Ferry Booking Terms and Conditions

These conditions apply to all ferry bookings with Brittany Ferries. Bookings for ferry travel form a contract between yourself and BAI SA, through the agency of its Irish subsidiary, BAI (Ireland) Limited (‘Brittany Ferries’), at the time we confirm your booking by providing your booking reference.

If your booking involves a transport company other than Brittany Ferries, their Conditions of Carriage will apply to that portion of the journey. All bookings and tariffs are subject to availability and the following conditions:

FARES AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Fares are based on travel dates and times; and may require you to return to Ireland or the UK within a specified period. Documents are only valid for the sailing dates/times indicated. Open return tickets are not available. Fares are only valid for itineraries commencing in the country they are booked in. We will not carry passengers under the age of 16 unless an adult of 18 years or over accompanies them.

At the time of booking the following information will be required where applicable: vehicle registration number, passengers’ first names, surnames and dates of birth.

If you vary the length of your stay abroad, change to a different sailing or misuse the terms of the ticket or any promotion, then the difference between the cost of your original ticket and the appropriate fare will be charged. Any additional charges are payable prior to boarding.

On overnight sailings to France and on our Spanish service, a cabin or reclining seat must be pre-booked.

Vehicle and passenger space plus on board accommodation are subject to allocations and therefore may not always be available with certain types of fare.

We vary our fares according to market conditions or where costs beyond our control make such action necessary. No increase will be made after full payment has been received. If an increase is made prior to payment, the client has the right to cancel and obtain a full refund of any monies paid for that booking.

Vehicles exceeding 6.5m in length which are not specifically constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers are subject to freight tariffs, as are vehicles of lesser dimensions but which are carrying merchandise and/or being used for hire and reward. For further information and rates, contact our Freight number (021) 427 4090.

Onboard facilities vary depending on route, vessel, dates and time of travel.

Please note that smoking is only permitted on outside decks.

A charge is made for the use of all cards except Irish Euro debit cards.

To monitor customer service and for training purposes, we may record telephone calls.

CONFIRMATION AND PAYMENT

Booking Option (not available on line) If you contact us by telephone a booking option and price quote (where a booking reference has been given) may be held for 24 hours pending receipt of deposit/balance; at this point it will cancel if the deposit/balance is not paid. Booking options are not available within 5 days of the outward travel date.

Confirmed Booking A 25% deposit is required to secure a booking. When you secure a booking we will issue a document that sets out the details of your reservation and provides other information. This will be sent to you by post unless you have given instructions for us to use an email address or have booked on-line. On issuing this document the contract will take effect; so you should check before booking to ensure that you are happy with our General Ferry Booking Terms and Conditions. The contract is between Brittany Ferries, the carrier, and the lead passenger named on the document and all persons travelling with that passenger on the same document.

Full Payment for a ferry booking is required at least 46 days before the day of outward travel date. If payment is not received the booking will be cancelled which invalidates all related documents. Reservations made within 46 days of outward travel date must be paid in full at the time of booking. If you are booking a promotional fare then special payment terms and other conditions will apply. These are available on request.

CHANGES AND INTERRUPTIONS TO SAILINGS AND SERVICES

All departure/arrival times are local – please refer to your documents. Sailing schedules may be interrupted and/or crossing times extended or changed without notice to you due to adverse weather conditions, tidal conditions, unforeseen operational or technical reasons beyond our control.

It may be necessary to use alternative ships on any sailing or to change/withdraw the facilities/services available for various operational, technical or scheduling reasons.

If changes in route, facilities or timing advised before outward travel date and before boarding are not acceptable to you and you choose not to travel then a full refund of the unused elements of your fare will be made. Similarly, if a pre-paid facility such as on-board accommodation is unavailable or provided to a lower category then the appropriate price difference will be refunded. We will try to notify you, if practical in advance, using the contact number provided at the time of booking.

We cannot accept liability for any losses, damages or expenses arising or any consequential losses howsoever caused as a result of the cancellation, diversion or delay of the ship where ‘force majeure’, or matters outside of our control apply, for example, extreme weather conditions, unforeseen technical breakdown to ship or port facilities, strike action or blockade of ports. If these circumstances become apparent after boarding or at sea, our priority is to deliver you safely to the most appropriate port. In these situations our liability will be limited to a refund of the appropriate portion of fare if returned to country of departure or fare differential if delivered to a different port to that originally planned.

In all cases outlined above the refund of the appropriate portion of the fare paid will be the total extent of our liability to you.

We shall not be liable for any losses, damages, expenses or any consequential losses howsoever arising. We strongly recommend that insurance is taken out.

PETS

The transport of small domestic pets to or from France or Spain must be in accordance with the relevant requirements of the countries concerned and a charge is made for their transportation. Please seek advice from your vet. It is a requirement that dogs must wear a muzzle at all times when in the terminal, being exercised and transferred to their kennel etc. It is the responsibility of the animal’s escort to obtain and comply with current regulations for the transport of animals. If any problem arises with the transportation of a pet which requires the use of quarantine facilities upon arrival in Ireland or the UK, then the pet’s owner/escort will be fully responsible for these expenses.

AMENDMENT FEES

An amendment fee of €15 is payable for any change to your booking if within 46 days of outward travel date. Promotional fares attract specific amendment fees detailed in the promotion.

