General Booking Information

As with all charter companies, we cannot guarantee a blue sky. If the weather is dangerous for boating, at the discretion of Sydney Harbour Escapes management as well as the captain on the day, we will postpone and reschedule the charter. Rescheduled charters must be used within 6 months of the original booking date.
Payment will still apply for catering or optional staff arrangements in the event of postponement. If you choose not to reschedule, the charter will then be considered as a cancelation, and fees will apply – please see Cancelation information below.
Sydney Harbour is known as one of the safest harbours in the world and is well protected from strong ocean currents and ocean winds.

To secure your charter, we require a 50% deposit or the vessel hire amount along with your signed contract. We may also require a progress payment, this will depend on your charter and will be on a case by case basis. The final amount is required 14 days prior to your charter along with final numbers, food and beverage requirements. Please note that if you don't pay for your booking in full, the charter cannot go ahead. A vessel will not be made available for you until you have booked and paid for the charter. 

NYE Charters
100% deposit is required for New Year's Eve charters.

Payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard, Electronic Funds Transfer, Cash or Eftpos. We do not accept cheques.
 
All tickets purchased through Sydney Harbour Escapes are non-refundable. 

Please refer to terms and conditions for the charter agreement.

We Accept

Visa and MasterCard
These cards are subject to a 1.4% non-refundable charge.
American Express
These cards are subject to a 2.75% non-refundable charge.

A bond, in the form of a credit card authorization, must be provided and processed before the commencement of the charter, which will be released within seven days of the charter - unless any damages have occurred or you extend your charter. The amount of the bond will be $2000 unless otherwise stated. For individual ticketed cruises, a bond will not appy.

More than 60 days prior: Deposit is non-refundable unless original booking is secured by another client for the same date and time for the same value. If the deposit is given back, a management fee of $500 will be taken.
Between 60 - 28 days prior: Deposit is non-refundable
Cancellations made 28 - 14 days prior: Total monies paid are not refundable. Consideration will be given to food, staff and boat costs incurred due to cancellation.
Cancellations made less than 14 days prior: Full payment is non-refundable.
If the Operator cancels the Charter, the charter amount will be refunded.
Please note – changing to a different boat (different name, size or style) means you are effectively cancelling your booking. Please refer to above and note, the maximum change of boats per booking is one time.
No refund on NYE charters (tickets and private)

Change of boat means you are effectively cancelling your booking. Please refer to the cancellation terms and note, the maximum change of boats per booking is one time.

Should your charter need to be rescheduled Sydney Harbour Escapes will check on availability and advise you accordingly. Depending on your charter start date cost involved in doing so will be advised, there is a minimum charge is $500. Within 60 days the booking will be considered a cancellation and a 100% of the payments made are non refundable. The maximum rescheduling of dates per booking is once.
Please note, Rescheduling due to weather is unacceptable.

In the event of a mechanical problem to the booked vessel, Sydney Harbour Escapes reserves the right to change the vessel to another of similar type and capacity in order for the charter to be completed

Please note that Wharf Booking fees may apply to some locations. Some vessels may not be able to pick up from certain wharves because of reasons such as size or wharf condition. We are more than happy to suggest the most suitable pick up and drop off locations suitable for your group.

View maps of Sydney Harbour Wharf locations

Most boats have their own individual catering supplier with a variety of different menus available to choose from including canapé, buffet and formal dining options. Some charter vessels on our fleet allow BYO food, others do not. Exceptions may apply, e.g. religious requirements.
Vessels that allow you to BYO food must provided substantial food, the vessel will not leave the wharf without food, unless organized prior that no food is required. Alternatively we can suggest our recommended caterers.
Please ask a Sydney Harbour Escapes team member for more information regarding the Sydney Harbour cruise boat of your choice. Chef and wait staff hire are available upon request.

