These Booking Terms & Conditions govern all bookings made through Luxury Yacht Charters (Pty) Ltd (“Luxury Yacht Charters™”, “LYC”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).
By confirming a booking, making payment, and/or signing this agreement, the client confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Booking Terms & Conditions.
1. Company Details
Business Name: Luxury Yacht Charters (Pty) Ltd
Contact Person: Carla Wardle
Address: 25 Ocean View Drive, Green Point, 8005, Cape Town, South Africa
Landline: +27 21 300 9557
Mobile/ WhatsApp: +27 81 433 4041
Email: info@luxuryyachtcharters.co.za
2. Our Role
Luxury Yacht Charters™ acts solely as a booking agent facilitating reservations between the client and selected vessel owners and operators.
All vessels, crew, captains, catering, entertainment, décor, water toys, and onboard services are owned, managed, and operated by the relevant vessel operator or third-party supplier.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ does not manage the day-to-day operation of any vessel and does not control decisions made by the vessel owner, captain, crew, caterers, entertainers, or other suppliers.
All operational matters, including but not limited to route changes, weather decisions, safety matters, catering delivery, onboard conduct, mechanical issues, and service delivery, remain the responsibility of the relevant vessel operator and/or supplier.
3. Booking Process
When a client enquires about a vessel or charter, Luxury Yacht Charters™ will provide the available information relating to that vessel, charter duration, pricing, and available add-ons.
Once the client confirms that they wish to proceed, they may be required to complete and sign a booking form and acknowledge these Terms & Conditions before the booking can be processed.
If the person making the booking is not the person paying for the charter, the paying party may also be required to confirm acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
All bookings are subject to availability and are only confirmed once payment has been received and written confirmation has been issued by Luxury Yacht Charters™.
4. Quotations and Availability
All quotations are subject to vessel availability at the time of booking.
Quotes are generally valid for 7 days, unless otherwise stated in writing.
Quotations issued far in advance are indicative only and may be subject to revision due to vessel rate changes, supplier increases, fuel price fluctuations, seasonal pricing, or market-related increases.
No vessel, date, or time slot will be held without payment, unless confirmed otherwise in writing.
We strongly recommend booking early, especially during peak season, public holidays, and special event periods, as availability changes quickly.
5. Payment Terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, full payment is required to secure a booking. In some cases, a 50% deposit may be accepted, with the balance payable by a specified due date.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ reserves the right to release any unconfirmed booking if payment is not received by the requested deadline.
Local Payments
South African clients may pay via:
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer), or
Secure online card payment link
International Payments
International clients must pay via secure online payment link unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Once payment has been received, a confirmation email will be issued with the charter details and any relevant next steps.
All prices are quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise stated.
The charter fee generally includes the vessel, captain, and standard crew only, unless otherwise specified in writing.
Any additional items such as catering, drinks, entertainment, décor, service staff, photographers, water toys, or other extras are charged separately and must be paid in full before the charter date unless otherwise agreed.
6. Confirmation Documents and Client Responsibility
Once your booking is confirmed, Luxury Yacht Charters™ will send you a charter confirmation email containing important details relating to your booking, including but not limited to:
It is the client’s responsibility to carefully review all booking confirmations, charter details, arrival instructions, vessel-specific terms, and policies before the charter date.
By proceeding with the booking and receiving the charter confirmation, the client acknowledges that they are fully aware of the relevant vessel operator’s terms, conditions, cancellation policies, and refund policies.
Any questions or concerns must be raised before the charter date.
7. Vessel Operations and Captain’s Authority
The vessel operator, owner, and captain retain full authority over the vessel and all operational decisions relating to the charter.
This includes, but is not limited to, the right to:
All passengers, once onboard, fall under the direct authority of the captain and crew and must comply with all instructions given by them.
The captain’s decision on all operational and safety matters is final.
8. Weather, Sea Conditions and Route Changes
All charters and cruises are subject to weather and sea conditions.
Ocean and weather conditions are unpredictable and may vary on the day of the charter. While the captain will always operate within safe limits, sea conditions may impact the route, duration, comfort, and overall nature of the charter experience.
The captain may, at their sole discretion, alter the route, shorten the trip, remain within the harbour or sheltered waters, or return early in the interest of passenger comfort, safety, or operational practicality.
