Article 1 – General
1. Sea Trips ("ST") offers boat tours in Malta, Comino, Gozo and surroundings.
2. We reserve the right to change routes as well as start and end locations when weather conditions, shallows or other legitimate reasons so require. We will, as far as possible, inform passengers thereof in a timely manner.
3. The skipper is always in charge. Safety is paramount.
4. By booking a ticket or renting a boat you are accepting the terms and conditions of ST.
5. Certain excursions may be marketed and sold by V. Tabone Travel Limited ("VTT") acting solely as a booking agent and reseller on behalf of Sea Trips. In such cases, the contract for the operation of the excursion is between the passenger and Sea Trips. Sea Trips remains solely responsible for the operation of the excursion, including vessel operation, routing, safety, embarkation, disembarkation and onboard services.
Article 2 – Day trips
1. Day trips are scheduled excursions that may be booked by individuals or groups. Reservations may be made through V. Tabone Travel Limited (VTT) or authorised third-party sales channels.
2. Our day trips in Malta take place on four different vessels Sea Bird, Sea Adventure, Sea Odyssey and Sea Explorer. From time to time, we may transfer your booking to an alternative vessel.
3. Passengers (including groups) for a day trip shall be present at least 15 minutes before the stated departure time and at the departure point agreed in the booking.
4. Passengers should note that one enters the vessel by stepping off the quay onto a gangway. The vessels Sea Bird and Sea Adventure are wheelchair accessible.
5. There are toilets on all our vessels. Only the Sea Adventure has a restroom that is wheelchair accessible.
Article 3 – Waiting periods and delays
1. In the case of regular trips there are no waiting times. This means that if you have purchased a ticket and arrive too late at the boarding point, the boat will not wait for you and ST can reassign your seats. Also, you will not be entitled to change the date or have the ticket refunded.
2. During the excursion if you miss and overstay at any location you are not entitled to either a full or partial refund.
Article 4 – Execution of the contract
1. Valid reasons for annulment of the contract are weather conditions (hard storm and/or high water) hindering or making the cruise impossible. The skipper determines in the first instance whether such conditions apply.
2. In case of misconduct, whether or not caused by alcohol consumption, the skipper has the right to pause or immediately terminate the trip. Persons who are already under the influence of alcohol/drugs at the start of the tour will be denied access to the boat. The customer’s payment obligation shall remain in force.
3. Alcohol under the age of 18 is prohibited. ST reserves the right to request a photo ID.
4. Passengers must follow all instructions of ST or its employees promptly and without delay. Access to vessels and jetties may be denied without a reason being provided, should this be deemed necessary by ST, for example in relation to capacity, safety, public order or the imminent threat of damage or nuisance.
Article 5 – Check-in, departure times and meeting points and times
1. You should be at the vessel at least 15 minutes before the departure time. The boarding will close 15 minutes before departure. If you arrive at the boat later than this, you will not be allowed to board the vessel. If you want to travel on a later boat, you will have to pay the appropriate fare for that excursion.
2. All departure times are current and up to date on the relevant tours info page.
3. Passengers must present the valid ticket issued or sent by VTT. Failure to present the correct ticket may result in delays, denial of boarding or boarding the incorrect excursion, for which ST and VTT shall not be liable.
4. Passengers are responsible for being present at the designated meeting point at the time communicated by the driver or ST staff. Failure to arrive at the designated meeting point at the communicated time may result in the departure of the transport or vessel without the passenger. In such circumstances, no refund, compensation or alternative transport shall be provided and any additional costs incurred shall be borne by the passenger.
Article 6 – Liability of Sea Trips
1. ST is not liable for any damage to and/or loss of the passenger’s property. The passenger takes all their property on board entirely at their own risk.
2. ST is not liable for damages to individuals or passengers’ goods, caused by entering or boarding a jetty or boat. The passenger enters these areas entirely at their own risk.
3. V. Tabone Travel Limited (VTT) acts solely as an intermediary and booking agent and does not operate the excursion. VTT shall not be liable for any loss, injury, delay, cancellation, change of itinerary, missed departure, service deficiency, weather-related disruption or any other matter arising from the operation of the excursion by Sea Trips.
Article 7 – Passenger Liability
1. The passenger is liable for damages caused by the passenger to the property/goods used by ST or third parties.
2. All activities organised by ST take place entirely at the passengers’ own risk.
Article 8 – General Liability
1. ST is not liable for personal injury or damage of any nature, regardless of its cause, prior, during or as a result of the trip. The exception to this is damage caused by a deliberate act or the gross negligence of ST. The statutory damages are limited to the price of the boat rental of the trip in question.
2. Children fall under the responsibility of the parent(s). On request, a life jacket can be provided.
3. Should ST not be able to comply with their obligations due to force majeure, there is no entitlement to restitution or compensation.
Article 9 – Payment, cancellation and amendments
1. In agreement with our offer, we will send you a confirmation of the booking.
2. Cancellation requests must be submitted to the original booking source at least 24 hours prior to departure. For bookings made through VTT or a third-party sales channel, cancellation and refund requests must be submitted through the original booking source and remain subject to the applicable cancellation policy.
3. In the case of extreme weather conditions we will set in consultation and without additional charge, a new date that is going to be carried out within 60 days.
Article 10 – Final provisions
1. Passengers shall be deemed to follow the instructions of the crew on quay, jetty and boat.
2. Wearing stiletto heels are strongly discouraged for reasons of safety and damage.
3. It is strictly prohibited to wear shoes of any kind on the Sea Bird vessel.
4. The passenger is expected to take care of the environment and not to dispose of waste in the water. All personal consumptions and the associated waste should be taken off the boat after the end of the trip.
5. Obvious errors and mistakes in the information provided, and/or published by ST will not bind ST. The Maltese consumer law applies to these general terms and conditions. Disputes must be submitted to the competent court in the place where the consumer or passenger resides.
Article 11 – Complaints
1. Operational issues, including boarding, food and beverage service, onboard facilities, itinerary changes or other matters affecting the excursion, must be reported to ST staff immediately during the excursion to allow ST the opportunity to investigate and remedy the issue. If the issue cannot be resolved on site, the participant should contact the emergency assistance number provided on the ticket or booking confirmation.
2. If the complaint is not satisfactorily dealt with on the spot, it can be submitted within 14 days from the end of the arrangement or activity in writing to VTT. A clearly specified account of the complaint together with any supporting documentation should be provided.
3. Failure to report operational issues during the excursion may affect the ability of ST and/or VTT to investigate the complaint or provide any remedy.
