Private Hire Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions- Private Hire- River Thames Cruises

Please read this document in full. The information within this document relates to all private hire cruises on the River Thames and connected docks and waterways marketed by River Thames Cruises. In purchasing tickets for cruises, from River Thames Cruises, you (‘the client') are accepting the terms and conditions within this document. Any reservation holder or passenger will be referred to as ‘the client' from here on. This document supersedes any and all previous versions and may only be altered upon the written agreement of both ‘the client' and a Director of River Thames Cruises.

-River Thames Cruises advise you arrive to the boarding pier fifteen minutes before boarding. The vessel is not permitted to wait at the pier longer than the scheduled time.

-Some vessels require a minimum bar spend if your number of guests is lower the minimum capacity of the vessel.

-Some vessels allow for extra and/or the removal of tables and chairs. Please note there may be extra charges for hire and/or storage.

1.0 Reservations and Payments

1.1 Following completion of the provided booking form along with a non-refundable deposit of full payment for the boat hire, will the booking be confirmed. River Thames Cruises will send the client written confirmation of the booking.

1.2 The balance of the cost of a function or full payment must be paid into our account no later than six weeks prior to your event. If failure to do so occurs we cannot guarantee your booking.

1.3 Payments can be made via debit card, bank transfer or credit card. Payments via credit or debit card will incur a 3.5% administration fee.

1.4 Reservations require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice prior to your event subject to availability. We cannot guarantee a vessel if short notice occurs.

2.0 Captains Control of the Vessel

2.1 During the event the vessel will remain under complete control of the Captain and/or Crew. If for whatever reason (weather, tide) the Captain considers it necessary to vary the scheduled trip, his decision will be final.

2.2 The Captain will bring the vessel fifteen minutes before the embarkation and disembarkation time. Passengers should disembark the vessel within fifteen minutes.

2.3 You must comply with instructions and directions given by the Captain and Crew.

3.0 Health and Safety

3.1 The management and Captain of the Vessel reserves the right to refuse the clients admission to the Vessel in reasonable circumstances including for health and safety and/or licensing reasons.

3.2 All passengers must comply with all relevant safety announcements and venue regulations.

3.3 For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, ‘Force Majeure’ means any cause beyond Our control including, without limitation, act of God, war, insurrection, riot, civil disturbances, acts of terrorism, fire, explosion, flood, theft of essential equipment, malicious damage, strike, lock out, weather, third party injunction, national defence requirements, acts or regulations of national or local governments. We will not be liable to You for failure to perform any obligation under these Terms and Conditions to the extent that the failure is caused by Force Majeure.

3.4 Smoking is not permitted inside the vessel. Please see designated smoking areas on board (if applicable).

3.5 The following are not permitted on any vessel: large objects that require storage (such as bikes and suitcases), animals except assistance dogs, bottles, cans or glass containers, any potential weapon (including knives, other sharp or pointed objects, laser pens, fireworks, flares and smoke bombs) and illegal substances.

3.6 The management of the Venue reserves the right to conduct security searches and confiscate any item which, in the reasonable opinion of the management of the Venue, may cause danger or disruption to other members of the Event or is one of the items not permitted in the Venue as listed above.

3.7 The Event Partner(s) and Venue will not be liable for any loss, theft or damage to confiscated items. Confiscated items which are not collected within 24 hours will be considered a gift to the Venue and disposed of by the Venue in their sole discretion.

3.8 On selected functions security will be required. Please speak to a member of the team for more information.

3.9 There is a challenge 21 policy, please bring valid identification (such as a passport or a UK photograph driving license) if you would like to purchase alcohol. Failure to provide ID will result in no alcohol to be purchased.

4.0 Behaviour

4.1 The management and Captain of the Vessel also reserves the right to request that the client leave the Vessel at any point on reasonable grounds and may take any appropriate action to enforce this right. By way of example, the Venue may cancel or eject the person from the vessel who:

1. has behaved in the Vessel in a manner which, in the reasonable opinion of the company has, or is likely to affect the enjoyment of other visitors; or
2. uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or in any way provokes or behaves in a manner which may provoke a breach of the peace; or
3. in the reasonable opinion of the company is under the influence of drugs or has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol; or
4. fails to provide proof of identity or age

4.2 No refunds will be given if you are refused entry or ejected due to your own behaviour.

5.0 Liability

5.1 The owners will not be liable for any accident, injury, loss, damage or delay to any person or possessions caused, during embarkation or disembarkation, whether this be by negligence of their employees or otherwise.

5.2 The client(s) are liable for any loss or damage to the vessel or equipment caused by them or persons in their party. For certain events the company will insist on an advance damage deposit and also the compulsory use of the company’s own security personnel.

5.3 Personal arrangements including travel, accommodation or hospitality relating to the Event which have been arranged by You are at your own risk.

5.4 The company reserves the right to substitute another vessel if necessary for reasons beyond their control, to cancel the event, but will be liable for any expenses incurred by the hirer caused by such substitution or cancellation.

5.5 The company also reserves the right to alter prices should circumstances beyond their control make this necessary.

5.6 The company also reserves the right to charge interest of 3.75% above Lloyds bank base rate on outstanding debt.

6.0 Catering

6.1 There is an own catering surcharge of £450 +VAT which is the equivalent of our minimum spend. If the number of guests exceeds 100, there is an additional charge of £4.50 + VAT per guest.

6.2 Information regarding dietary requirements are needed 3 days prior to your event.

6.3 We require six weeks’ notice on your choice of menu prior to your event.

6.4 There is a minimum of forty guests we can cater for, and you will be charged for all guests on board.

6.5 Each event is required to have a minimum of one staff member when catering is provided. The number of staff needed varies on the menu chosen, please see menus for our recommended number.

6.6 Should the vessel be delayed, River Thames Cruises cannot be held responsible for the degradation of any prepared food stuffs.

6.7 We require a minimum of two weeks’ notice prior to the event if there are any changes to the menu as well as your final number of guests attending.

7.0 Complaints

7.1 Should the client have any cause for complaint, the Captain must be notified during the party and the office must be notified in writing within a week of the event. Complaints cannot be property investigated unless so notified.

8.0 Cancellation

8.1 If a cruise is cancelled by a client for any cause, within six weeks of the date of the cruise, then the whole amount of the boat hire and other ancillary charges are payable by the client unless the company is able to re-let the date.