Cancelled departures and delays are always a great inconvenience to travelers.
Such unforeseen events are likely to ruin vacations, but at least, travelers are always protected.
How to make their case? In this article we will discuss the refund or compensation in case of cancelled departure or serious delay of the ferry.
Rights of Travelers
In the event of a ferry delay or cancellation, travelers’ rights and refunds depend on various regulations.
Here is a summary of the main issues to consider:
- Assistance: If the delay exceeds 90 minutes or the departure is cancelled, the shipping company must provide assistance to passengers.
This may include:- Meals and drinks commensurate with waiting time.
- Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required (including transportation between the port and hotel).
- Information: The shipping company must provide clear and timely information regarding the delay or cancellation.
Passengers must be informed of their right to a refund or rerouting.
Refunds
- Ticket Refund: If the ferry is cancelled or departure is delayed more than 90 minutes, you are entitled to:
- A full refund of the ticket within 7 days.
- Reimbursement may also include any routes already completed if the trip no longer makes sense compared to the original plan.
- Redirection: As an alternative to a refund, you can request to be redirected to your final destination as soon as possible, or at a later date of your choice, at no additional cost.
Compensation
- In the event of a cancellation or delay of more than 90 minutes, you may be entitled to compensation of up to 50 percent of the ticket price, unless the cancellation or delay is due to adverse weather conditions or extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided.
Exclusions
- Adverse Weather Conditions.: If the cancellation or delay is caused by adverse weather conditions, the company may be exempt from compensation, but still remains responsible for providing assistance and reimbursement.
Complaints
- If you feel that your rights have not been respected, you can file a complaint directly with the shipping company.
If you do not get a satisfactory response, you can turn to the relevant shipping authority or a consumer association for assistance.
It is important to keep all receipts and documents related to the trip, as they may be needed to claim refunds or compensation. Planning your next ferry trip?
Also read our article of useful tips to avoid surprise losses at boarding.
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