To confirm your charter, you must be authorised to make the booking by all persons named on the booking and their parent or guardian for all party members who are under 18 when the booking is made. By making the booking, you are confirming that all persons named on the booking accept the Terms and Conditions and that you will inform the other persons named on the booking of the confirmation details and any other appropriate information. You also become responsible for making all payments due under your booking.
Please note you are also responsible for your party’s actions in every manner. If we or our service providers believe your actions or those of your party could cause danger, upset or annoyance to other customers, guests or staff, we or our service providers may end your charter immediately. In this event we nor our service providers will neither compensate, make refunds nor pay any expenses you suffer as a result.
It is your responsibility to check your event details carefully to ensure that any related charter arrangements coincide with the details you have booked with us as we will not be liable for any costs incurred as a result of any mistakes by you.

Please see our detail terms and conditions below. If there are any changes to this they will be written in your contract.
 

This contract follows the standard contract of the Charter Boat Agents Association, in the interests of protecting the rights of all parties and based on the highest standards of ethical and environmental behaviour and co-operation.

1. Definitions
In this agreement, the following terms have the following corresponding meaning: Sydney Harbour Escapes Pty Ltd is the Agent. Agent means the agent through which the Charter was booked. Charter means the cruise for which the Charterer is paying and the Operator is providing. Charterer means the client who is paying for the Charter. Charterer's Group means all the passengers who will take part in the Charter. Master means the duly qualified person in charge of the Vessel. Operator means the owner or operator of the Vessel as specified in the Schedule. Vessel means the Operator’s vessel or vessels specified in the Schedule.

2. Quotations
Quotes are valid for 14 days only, after which they may be subject to price changes.

3. Right of Refusal
The Agent reserves the right to refuse bookings which contravene these Terms and Conditions. The Charterer must provide all necessary details to the Agent about the charter and the charterer’s group.

4. Tentative Bookings
Tentative reservations will be held in good faith for up to 1 week pending payment of a deposit, or until another party wants to book the same vessel, whichever is sooner. The booking is not secured until a deposit has been received.

5. Confirmation of Booking
A Charter will be confirmed on receipt of the deposit specified in the quotation and signed acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. All bookings made within 14 days of Charter date require payment in full at the time of booking.

6. Deposit
The deposit payable will be 50% of the total estimated Charter fee unless otherwise specified in the quotation.

7. Final Payment
Final guest numbers and final payment is required 14 days prior to the Charter unless otherwise agreed. The final guest numbers specified by the Charterer at least 14 days prior to the Charter will be deemed the minimum number of guests for catering charges. After this time the guest numbers may increase if agreed by the Agent/Operator, however they cannot decrease. Any additional passengers on the day are charged accordingly.

8. Methods of Payment
EFT, cash or credit card. Non refundable card surcharges may apply.

9. Cancellations
More than 60 days prior: Deposit is non-refundable unless original booking is secured by another client for the same date and time for the same value. If the deposit is given back, a management fee of $500 will be taken.
Between 60 - 28 days prior: Deposit is non-refundable
Cancellations made 28 - 14 days prior: Total monies paid are not refundable. Consideration will be given to food, staff and boat costs incurred due to cancellation
Cancellations made less than 14 days prior: Full payment is non-refundable.
If the Operator cancels the Charter, the charter amount will be refunded.
Please note – changing to a different boat (different name, size or style) means you are effectively cancelling your booking. Please refer to above and note, the maximum change of boats per booking is one time.
10. Additional Charges
Any additional charges on the day of service are to be immediately charged to the credit card provided by the client. This includes but is not limited to extensions of Charter, additional guests, additional services, pay-­ on-­consumption beverages, waiting time for embarking and disembarking at wharves, water taxis and any other additional charges notified by the Operator.

11. Responsible Service of Alcohol and Behaviour
The Operator is bound by the NSW Liquor Act and must abide by the guidelines for the Responsible Service of Alcohol. The Operator must refuse service of alcohol to both intoxicated persons and guests under the age of 18. The Operator may refuse service of alcohol to any individual in the Operator’s absolute discretion at any time. Intoxicated guests will not be permitted to board. The Vessel has the right not to serve shots or doubles under any circumstances. Whenever alcohol is served on a Vessel, substantial food must also be provided to satisfy the RSA obligations. Light snacks such as chips and nuts are not considered to be substantial food. The Operator has the right to refuse passengers boarding if sufficient food is not provided. Guests are not permitted to carry liquor from the Vessel on disembarkation.