We reserve the right to make a surcharge after the date of booking and before outward travel date if there is an increase in taxes, fees or charges (e.g. government action, fuel charges etc). No surcharges will be made within 30 days of outward travel date. You will be given the opportunity to accept the surcharge or cancel without liability.

CHECK IN

The latest check in time for each journey will be shown on your documents. This may vary depending on whether you have any special requirements, are travelling as part of a group or for other reasons. If you do not meet latest check in requirements, then your space cannot be guaranteed. Correct vehicle details must be declared at time of booking - failure to do so may result in non-shipment. Vehicles exceeding 6.5m in length, not designed to carry passengers, travel at freight rates, as do smaller vehicles carrying merchandise for hire and reward.

You must have all necessary documents to enter the countries which you intend to visit and for re-entry into Ireland or the UK. It is the passenger’s responsibility to establish his or her own individual requirements. If you do not have valid documents you will not be able to enter the country of destination. Brittany Ferries accepts no responsibility for passengers refused entry to any country by the relevant authority for whatever reason.

Brittany Ferries has absolute discretion whether or not to accept any passenger, their vehicle, luggage or pet on board and reserves the right to refuse carriage or to refuse to retain any person as a client if their conduct or condition is likely to disrupt or affect the enjoyment, safety or well being of others. Brittany Ferries will exercise its discretion fairly and shall be under no liability for any additional costs incurred by such a person as a result of Brittany Ferries refusing carriage or refusing to retain any person as a client.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Limited medical services may be available on board. Where they are, there may be a charge for their use. Any special needs or boarding arrangements must be clearly specified at the time of booking, it is your responsibility to ensure your needs are known and understood. If you travel with a pre-diagnosed condition then travel is entirely at your own risk and you should obtain advice from your own doctor before travelling.

If you require special assistance or disabled facilities please notify us at the time of booking and on arrival at the port, so that we may endeavour to accommodate your needs. We have a number of cabins adapted for disabled passengers and lift facilities for ease of movement between decks; however, facilities are limited on certain of our vessels so please enquire at the time of booking. Further details of the assistance we are able to provide is available on request or on our website. We are unable to transport anyone who is 32 weeks (28 weeks for the High Speed Service) or more pregnant at the time of travel or those with pregnancy complications.

For information and advice on health matters while travelling abroad, contact your Local Health Authority or visit the website www.ehic.ie.

You are advised to take out your own health insurance, as cover under national schemes is not always comprehensive.

No dangerous goods or firearms may be brought on board without our written permission. Dangerous goods must be declared at the time of booking and on arrival at the port and can only be transported in a vehicle. No dangerous goods or firearms may be carried by a foot-passenger. If in doubt as to whether items qualify as dangerous goods, please ask us before travel or boarding may be refused. If you are carrying these items with our permission please report to the Duty Manager at check in. The transport of petrol cans is specifically forbidden. A maximum of 3 x 15kg gas cylinders may be carried, the cylinders must be switched off during the voyage.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Application for any refund must be made within 4 weeks of the return travel date. Promotional fares are non-refundable.

The travel voucher is valid for a limited time and cannot be converted into cash. The voucher which is non-transferable will be issued in the Lead passenger name on the booking. Please see additional terms and conditions on the voucher. Insurance premiums are non-refundable and non-transferable.

CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE

Carriage is subject to our General Ferry Booking Terms and Conditions and The Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974 (The Athens Convention). The Athens Convention limits liability for death or personal injury or loss or damage to ‘luggage’ which includes vehicles and makes special provision for valuables. It presumes that ‘luggage’ has been landed undamaged unless we, as the carrier, have been given written notice of apparent damage before or at the time of leaving the ferry. In the case of non-apparent damage written notice must be given within 15 days of leaving the ferry. No written notice is required where the luggage has been jointly inspected before leaving the ferry. We can provide you with a copy of the Athens Convention and details of the current liability limits on request. You are responsible for the security and safekeeping of your possessions and Brittany Ferries cannot be held liable for the loss or theft of any items. High value items should be lodged with the Purser for safekeeping.

BRITTANY FERRIES CUSTOMER SERVICE

If you find cause for complaint whilst travelling with us, or in your dealings with our Company, please notify our staff, as we would wish to resolve the matter immediately. If we are unable to do so, then please write to Customer Services, Brittany Ferries, Millbay, Plymouth, PL1 3EW within 30 days of the problem occurring quoting your booking reference.

DATA PROTECTION

Brittany Ferries takes its responsibilities regarding privacy and security of customer information very seriously. The data we obtain from you is required to process your booking or enquiry as requested and to comply with requirements under Government Legislation. We are registered and comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Data Controller is the Company Secretary, BAI (Ireland) Limited (Brittany Ferries), Millbay, Plymouth, PL1 3EW. Registration No 61246. We may use certain data to inform you of future offers. If you do not wish to receive information then please contact us. You are entitled to a copy of your personal data held by us on payment of a fee. Please write to the Data Controller at the above address.

RELEVANT LAW will apply to the agreement and the relevant courts of the United Kingdom will have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to the Agreement. For bookings made in Ireland, your contract will be construed in accordance with Irish law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Ireland.