Such changes do not constitute a breach of contract and do not automatically entitle the client to a refund, discount, or compensation.
Clients acknowledge that yachts are ocean-going vessels and that conditions at sea may affect planned activities such as dining, dancing, entertainment, swimming, filming, or celebrations onboard.
Guests who are prone to seasickness are encouraged to take appropriate precautions before boarding.
9. Vessel Substitution
In the event that the booked vessel becomes unavailable due to maintenance, technical issues, weather, scheduling issues, safety concerns, or any unforeseen operational reason, the vessel operator reserves the right to provide a substitute vessel of a similar standard or suitable alternative, where possible.
Where a substitute vessel is used, this shall not automatically give rise to any refund or compensation, provided the charter can still reasonably proceed.
10. Third-Party Services and Add-Ons
Any third-party or add-on services, including but not limited to:
are supplied either by the vessel operator or by independent third-party suppliers.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ acts only as a booking intermediary where applicable and is not responsible for the preparation, quality, delivery, suitability, dietary compliance, timing, cancellation, or performance of such services.
Any complaints, claims, delays, losses, dissatisfaction, or disputes relating to third-party services or add-ons must be addressed directly with the relevant supplier or vessel operator.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ shall not be liable for any failure by third-party suppliers to meet the client’s expectations or requirements.
11. Catering and Dietary Requirements
Where catering is arranged through the vessel operator or a third-party supplier, it is the client’s responsibility to ensure that all dietary requirements, allergies, menu changes, and special requests are clearly communicated in writing and properly confirmed by the relevant supplier or operator before the charter date.
Special notes entered into an online order form, booking notes section, or informal correspondence do not constitute a confirmed amended catering order unless acknowledged and confirmed in writing by the relevant supplier.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ is not responsible for missed dietary notes, unconfirmed special requests, or assumptions made by clients regarding menu amendments.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, menu items will be delivered as per the confirmed order only.
12. Client Responsibility and Guest Conduct
The person named on the booking is responsible for:
Any damage caused by the client or their guests to the vessel, its furnishings, fittings, equipment, or onboard property may be charged to the main booker.
Aggressive behaviour, intoxication, illegal activity, drug use, smoking of prohibited substances, dangerous conduct, damage to the vessel, abuse of the crew, or failure to follow instructions may result in refusal of boarding or immediate termination of the charter without refund.
The vessel operator and captain reserve the right to enforce a zero-tolerance policy in this regard.
13. Onboard Communication
Only the main client named on the booking may raise booking-related queries, instructions, or requests with the captain, crew, vessel operator, or Luxury Yacht Charters™.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ and vessel crew are not obliged to accept instructions or amendments from guests, invitees, or other third parties not named as the primary booker.
14. Boarding Times, Late Arrivals and No-Shows
Guests must arrive at the specified meeting point at least 30 minutes prior to the charter departure time, unless otherwise stated in writing.
Late arrivals will result in reduced charter time, as the vessel is not obliged to extend the charter beyond the originally booked time.
If the client or guests fail to arrive in time and miss the charter departure, this will be treated as a No Show, and no refund, credit, or rescheduling will apply.
Traffic, parking delays, congestion entering the V&A Waterfront, construction, and transport delays remain the responsibility of the client and guests.
15. Cancellations by the Client
All cancellations must be made in writing and sent to info@luxuryyachtcharters.co.za . A cancellation will only be regarded as received once acknowledged in writing by Luxury Yacht Charters™.
Cancellation terms vary depending on the vessel booked, and the client agrees that the cancellation terms of the specific vessel operator shall apply.
General Guideline – High-End Luxury Vessels
General Guideline – Catamarans
Special Event Dates
the cancellation fee may be 100%, regardless of notice given, subject to the vessel operator’s policy.
Where catering, entertainment, décor, jet skis, or other additional services have already been confirmed, ordered, or paid for, these may be non-refundable even if the vessel charter itself is cancelled.
16. Cancellations, Postponements or Changes by the Vessel Operator
In rare cases, the vessel operator may postpone, substitute, shorten, or cancel a charter due to reasons including but not limited to:
If this occurs, the vessel operator may, at its discretion:
Luxury Yacht Charters™ cannot guarantee that a refund will be approved and has no authority to approve refunds on behalf of vessel operators or suppliers.
