1. RIGHT OF ADMISSION

Right of admission is reserved. All passengers travel entirely at their own risk and bear sole responsibility for any injury to their person or loss of or damage to property, from any cause whatsoever. Passengers acknowledge that they waive and abandon any claim against the owners, master or crew of the vessel for any cause, including negligence.

A valid boarding pass is required for access to all vessels. No passenger will be permitted to board without a valid boarding pass.

2. TIME BANDS & SPECIAL EVENTS

2.1 Time Band Structure

Waterfront Charters operates all private charters and scheduled cruises according to fixed time bands, which determine pricing, duration and vessel allocation:

• Daytime Band
• Pre-Sunset Band
• Sunset Band
• Special Event Bands (e.g. New Year’s Eve, major harbour events, sponsored events or peak public holidays)

Each time band has its own operational rate, minimum duration and availability.

2.2 Pricing & Duration Based on Time Bands

Charter rates are not solely time-based; they are linked to the time band in which the booking begins or ends. Accordingly:

• Pricing may increase during premium bands.
• Minimum durations may apply (e.g. a two-hour minimum over the sunset period).
• Charters that cross multiple bands may be charged at the higher or applicable band rate.

Full time-band pricing is provided at the time of booking and forms part of these Terms & Conditions.

2.3 Special Event Dates

On designated special event dates—including but not limited to New Year’s Eve, Christmas, major V&A Waterfront events and public holidays—rates, schedules and minimum durations may differ from standard operations.

Waterfront Charters reserves the right to:

• Apply premium or event-specific pricing.
• Adjust departure times or charter duration.
• Restrict bookings to specific packages (e.g. New Year’s Eve Midnight Cruise).
• Require full upfront payment or non-refundable deposits.

2.4 Confirmation of Time Band

By confirming a booking, clients acknowledge that:

• The charter has been priced according to its applicable time band.
• Any changes to timing may affect pricing and minimum durations.
• Waterfront Charters may not be able to accommodate time changes due to vessel scheduling.

2.5 Time Band Conflicts

Should a booking be made in the incorrect time band, or conflict with a restricted period or special event, Waterfront Charters reserves the right to:

• Amend the booking to the correct time band; or
• Cancel and fully refund the booking if no suitable alternative is available.

This ensures compliance with scheduling, safety and operational requirements.

3. PAYMENT

3.1 Private Charters (Exclusive Hire)

3.1.1 Full payment must be received within 7 days of issue of the Private Charter invoice.

3.1.2 No boarding pass will be issued until full payment has been received.

3.1.3 Late payments may incur interest at Prime + 5%.

3.1.4 A minimum of two hours must be booked for charters during the sunset period (between 17h00–21h00, depending on the season).

3.2 Secure Online Payments

3.2.1 For your security, all online credit and debit card payments are processed using 3D Secure authentication (including Verified by Visa, Mastercard Identity Check and American Express SafeKey, where applicable).

3.2.2 You may be required to complete an additional authentication step with your card issuer before your payment can be authorised.

3.2.3 Waterfront Charters does not store customers’ full payment card details. All online payments are processed through secure, PCI DSS-compliant payment gateways.

4. CANCELLATION

4.1 Private Charters – Client Cancellations

4.1.1 A 100% cancellation fee applies if the client cancels within 48 hours of the charter.

4.1.2 For Special Private Charters (including Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve/Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter Weekend and Ocean Race events), a 100% cancellation fee applies regardless of notice given.

4.1.3 If Waterfront Charters cancels due to a reasonable operational cause (e.g. engine failure), Waterfront Charters shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses. Where possible, an alternative vessel will be sourced at the client’s cost.

4.2 Daily Scheduled Cruises (Per-Person Tickets)

4.2.1 A 100% cancellation fee applies to all cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled departure. No-shows will be treated as cancellations.

4.2.2 Full refunds apply to cancellations received more than 24 hours before departure. Refund requests must be submitted in writing.

4.2.3 Special Scheduled Cruises (including public holidays, New Year’s Eve Cruises, Valentine’s Day Cruises, Clifton Yacht Parties and similar events) are subject to a 72-hour cancellation policy.

