Booking Terms & Conditions

Booking T&Cs

S.E.A FIORDLAND TERMS & CONDITIONS

These Terms & Conditions are designed to ensure clarity, safety, and fairness for all guests travelling with S.E.A Fiordland. By making a booking, you agree to the following terms.

1. PAYMENT POLICY

A 25% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm any Private Charter or Shared Adventure Charter ("the Charter").
Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Bookings are confirmed only once the deposit has been received by S.E.A Fiordland.

Currency & Pricing

Prices may be quoted, invoiced, and paid in either New Zealand Dollars (NZD) or United States Dollars (USD), depending on the booking arrangement.
Where payment is made in a currency other than NZD:
- Exchange rates are determined at the time of invoicing or payment processing
- Any exchange rate fluctuations, international bank fees, or card processing charges are the responsibility of the guest
- S.E.A Fiordland accepts no liability for variations between the invoiced amount and the final amount charged by a guest’s bank or card provider

2. PRICING ADJUSTMENTS

S.E.A Fiordland reserves the right to adjust charter pricing prior to departure in response to significant increases in operational costs, including but not limited to fuel, helicopter transfers, and other vessel operating expenses.

Where a pricing adjustment is required after a booking has been confirmed:

Guests will be notified in writing as soon as reasonably practicable
Any increase will be communicated on a per-person basis and will reflect only the additional costs incurred
S.E.A Fiordland will make every effort to absorb cost increases where possible before passing any adjustment on to guests

Guests who do not wish to accept a pricing adjustment may cancel their booking in accordance with the Cancellation Policy (Section 4). S.E.A Fiordland will not be liable for any costs incurred by guests as a result of such a cancellation.

Pricing adjustments will only apply, in circumstances of extraordinary and sustained cost increases beyond S.E.A Fiordland’s reasonable control.

3. TRAVEL INSURANCE (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED)

All passengers are strongly advised to arrange comprehensive private travel insurance, including cover for:

Trip cancellation or interruption
Weather-related delays
Medical expenses and evacuation
Loss or damage to personal belongings

It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure their insurance policy covers all activities undertaken.

In the event of a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical treatment, or related expenses are the responsibility of the passenger. S.E.A Fiordland strongly recommends all guests read their insurance policy carefully prior to travel.

4. CANCELLATION POLICY

We understand that circumstances may change.

Guest Cancellations

All cancellations must be made in writing via email to hello@seafiordland.com.
Notification time is based on New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).

60 days or more prior to departure

The 25% deposit is non-refundable
The remaining balance paid will be refunded (75% of the full charter price)

Less than 60 days prior to departure

The full charter cost, including deposit, will be forfeited
If another group is able to fill the cancelled dates, a refund of up to 75% may be offered at S.E.A Fiordland’s discretion

The earlier S.E.A Fiordland is notified of a cancellation, the greater the likelihood of securing a replacement booking and a potential refund.

Failure to Arrive

No refunds will be given if a passenger fails to arrive by the scheduled Charter departure time.
Charter departures will not be delayed due to passenger circumstances, including airline delays, medical issues, or weather.
Any alternative transport required to reach the vessel due to late arrival will be at the passenger’s own cost.

5. CHARTER CHANGES & OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS

S.E.A Fiordland reserves the right to:

Amend timetables
Cancel or alter Charter departures
Substitute vessels or equipment

These decisions may be made for safety or operational reasons, including adverse weather or unforeseen vessel maintenance.

Due to the remote and weather-dependent nature of Fiordland:

Routes, activities, anchorages, and schedules may change
Certain activities cannot be guaranteed

Such changes do not constitute grounds for refunds, discounts, or compensation.

Operator Cancellations

If a Charter is cancelled before departure by S.E.A Fiordland, guests may choose to:
- Reschedule, or
- Receive a full refund of the Charter portion only (excluding transport already undertaken)
If a Charter is delayed due to weather or conditions beyond our control, no refunds will be provided
If a Charter is cancelled after departure, guests may receive a partial refund at S.E.A Fiordland’s sole discretion, depending on circumstances

6. LIABILITY & INDEMNITY

Passengers travel at their own risk to the extent permitted by law. S.E.A Fiordland is not responsible for loss, damage, delay, injury, or death arising from participation in the Charter.