17. Refund Policy
Refunds, if approved, are subject to the refund and cancellation policy of the relevant vessel operator or supplier.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ does not hold authority to approve vessel-related refunds or supplier refunds unless expressly agreed in writing.
A 5% processing / administration fee applies to any refund processed through Luxury Yacht Charters™, regardless of the reason for the refund. This includes, but is not limited to:
Refunds will be processed using the same method in which payment was originally made wherever possible.
No refund or partial refund shall be due where a charter is shortened, amended, or returned to harbour early due to:
18. Complaints and Claims
Any complaints relating to the vessel, crew, route, catering, weather, onboard experience, or third-party services should, where possible, be raised immediately with the captain or vessel operator during the charter so that reasonable efforts can be made to address the issue at the time.
If a complaint is raised after the charter, Luxury Yacht Charters™ may forward the complaint to the relevant vessel operator or supplier for review.
The vessel operator’s response and position regarding operational matters shall be regarded as final.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ acts only as an intermediary in such cases and shall not be liable for the outcome of disputes between the client and the vessel operator or other suppliers.
19. Insurance
Clients are strongly advised to obtain appropriate travel and event insurance, including cover for cancellations, weather disruption, medical emergencies, seasickness-related disruption, and loss of personal property.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ and the vessel operator are not responsible for uninsured losses or consequential costs arising from cancellations, delays, shortened charters, or other unforeseen circumstances.
20. Child Policy
Children are welcome onboard where permitted by the vessel operator, provided they are accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
The parent, guardian, or main booker accepts full responsibility for all minors onboard.
Luxury Yacht Charters™ and the vessel operator shall not be held liable for the supervision of children onboard.
21. Safety and Right of Admission
All passengers are subject to the safety rules, boarding procedures, and right of admission policies of the vessel operator.
Passengers may be refused boarding or removed from the vessel without refund if they:
A valid boarding pass or booking confirmation may be required before boarding.
Passengers may also be required to sign an indemnity form before boarding.
22. Personal Belongings
All guests bring personal belongings onboard at their own risk.
Luxury Yacht Charters™, the vessel operator, captain, and crew shall not be liable for any loss of or damage to personal belongings, valuables, luggage, electronic devices, clothing, cameras, gifts, or other personal effects.
23. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Luxury Yacht Charters™ shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential loss, damage, cost, expense, injury, disappointment, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, loss of profit, or other claim arising out of or in connection with:
Luxury Yacht Charters™’ role is limited to facilitating the booking only.
24. Force Majeure
Neither Luxury Yacht Charters™ nor the vessel operator shall be liable for any failure, delay, cancellation, amendment, or inability to perform any obligation where such failure arises from events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:
In such circumstances, rescheduling may be offered where possible. Refunds, if any, remain subject to the vessel operator’s policy.
25. COVID-19 / Regulatory Restrictions
If government regulations, SAMSA requirements, or other legal restrictions affect the permitted number of passengers, charter operations, or vessel availability, the booking may be amended, postponed, or rescheduled accordingly.
Where such restrictions arise, this shall be treated as a force majeure event unless otherwise determined by the vessel operator.
26. No Waiver
Any failure by Luxury Yacht Charters™ to enforce any part of these Terms & Conditions shall not be considered a waiver of our right to enforce them later.
27. Severability
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
28. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any dispute arising from these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Cape Town, South Africa.
29. Contact Details
If you have any questions regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact:
Luxury Yacht Charters (Pty) Ltd
Email: info@luxuryyachtcharters.co.za
Phone: +27 21 300 9557
Mobile / WhatsApp: +27 81 433 4041
30. Client Acknowledgement
By signing this document, making payment, or confirming the booking in writing, the client confirms that:
they have read and understood these Booking Terms & Conditions
they accept that Luxury Yacht Charters™ acts solely as a booking agent
they understand that vessel operations and onboard services are controlled by the vessel operator and suppliers
they accept the relevant vessel operator’s terms, cancellation policies, and refund policies
they accept the risks associated with marine charter activities, including changing weather and sea conditions
Client Full Name: __________________________
Signature: _________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
