Every flotilla journey is designed with exceptional care, professionalism, and attention to detail. These Terms & Conditions ensure clarity, comfort, and mutual respect between our guests and crew. By confirming your reservation, you acknowledge and accept the policies outlined below.

 

1. Reservations, Payments, and Refunds

1.1 Payment Schedule: A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure. 

1.2 Payment Methods: We accept credit cards, PayPal, checks, and wire transfers. A 3% processing fee applies to all credit/debit cards and PayPal transactions. 

1.3 Refund Limitation: Your right to a refund is limited. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing. No refunds will be issued in response to verbal cancellations. 

1.4 Non-Refundable Items: All deposits are non-refundable. Charges for additional products, services, attractions, or excursions are non-refundable from the moment of confirmation.

2. Cancellation & Amendment Policies

2.1 General Cancellation: * 90+ Days Prior to Departure: The Company shall retain the deposit.

Within 90 Days of Departure: 100% cancellation charges apply. No refunds or credits will be issued. 

2.2 Group Flotilla Transfers: If you cancel more than 60 days prior to departure, you may attempt to transfer your reservation privately. Beyond the Blue Sailing Adventures  may assist with advertising, but replacement is not guaranteed. 

2.3 Guest-Initiated Amendments:

You are permitted one (1) change to your booking (destination, yacht type, or date), subject to availability. Date changes must be made 180+ days prior to departure. Other changes must be made 60+ days prior to departure. Amendments require an amendment fee of $500, plus any increase in vacation price. No refunds are given if the new price is lower. 

2.4 Company-Initiated Changes: We reserve the right to make minor changes to your itinerary. If a major change is required (e.g., different dates or destination), we will offer an alternative of equal or greater value. If the alternative is cheaper, you are entitled to a refund of the difference.

3. Travel Insurance & Medical

3.1 Mandatory Requirement: It is a condition of your booking that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance. 

3.2 Forfeiture of Claims: Guests who elect not to purchase insurance forfeit eligibility for refunds or credits. We recommend RedPoint Travel or Global Rescue. 

3.3 Medical Liability: You confirm you are physically and mentally capable of participating. You must disclose any disability/limitation at the time of booking. 

3.4 In the event medical care becomes necessary on your vacation, you may be hours or days travel by water, road, air or other (including non-vehicular) transportation from any medical facility. The medical facility you may be treated in may not have the same standards as hospitals or doctor’s offices in your home country. The medical personnel you will be treated by may not speak fluent English and/or have the same training as medical personnel in your home country. You further acknowledge that an emergency evacuation may be unavailable, expensive and delayed at your yacht location, and that the medical facilities and attention available aboard the yacht are limited. Decisions are made by the Company staff based on a variety of perceptions and evaluations of the situation at hand. The Guest understands and agrees to abide by these decisions.

4. Onboard Experience: Crew & Conduct

4.1 Gratuity: Gratuity is customary and shared among the crew. We suggest 10%–20% of the total flotilla cost, payable via cash, Venmo, or Zelle. 

4.2 Crew Assignments: Introductions are shared 3–4 weeks prior to departure. Specific crew requests for private journeys incur a $500 fee (refundable if the crew member becomes unavailable). 

4.3 Standards of Conduct: The Captain holds full authority to terminate participation for:

• Excessive alcohol consumption or unsafe behavior.

• Harassment, violence, or damage to the vessel.

• Failure to comply with safety instructions.

• Note: Early disembarkation due to conduct results in no refund and the guest assumes all travel costs.

5. Operational Policies & Safety

5.1 Force majeure

Without limitation, the Company is not responsible for, and no refunds will be given for, delays or cancellation of all or part of your vacation due to causes or circumstances beyond our responsibility or control, including but not limited to acts of God; perils of the sea, harbors, rivers, or other navigable waters; act of any governmental or ruling authority; epidemic; collision; stranding; fire; war; hostilities; riots; strikes or labor stoppages; or any other cause or circumstance beyond our responsibility or control (a “Force Majeure Event”).

