The owner cancels my boat hire: what now?

If the owner cancels your boat hire before departure, the amounts paid are refunded in full, or you are offered an alternative solution (another boat, accommodation). When you hire a boat, the contract is signed directly between you (the Hirer) and the owner of the boat (the Owner), with Filovent acting as an intermediary. Here is what our boat hire terms and conditions provide for if the owner has to cancel or change your booking.

The owner cancels or can no longer provide the planned boat

If the owner cannot give you use of the booked boat on the agreed date (damage, or an event beyond their control), they have three options: offering you another boat of equivalent capacity departing from the same port or nearby, refunding you in proportion to the days affected, or putting you up in a hotel or flat. If the replacement boat is in a lower category, the price difference is refunded to you; if it is equal or higher, no extra cost is charged. If the contract is cancelled before the hire begins, the sums paid are refunded in full. If the requested boat turns out to be unavailable even before your booking is confirmed, Filovent will get back to you within 48 hours on average with another offer; if it does not suit you, you will be refunded immediately.

Change of location, route or dates of your hire

For operational or weather-related reasons, or because of an impassable waterway (flood, low water), the owner may, within the limits that the situation requires, adjust your boat hire: changing the embarkation or disembarkation point, switching a return trip to a one-way trip (or vice versa), or changing the departure location or date. You will be informed beforehand and no extra cost will be charged. If sailing becomes entirely impossible for more than 48 hours, a refund or voucher will be offered to you depending on the owner's options.

Weather and force majeure during your boat hire

Bad weather preventing sailing is considered a normal risk and does not entitle you to any refund or postponement. However, in the event of force majeure (lockdown, closed borders, an official sailing ban), the owner will instead issue a non-refundable voucher, valid for 12 months on their fleet. Cancellation of your own transport to reach the boat is not considered a case of force majeure.

Filovent's role

If you have any difficulty or doubt about your boat hire, our customer service team is on hand to help you manage your booking.

For cancelling a cruise, see our dedicated article: "The organiser cancels my cruise: what to do?"

Source: Filovent boat hire terms and conditions, articles 2.7, 7.18 to 7.20, 9.7, 11 and 17.