Sunreef Terms and Conditions: Private Charters

Sunreef Terms and Conditions: Private Charters

Please read the following terms and conditions prior to booking your Private Charter.

 Private Charter Bookings

Bookings

Upon booking the Charterer acknowledges all Terms and Conditions. Your booking is considered confirmed when the deposit is received.

Final number of guests, cruise times, catering selections, entertainment requirements and balance of payment are all to be finalised within fourteen (14) business days prior to the event date. Additions to the final numbers may be accepted up to five (5) days prior to the event date, must be paid for in full at the time of notification. No refunds will be distributed if actual numbers of guests are lower than the final numbers given at time of payment.

Payments

A 50% deposit payment is required within 5 working days of receiving a Booking Form from Whale One, to secure your booking. If a deposit payment is not received within the given period, the company reserves the right to allocate the vessel to another client. The vessel hirer is required to sign the Booking Form, specifying cruise details and conditions and return with your holding deposit.

Special arrangements may be made when discussing the conditions with our Booking Office Team. All charter quotes are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and will indicate the cost of the various charter components, including the cruising tariff, catering, beverages and entertainment, where applicable. Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applied to the sub-total of all the cost components and the total quote will include GST.

No refund is given if the actual number of guests is less than the minimum guaranteed passengers or the final number of guests advised to us by vessel hirer 5 days prior to the function.

Payments are accepted through Electronic Bank Transfer or credit card (Visa and Mastercard). Full payment to be made fourteen (14) business days prior to event date.

CANCELLATION POLICY

More than 30 days prior to event date: Deposit will be refunded.
Between 30 – 14 days prior to event date: Loss of deposit.
Less than 14 days prior to event date: Loss of deposit plus $200 cancellation fee.

Should Sunreef cancel a booked trip for any reason, the Charterer will be offered to undertake the same trip on another date. If no suitable alternate date can be arranged, then Sunreef will provide a full refund.

Sunreef reserves the right at any time to cancel any cruise. If, in the opinion of the skipper, the voyage cannot be continued for any reason, then the skipper may terminate the cruise at any time. 

Sunreef is not a common carrier and reserves the right to refuse to carry any passenger, baggage or goods without assigning any reason. Therefore passengers shall comply with the Navigation Act 1912 (as amended 1079) and all regulations, orders or instructions given by the skipper.

Sunreef reserves the right to amend vessels, menu, entertainment or any other aspect of your Private Charter where necessary and without notice. Private Charters may be cancelled or have schedule changes (with or without notice) for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to bad weather condition and technical disruptions. We will not be responsible for paying costs or expenses you may incur as a result of change of time or cancellation.

Although it us highly unlikely in the river, if you or any of your guests find yourselves dealing with seasickness, our crew will look after you and ensure you are comfortable and safe. However, as this is not something in our control, we will not issue any rebookings or refunds for being seasick. 

Boarding time

The boarding period usually takes 30 minutes, and you will be greeted by a staff member who will take your boarding pass and welcome you to the boat. Delays in our cruise departure for any late arrivals will be taken off of the total cruise time. Please ensure you and your guests allow enough time for travel and parking at Mooloolaba Wharf.

Guests must check in to Sunreef Mooloolaba before boarding to receive a boarding pass.

No-shows

Failure to turn up for your Private Charter on the agreed date attracts a 100% cancellation fee. NO REFUNDS.

DURATION OF THE CHARTER

Embarkation and disembarkation take place at the Mooloolaba Wharf, 123 Parkyn Parade. The duration of the Charter includes the time taken to embark and disembark guests of the Charterer’s group.

Sunreef is not responsible for any delays caused by the late arrival of guests of the Charterer’s group or delays at the wharf caused by crowds, the arrival of other vessels or any other item beyond the vessel’s
control. If disembarking guests takes longer than 20 minutes beyond the scheduled end of the Charter, the Charterer will be charged for this time pro rata (30 minutes extension) to the vessel hire rate.

The skipper reserves the right to choose the course of sail during the event.

SUITABILITY OF THE VESSEL

It is the responsibility of the Charterer to inspect the vessel prior to the Charter to determine the vessel’s suitability. The Charterer represents and warrants to Sunreef that the Charterer is satisfied with the vessel and the standard of services offered by Sunreef to be provided in respect of the Charter.

DECORATIONS

All decorations and/or additional set up prior to departure must be prearranged. Decorations must be
placed so no damage results to the vessel; no pins or adhesive tape. No confetti and balloons are discouraged.

The Skipper and Sunreef Management

The Skipper (Master) has total discretion as to the operation of the vessel including passenger loading, vessel route, event timing, carriage of goods, serving of alcohol, acceptable conduct of passengers, and the disembarkation of any ill-behaved guests.

In the event of a passenger being required not to embark or to disembark from the vessel under the provisions of this condition, Sunreef, nor the skipper shall be under any liability to such passenger of any kind whatsoever.

The Skipper and Sunreef shall not be responsible for any injury to person or damage to property arising out of any cruise.

Sunreef shall not be responsible for any damage or loss occasioned.

Sunreef reserves the right without notice to substitute any vessel.

Responsible Service of Alcohol

If you expect to be served alcohol we will require a valid photo ID prior to boarding. A photo image of ID is not permitted. Alcohol may not be carried from the vessel on disembarkation.

Whale One is a licensed venue and does not allow BYO. Staff reserve the right to refuse entry onto the vessel, the service/supply of alcohol to any unduly intoxicated, underage or disorderly guests.