For the avoidance of doubt, a Force Majeure Event also includes (a) the occurrence of any pandemic, epidemic or prevalent disease or illness with an actual or probable threat to human life as may be designated or determined by any local, city, county or state governmental entities, as applicable, or the federal government of the United States, the World Health Organization (WHO) or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC); including, without limitation, coronavirus, atypical pneumonia, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), or avian influenza, or (b) adherence to any travel restriction, warning or advisory issued in relation thereto by any local, city, county or state governmental entities, as applicable, or the federal government of the United States, the World Health Organization (WHO) or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), or (c) any quarantine or similar measure taken in relation thereto by any governmental agency or authority to prevent the spread of any communicable disease, or (d) any unavailability of any resources, information or services resulting from any of the foregoing including, without limitation, the unavailability of resources, information or services due to any governmental shut-downs or the unavailability or resources, information or services due to a shut-down, quarantine or similar measure of any third-party service provider whose service or information is relied upon by us to operate your vacation or otherwise fulfill our obligations under these Terms and Conditions.

5.2 Itinerary and Route Flexibility

Sailing is inherently dependent on environmental conditions. While we strive to follow the advertised itinerary, the Skipper/Captain holds final authority over the vessel’s movements. The Skipper may alter the route, skip specific ports, or remain in harbor if they determine that current or forecasted conditions pose a risk to the safety of the passengers, crew, or vessel.

5.3 Adverse Weather and Force Majeure

In the event of "Adverse Weather"—defined as conditions including, but not limited to, sustained high winds, heavy seas, lightning, or official small craft advisories—the following terms apply:

Safety First: No refunds or credits will be issued for itinerary changes, delays, or the inability to reach specific destinations due to weather.

Harbor Bound Days: If the vessel is unable to leave the dock due to weather, the yacht will serve as "floating accommodation." Guests will still have access to the vessel’s amenities, but the sailing portion of the trip may be suspended.

Trip Cancellation: If weather conditions make the commencement of the charter impossible (e.g., a named tropical storm or hurricane), the Company reserves the right to cancel the booking. In such cases, a credit for a future charter may be issued at the Company’s discretion.

5.4 Mechanical Breakdown and Technical Failure

We utilize vessels which are maintained to the highest marine standards; however, the salt-water environment is rigorous, and mechanical failures can occur.

Definition of Breakdown: A breakdown is defined as a failure of the engine, transmission, sails, or rigging that renders the vessel unable to safely navigate. Failure of non-essential equipment (e.g., air conditioning, generator, water maker, Wi-Fi, or entertainment systems) does not constitute a breakdown.

Repair Grace Period: In the event of a mechanical breakdown, the third party providing the vessel shall have 24 hours from the time of notification to effect repairs or provide a replacement vessel.

Compensation: If the vessel is immobilized for more than 24 consecutive hours, the Guest may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the lost time, calculated based on the daily charter rate.

Limitation of Liability: The Company is not responsible for any indirect costs resulting from a breakdown, including but not limited to hotel stays, missed flights, or alternative transportation.

6. Liability & Legal

6.1 Assumption of Risk: 

You further understand that if you purchase any optional activities that are not part of your pre-booked vacation itinerary (including, without limitation, shore excursions and tours, however conducted, airline flights and ground transportation): (a) these activities are operated by independent contractors; (b) the contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the third party provider for such activity; (c) the Company neither owns nor operates the third party supplier; and (d) accordingly, you agree to seek remedies directly and only against the third party supplier and not hold the Company responsible for such supplier’s acts or omissions whatsoever.

You understand and acknowledge that your travel on the yacht and your participation in any activities arranged by the Company included in your itinerary may involve risk and potential exposure to injury. You also realize and acknowledge that risk and dangers may be caused by the negligence or participation of other Passengers. You also recognize and acknowledge that risk and dangers may arise from foreseeable and unforeseeable causes, including weather and other acts of nature or any Force Majeure Events. You fully understand and acknowledge that the aforementioned risks, dangers and hazards are a potential in connection with recreational activities which may take place during your vacation, and that you are willingly and knowingly electing to sail on the yacht and participate in the vacation in spite of such potential risk of danger.

