Car, Motorbike and Passenger Ferry Booking Conditions

1. Application

These Booking Conditions apply to all car, motorbike and passenger ferry bookings through Direct Ferries Limited and or its affiliates and associates (hereafter referred to as 'we' or 'The Company') and replace all previous conditions. These booking conditions apply to Customers booking either on the United Kingdom websites or at the United Kingdom call Centres.

2. Parties

Your booking for ferry travel does not form a contract with the Company. Your contract is with the Ferry Operator. All bookings are subject to availability and the following conditions apply in addition to the conditions of the Ferry Operator. The Company is not responsible for any errors or omissions of the Ferry Operator and acts only as an agent for the Ferry Operator.
If, notwithstanding the above, the Company is held to be the primary contracting party, the company contracts only in accordance with these Booking Conditions.

3. Fares and General Information

Fares are based on vehicle type, the number of passengers, ferry route(s), travel dates and times. Your booking may require you to depart and/or return at or within specified dates and times. If you do not adhere to such specified dates and times, you may be refused travel and/or have your booking specification and accommodation changed, and/or be subject to additional charges. In particular, the benefit of any promotional rates may be lost and full fare charged. Any additional charges are payable prior to boarding and may be debited to your credit or debit card at any time thereafter without further reference to yourself. Bookings cannot be made or purchased on some services without on board accommodation.
Vehicle and passenger space and onboard accommodation are subject to allocation and therefore may not always be available. Promotional fares are subject to additional special conditions including a general condition that if any portion of the itinerary is not used, we reserve the right to cancel. The Company retains the right to vary our fares according to market conditions or costs are beyond our control, (including, but not limited to currency fluctuations, oil prices, increases by the Ferry Operator and government legislation). Items such as roof boxes/bike racks or any other items attached to a vehicle not forming part of the vehicle body but attached to it will be charged and an additional fee. Booking a vehicle with additional items, can only be made via our call centre.
Not all of the ferry operators have facilities or accept bookings for people with disabilities enquiries should be made at the time of booking whether the ferry operator has the facilities available.

4. Sailing Schedules

All departure/arrival times are estimated by the Ferry Operator and are given as local times - please refer to your booking confirmation. You are advised to check with the Ferry Operator for any changes prior to commencing your journey. Sailing schedules may be interrupted and/or crossing times extended or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and/or tidal conditions and/or other circumstances.
It may be necessary to use alternative ships or points of departure or arrival on any sailing or to change/withdraw the facilities/services available for various operational, technical or scheduling reasons.
The Company cannot accept liability howsoever arising for any costs or inconvenience caused as a result of such circumstances, but we will try to notify you, if practical, using the contact details provided by you at the time of booking.

5. Animals

The carriage of animals is not permitted without the express written agreement of the Company and the Ferry Operator given at the time of booking. Any such carriage must be in accordance with any relevant legal requirements and the requirements of the Ferry Operator concerned. A charge will be made for the carriage of any animals, and further conditions may be imposed. Please seek advice from your vet or the appropriate authority. You are legally responsible for the animals and wholly responsible for obtaining any necessary documents, consents and permission.

6. Freight and Commercial Passenger Vehicles

Special conditions and tariffs apply to the carriage of freight and commercial passenger vehicles. The definition of what constitutes a Freight Vehicle and whether any special tariff applies is determined by the Ferry Operator in each case.
By way of guidance only, vehicles exceeding 6.5 metres in length, specifically constructed or adapted for the carriage of freight whether carrying goods or not, are generally subject to special tariffs, as are any vehicles of other specification but which are carrying merchandise or travelling for a commercial purpose. In the event that a vehicle is booked as a car or private vehicle, but is found to be a Freight Vehicle, the full tariff rate will be charged and/or carriage will be refused without refund. For further information on freight tariffs and rates, contact Direct Ferries Freight department on 0871 222 3315.
Commercial Passenger Vehicles exceeding 6.5 metres in length and constructed or adapted to carry 8 or more passengers and/or not classified as a private car by the ferry operator may be subject to a different tariff. In the event that the vehicle is booked as a car or private vehicle, but is found to be a Commercial Passenger Vehicle the full tariff will be charged and/or carriage will be refused without refund.

