Cancellation & Refund Policy: Your Booking Protection
We understand that travel plans can change. Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair to both guests and our business, protecting your investment while accounting for our operational costs. This comprehensive guide explains our refund tiers, special circumstances, and options if you need to modify your booking.
Cancellation Policy Tiers
| Cancellation Window | Refund Amount | What You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 60+ days before charter | Full refund minus administrative fee | 5% of booking cost |
| 30-59 days before charter | 50% refund of booking cost | 50% of booking cost forfeited |
| 15-29 days before charter | 25% refund of booking cost | 75% of booking cost forfeited |
| Less than 15 days | No refund | 100% of booking cost forfeited |
How to Cancel Your Booking
Contact us via WhatsApp at +6281339383379 or email with your booking reference number. We’ll confirm receipt of your cancellation request and process your refund according to the applicable tier. Refunds are processed within 7-10 business days to your original payment method.
60+ Days Before Charter: Maximum Protection
Cancellations made 60 or more days before your charter date receive a full refund minus only a 5% administrative fee. This tier reflects the relatively low costs we’ve incurred at this early stage and allows us to rebook your charter slot quickly. This is the most favorable refund option and we encourage booking early to maximize your cancellation flexibility.
60+ Days Refund Example:
Booking cost: $2,000. Cancellation fee (5%): $100. Refund received: $1,900.
30-59 Days Before Charter: Moderate Cancellation
Cancellations within 30-59 days receive 50% of your booking cost refunded. By this timeframe, we’ve finalized crew schedules, provisioned supplies, and incurred marketing expenses. However, this window still allows reasonable rebooking opportunities.
30-59 Days Refund Example:
Booking cost: $2,000. Refund (50%): $1,000. Amount forfeited: $1,000.
15-29 Days Before Charter: Limited Refund Period
Cancellations within 15-29 days receive only 25% of your booking cost refunded. At this stage, significant crew payments, food provisioning, and fuel costs are non-recoverable. We’ve also had limited opportunity to rebook your charter.
15-29 Days Refund Example:
Booking cost: $2,000. Refund (25%): $500. Amount forfeited: $1,500.
Less Than 15 Days: No Refund
Cancellations within 15 days of your charter date result in no refund. Crew members have been confirmed, food has been purchased and partially prepared, fuel is provisioned, and the charter slot cannot be rebooked. All these costs have been incurred and are non-recoverable.
Force Majeure & Natural Disasters
If we cancel your charter due to force majeure events (typhoons, extreme weather, natural disasters, government-imposed travel restrictions, pandemic-related limitations), you receive full refund credit as a future charter booking or full refund minus 10% administrative fee. In these circumstances, we cannot require a cancellation fee because the cancellation is beyond both parties’ control.
Rebooking Options
Instead of canceling, you can rebook your charter for a different date at no additional charge if the rescheduled date is within 12 months of your original booking. If the new date involves a different charter cost, the price difference applies. Rebooking requires notification at least 14 days before your original charter date.
Partial Cancellations
If you need to reduce passenger count, notify us as soon as possible. Refunds for reduced passenger counts apply the same tier-based refund policy to the per-person cost difference. Early notification helps us adjust crew and provisioning accordingly.
Understand your booking better: Komodo Boat Charter | Komodo Yacht Charter | Komodo Phinisi Charter | Our Fleet | Price Guide
Travel Insurance Recommendation
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and evacuation. Quality travel insurance typically costs $200-400 and covers cancellation reasons our policy doesn’t (personal illness, family emergencies, job loss, etc.). Travel insurance provides peace of mind and protects your full investment.
Questions about cancellation? Contact us via WhatsApp: +6281339383379
Q1: Can I get a refund if I cancel due to personal illness?
Our standard policy doesn’t cover personal illness. However, comprehensive travel insurance typically covers medical cancellations. We recommend purchasing travel insurance at booking to protect against unexpected circumstances.
Q2: What if the charter is canceled due to bad weather?
If we cancel due to unsafe weather conditions, you receive full refund credit toward a future charter or full refund minus 10% administrative fee. Your safety is our priority.
Q3: Can I change my charter date instead of canceling?
Yes, rebooking to a different date within 12 months is allowed with no additional charge if dates have the same price. Price differences apply if rebooking a more expensive date.
Q4: How long do refunds take to process?
Refunds are processed within 7-10 business days to your original payment method. International transfers may require additional banking time.