In recognition of the inherent risk of the travels and related activities in which you are intending to engage, you confirm that you are physically and mentally capable of participating in the vacation, and you willingly and voluntarily assume full responsibility for any injury, loss or damage caused by you. It is your responsibility and obligation to inform the Company, at the time your booking is made, of any medical or physical disability or limitation that might disable you or render you unable to perform or safely participate in the vacation. Your failure to do so will release us from any liability for loss, damages or other compensation arising from or related in any way to such disability or condition. You further acknowledge that you are the best judge of your own conditions and limitations and that it is incumbent upon you to fully disclose the full extent of any such conditions or limitations to the Company.

In consideration of the services and arrangements provided by the Company, you, for yourself, and on behalf of other Passengers on your vacation, and for your heirs, personal representatives or assigns, do hereby release, waive, discharge, hold harmless and agree to indemnify the Company, and its owners, officers, directors, employees and affiliates from any and all claims, actions, or losses for emotional injury, bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services, lost profits, consequential, exemplary, indirect or punitive damages or otherwise which may arise out of or occur during your vacation conducted in conjunction therewith and shall include, without limitation, any loss caused by breakage of shafts or any defect or unseaworthiness in hull, machinery or appurtenances, equipment, furnishings, supplies or officers or crew of the yacht or its launches or watercraft; fault or neglect of the skipper, tugs, officers or members of the crew, agents, servants, independent contractors; the quality, nature or consequences of medical or surgical treatment; your negligence or caused by your breach of these Terms and Conditions; or which results from your acts, omissions or defaults or any person acting on your behalf, or which results from the acts, omissions or defaults of, or any claims asserted by, the other Passengers on your vacation. The Company is not liable for injury, illness or death of any Passenger unless directly caused by the negligence of willful misconduct of the Company. Regardless of the situation or circumstances giving rise to a claim, you waive any right to seek consequential, punitive or exemplary damages against the Company, its owners, directors, officers, employees, agents, and affiliates, for any reason whatsoever.

The Company’s maximum liability, for any reason whatsoever, will be limited to the amount paid by you to the Company for your vacation. If any international convention applies to, or governs, any of the services or facilities included in your vacation arranged or provided by us and you make a claim against us of any nature arising out of death, injury, loss or damage suffered during or as a result of the provision of those services or facilities, our liability to pay you compensation and/or the amount (if any) of compensation payable to you by us will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to that provided for by the international convention concerned (in each case including in respect of the conditions of liability, the time for bringing any claim and the type and amount of any damages that can be awarded). International Conventions which may apply include, without limitation: in respect of carriage by sea, the Athens Convention 1974. For the avoidance of doubt, this means that we are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitations of compensation contained in any of these Conventions or any other international conventions applicable to your vacation. Other than as set out above, and as is detailed elsewhere in these Terms and Conditions, we shall have no legal liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage.

NEITHER THE COMPANY, ITS AFFILIATES, OWNERS, OFFICERS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES, SHALL BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY ACT, DEFAULT, INJURY (INCLUDING DEATH), LOSS, EXPENSE, DAMAGE, DEVIATION, DELAY, CURTAILMENT OR INCONVENIENCE WHICH MAY OCCUR OR CAUSED TO OR BE INCURRED OR SUFFERED BY ANY ENTITY, PERSON OR THEIR PROPERTY, HOWSOEVER ARISING, WHERE SUCH ACT, DEFAULT, INJURY, LOSS, EXPENSE, DAMAGE, DEVIATION, DELAY, CURTAILMENT OR INCONVENIENCE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO BY DEFECTS OR FAILURES OF ANY AIRCRAFT, VESSEL, AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE OR OTHER EQUIPMENT OR INSTRUMENTALITY UNDER THE CONTROL OF INDEPENDENT SUPPLIERS.

6.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude all representations, warranties or terms (whether express or implied) other than those expressly set out in these Terms and Conditions.

6.3 Photography: Guests grant permission for media captured during the voyage to be used for marketing purposes unless requested otherwise in writing prior to departure. 6.4 Intellectual Property: All curriculum and website content are protected. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited. 6.5 Governing Law: These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, with exclusive venue in Lee County.

 

Acknowledgment

By reserving a flotilla journey, you confirm you have read, understood, and voluntarily accepted these terms, including the waiver of liability and medical fitness requirements.