In CharterAlia, we will go far and beyond to assure you have the best possible experience aboard our boat rental. Unfortunately, there are times that circumstances completely out of our control unwillingly present themselves, which very occasionally obliges us to cancel some of the day trips or week charters that have previously been booked.
In this page you will find our cancellation policy for some of the different causes we can foresee taking place.
1. Cancellation policy for bad weather
Before we continue, it must be explained that meteorology is not an exact science, especially during the spring or the end of summer, so we are not able to make any final decisions until 24 hours before the start of the excursion.
In the case that the weather conditions are adverse and prevent the contracted boat excursion from going out, we will act as follows:
1.1 Alternative date
The most logical option would be to try to find an alternative date that can be enjoyed. In the case of not being able to offer an alternative date or that the clients cannot adapt their agenda to the new date, an alternative itinerary for the same day will be offered.
Even within the same day we will try to adapt the time of departure and arrival to avoid possible bad weather to the best of our ability. For example, if the forecast says that it will rain continuously from 18:00 onward and we have hired a full day excursion from 12:00 to 20:00 then we will change to a new schedule of 10:00 to 18:00.
The change of date or schedule might imply a different vessel and different rental conditions.
In no case will it be possible to make the decision of shortening the excursion, once it has already begun, in exchange for a reduction of price.
In case there’s variation in the number of passengers, the rental fee will remain the same since our company does not charge per person.
Once an alternative date has been proposed by customers, all the same cancellation policies will apply to the new date.
If customers propose an alternative date, the booking will be automatically changed to the new date, applying the same cancellation policy.
1.2 Alternative itinerary
Sometimes it may occur that the weather conditions are adverse for navigation only in a specific area of the island. At these moments the boat trip will continue on a different route than originally planned, with no possibility for customers to choose the itinerary in which the conditions are adverse.
For example, for day trips on a sailboat or catamaran, we usually offer two types of routes:
- Route number 1: Tour of the best beaches and coves of Ibiza. This route is usually more “sheltered” and therefore less susceptible to cancellations due to bad weather.
- Route number 2: Excursion from the south of Ibiza to the beach of Ses Illetes in Formentera.
In the event that a group had contracted route number 2, that is, the trip from Ibiza to Formentera, and it could not be held due to adverse weather conditions of wind, wave or rain, if we are not able to provide an alternative date then we would continue forward with the tour by following the other itinerary, route number 1, the one of the best beaches in Ibiza, as long as the weather conditions in this other route allow us to make the excursion with comfort and security for our customers.
In the event that customers decline this new itinerary offered due to weather conditions, they would not have the right to recover the amount paid in advanced to secure the reservation.
1.3 Alternative boats
In the event that the customers have booked a boat for large groups 12 pax or more and due to the weather conditions we can’t sail on them, we’ll propose an alternative with another large boat, or several catamarans in order to accommodate all passengers. If the customers don’t accept this alternative, they’re not entitled to any refund.
1.4 Refunds for bad weather
In the event that the weather conditions prevent us from advancing with the trip and we can not find an alternative date, nor can we offer a comfortable and safe alternative route, we will proceed to return the total amount paid in advance. The refund will be made within 48 hours, by bank transfer, to the account indicated by the customer.
It is very important to note that if have accepted an alternative date to enjoy a day with better weather, all the same cancellation policies will apply to the new date. For example, if you change dates due to any of the causes listed before (bad weather, overbooking, upgrade), you can only cancel the new date and get a refund if it complies with our cancellation policies.
Weather forecasts in Ibiza are rarely correct. It might say that there’s a 100% chance of storm and hail, and in 10 minutes the sun is shining. For this reason, we can’t cancel a booking because of a bad forecast. The charter can only be cancelled the same day, if the weather conditions do not allow us to have a safe embarking and/or sailing experience.
In order to consider that a day is not good for sailing, there has to be rough weather for at least 25% of the duration of the trip. If there are some short light showers during the trip, or some slightly strong wind, this will not be considered bad enough to stop sailing.
1.4.1 Refunds or partial refunds for any other reason
We try our hardest to get as close to perfection as possible but, as we all know, nobody is perfect! Very seldom, a customer may find a detail on board that is not as we planned: an area that may not be cleaned as thoroughly as expected, a break down of some sort, amenities promised and not presented, a changed or shortened itinerary, etc.
Please DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE RETURNED HOME to write us an email with your complaints. PLEASE GIVE US A CALL WHILE YOU ARE STILL ON BOARD SO THAT WE HAVE TIME TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND MAKE IT UP TO YOU 🙂
If you feel the boat is not cleaned properly, we will immediately send our cleaning crew to take care of that for you. If you feel the boat is slow, we will speak to the captain and see the reason behind it and if there is any possibility of speeding up. If you feel your experience is below your expectations, for any reason at all, PLEASE CALL US ASAP WHILE YOU ARE ON BOARD!
Please note that we have a strong policy against refunds or partial refunds if we receive the notification AFTER the boat trip has ended and it is no longer possible to resolve the issue for you.
1.5 What would we consider adverse weather conditions?
Adverse weather conditions are those that either prevent the boat from leaving its base or that avert the boat trip from being carried out with full guarantees of safety and comfort for our customers. What we want is for you to spend an unforgettable day on board, but unforgettable “for good” not “for bad”.
Examples of adverse weather conditions
- Forecast of strong waves, with a wave height of more than 1.5 meters, in the area where the boat trip takes place.
- Strong wind forecast with speeds exceeding 25 knots.
- Prediction of intense rain for a period of time exceeding 20% of the total duration of the excursion.