S.E.A Fiordland is not liable for events outside its control, including:

Adverse weather
Acts of God
Mechanical failure
Civil unrest or labour disruption

S.E.A Fiordland is not liable for:

Missed connections or delays
Loss or damage to personal property
Injury, illness, or death (physical or psychological)

Where contributory negligence applies, liability will be limited in accordance with New Zealand law.

Guests agree to indemnify and hold harmless S.E.A Fiordland against any loss, damage, or cost arising from a breach of these Terms & Conditions.

7. HEALTH & SAFETY

Passenger safety and comfort are paramount.

Upon boarding the Tasman Explorer, the skipper will provide mandatory safety briefings. All passengers must follow crew instructions at all times.

New Zealand operates a no-fault accident compensation scheme (ACC). Under ACC legislation, passengers cannot sue the operator for personal injury. Medical assistance will be arranged where required, with costs covered by ACC where applicable.

All passengers must:

Act safely and responsibly
Follow all crew instructions and signage
Refrain from unsafe, violent, or antisocial behaviour
Not interfere with safety equipment unless in an emergency
Avoid alcohol prior to water activities, hunting, or helicopter operations

8. ACTIVITIES & RISK AWARENESS

All activities involve inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.

Land & Water Activities

(Kayaking, hunting, walking, tender use, etc.)

Approved life jackets and safety equipment must be worn when required
Activities are weather-dependent and at the skipper’s discretion
Children under 16 may participate with guardian and skipper approval and supervision

S.E.A Fiordland takes all reasonable safety precautions but cannot guarantee absolute safety.

9. FISHING POLICY

Fish and seafood may be taken only to supplement onboard meals or for personal take-home use, in compliance with current fisheries regulations.

Methods, locations, and quantities are determined at the skipper’s discretion.

10. SCUBA & FREEDIVING POLICY

Diving is permitted under specific regulatory conditions:

All scuba divers must hold valid certification and be medically fit
Divers are fully responsible for their actions and equipment
Guests must supply their own serviced regulators
Dives are not guided

Weights and tanks may be supplied by S.E.A Fiordland where permitted.

11. ALCOHOL

Guests must supply their own alcohol.

Alcohol consumption is prohibited prior to:

Water activities
Hunting excursions
Helicopter operations

12. HELICOPTER TRANSFERS & WEIGHT POLICY

S.E.A Fiordland utilises two Squirrel helicopters for guest transfers, each with a maximum combined payload of 600kg including passengers, luggage, and equipment.

Where required, a Hughes 500 helicopter may be arranged to accommodate additional gear or to account for weight above the standard Squirrel capacity. Any additional costs associated with the Hughes 500 will be communicated to guests in advance.

Luggage Requirements

All luggage must be packed in soft bags only – hard-shell cases cannot be accommodated
Maximum luggage allowance will be confirmed at the time of booking based on group composition and total payload
S.E.A Fiordland reserves the right to limit or offload luggage that exceeds weight limits or cannot be safely carried
Any luggage that cannot be transported due to weight restrictions will remain at the departure point at the guest’s own risk and cost

Guests must declare any items of significant weight (e.g. diving equipment, firearms, camera equipment) at the time of booking to allow for accurate payload planning.

13. HUNTING & FIREARMS

Hunting activities may be available as part of certain charter programmes, subject to skipper discretion, weather conditions, and applicable regulations.

Guest Responsibilities

All guests bringing firearms must comply with New Zealand Police licensing requirements and MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) regulations
Guests are solely responsible for ensuring their firearm(s) are legally transported and declared in accordance with New Zealand law
All firearms must be declared to S.E.A Fiordland at the time of booking

Liability

S.E.A Fiordland accepts no liability for any incident arising from a guest’s use, handling, or transportation of a firearm
Guests assume full personal liability for any damage, injury, or legal consequence arising from their firearm or hunting activities
Alcohol must not be consumed prior to any hunting excursion (refer to Section 11)

14. RIGHT TO REFUSE OR REMOVE PASSENGERS

S.E.A Fiordland and its crew reserve the right to refuse boarding to, or remove from the vessel, any passenger who:

Displays unsafe, violent, threatening, or antisocial behaviour
Is under the influence of alcohol or drugs in a manner that poses a risk to themselves or others
Fails to follow crew instructions or safety briefings
Presents a medical condition not previously disclosed that the crew deem a risk to the individual or others onboard
Breaches any provision of these Terms & Conditions

Where a passenger is refused boarding or removed mid-charter on the grounds listed above, no refund will be provided. S.E.A Fiordland will not be liable for any costs incurred by the passenger as a result of removal, including transport, accommodation, or consequential losses.