If deemed necessary, the Skipper may elect to dock the vessel and remove the guest and notify police. Rowdy or unruly behaviour will not be tolerated. The Operator and the vessel have a “Responsible Service of Alcohol Policy” that applies during the Charter. If behaviour falls outside the guidelines of this policy then Sunreef may, in conjunction with the Skipper, do any of the following:

• Terminate the Charter by berthing the vessel at the nearest safe location and disembarking the passengers.
• Summon the Police to remove offending passengers
• Negotiate with the Charterer to agree on some other course of action to resolve the issue.

Any costs associated with the early termination of the Charter due to unruly or rowdy behaviour must be paid by the Charterer.

Not Permitted

There is strictly NO SMOKING on board any of our vessels.

Passengers shall not carry any alcoholic liquor, matches (other than safety matches), explosives, volatile spirit or other goods of a dangerous, inflammable or offensive nature.

Dress Code

Dress appropriate for the weather; there are open air, protected and enclosed areas available, but no air conditioning. Due to safety regulations, the footwear dress code exclusions are as follows:

• No thongs/flip flops
  
• No stiletto heels

Guest behaviour

Good behaviour is expected. Any passengers doing the following will be reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and/or Queensland Police Service (QPS):

• Use of illegal drugs
  
• Swinging from the handrails
  
• Jumping off the vessel
  
• Urinating off the side of the vessel
  
• Throwing debris from the vessel
  
• Yelling at patrons on docks and houses
  
• Fighting or aggressive arguments

Actions of this sort may be recorded as a Marine Incident with persons liable for on the spot fines of up to $2200.

Safety And Security

Our vessels are equipped to safely carry passengers. Please listen closely to the safety briefing prior to departure. If you have any questions, ask a crew member. All passengers are carried at their own risk, Sunreef does not accept responsibility or liability for any injury suffered whilst boarding, aboard, or disembarking from its vessel. Operation of the vessel and any of its equipment is restricted to the Skipper and Crew of Sunreef.

Skipper: The Skipper (Master) has total discretion as to the operation of the vessel including passenger
loading, vessel route, event timing, carriage of goods, serving of alcohol, acceptable conduct of
passengers, and the disembarkation of any ill-behaved guests.

Security may be on board. The vessel is monitored by CCTV. Security will enforce all listed terms and conditions and reserve the right refuse entry or to remove unruly guest from the vessel. Illegal actions will incur Queensland Police attention.

Disability and Mobility

Unfortunately there is no wheelchair access available on any of our vessels.

Prams

Pram space may be limited. Please advise us upon booking regarding the need for pram space.

CHARTER COURSE

The course to be undertaken during the Charter may be agreed in advance with Sunreef or with the Skipper. Sunreef reserves the right, at its sole discretion or that of the Skipper, to vary the agreed course because of weather, wave height, traffic, vessel survey restrictions, or any other cause which Sunreef or the Skipper believes is justified in the interests of the comfort or safety of passengers, crew, the vessel and other vessels.

SUBSTITUTION OF VESSEL

Sunreef may substitute another vessel for the specified vessel in the case of any unforeseen circumstances (including mechanical breakdown). In such cases, Sunreef has no liability to the Charterer for such substitution provided that the substituted vessel satisfactorily meets the Charter particulars and provides the level of services as originally agreed.

LIABILITY

A security deposit of $500.00 will be included in the Private Charter contract. The Charterer is liable for any damage to the vessel, equipment or furnishings caused by the Charterer or guests of Charterer’s group. Damage to the vessel will be charged at cost of repair, a copy of the invoice from our chosen repairer will be provided.

No damage = full refund of deposit.

Sunreef Mooloolaba accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to goods brought on board and/or left on the vessel, before, during or after the event.

LIMIT OF LIABILITY

To the extent permissible by law, Sunreef Mooloolaba is not responsible in sort, contract or otherwise for any loss or damage arising out of injury or death sustained by the Charterer or any guest of the Charterer’s group, howsoever arising and whether arising as a result of the Operator’s negligence or failure to render due care.

The Charterer enters into this Charter Agreement at its own risk.

If, however any guarantees, terms, conditions or warranties are implied into this Charter Agreement by any law of the Commonwealth of Queensland, the exclusion of which would contravene that law or cause part or all this clause to be void, then to the extent permissible by law.

The law of Queensland governs this agreement and the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland in respect of any dispute arising between them. Sunreef Mooloolaba has no liability for failing to perform its obligation under this terms and conditions due to any industrial action, unsuitable weather conditions, mechanical or technical breakdowns or other events beyond its reasonable control.

The Charterer agrees to indemnity and hold Sunreef Mooloolaba harmless, it’s agents and employees from and against any and all losses, claims, actions, expenses, fees, damages, fines and liabilities (including reasonable legal fees) arising from the Charter or caused by any negligent act or omission by the Charterer or guests of the Charterer’s group.

INDEMNITY

The Charterer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Sunreef, its agents and employees, from and against any and all losses, claims, actions, costs expenses, fees, damages, fines and liabilities (including reasonable legal fees) arising from the Charter or caused by any negligent act or omission by the Charterer or members of the Charterer’s group.

FORCE MAJURE

Sunreef has no liability for failing to perform its obligations under this terms and conditions due to any industrial action, unsuitable weather conditions,  mechanical or technical breakdowns or other events beyond Sunreef’s reasonable control.

JURISDICTIONS AND CHOICE OF LAW

The law of Queensland governs this agreement and the parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of New South Wales in respect of any dispute arising between them.

Parking

The Wharf complex has 4 hour parking available, however you will need to find suitable parking for the tour you are on as some of our trips will be over 4 hours. There are some unlimited parking spaces available outside of The Wharf Mooloolaba / SEA Life car park, however please keep in mind especially if you are on an 11:30 am or later trip that parking can get very busy. Please give yourself at least 15-20 minutes for parking. You can find a parking map of The Wharf Mooloolaba here.