All Water Taxis Combined Water Taxi bookings, charters, journeys and transfers are subject to the terms & conditions detailed below. These terms & conditions include any partners and or sub-contractors used by Water Taxis Combined.
Payment
To secure a confirmed booking, Water Taxis Combined require credit card details in advance, which will be debited one working day before the scheduled reservation.
Water Taxis Combined reserves the right to charge the credit card supplied by the customer in lieu of a deposit or for any fees due that have not been paid on board including waiting time, extra passengers, cancellations or any variations to pick-up or destination points.
Cancellations
All cancellations must be received by email or phone to Water Taxis Combined. The booking reference number must be quoted by the customer. Cancellation is not effective until the customer receives confirmation of the booking cancellation from Water Taxis Combined.
If cancellation occurs on the same day of the confirmed booking, Water Taxis Combined will charge 100% of the quoted fare to the nominated credit card.
If cancellation occurs one day prior to the confirmed booking date, Water Taxis Combined will charge 50% of the quoted fare to the nominated credit card.
If cancellation occurs within 30 days of the confirmed booking day for New Years Eve, New Years Day & Boxing Day, Water Taxis Combined will charge 100% of the quoted fare to the nominated credit card.
When bookings are quoted & confirmed for an immediate pick-up or within the hour but then cancelled while Water Taxis Combined is en-route to the pick-up location, the full quoted fare is payable and credit card details must be supplied.
Amendments to Bookings (on the day)
If you need to change a confirmed booking departure time you must notify Water Taxis Combined by phone at least 45 minutes in advance of the confirmed booking time. Failure to notify Water Taxis Combined will accrue waiting time fees @ $5.00 per minute
Water Taxis Combined will endeavor to accommodate amendments to bookings such as travel times or locations of pick-ups & drop-offs wherever possible however, this is subject to the existing schedule. If changes are not possible and the confirmed booking is cancelled the customer is subject to our cancellations policy and 100% of the quoted fare will be charged to the nominated credit card.
Water Taxis Combined fares are calculated on the number of passengers for which the trip is booked and confirmed or the number of passengers who travel, whichever is greater.
Waiting Time
Water Taxis Combined offers a 5 min waiting time grace period after which a $5.00 per minute waiting fee will be charged. To avoid waiting fees, please ensure you and your guests are on time and ready for departure at the agreed time.
Water Taxis Combined cannot guarantee that your water taxi will be able to wait if you are late.
Wherever possible Water Taxis Combined will endeavour to wait up to 15 mins after the confirmed booking time. If a customer fails to show up for a confirmed booking time, Water Taxis Combined will consider that to be a no show and 100% of the confirmed booking fare will be charged to the nominated credit card.
Weather
In the event that Water Taxis Combined need to cancel its services because of safety concerns for its passengers due to dangerous weather conditions, a full refund will be supplied to the customer and Water Taxis Combined will not be held liable for any loses incurred by the customer.
Mechanical Failure / Breakdowns
Due to the rare circumstance of vessel breakdown, Water Taxis Combined will endeavour to supply a replacement vessel as soon as possible and cannot be held liable for any losses incurred by the customer.
Safety
Smoking is not permitted at any time on our vessels.
Passengers who are drunk, unruly or under the influence of illicit drugs will be refused passage on our vessels and may be referred to police.
All decisions regarding safety are at the skipper’s discretion and all decisions are final – this includes but is not limited to decisions regarding:
- Vessel speed
- Vessel course
- Wharf use and selection
- Vessel to Vessel transfers
- Passenger numbers
Any trip which is cut short or cancelled due to a safety issue not caused by Water Taxis Combined, or which does not go ahead due to drunk, unruly or drug affected passengers, shall be charged at 100% of the quoted fare.
Online Quotation Calculator
The online calculator provides an estimate of the fare for trips within normal operating hours (of 8am to 9pm). Different fares apply for New Years Eve, Boxing Day, Australia Day or any other public holiday or special event day.
Different fares will apply outside of our normal operating times.
For trips outside normal operating hours or for public holiday or special event days, please contact our office on 9555 8888.
New Years Eve
No booking is confirmed until credit card details are held on file or payment is received in advance. We do not accept cash payments on NYE or credit card payments on board our vessels – all bookings must be paid for through the booking office.
NYE is the busiest night on the harbour. We organise our schedule to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all our customers. We regret that we are unable to wait for latecomers or delay the start of cruises.
Refunds are not available for NYE bookings once a booking has been confirmed. Waiting time is not available to support late arrivals. Please arrive at the agreed pick up location at least 10 mins before the pick up time to avoid disappointment. Refunds are not provided for no shows.
NYE is a busy night on the water and things can go wrong. If we are delayed we will call you on the mobile phone supplied to us at the time of booking and advise you of an updated estimated time of arrival. We cannot be held responsible for lateness on our part as it is caused by other passengers, other boats and general traffic on the harbour.
Vessel to Vessel Transfers
Bookings for a transfer to/from another vessel are accepted on the understanding that a firm quote for price cannot be offered. The final price is based on the location of the other vessel at the time we collect/drop off relative to Circular Quay and/or the destination/pickup location on land. Waiting time is payable when the other vessel operator makes a decision to delay the transfer or if the passenger is preoccupied on board.
