Booking Terms and Conditions

These Booking Terms & Conditions govern all reservations made for voyages operated under the Philippines Explorer brand by Vessel Ventures Pte. Ltd. ("the Company").

These Terms apply to all Guests, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Charterers and any other person or entity making a booking with the Company.

By making a booking, paying a deposit, paying an invoice, confirming a reservation or participating in a voyage, the Booking Party accepts these Terms & Conditions.

PART A – DEFINITIONS

1. Definitions

'Company' means Vessel Ventures Pte. Ltd., its vessels, employees, contractors and authorised representatives.

'Booking Party' means any Guest, Travel Agent, Tour Operator, Charterer, company or person making a booking with the Company.

'Guest' means any person travelling onboard a vessel operated by the Company.

'Tour Operator / Travel Agent' means any intermediary selling or arranging bookings on behalf of the Company.

'Charterer' means the individual or entity contracting the exclusive use of a vessel.

'Voyage' means any cruise, expedition, liveaboard, charter, diving trip or travel product operated by the Company.

'Vessel' means Philippines Explorer One, Philippines Explorer Two or any vessel operated by the Company.

'Master' means the Captain of the Vessel.

PART B – BOOKINGS & PAYMENTS

2. Booking Confirmation

A booking shall only be considered confirmed when:

- The Company has accepted the reservation;

- The required deposit has been received;

- Written confirmation has been issued.

The Booking Party warrants that it has authority to accept these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all Guests included in the booking.

3. Agent & Tour Operator Responsibilities

Where a booking is made through a Travel Agent, Tour Operator or other intermediary, that party shall:

- Provide these Terms & Conditions to all Guests;

- Ensure all Guests are informed of and accept these Terms;

- Collect and provide all information reasonably required by the Company;

- Ensure all payments are made in accordance with agreed terms.

Failure by a Travel Agent or Tour Operator to communicate these Terms shall not affect their applicability to any Guest.

4. Prices and Currency

Unless otherwise stated:

- All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD);

- Prices may change prior to booking confirmation;

- The Company reserves the right to correct pricing errors.

5. Payment Terms

25% deposit on confirmation of booking.

The remaining balance must be paid no later than 60 days prior to the trip departure date. If a reservation/booking is made within 60 days or less to the trip start date of the booking, then full payment is required within 7 days of the date of your invoice to confirm the booking.

Failure to pay by the due date may result in cancellation of the booking.

6. Responsibility for Payment

For direct bookings, the Guest shall be responsible for payment.

For bookings made through a Travel Agent or Tour Operator, the Travel Agent or Tour Operator shall remain responsible for payment of all invoices issued by the Company unless otherwise agreed in writing.

The Company shall have no obligation to pursue individual Guests for unpaid invoices where the booking was made through a Travel Agent or Tour Operator.

7. Bank Charges and Payment Fees

All bank charges, transfer fees, intermediary bank fees, foreign exchange costs and payment processing fees shall be borne by the Booking Party.

The Company must receive the full invoiced amount.

PART C – WHAT IS INCLUDED & EXCLUDED

8. Included Services

Unless otherwise stated, voyage pricing includes:

- Accommodation onboard in the booked cabin category;

- Full-board meal plan;

- Snacks between meals;

- Standard non-alcoholic beverages;

- Scheduled activities included in the itinerary;

- Scheduled diving activities where applicable;

- Applicable taxes where required by law.

Cabins are generally available from 13:00 on embarkation day and must be vacated by 10:00 on disembarkation day.

9. Excluded Services

Unless specifically stated otherwise, voyage pricing excludes (where applicable): international flights, domestic flights, hotels, visa fees, airport taxes, marine park fees, conservation fees, photography permits, government permits, dive permits, equipment rental, nitrox, alcoholic beverages, laundry services, satellite communication packages, internet packages, gratuities, personal purchases, medical expenses, travel insurance, emergency evacuation expenses.

Additional onboard charges may be payable at the end of the voyage.

10. Marine Park Fees & Government Charges

Marine park fees, conservation fees, local government fees, environmental charges, photography permits and similar charges are imposed by third-party authorities.

Such fees may change without notice and remain payable by the Guest.

11. Fuel Surcharge

The Company reserves the right to apply a fuel surcharge where fuel prices materially exceed assumptions used when pricing the voyage.

Any surcharge shall be communicated prior to departure.

The Company may waive or reduce such surcharge at its discretion.

PART D – CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES

12. Guest Cancellation

All cancellations are to be in writing and must be acknowledged by Philippines Explorer as having been received in order to be accepted as a valid cancellation.

• 90 or more days prior to the date of arrival – deposit is non-refundable.

• 60 to 90 days prior to date of arrival – forfeit 50% of deposit/payment minus a US$50.00 cancellation fee.

• 30 to 60 days prior to the date of arrival – forfeit 75% of total booking value, minus a US$50.00 cancellation fee.

• Less than 30 days or no-show - 100% of total booking value will be forfeited.

13. Transfers and Name Changes

The Company may permit Guest substitutions at its discretion.

