Windelle Yacht Tours

Refund Policy

At Windelle Yacht Tours, we understand that plans can change. This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions for refunds and cancellations related to our yacht charter services. We aim to provide fair and transparent policies while also protecting our business operations.

1. Cancellation and Refund Policy for Standard Charters

Our standard cancellation policy applies to all bareboat and crewed yacht charters unless otherwise specified in your charter agreement. Refunds are calculated based on the notice period provided before the scheduled charter start date:

Cancellation Period	Refund Amount
More than 90 days before charter start	Full refund minus a $250 administration fee
90-60 days before charter start	70% of total charter fee
59-30 days before charter start	50% of total charter fee
29-15 days before charter start	25% of total charter fee
14 days or less before charter start	No refund

All cancellation notices must be submitted in writing via email to [email protected]. The date of receipt of the written notice will be used to calculate the applicable refund.

2. Conditions for Refunds

Refunds are subject to the following conditions:

• The cancellation must be submitted in writing within the specified timeframes.
• Refunds will be processed using the same payment method used for the original transaction unless explicitly agreed otherwise.
• Refunds typically take 7-14 business days to process, depending on your financial institution.
• Administrative fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
• For charters paid in multiple installments, the refund policy applies to the total charter fee, not just the deposit or most recent payment.

3. Special Event and Holiday Charters

For charters booked during peak holiday periods (including but not limited to Canada Day week, August Civic Holiday weekend, Labour Day weekend, and Christmas/New Year period) or for special events, the following modified cancellation policy applies:

Cancellation Period	Refund Amount
More than 120 days before charter start	Full refund minus a $350 administration fee
120-90 days before charter start	70% of total charter fee
89-60 days before charter start	50% of total charter fee
59-30 days before charter start	25% of total charter fee
29 days or less before charter start	No refund

4. Reschedule Policy

If you need to reschedule your charter rather than cancel it entirely, the following terms apply:

• Rescheduling requests made more than 60 days before the original charter date: One-time free reschedule to a date within 12 months of the original booking, subject to availability.
• Rescheduling requests made 30-59 days before the original charter date: Reschedule available with a fee of 15% of the total charter cost.
• Rescheduling requests made 15-29 days before the original charter date: Reschedule available with a fee of 25% of the total charter cost.
• Rescheduling requests made 14 days or less before the original charter date: Treated as a cancellation per the policy above, with no guarantee of availability for new dates.

All rescheduled charters are subject to availability and potential rate differences. If the new charter period has a higher rate, the difference must be paid. If the new charter period has a lower rate, no refund of the difference will be provided.

5. Weather-Related Cancellations

Windelle Yacht Tours reserves the right to cancel or modify a charter due to unsafe weather conditions. In such cases:

• If we cancel your charter before it begins due to unsafe weather conditions, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule at no additional cost.
• If the charter is already in progress and needs to be terminated early due to unsafe weather conditions, a pro-rated refund may be offered for unused charter days, minus any expenses already incurred.
• Weather-related delays that do not result in cancellation (i.e., departure delayed by a few hours) do not qualify for refunds or compensation.

Please note that client-initiated cancellations due to unfavorable but safe weather conditions (such as light rain, cloudy skies, or temperatures not to your liking) are subject to our standard cancellation policy.

6. Charter Modifications

Changes to your charter that do not involve rescheduling or cancellation are handled as follows:

• Upgrading to a larger yacht or adding services: Subject to availability and payment of the price difference.
• Downgrading to a smaller yacht or removing services: Subject to our agreement and with potential cancellation fees applied to the difference.
• Changes to the charter duration:
• Extending your charter is subject to availability and payment of the additional days.
• Shortening your charter is subject to the cancellation policy for the reduced days.

7. Non-Refundable Items

The following items are non-refundable under any circumstances:

• Administrative processing fees
• Purchased provisioning that has already been ordered or delivered
• Special equipment rentals that have already been arranged
• Skipper or crew fees if cancellation occurs within 14 days of the charter start
• Third-party services already paid for on your behalf

8. Process for Requesting a Refund

To request a refund, please follow these steps:

1. Send a written cancellation notice to [email protected] with the subject line "Charter Cancellation - [Your Booking Reference]"
2. Include the following information in your email:
   • Full name of the primary charterer
   • Booking reference number
   • Charter dates
   • Reason for cancellation
   • Contact phone number
3. Our booking team will acknowledge your cancellation request within 2 business days
4. The applicable refund will be calculated according to this policy and communicated to you
5. Once approved, refunds will be processed within 7-14 business days

9. Exceptions and Special Circumstances

We understand that exceptional circumstances can occur. In case of:

• Medical Emergencies: With proper documentation from a licensed medical professional, we may offer more favorable refund terms or rescheduling options at our discretion.
• Bereavement: In case of death in the immediate family, with appropriate documentation, we may offer more favorable terms.
• Force Majeure: In cases of force majeure (including but not limited to natural disasters, war, civil unrest, or pandemic-related travel restrictions), we will work with affected clients on a case-by-case basis.

Documentation supporting exceptional circumstances must be provided within 7 days of your cancellation request.

10. Security Deposit Refunds

For bareboat charters requiring a security deposit:

• The security deposit is separate from the charter fee and is refundable at the end of your charter, provided there is no damage, loss, or additional charges.
• Security deposits are typically refunded within 7 business days after the end of your charter, following a thorough vessel inspection.
• If damages or losses are identified, we will provide an itemized list of deductions and return any remaining balance.
• Disputes regarding security deposit deductions must be submitted in writing within 14 days of receiving the itemized deduction list.

11. Contact Information for Refund Inquiries

For any questions or concerns regarding our refund policy or to check the status of a refund, please contact our customer service team:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (786) 960-6054
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST

12. Policy Changes

Windelle Yacht Tours reserves the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will not be applied retroactively to bookings already confirmed with a deposit. The version of the Refund Policy in effect at the time of your booking will apply to your charter.

Last Updated: November 15, 2023