1. Purpose
Vessels, crew, jetties and suppliers are reserved specifically for each confirmed booking. This policy explains how guest-requested cancellations, no-shows, rescheduling, weather and operator-led changes are handled. Booking-specific terms may apply to special packages, large parties or corporate events and will be communicated before payment where applicable.
2. Standard Guest Cancellation Charges
Unless a quotation or booking confirmation states a different policy, the following standard cancellation charges apply to private yacht charters, sailing experiences and similar standard bookings. The cancellation period is calculated from the confirmed departure time.
| Cancellation received | Cancellation charge | Refund of eligible booking amount* |
|---|---|---|
| 72 hours or more before departure | 25% | 75% |
| 48 to less than 72 hours before departure | 50% | 50% |
| 24 to less than 48 hours before departure | 75% | 25% |
| Less than 24 hours before departure | 100% | No refund |
| No-show / missed departure caused by guest | 100% | No refund |
3. Yacht Parties, Corporate Events and Supplier-Heavy Bookings
Large yacht parties, corporate events, sailing regattas, awards events, networking events and customised packages often require advance commitments to vessels and third-party suppliers. Unless different terms are agreed in writing:
For cancellation more than 72 hours before the event, at least 50% of the booking amount may be retained.
For cancellation within 72 hours of the event, the booking amount is non-refundable.
Committed or non-recoverable supplier costs may be retained in addition to the applicable cancellation charge where those costs were reasonably incurred for the booking.
Where event-specific cancellation terms are stated in the quotation or booking confirmation, those terms will apply to that booking to the extent permitted by law.
4. Speedboat Transfers and Destination Packages
Speedboat transfers and curated Mandwa, Alibaug or Elephanta packages may involve boat allocation, local transport, guides, permissions, entry arrangements, catering or other suppliers. The standard cancellation table applies unless the quotation states otherwise, but non-recoverable supplier or statutory costs that were specifically committed for your booking may be deducted where permitted by law.
5. Rescheduling Requested by the Guest
A request to change the date, time, route, vessel or experience is not automatically accepted. Rescheduling is subject to vessel and supplier availability, operational feasibility, pricing differences and human approval by the Indiaboats team. If a requested change cannot be accommodated, the original booking and applicable cancellation terms remain in effect unless otherwise agreed in writing.
6. Weather, Rain, Tide and Sea Conditions
Rain, a weather forecast or a guest’s personal concern about weather does not automatically cancel a booking or create a right to a refund. Marine conditions can change quickly, and only Indiaboats, the captain, vessel operator or other authorised personnel may determine that conditions are unsafe or that a trip should be delayed, changed, rescheduled or cancelled.
If the guest cancels while the trip remains operationally approved, the guest-cancellation charges above apply. If authorised personnel determine that the service cannot safely operate, Indiaboats will review the booking for rescheduling, credit or refund as appropriate, taking into account the service not delivered, non-recoverable third-party costs, booking-specific terms and applicable law. Such cases require human review and written confirmation.
7. Cancellation or Material Change by Indiaboats
If Indiaboats cannot provide the confirmed service because of vessel unavailability, technical/safety reasons, regulatory restrictions or another operational issue, we may first offer a reasonably comparable substitute or rescheduling. If no reasonable alternative is accepted or available, we will provide the refund or other remedy required by the booking terms and applicable law for the affected service. Non-recoverable third-party amounts will be handled fairly and in accordance with applicable consumer law.
8. Late Arrival, No-Show and Missed Departure
Guests should report at the time stated in their confirmation; for yacht charters this is normally about 20 minutes before departure. Late arrival may reduce the usable charter time because the booking may still need to end at the original time. A missed departure or no-show caused by the guest is treated as a 100% cancellation charge. Any extension or alternate departure is subject to availability, safety and additional charges.
9. Early Return or Trip Termination
No automatic refund is due where a guest voluntarily ends an experience early, becomes unable or unwilling to continue, or where the captain terminates or restricts the trip because of unsafe guest conduct, prohibited items, intoxication, violence, refusal to follow safety instructions or other guest-caused risk. Any legally required remedy remains unaffected.
10. Activity or Itinerary Changes
Swimming, kayaking, sailing route, anchorage, destination timing, sightseeing or other activities may be modified or omitted if weather, tide, sea conditions, permissions, harbour control or safety requirements make them unsuitable. A minor operational change that does not materially reduce the core booked service will not automatically create a refund entitlement. Material shortfalls will be reviewed fairly under the booking terms and applicable law.
11. How to Cancel or Request a Refund
Cancellation, rescheduling and refund requests must be made through an official Indiaboats customer-care channel and include the booking name, booking date, mobile number and booking/payment reference. A request is considered received when acknowledged by our team.
Email: customercare@indiaboats.in
Customer Care: +91 85919 93301 / +91 90040 13301 / +91 85919 83301 / 022 6695 8111
12. Refund Processing
All refunds require review and approval by an authorised Indiaboats team member. Once approved, refunds will ordinarily be returned to the original payment method where practicable. Actual bank or payment-gateway credit time may vary. Any processing timeline communicated by us begins after approval, not from the date of the initial request.
13. Consumer Rights
Nothing in this policy is intended to remove or limit rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 or other applicable law. Where a service is deficient, materially different from what was agreed, or otherwise attracts a mandatory consumer remedy, the applicable law will prevail over any inconsistent part of this policy.
14. Policy Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The version provided or linked at the time your booking is confirmed will generally apply to that booking, together with any booking-specific written cancellation terms.