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.