The skipper’s decision in all such matters is final.

15. MINIMUM PASSENGER NUMBERS – SHARED ADVENTURE CHARTERS

Shared Adventure Charters require a minimum of 8 confirmed passengers to proceed as scheduled.

If the minimum number is not reached, S.E.A Fiordland reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the departure
Affected guests will be offered the choice to reschedule to an alternative departure date or receive a full refund of amounts paid
S.E.A Fiordland will provide as much advance notice as possible in the event of a cancellation due to insufficient passenger numbers
Private Charter bookings are not subject to minimum passenger requirements

16. CONNECTIVITY & COMMUNICATIONS

The Fiordland region is a remote wilderness area with no cellular coverage. Guests should be aware that:

S.E.A Fiordland is not responsible for any inability to send or receive communications during the charter
Internet is available, if required for a fee (POA)

In the event of an emergency or if a guest needs to be contacted during a charter, messages can be passed via:

Phone: Emma – 027 294 6801
Email: hello@seafiordland.com

S.E.A Fiordland will make reasonable efforts to relay urgent messages to guests onboard. Guests are encouraged to inform family or colleagues of this contact information prior to departure.

17. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS & FOOD ALLERGIES

S.E.A Fiordland takes the health and wellbeing of its guests seriously and will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary requirements and food preferences.

All guests are required to complete the S.E.A Fiordland Customer Information Form prior to departure, which includes a section for dietary requirements and food intolerances or allergies
It is the guest’s responsibility to accurately disclose any allergies, intolerances, or foods they do not eat on this form
Failure to declare dietary requirements in advance may limit S.E.A Fiordland’s ability to accommodate requests onboard

While every effort will be made to accommodate declared requirements, S.E.A Fiordland cannot guarantee a fully allergen-free environment onboard. Guests with severe or life-threatening allergies should carry appropriate medication (e.g. EpiPen) at all times and inform the skipper upon boarding.

18. SMOKING POLICY

Smoking (including vaping and e-cigarettes) is permitted in one designated area only:

Smoking is permitted on the top deck of the Tasman Explorer only
Smoking is strictly prohibited in all interior areas, cabins, the galley, and lower decks
All cigarette butts and ash must be placed in the container provided – no butts are to be disposed of overboard or anywhere else on the vessel
Guests who do not comply with the smoking policy may be asked to refrain from smoking for the remainder of the charter

S.E.A Fiordland reserves the right to charge a cleaning fee if smoking takes place in a non-designated area.

19. MEDIA & MODEL RELEASE

S.E.A Fiordland may capture photos and video during Charters for marketing and promotional use.

Guests grant unrestricted rights to use this media unless prior written notice is given requesting exclusion.

20. PRIVACY POLICY

S.E.A Fiordland is committed to protecting the privacy of its guests in accordance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.

Information We Collect

Personal details including name, contact information, and date of birth
Health and dietary information provided on the Customer Information Form
Payment information processed in accordance with applicable financial regulations
Photos and video captured during the charter (refer to Section 19)

How We Use Your Information

To process bookings and communicate with guests regarding their charter
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all passengers onboard
To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
For marketing and promotional purposes, where consent has been given or where permitted by law

Your Rights

Guests have the right to request access to, or correction of, any personal information held by S.E.A Fiordland. Requests can be directed to hello@seafiordland.com.

S.E.A Fiordland will not sell or share personal information with third parties except as required to operate the charter (e.g. helicopter operators, emergency services) or as required by law.

21. GOVERNING LAW

All agreements are governed by New Zealand law, with exclusive jurisdiction in the New Zealand Courts.

Refunds processed internationally may be subject to exchange rate variations and bank or card fees, for which S.E.A Fiordland accepts no liability.

22. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK & WAIVER

By participating, guests acknowledge and accept the inherent risks involved and release S.E.A Fiordland, its staff, contractors, and agents from liability to the extent permitted by law.