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A clear booking gives everyone the same picture of the holiday. Keep the written offer, agreed requirements and terms together so you can refer back to them before departure.
Confirm the trip
- Booking business and contact details.
- Named vessel, or the selection process if it is not yet assigned.
- Dates, boarding and return times, and meeting point.
- Private or shared use, and guest numbers including children.
- Overnight cabins and beds, with crew accommodation identified.
- Crew roles or bareboat skipper requirements.
- Planned area, activities and any essential access arrangements.
Tell the operator which features are important to your decision, such as separate beds or a particular boarding arrangement. Ask them to confirm those features for the actual vessel.
Check inclusions
Ask which meals, drinking water, linen, equipment, fuel, transfers and other services are included or arranged separately. Our inclusions guide provides a detailed checklist.
Confirm payment dates and distinguish the booking payment from any security bond. Request the bond conditions, how it is held, when it is released and how deductions are documented.
Understand substitution
If the nominated vessel or crew becomes unavailable, what alternatives may be offered? Ask how differences in layout, capacity, access and facilities will be handled and what options you have if an alternative does not meet the agreement.
Keep the operator’s answer with the booking instead of relying on a photograph of a similar boat.
Ask about changes and cancellation
| Situation | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| Your group changes its plans | Notice requirements and cancellation or date-change terms |
| The operator cancels | Available remedies and how to request them |
| Weather changes the route | Alternatives, notice and any relevant booking terms |
| A trip is shortened | How the change is handled and who to contact |
| A credit or reschedule is offered | Expiry, availability, transferability and any conditions |
Avoid assuming that a particular weather scenario automatically means a refund or no refund. The circumstances, terms and applicable consumer rights matter. The ACCC’s travel guidance explains that booking policies cannot remove consumer guarantee rights.
Clarify damage and insurance arrangements
For bareboat hire especially, ask for the bond, excess, damage waiver and exclusion terms. Confirm whether any limit applies per incident or per charter and what reporting is required.
Do not assume a damage waiver is comprehensive insurance or that your own policy covers every charter activity. Put questions about a policy’s cover directly to its provider.
Confirm the needs of your group
Discuss children’s ages, access needs, food requirements, swimming preferences and planned participation. Ask about luggage, footwear, alcohol and equipment policies. Use the family guide and packing guide to prepare.
Before departure
Reconfirm the meeting point, contact number, boarding time and weather update arrangements. Share instructions with all guests. For bareboat hire, allow time for the assessment and briefing and record the vessel’s condition together at handover.
If a problem arises, contact the booking business promptly, explain the issue and keep correspondence. For consumer-rights questions, use official guidance or the consumer agency in your state or territory.
