Article 1 – General
1. V. Tabone Travel Limited ("VTT") acts solely as a booking agent and authorised reseller for excursions, cruises, tours, transfers and other travel services operated by independent suppliers.
2. By making a booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts these Terms and Conditions.
3. The contract for the operation of the excursion is between the passenger and the operating supplier.
4. The operating supplier remains solely responsible for the operation of the excursion, including the vessel, crew, routing, embarkation, disembarkation, onboard services, catering, safety and all operational matters.
5. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, "operating supplier" means the independent company responsible for operating the excursion or other travel service booked through VTT.
Article 2 – Excursions
1. Excursions may be booked through VTT or authorised third-party sales channels.
2. Excursions operate on scheduled dates and times.
3. The operating supplier reserves the right to substitute the vessel, crew or other operational elements where reasonably necessary for operational, safety, technical or other operational reasons.
4. Passengers should note that boarding involves stepping from the quay onto a gangway and then onto the vessel. Passengers should ensure that they are capable of boarding safely.
Article 3 – Itinerary Changes
1. The operating supplier reserves the right to alter, shorten, extend, substitute or cancel the vessel, itinerary, route, departure point, arrival point, schedule, duration, stops or order of visits whenever weather conditions, sea conditions, safety requirements, operational requirements, technical reasons or any other circumstances beyond the operating supplier's reasonable control make such changes necessary.
2. Such changes shall not, of themselves, entitle passengers to compensation or a refund except where determined by the operating supplier in accordance with its cancellation policy.
3. Boat excursions are subject to weather and sea conditions at all times.
4. Bus routes, bus stops, pick-up times and schedules may be altered or cancelled by the operating supplier for operational, traffic, safety, weather or other reasonable reasons.
Article 4 – Check-in, Transfers and Departures
1. Where optional bus transport is offered, it operates on designated routes, from designated bus stops and at scheduled times determined by the operating supplier.
2. Optional bus transport is provided on a first come, first served basis and does not require pre-booking unless otherwise advised.
3. Passengers are responsible for making their own way to a designated bus stop or directly to the departure berth, as applicable.
4. Passengers should arrive at the selected bus stop at least five (5) minutes before the earliest communicated pick-up time.
5. Passengers who miss the scheduled bus or who are staying outside the designated bus routes shall be responsible for making their own way to the departure berth at their own expense.
6. Passengers making their own way directly to the departure point should arrive at least twenty (20) minutes before the scheduled vessel departure unless otherwise advised.
7. Passengers must present the valid boarding ticket issued or sent by VTT. Presentation of any booking confirmation, voucher or QR code other than the valid boarding ticket issued by VTT may result in delays, denied boarding, boarding the incorrect excursion or other operational errors, for which neither VTT nor the operating supplier shall be liable.
8. Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they board the correct transfer vehicle and vessel in accordance with the boarding ticket and instructions issued by VTT and the operating supplier.
Article 5 – Meeting Points and Return Departures
1. Passengers are responsible for being present at all designated land transport meeting points at the times communicated by VTT, the guide, driver or other authorised representative of the operating supplier.
2. Failure to arrive at the designated land transport meeting point at the communicated time may result in the departure of the transport without the passenger.
3. At any stop where passengers temporarily disembark from the vessel, including but not limited to the Blue Lagoon and the Gozo sea stop, passengers are responsible for returning on board by the departure time advised by the captain or crew. The vessel will depart at the advised time and will not wait for late passengers.
4. Passengers who fail to arrive at a designated land transport meeting point or fail to return to the vessel by the advised departure time shall not be entitled to any refund, compensation or alternative transport.
5. Any additional costs incurred, including return travel to Malta or to their accommodation, shall be borne solely by the passenger.
Article 6 – Passenger Responsibilities
1. Passengers must comply promptly with all instructions given by the crew, driver, guide or other authorised representatives.
2. The skipper remains in command of the vessel at all times. Safety is paramount.
3. Passengers whose behaviour endangers themselves, other passengers or crew, including behaviour resulting from alcohol or drugs, may be refused boarding or removed from the excursion without refund and without compensation.
4. Alcohol may not be supplied to persons under 18 years of age. Proof of age may be requested.
5. Passengers are responsible for reading all booking confirmations, tickets and communications issued by VTT and complying with the instructions contained therein.
6. Passengers are responsible for ensuring that they are medically and physically fit to participate in the excursion and should notify the operating supplier before departure of any medical or other condition that could reasonably affect their safety or the safety of others during the excursion. Notification to VTT alone shall not satisfy this requirement.
7. Participation in swimming activities is entirely voluntary and at the passenger's own risk. Non-swimmers and weak swimmers should not enter the water. Life vests are emergency safety equipment and shall only be used in an emergency or when expressly directed by the captain or crew. Under no circumstances shall they be used as swimming aids or as a substitute for the ability to swim.
Article 7 – Liability
1. VTT acts solely as a booking agent and reseller and does not operate the excursion.
2. VTT shall not be liable for any loss, damage, accident, injury, delay, cancellation, itinerary change, missed departure, service deficiency, inconvenience or consequential loss arising directly or indirectly from the operation of the excursion by the operating supplier.
3. VTT shall not be liable for the acts, omissions, negligence, insolvency or default of the operating supplier or any third-party service provider.
4. To the maximum extent permitted by law, VTT's liability shall be limited to the price paid for the booking concerned.
Article 8 – Personal Belongings
1. Passengers are advised not to bring unnecessary valuables on the excursion.
2. Passengers are responsible for their personal belongings at all times and must not leave personal belongings or valuables unattended at any time.
3. Before leaving any vehicle or vessel, passengers should ensure that all personal belongings have been collected.
4. Whilst reasonable assistance may be given in attempting to recover lost property, neither VTT nor the operating supplier guarantees its recovery and shall not be liable for the loss, theft of, or damage to, personal belongings, whether attended or unattended.
Article 9 – Cancellation and Refunds
1. Cancellation requests must be submitted through the original booking source.
2. Cancellation and refund requests remain subject to the cancellation policy applicable to the booking.
3. Where an excursion is cancelled or materially altered by the operating supplier due to adverse weather or other operational reasons, any refund, rescheduling, itinerary amendment or alternative arrangement shall be determined in accordance with the operating supplier's policy.
Article 10 – Complaints
1. Any incident, accident, injury or operational issue, including boarding, transfers, food and beverage service, onboard facilities, itinerary changes or any other matter affecting the excursion, must be reported to the operating supplier's staff as soon as reasonably practicable during the excursion to allow the operating supplier the opportunity to investigate and, where reasonably possible, remedy the issue.
2. Passengers must allow the operating supplier a reasonable opportunity to investigate the issue and, where reasonably possible, remedy it whilst the excursion is taking place.
3. If the issue cannot be resolved on site, passengers should contact VTT immediately using the emergency contact details provided.
4. Failure to report an issue during the excursion may affect the ability of VTT and/or the operating supplier to investigate the complaint or provide any remedy.
5. Any complaint not satisfactorily resolved during the excursion must be submitted in writing to VTT within fourteen (14) days of the excursion date.
6. The complaint should include a clear description of the matter together with any supporting documentation.
Article 11 – Force Majeure
1. Neither VTT nor the operating supplier shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations where such failure results from circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, rough seas, natural disasters, accidents, strikes, government restrictions, technical failures, traffic disruption or any other force majeure event.
Article 12 – Governing Law
1. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by the laws of Malta.
2. Any dispute arising from these Terms and Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Maltese Courts.