Q5: What if I need to cancel but want to keep my deposit?
If you prefer to receive credit toward a future booking rather than a cash refund, the refund tier applies to the credit amount offered.
Q6: Can the policy be modified if I purchase insurance?
Our standard policy applies to all bookings regardless of insurance. Travel insurance provides supplemental coverage for reasons we don’t cover.
Q7: What constitutes ‘force majeure’?
Events beyond reasonable control: typhoons/hurricanes, earthquakes/tsunamis, government travel bans, pandemic lockdowns, volcanic eruptions, or declared national emergencies.
Q8: Is the administrative fee really necessary?
The 5% administrative fee (60+ day cancellations) covers refund processing, banking fees, currency conversion, and staff time managing cancellations. It’s a standard industry practice.
Weather-Related Cancellations and Modifications
Komodo National Park is a marine environment subject to weather conditions that can occasionally affect charter operations. Our weather policy is designed to prioritize your safety while maximizing your experience. If weather conditions make the planned itinerary unsafe or significantly impaired, your captain will modify the route to visit alternative sheltered sites — Komodo has numerous protected bays and anchorages that remain accessible in most conditions. In the rare event that conditions are too severe for any safe departure (typically during extreme weather events), we will reschedule your charter at no additional cost or provide a full refund of all payments.
Minor weather changes (light rain, temporary wind shifts, reduced visibility at specific sites) are normal and do not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund. Your captain’s professional judgment on safety is final and made with your best interests in mind. We monitor weather forecasts continuously and will communicate proactively if conditions may affect your planned departure.
Vessel Substitution Policy
In the unlikely event that your confirmed vessel becomes unavailable due to mechanical issues, maintenance requirements, or other unforeseen circumstances, Komodo Boat Charter will provide a substitute vessel of equal or higher specification at no additional cost. If no suitable substitute is available, you may choose to reschedule your charter or receive a full refund of all payments. We maintain rigorous fleet maintenance standards to minimize the likelihood of vessel substitution, but transparency about this possibility is important for your peace of mind.
COVID-19 and Health Emergency Provisions
If your charter is affected by government-mandated travel restrictions, national park closures, or health emergencies, the following provisions apply: full refund of all payments if the charter cannot operate due to government restrictions, free rescheduling to any available date within 18 months if you prefer to postpone, and credit toward a future charter of equal or greater value with no expiration date. We will never penalize guests for circumstances beyond their control.
Dispute Resolution
If you have a concern about any aspect of your cancellation, refund, or charter experience, please contact our guest services team first. We are committed to resolving all issues fairly and promptly. Most concerns are resolved within 48 hours of initial contact. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached through direct communication, disputes will be subject to mediation under Indonesian law, with proceedings conducted in English in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Contact for Cancellations
To initiate a cancellation or modification, please contact us via WhatsApp or email with your booking reference number. Our team is available 24/7 and will confirm receipt of your cancellation request within 4 hours. Processing of refunds begins immediately upon confirmation and follows the timeline outlined above. For questions about this policy, visit our contact page or send a message via FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cancellation Policy
What is Komodo Boat Charter’s cancellation policy?
Komodo Boat Charter’s cancellation policy allows free cancellation up to 30 days before departure for a full refund minus processing fees. Cancellations 15-30 days before departure receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 15 days before departure are non-refundable. We recommend travel insurance for unexpected cancellations.
Can I reschedule my Komodo boat trip instead of cancelling?
Yes, we offer free rescheduling up to 14 days before your departure date, subject to availability. Date changes within 14 days may incur a rescheduling fee. We recommend contacting our team as early as possible to explore alternative dates and ensure availability on your preferred vessel.
How do I request a cancellation?
To request a cancellation, contact our reservations team via email or WhatsApp with your booking reference number. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Once received, our team will process your request within 3-5 business days and confirm the refund amount based on the cancellation timeline.
Will I get a refund if my trip is cancelled due to weather?
Yes, if Komodo Boat Charter cancels your trip due to severe weather or unsafe sea conditions, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule at no additional cost. Passenger safety is our top priority, and our experienced captains make weather-related decisions based on official maritime safety guidelines.
Does Komodo Boat Charter offer travel insurance?
While Komodo Boat Charter does not directly sell travel insurance, we strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and evacuation. We can recommend reputable travel insurance providers that offer coverage suitable for adventure travel in Indonesia.