Examples of weather conditions that are NOT adverse to navigation
- There is a forecast that shows it is cloudy or there is little sun.
- There is possibility of weak rains during a period of less than 20% of the total time for the excursion.
- We are cold because we have not read the instructions and we have not brought warm clothes.
1.6 Above all, we will always apply common sense
CharterAlia will, above all, always apply common sense. In no case will we force the continuance of the excursion on a day in which our clients are not going to enjoy our boat and our island to the maximum, showing the greatest flexibility possible in itineraries, schedules and meeting points.
1.7 Boat Rentals without skipper
Customer is required to present the original of the boat license issued in his country of origin. We are accepting all international licenses stating the maximum length and number of passengers allowed on board.
License must be NOT EXPIRED, perfectly readable and valid for waters abroad the country of origin.
Expired or not valid licenses will not be accepted and customer will be required to hire a skipper for the regular skipper fee at the moment.
Cancellations due to expired or not valid licenses are NOT subject to refund.
2. Policy for cancellations by the client
In the event that the client, due to any circumstances, including unexpected and uncontrollable situations, such as flight cancellation, airline strikes, robbery at home, not finding a taxi, etc, could not carry on with the contracted excursion, or the rental, client would lose partial or the total amount paid depending on the following:
- Notifying us of such event more than 6 months prior to the date of the charter: 100% refund of the amount paid delivered minus the service charge (advertising, bank fees for payment and refund, time of blockade of the ship, etc), which is 30% of the total of the booking. For example, if an amount of 500 euros is paid to reserve a boat with a total price of 1,000 euros, and a cancellation is made with a notification of more than 6 months, the total amount of the amount paid (500 euros) minus 30% of the total value of the booking will be refunded. (30% of 1,000 = 300 euros). Total refund 200 euros.
- Notifying us of such event between 6 months and 30 days prior to the date of the charter: Loss of 100% of the amount paid, even if the amount paid is 100% of the total price.
- Notifying us of such an event less than 30 days prior to the date of the charter: The client will be obliged to pay 100% of the total value of the rental fee and all expenses (fuel, berths, etc) even if client does not take part in the boat trip.
These times apply for the original booking. In the event that the client asks for a date change, the cancellation policy applies for the original date of the request.
- In the event that the client has several boats hired and for any type of cause the number of passengers is less than expected, the customer will not be entitled to any refund, nor reduction in the total price of all reserved boats. You must pay 100% of all reserved boats, even if you do not use them, unless you notify of this partial cancellation within 90 days prior to the boarding date. The 90 day interval applies only to the original bookings. Once the original booking is rescheduled the 90 days grace period doesn’t apply any more.
In any case, as a sign of goodwill, CharterAlia will offer a larger and more expensive boat with a price equivalent to the multiple small boats hired provided there is availability.
- In the event that the client has a specific contracted time slot and for any reason wants to enjoy less time than originally contracted, the client will not be entitled to any refund or reduction of the rental rate. You must pay 100% of all reserved boats, even if you do not use them, unless you advise of this reduction within 30 days prior to the boarding date. This applies ONLY to first dates. This means that, if there’s any change of date, the 30 days grace period doesn’t apply any more.
- In the event that the client has an overnight booking and wishes to change their booking to a day charter with less than 30 days notice, we will offer a voucher for the total value of the original booking. With this voucher they can make a new day charter booking for the same boat, one of equal value or a more luxurious boat (only boats owned by CharterAlia). In the case that the amount of the voucher exceeds the amount of the day charter, as a gesture of goodwill, we will offer to save that surplus in a new voucher for a new booking in the future (this voucher does not expire ever, and it’s possible to transfer it to someone else if you decide to give it to a friend or family member)
If for any reason CharterAlia can’t offer the regular service in one of the passenger boats (boats for more than 12 passengers ) alternative options for the same rental fee will be offer based on combos of multiple regular recreational boats (up to 12 passengers each) and vice versa, if for any reason CharterAlia cannot offer the regular service in a combo of multiple regular recreational boats of max 12 passengers each, alternative options for the same rental fee will be offered for a larger passenger boat that can take the total number of passengers. Refund will be offered only when CharterAlia can’t offer alternative options for all passengers.
3. Policy for cancellation by the boat owner
Our company manages a mixed fleet of owned and managed boats. The boats in management belong to shipowners who entrust us with the management of customer reservations for the entire summer. Sometimes this reservation management is not even exclusive, as they also work with other booking agencies like us.
Therefore, in these cases, our company acts as a mere intermediary, being the management of the boat, with the lease and the payments sent directly to the shipowner. It is very rare, but sometimes it has happened, that some of the boats had a technical problem and could not be available for the contracted week. In this case, or in any other case in which the boat is not available for the contracted week, the lessor (the shipowner) would proceed to cancel the contract with a refund of the entire amount received up to that moment, without the lessee or the other passengers being compensated for any cancellation, reimbursement of airline tickets, etc.
4. Policy for cancellation with alternatives
In the event that, after booking a boat or a boat combo, and such boat(s) are no longer available due to a technical problem, or any other reason, we’ll present the clients with several alternatives, all of them of equal or higher value than the original booking for no extra cost. In this case, the client has no right to a refund if they don’t want to take the alternatives, since we’re still offering the service.
5. Change of date
We are aware that planning a trip in advance is bound to have some changes. Sometimes there’s a very interesting show the same day of your booking, and it would be a bummer to not be able to experience both things! No worries 😉 In CharterAlia we’re always goint to try to accommodate your needs as best as possible.
Any changes of date confirmed with a minimum of 30 days in advance will be charge-free. However, if this change is requested with less time than 30 days, we ask for a surcharge of 500 euro.
