year’s Eve Sunset Champagne Cruises; New Year’s Midnight Cruise; Valentine’s Day Cruises ; Clifton Yacht Parties and all other special scheduled event cruises.
3.2.4. Covid cancellation protocol. The ongoing Covid-19 crisis has affected us all, and cancellations are to be expected. However, for operational reasons these circumstances do not affect our policies; the onus remains on passengers to inform Waterfront Charters before the 24 hour notice period in order to receive full refunds. We understand that contracting the virus is a risk we all face, but recommend that the PCR test be done at least 48 hours in advance in order to afford both guests and Waterfront Charters sufficient time to make arrangements regarding cancellations without penalty. In terms of our Covid-19 policy all passengers are required to complete the I.C.E. ( In Case of Emergency) forms for individual passengers in group bookings, as well as the Standard COVID Questionnaire. Both forms are linked via our API-Portal and will be sent in advance via WhatsApp, SMS or email. if not received they must be completed in the booking office prior to departure.

3.3 Covid Cancellation Policy

After the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation , the extenuating circumstance policy no longer applies because COVID-19 and its consequences are no longer unforeseen or unexpected. Reservations made after 14th March 2020 therefore are not covered under extenuating circumstances, except where the passenger is currently sick with COVID-19. In this instance, full certified medical proof of current infection is a requirement, and the “Date Change Rule” may be applied on a case-by-case scenario. Please remember to carefully review the establishments cancellation policy when booking.

Covid-19 related circumstances not covered under any regulations include: transport disruptions and cancellations; travel advisories and restrictions; health advisories and quarantines; changes to applicable law; and other government mandates such as evacuation orders ,border closures, prohibition on short term rentals, and lockdown requirements. The Cancellation policy will apply.

4. REFUND POLICY
4.1. All refund requests to be submitted in writing to refunds@waterfrontcharters.co.za.
4.2. Requests to be submitted within 72 hours after the booked cruise; for administrative reasons we cannot countenance late claims.
4.3. A 10% processing fee will be deducted from all refunds.
4.3.1. Including all cancellations on charters for credit cards if a full / partial refund is authorized.

5. CATERING & BAR
5.1. All catering is to be finalised at least 5 days prior to the event, including all payments for such catering.
5.2. All bar tabs are to be settled before disembarking the vessel at the end of the Chartered Cruise (unless prior arrangements have been made.) A 10% gratuity will be charged on all bar tabs.
5.3. If the charter is cancelled due to bad weather or any other reason, the client will be responsible for any catering arrangements made. (See cancellation policy above.)
5.4. A 48 hour notice period is required to cancel catering, anything less will result in a loss of 50% of catering invoice to be paid to supplier.
5.5. Corkage and bottle service

5.5.1. R50.00 corkage fee will be charged on all wines – per bottle.
5.5.2. Three x cost price of Spirits will be charged if Waterfront Charters supply – per bottle.
5.5.3. Two x cost price of Spirits will be charged if client supplies - per bottle.

6. DAMAGES
6.1. Waterfront Charters (Pty) Ltd reserves the right to charge for pilferage or damage to the vessel and/or its equipment and instrumentation.

6.2. All passengers, once aboard the vessel, fall under the direct authority of the Skipper and vessel owners and undertake to comply with any requests and/or instructions issued to them by such persons.

6.3. Passengers undertake, at all times, to respect the environment and will not intentionally pollute, damage or otherwise harm sea life and the surrounding environment.

WEBSITE TERMS
The names, trademarks, service marks and logos of Waterfront Charters appearing on this site may not be used in any advertising or publicity, or otherwise to indicate Waterfront Charters sponsorship of, or affiliation with, any product or service, without Waterfront Charters prior express written permission.