Refund Policy
Transparent and equitable refund terms for your comfort
Overview
At CloudBerryDesk, we recognize that situations may alter, and we are committed to providing straightforward and clear refund guidelines. This document details the criteria for issuing refunds for yacht charter services.
Before placing a reservation, please review this policy thoroughly. By reserving a charter with CloudBerryDesk, you are confirming your acceptance of these refund conditions.
Standard Cancellation and Refund Schedule
More than 72 Hours Before Charter
Eligible for: Entire refund except processing charges
Processing Time: 5-7 business days
Processing Fee: €50 for credit card transactions
Conditions: Must be requested formally via email or telephone
24-72 Hours Before Charter
Eligible for: Half of the total charter cost
Processing Time: 7-10 business days
Processing Fee: €25 subtracted from the refund
Conditions: A valid explanation is required; administrative expenses apply
Less than 24 Hours Before Charter
Eligible for: No refund possible
Exception: Emergency cases can be taken into account
Alternative: Charter credits might be offered at the discretion of management
Conditions: Supporting paperwork required for emergency claims
Weather-Related Cancellations
Our Weather Guarantee
Our primary concern is safety. If our certified captain determines the weather conditions are unsafe for chartering, we offer adaptable options:
- Full Refund: 100% refund if rescheduling is not an option
- Reschedule: Change your charter to an upcoming date without extra charges
- Charter Credit: Get a voucher valid for one year from the initial charter date
Weather Assessment Process
We perform a thorough weather assessment including:
- Evaluation of wind speed and flow
- Height of waves and condition of the sea
- Forecast for visibility and rain
- Marine advisories and cautions from the Coast Guard
- Professional assessment of the captain's safety
Decision Timeline: Weather cancellation decisions are made at latest 4 hours prior to your planned departure.
Medical Emergency Refunds
Emergency Situations
We are sympathetic to the occurrence of medical emergencies. Special consideration might be given for the following scenarios:
- Sudden medical condition or injury leading to hospital admission
- Passing of a family member
- Unexpected military service or urgent recall
- Summoned to jury duty or legal subpoena
- Natural disasters affecting journey plans
Proof Requirements
For processing emergency reimbursement requests, please provide:
- Official medical statement or hospital records
- Certificate of death (where necessary)
- Military directives
- Legal notice of jury duty or court summons
- Emergency travel notifications or declarations
Processing: Emergency refunds are handled within 3-5 working days after we receive the relevant paperwork.
Operational Cancellations
Technical Failures
If the yacht designated for your voyage experiences unsolvable technical issues:
- Alternative Vessel: Attempt to provide a similar substitute
- Full Refund: In case a comparable yacht is not available
- Partial Refund: In case the substitute yacht has a different fee
- Compensation: Further reparation might be considered for the inconvenience
Crew Absence
On the rare occasion that certified crew is not present:
- A substitute crew will be sought if feasible
- Entire refund if the charter cannot continue
- Rebooking without additional costs
Refund Processing
Mode of Payment
Reimbursements are processed back to the initial method of payment:
- Credit Cards: 5-7 business days
- Bank Transfers: 7-10 business days
- Cash/Cheque: 3-5 business days
Handling Fees
Credit Card Processing
€50 charge for cancellations requested over 72 hours in advance
Bank Transfer Handling
€25 charge for all bank transfer reimbursements
International Transactions
Supplementary charges might apply for international payments
Charter Credits
Instances for Offering Credits
Credits for charters can be provided instead of refunds under specific conditions:
- Last-minute cancellation notices (under 24 hours)
- Weather-related cancellations
- Voluntary rescheduling requests
- Operational disturbances
Stipulations for Credit
- Validity: One year from the date of issuance
- Transferability: Not transferable to other individuals
- Value: Equivalent to the complete charter cost (excludes processing charges)
- Usage: Applicable to any upcoming charters
- Expiry: Extensions past one year will not be granted
Partial Service Refunds
Disruptions in Service
If your charter encounter interruptions or shorter duration due to our operational factors:
- Refund proportional to the unspent duration
- Credit equal to a future charter of the same value
- Complimentary services or upgrades may be offered
Interruptions Caused by Guests
If a charter is concluded prematurely due to guests' behavior or breaches of safety:
- No reimbursement for the unutilized portion
- Full payment remains obligatory
- Potential additional fees might apply
Dispute Resolution
In case of disagreement with a refund determination, you are entitled to:
- Seek a reassessment from our administrative team
- Submit additional evidence or documentation
- Engage with consumer protection entities
- Pursue legal courses in compliance with the law
Refund Request Procedure
Step 1: Reach Out to Us
Commence your refund application through:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: +32 59 70 11 99
- Directly at our marine office
Step 2: Supply Required Information
For your request, you should include:
- Your confirmation code for the booking
- Date and time of the charter
- Justification for the cancellation
- Any relevant supporting papers (if any)
- Preferred mode of refund
Step 3: Review and Fulfillment
We will acknowledge your inquiry within a day, match it with this policy, provide an outcome within two days, and if approved, carry out the reimbursement within the specified time frame.
Essential Details
- All applications for reimbursement must be in written form
- Reimbursements are processed in € despite the payment currency used originally
- We strongly advocate for acquiring travel insurance
- This guiding principle is subject to change with a notice period of 30 days
- Refunds are influenced by relevant taxes and rules
Getting in Touch
For inquiries regarding refunds or to put in a request for a refund:
Refunds Department
CloudBerryDesk Marine Services Ltd.
Marina Point
Ostend 8400
Belgium
Phone: +32 59 70 11 99
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM