The owner cancels my yacht charter: now what?
Updated on: 21/09/2026For a yacht charter, the contract is signed directly between you (the Charterer) and the owner of the boat (the Owner), with Filovent acting as an intermediary. Here is what our yacht charter terms and conditions provide for if the owner has to cancel or change your booking.
| Situation (yacht charter) | What Filovent covers |
| Boat not available on the planned date | Replacement boat, prorated refund, or alternative accommodations |
| Cancellation by the owner before departure | Full refund |
| Change of embarkation or disembarkation point | Allowed at no extra cost, with prior notice |
| Impassable waterway (river charter) | Change of location or date, or refund or voucher beyond 48 hours |
| Bad weather preventing sailing | No refund |
| Force majeure (lockdown, closed borders) | Non-refundable voucher, valid for 12 months |
| Boat unavailable before booking is confirmed | Alternative offer within 48 hours or immediate refund |
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 other circumstances 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 apartment. 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 canceled before the charter begins, the amounts 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 about 48 hours with another offer; if it does not suit you, you will be refunded immediately.
Change of location, itinerary, or dates of your charter
For operational or weather-related reasons, or because of an impassable waterway (flood, low water), the owner may adjust your yacht charter as far as the situation allows: changing the embarkation or disembarkation point, switching a round 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 yacht charter
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 transportation to reach the boat is not considered a case of force majeure.
Filovent's role
If you have any difficulty or doubt about your yacht charter, our customer service team remains on hand to help you manage your booking.
For canceling a cruise, see our dedicated article: "The organizer cancels my cruise: what to do?"
Source: Filovent yacht charter terms and conditions, articles 2.7, 7.18 through 7.20, 9.7, 11, and 17.