4.2.4 COVID-19: Cancellations must still be made outside the applicable cancellation window to qualify for a refund. Required documentation and declarations must be completed where applicable.

4.3 Operator Right to Cancel

Waterfront Charters reserves the right to cancel any cruise or charter due to vessel availability, technical issues, adverse weather, staffing shortages, operational constraints, overbooking or safety concerns.

In such cases:

• Waterfront Charters shall not be liable for indirect or third-party costs.
• Where reasonably possible, notice will be provided in advance.

4.3.1 Refund Options

Where Waterfront Charters cancels a booking:

• A full refund will be processed using the original payment method; or
• An alternative date may be offered, subject to availability.

5. REFUND POLICY

5.1 All refund requests must be submitted in writing to refunds@waterfrontcharters.co.za.

5.2 Refund requests must comply with the Cancellation Policy.

5.3 A 10% bank processing fee applies to refunds for purchases made via the online credit card payment portal. This represents a direct bank processing cost and is not a revenue-generating charge.

5.3.1 No bank processing fee applies to refunds for payments made via EFT.

6. CATERING, BAR & THIRD-PARTY ADD-ONS

6.1 Catering must be finalised and fully paid at least five (5) days prior to the charter.

6.2 Bar tabs must be settled before disembarkation unless otherwise agreed in writing. A 10% gratuity applies to all bar tabs.

6.3 If a charter is cancelled (including due to weather), clients remain liable for catering that has already been ordered.

6.4 Catering cancellations require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice, failing which 100% of the catering invoice will be payable.

6.5 Corkage & Bottle Service Fees:

• R50 per bottle of wine (corkage).
• Spirits supplied by Waterfront Charters: 3 × cost price per bottle.
• Spirits supplied by the client: 2 × cost price per bottle.

6.6 Third-Party Add-Ons

6.6.1 Optional add-ons, including DJs, catering, décor, entertainment, photographers and other third-party services, are supplied at the direct cost charged by the respective supplier.

6.6.2 Waterfront Charters does not apply any markup to these third-party services.

6.6.3 As these are transparent pass-through costs, third-party add-ons are not eligible for discounts, promotional offers, package discounts or any further price reductions.

7. DAMAGES

7.1 Waterfront Charters reserves the right to recover the cost of any loss, theft, pilferage or damage to the vessel, its equipment or fittings.

7.2 Once aboard, all passengers are under the authority of the Skipper and must comply with all lawful instructions.

7.3 Passengers must respect the marine environment and may not pollute or intentionally harm marine life.

8. MONETARY GIFT CARDS

8.1 Gift Cards are non-refundable and valid for twelve (12) months from the date of purchase.

8.2 Gift Cards may only be redeemed via the Waterfront Charters website.

8.3 Gift Cards may not be exchanged for cash.

9. FUEL PRICE ADJUSTMENTS

9.1 Due to ongoing fuel price volatility in South Africa, charter and cruise rates remain subject to change without prior notice. Waterfront Charters reserves the right to apply a fuel surcharge where necessary.

WEBSITE TERMS

Privacy & Direct Marketing

Waterfront Charters is committed to protecting your personal information and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and all other applicable South African legislation.

Direct Marketing Communications

Waterfront Charters may send promotional communications to customers who have consented to receive such communications, or where otherwise permitted by applicable law.

Customers may opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe-facility provided or by contacting Waterfront Charters directly.

Waterfront Charters complies with POPIA, the CPA and any applicable National Opt-Out Registry requirements relating to direct marketing.

Marketing Consent

By making a booking, guests consent to receiving communications necessary to administer, confirm and fulfil their booking.

Guests may separately consent to receiving promotional and marketing communications from Waterfront Charters and may withdraw such consent at any time without affecting communications relating to an existing booking.

Intellectual Property

The names, trademarks, service marks, logos and other intellectual property belonging to Waterfront Charters may not be used in advertising, publicity or to imply endorsement without the prior written consent of Waterfront Charters.

These Terms & Conditions were last updated on 1 July 2026.