Indecent behaviour on a licensed vessel is prohibited under the NSW Liquor Act and your charter will be terminated in the event of unacceptable behaviour as determined by the crew, and if such circumstances occur there will be no refunds. Nudity, prostitution and illicit drugs are prohibited on all licenced and unlicenced charters.

Restricted Areas
Hiring of this vessel does not give you access to cabins and some other restricted areas of the vessel, unless with permission of the captain or as specified on your charter contract. If you have booked an overnight or extended stay charter, your cabin will be allocated to you upon arrival to the vessel.

12. Bond
The Charterer is required to pay a security bond as specified in the quotation. The security bond may be applied by the Operator to cover additional costs including but not limited to damage to the vessel, its equipment and fittings, additional services, excessive cleaning charges and any other costs attributable to the Charterer’s Group. The security bond or the balance thereof will be refunded 7 days after the Charter.

13. Substitute Vessel
In the event of a mechanical problem to the booked vessel, the Agent reserves the right to provide another vessel of similar style and capacity in order for the Charter to be completed.

14. Weather Conditions
All Charters will proceed regardless of weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by the Master on the day.

15. Charter Course
The course to be undertaken during the Charter may be agreed in advance with the Operator or with the Master on the occasion of the Charter. The Charterer acknowledges that the Master has the sole discretion at all times to take whatever action is necessary to protect and maintain the safety, welfare and good order of the vessel, its passengers and crew with regard to the weather conditions and other activity on the Harbour.

16. Embarkation and Disembarkation
The Vessel will dock at the times stated on the booking confirmation. All guests have 15 minutes to board and 15 minutes to disembark from the times stated in the booking confirmation. Excessive boarding and disembarkation will be charged at a pro-­-rata hourly rate as specified by the Operator.

17. Responsibility of the Charterer
The Charterer is at all times responsible for the conduct of the Charterer’s group.

18. Damage to the Vessel
The Charterer shall indemnify the Operator in respect of any loss or damage to the Vessel or its equipment or fittings howsoever caused by the Charterer’s Group. Fair wear and tear excepted.

19. Limit of Liability
It is a condition of the Charter that the liability of the Operator, its servants, agents, employees and subcontractors is agreed to be limited in accordance with the Limitation of Liabilities and Maritime Claims Act 1989 (Cth ) and that any claim for loss or damage must be notified in writing within 7 days from the day of the Charter and any court action, suit or proceeding must be brought within 1 year of that date.

20. Indemnity
The Charterer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Operator, the Agent, their agents and employees, from and against any and all losses, claims, actions, costs, expenses, fees, damages, fines and liabilities (including reasonable legal fees) caused by any negligent act or omission by the Charterer or members of the Charterer’s Group including:
(i) Failure to follow any reasonable direction given by the master or crew;
(ii) Failure to comply with any of these terms or conditions;
(iii) Failure to comply with any warning sign;
(iv) Unreasonable or unsafe behaviour;
(v) Wilful misuse of the equipment or facilities of the vessel;
(vi) Intoxication or the use of prohibited drugs.

21. Risk Warning
There are inherent risks and dangers on board any vessel. All passengers participate in the Charter entirely at their own risk.

22. Swimming
Swimming is only permitted during daylight hours when the vessel is stationary and in the absolute discretion of the crew.

23. Jurisdiction
The laws of New South Wales govern this agreement and the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of New South Wales in respect of any disputes arising between them.

24. Acceptance
By accepting the quotation and paying a deposit, the Charterer agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

The Charterer acknowledges that he or she has read and understood these Terms and Conditions and has or will convey these conditions to all of the Charterer’s Group.