7. Hazardous Materials

The Company will not accept bookings for vehicles that are carrying dangerous or hazardous materials, including in certain circumstances vehicles powered by LPG. In certain circumstances written permission may be obtained from the Company and the Ferry Operator, but such permission may be subject to additional charges and conditions. You are responsible to the Company and the Ferry Operator for the carriage of such materials, whether declared or undeclared. In the event that you seek to carry undeclared dangerous/hazardous materials, carriage may be refused without refund.

8. Confirmation and Payment

Unless a credit account has been established all bookings must be prepaid at time of booking before a confirmation is issued. Payment can be made by credit/debit card.
When you contact the Company to make a booking we require full payment whereupon we issue a confirmation advice that sets out the details of your reservation and provides other information on the basis of the information you have provided.
If payment is made by debit or credit card, additional credit card charges will apply and the amount or balance due will be taken from that card at the time of booking.
All bookings may be subject to a booking fee.
Once details have been confirmed to you either by electronic confirmation via our website or by email or telephone or fax, a confirmation based on these booking conditions will be deemed to have come into effect between us without issuing tickets.

9. Cancellation

Unless Cancellation Insurance has been taken out through ourselves via our websites or call centres at the time of booking, all fares are non refundable. Cancellation insurance is available to persons who book within the United Kingdom which shall include Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. In the event that Cancellation Insurance has been taken out and the relevant premium paid, you shall have a right of recovery against the insurance company and not against the Company, and only insofar as provided in the insurance. The Cancellation Insurance terms are available on request or via our website. These contain limits of liability and cover together with conditions which must be observed, including immediate notification of claims. It is a condition precedent to any insurance claim that cancellation must be notified to the Company as soon as possible and in any event not later than 5pm GMT, 5 days prior to the travel date. You will be required to bear the excess of £30 or such other sum as may be specified on our website or in the Cancellation Insurance terms, on each and every claim. The Company will initially deal with any claims as agent for the insurance company. Initial notice of any claim shall be sent to the Company, unless otherwise specified.

10. Amendment Fees

Booking amendment is entirely at the discretion of the Company and the Ferry Operator and subject to availability. A minimum amendment fee of £25 (or such other sum as may be published on our website) plus any charges from the Ferry Operator is payable for any change to your booking Some bookings, such as promotional or special fares, are not amendable and you should check with the Company at the time of booking whether your booking is amendable or not.

11. Check in

Your minimum check in times are as stated on the booking confirmation otherwise boarding cannot be guaranteed as waiting lists may have been accepted. If you have special requirements, or have received our permission to carry animals or dangerous goods, generally you are expected to check in earlier as stated on your booking confirmation. We will not accept (as agents) bookings to carry passengers under the age of 16 unless an adult of 18 years or older accompanies them.
The Ferry Operator and the Company have absolute discretion whether or not to accept any passenger, their vehicle or luggage on board. You must have all the necessary travel documents to enter the countries which you intend to visit and for re-entry into the country of departure.
If you do not have valid documents you will not be able to board. It is the entire responsibility of the passenger to access and provide the relevant documentation required to travel.

12. Indemnity

You are responsible to the Company and the Ferry Operator for fully complying with these Booking Conditions and any additional requirements imposed by the Ferry Operator or by law. You are also responsible for providing full and accurate information about your booking, including the vehicle and passengers. You agree to indemnify the Company and/or the Ferry Operator in the event of any breach or any false or omitted information.

13. Compulsory Law

Your booking and these booking conditions are subject to any compulsory law or convention applicable to the ferry booking and your attention is specifically drawn to the Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea 1974, which both imposes obligations on the carrier and limits their liability.

14. Jurisdiction and Law

These Booking Conditions and any act or contract to which they apply shall be governed by English Law and any dispute arising therefrom shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

15. Severability

These terms and conditions shall be deemed severable. In the event that any provision is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision shall nonetheless be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and such determination shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other remaining provisions.

Direct Ferries Limited, 45 Great Sutton Street, London, EC1V 0DE England.
Company Registration Number: 03865405