Where the destination vessel location can not be confirmed the nominated credit card will be debited $200 before departure and the applicable adjustment will be completed after the transfer is complete.
Luggage
Luggage is generally not included in our fare however you may bring the equivalent of 1 small backpack per person.
Additional costs for permitted luggage may apply and will be calculated on the date of transfer based on the volume / weight. We recommend contacting our office to discuss your luggage requirements before making your booking.
Our taxis are predominantly designed to carry passengers. Permitted luggage must not obstruct egress, access to safety equipment and the engine.
Items that may not be suitable for transfer include: –
- Construction equipment
- Large bags / suitcases
- Heavy equipment
- Large objects such as ladders, length of timber, etc.
- Tables and chairs
Suitable Wharfs
Some wharfs within Sydney Harbour are not suitable for all passengers. Our vessels do not have ramps between the wharf and the vessel. The gap can range between 30cm to 100cm. If you or any of your guests have any movement restrictions that may impact the ability to board or disembark the vessel please advise our team before completing the booking.
Swimming
Swimming is only permitted during daylight hours when the vessel is stationary and in the absolute discretion of the crew. Parents or guardians of children under the age of 18 who participate in swimming from the vessel accept these risks on behalf of their children.
Risks include and are not limited to the following: injury and/or drowning, due to being hit by other persons, objects or boats, cold weather and water, entry and exit injuries, stings, sandbars, medical conditions, poor water quality and sharks. Each swimmer should be a competent ocean swimmer. The customer acknowledges and agrees that such recreational pursuits may involve a significant degree of risk. Recreational activities (including water activities & swimming) involve a significant risk of physical harm or personal injury including permanent disability and/or death to participants. Any such injury or loss may result not only from your actions but from the action, omission or negligence of others.
Damage to Vessels
Any damage to the vessel or vessels equipment caused by a passenger will be charged to the booking organisers nominated credit card.
Destination is a surprise
If the destination of your transfer is a surprise you must advise the booking co-ordinator before departure. Ph 02 9555-8888
Weddings
In addition to standard terms, the following apply specifically to weddings:
Payment
To secure a confirmed booking, Water Taxis Combined require credit card details which will be debited one working day before the scheduled reservation. Payment can be made earlier if required but credit card details are still required in case of late variations.
Water Taxis Combined reserves the right to charge the credit card supplied by the customer in lieu of a deposit or for any fees due that have not been paid on board including waiting time, extra passengers, cancellations or any variations to pick-up or destination points.
Cancellation
Standard cancellation terms apply for Wedding bookings.
Waiting Time
Wedding packages are based on timed charter rates. This allows for time for farewells, boarding and transfer. If there is a delay in boarding impacting the arrival time at the destination, waiting time may apply.
Weather
Standard weather terms apply to Wedding bookings. Our vessels have undercover seating providing shelter from the elements. Light rain will not cause the transfer to be cancelled. Strong wind, rough sea and severe weather warnings can cause the cancellation of services. In the event that Water Taxis Combined needs to cancel services because of safety concerns for passengers due to dangerous weather conditions, a full refund will be supplied to the customer and Water Taxis Combined will not be held liable for any losses incurred by the customer. For weddings it is important to have an additional contact nominated as a point of contact on the day for Water Taxis Combined.
Transfer of catering equipment & supplies
Additional costs apply for the transfer of equipment and supplies. There are limitations on the size and weight of additional equipment that can be transported by Water Taxi. Discuss equipment transfer at the time of booking so that requirements can be assessed and appropriate pricing provided. Skippers cannot attend to loading and unloading of equipment.
General Terms & Conditions
In these terms and conditions- ‘Company’ means ‘Water Taxis Combined’ and where context requires, its employees or agents
- ‘Passengers’ means any person or persons on the trip by virtue of this ticket
- The Passenger acknowledges that during the trip the vessel will be and remain under the complete control of the Company and that the direction and control of the vessel and it’s crew is at all times the sole responsibility of the Master.
- The Passenger acknowledges that the Master has sole and absolute discretion to vary the scheduled route or destination of the trip if for any reason the Master considers it necessary for the safety, welfare and good order of the vessel, it’s passengers and crew.
- The passenger acknowledges that the Master of the vessel has the sole and absolute discretion at all times to take whatever action is necessary to protect and maintain the safety, welfare and the good order of the vessel, it’s passengers and crew.
- Substitute any other vessel other that the one designated for the trip (including a vessel not owned by the company) provided that the substituted vessel is of similar type and includes similar facilities to the vessel named in the trip
- Cancel or abandon the trip including during the cause thereof, if the Company or Master considers in its or his sole and absolute discretion that the said substitution or cancellation is necessary for reasons of weather, equipment failure or in the interest of the safety and wellbeing of the vessel, it’s passengers and crew and the Company will not be liable for any loss or expense incurred by the passenger caused by such situation or cancellation.
- Failure to follow any reasonable direction given by the Master and / or crew of the vessel
- Failure to comply with any conditions of this contract
- Failure to comply with any warning signs
- Unreasonable or unsafe behaviour
- Wilful misuse of the equipment or facilities of the vessel
- Intoxication of the use of prohibited drugs