The replacement Guest must satisfy all participation requirements.

Administrative fees may apply. Name changes requested within 30 days of departure may be refused.

14. Future Cruise Credits

The Company may, at its sole discretion, offer a Future Cruise Credit instead of a refund.

Future Cruise Credits:

• Have no cash value;

• Are non-transferable unless approved;

• Must be used within the stated validity period.

PART E – OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

15. Expedition Nature of Voyages

Philippines Explorer voyages operate in remote and sometimes challenging environments.

Guests acknowledge that flexibility is a fundamental part of expedition cruising.

Routes, schedules, activities, destinations, dive sites and ports may change without notice.

No refund or compensation shall arise from such changes.

16. Authority of the Master & Cruise Director(s)

The Master has absolute authority regarding:

• Safety;

• Navigation;

• Vessel operations;

The Cruise Director(s) has absolute authority regarding:

• Guest conduct;

• Participation in activities.

All decisions of the Master and Cruise Director(s) shall be final.

17. Weather & Sea Conditions

Weather, currents, sea conditions, visibility and marine conditions are beyond the Company's control.

No refund, compensation or credit shall be payable due to adverse environmental conditions.

18. Wildlife Sightings

The Company does not guarantee sightings of any wildlife.

No refund, compensation or credit shall be payable due to the absence of any species or wildlife encounter.

19. Diving Activities

Guests participating in diving activities must:

• Hold appropriate certification;

• Follow all dive staff instructions;

• Use appropriate equipment;

• Comply with safe diving practices.

The Company may restrict or prohibit diving activities where safety concerns exist.

20. No-Fly Restrictions

Guests acknowledge that recognised diving safety standards require minimum surface intervals before flying or travelling to altitude.

The Company shall not be responsible for missed flights, additional accommodation costs or travel disruptions arising from compliance with safe diving practices.

21. Medical Fitness

Guests are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to participate.

The Company may require medical certification or refuse participation where safety concerns exist.

22. Remote Area Operations

Voyages may operate in remote regions where:

• Medical facilities may be unavailable;

• Hyperbaric chambers may be distant;

• Communications may be limited;

• Emergency evacuation may be delayed or impossible.

Guests acknowledge and accept these limitations.

23. Internet & Communications

Satellite internet services may be offered onboard.

Availability, speed and reliability cannot be guaranteed.

No refund or compensation shall be payable due to interruption or unavailability of communication services.

24. Missed Departures

Guests are responsible for arriving at embarkation points on time.

The Company shall not be liable for missed departures resulting from:

• Flight delays;

• Flight cancellations;

• Immigration issues;

• Lost baggage;

• Transportation disruptions.

25. Guest Conduct

Guests must comply with all lawful instructions issued by the Master, officers, crew and expedition staff.

The Company may remove, restrict or refuse participation to any Guest whose conduct may affect safety, operations, property or the enjoyment of others. No refund shall be payable.

26. Alcohol & Illegal Drugs

Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.

The Cruise Director may restrict alcohol consumption whenever safety may be affected.

Participation in activities may be denied where impairment is suspected.

27. Damage to Property

Guests shall be responsible for damage caused through negligence, misconduct or failure to follow instructions.

Repair or replacement costs may be recovered from the responsible party.

PART F – LEGAL PROVISIONS

28. Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.

Insurance should include:

- Trip cancellation;

- Medical expenses;

- Emergency evacuation;

- Repatriation;

- Personal liability;

- Baggage and personal effects;

- Diving activities where applicable.

The Company reserves the right to refuse participation where adequate insurance is not maintained.

29. Cancellation by the Company

The Company may cancel, postpone or modify a voyage where reasonably necessary due to:

• Safety concerns;

• Force majeure;

• Government restrictions;

• Technical issues;

• Operational requirements;

• Insufficient passenger numbers.

Any liability of the Company shall be limited to monies paid directly to the Company for the affected voyage.

30. Force Majeure

The Company shall not be liable for delays, disruptions, cancellations or losses arising from events beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, severe weather, typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami, flood, fire, war, terrorism, civil unrest, labour disputes, pandemics, epidemics, government actions, immigration delays, customs delays, quarantine restrictions and port closures.

31. Errors by Travel Agents & Tour Operators

The Company shall not be responsible for representations, promises, statements, pricing, itinerary descriptions or information communicated by Travel Agents or Tour Operators unless confirmed in writing by the Company.

Any dispute arising from information supplied by a Travel Agent or Tour Operator shall be a matter between the Guest and that Travel Agent or Tour Operator.

32. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

- Participation occurs at the Guest's own risk;

- The Company's liability shall not exceed the amount paid directly to the Company for the relevant voyage;

- The Company shall not be liable for indirect, consequential or special losses.

33. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by the laws of Singapore.

Any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Singapore.

34. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain fully effective.

35. Acceptance

Payment of a deposit, payment of an invoice, confirmation of a booking, participation in a voyage or acceptance of a booking confirmation shall constitute acceptance of these Terms & Conditions by the Booking Party and all Guests included within that booking.