1. Bookings and payment.

Ashes scattering cruises (as well as celebration of life cruises) are usually booked over the telephone

2. Payment

Full, non-refundable payment, must be paid at the time of the booking by card payment usually over the telephone.

3. Cancellations by you.

No refund will be made In the event of a cancellation by you once the booking has been made. In the event that you encounter a problem with your booked date, we will do our best to offer you an alterative date (see condition 5).

4. Cancellations by French Brothers.

4.1 We reserve the right to cancel your booking at any time and to provide you with a full refund.

4.2 Occasionally we have to cancel the operation of a vessel arising from circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we cannot avoid. Examples are, riots, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, lock delays, natural disaster, fire or adverse weather or river conditions or other similar events. The risk of cancellation in these circumstances is yours and you are responsible for the full hire price notwithstanding cancellation.

5. Alterations by you.

In order to alter or change the date or time of your booking, we will require at least 5 working days notice to do this and is subject to availability and is purely at our discretion. In the event that you unable to attend on the day, experience issues such as parking difficulties or are late, we will not reschedule your booking without additional charges being made. - this is also subject to availability and is purely at our discretion. It is your responsibility to arrive on time, French Brothers Ltd will not accept any liability for car parking availability, parking charges or penalties or public transport or traffic related problems.

6. Alterations by French Brothers.

6.1 We will make every effort to ensure that vessels operate at agreed times but we reserve the right to vary operating times or to substitute vessels if any of the events or conditions referred to in 4.2 apply.

6.2 We also reserve the unconditional right, to refuse a booking, or to prevent a person from being carried in the event of conduct which is likely to cause distress, damage or annoyance to passengers, employees, property or to a third party.

7. Conduct on board the vessel.

7.1 The Skipper of the vessel shall be in sole charge throughout the duration of the hire and you and all members of your party will comply with the lawful commands of the skipper and his crew.

7.2 You and all members of your party must conduct themselves properly at all times whilst on board and must take account of their own safety and that of other passengers.

7.3 You will be liable to us for any damage caused to a vessel or any of its fixtures and fittings by you or any member of your party due to any unreasonable conduct or behaviour.

7.4 Neither you or members of your party may take on board any vessel any food, alcohol or other beverages, such items may only be consumed on a vessel if arranged by us. No musical or other entertainment is to take place on board a vessel unless also arranged by us.

8. Conditions of sale of alcohol.

8.1 It is a criminal offence for a person under the age of 18 to attempt to purchase alcohol or consume alcohol on board any French Brothers vessel. It is also a criminal offence for a person to purchase alcohol for someone under the age of 18.

8.2 It is the responsibility of the organiser to ensure that all pre-ordered drinks that they have purchased are not given to persons under the age of 18 (see note 8.1). This is particularly important when the organiser requires wine to be placed on the table with the meal.

8.3 When there is an advanced order for wines, customers are required to order a specific amount. If there is a surplus at the end of the event, arrangements can be made to collect any unopened wines. We will only accept a maximum of 20% unopened wines to be returned after the event for credit.

8.4 No customer may bring any of their own drinks on board without express written permission from French Brothers. In doing so, the customer may be committing a criminal offence.

8.5 French Brothers reserves the right to refuse to serve alcohol to passengers that appear to be under the age of 18. Identification will be required for all passengers who appear to be under 21 years of age. The only acceptable forms of identification are a valid passport, Photo ID drivers licence, Warrant card, or I.D. card bearing the 'pass' logo and hologram.

8.6 French Brothers reserve the right to refuse to serve alcohol to passengers who appear to be (or appear to be purchasing alcohol for persons who are) drunk, violent or abusive, or appear to be binge drinking. This also includes persons who appear to be purchasing alcohol for persons who are under the age of 18. No refunds will be given in respect of a passenger being refused alcohol when a drinks package has been selected.

9 Passengers with disabilities.

You should advise us in good time whether any member of your party has any medical condition or disability requiring any special care during embarking or whilst on a vessel. We will use every reasonable effort to assist such passengers but if we are not informed in reasonable time, we cannot be responsible for any inconvenience or costs which may arise if carriage of that person is refused.

10. Liability.

Should you or one of the persons included in your booking suffer death, personal injury or illness arising out of an activity forming part of your hire arrangements, our liability to compensation will be limited by the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 or any re-enactment or regulations made thereunder which permit operators of passenger vessels to limit their liability. We will only accept responsibility if there has been a fault on our part or our suppliers and the cause was not your own or the relevant persons fault. Details of these limits of liability can be obtained from our Head Office upon request. The maximum liability for any damages other than for death, personal injury or illness will be limited to the total price paid for the hire of the vessel.

11. Smoking.

French Brothers operate a non smoking policy in line with the 'Health Bill' in England and Wales 2007. This policy applies to all guests, staff and visitors on board the boats as well as the bookings and ticket offices, shops, stores and all other enclosed areas owned or managed by French Brothers at Clewer, Windsor or Runnymede.

12. Complaints and disputes.

We welcome feedback from customers (good or bad) as it helps us to maintain / improve standards. Should the organizer be unhappy about any aspect of the event or trip, they should firstly notify the Skipper or Function Manager who will endeavor to rectify any problems. Complaints arising should then be notified in writing to the bookings office as soon as possible, no later than 7 days after the event. Failure to comply with this will indemnify French Brothers from the payment of any compensation.

13. Model Release.

We occasionally take photographs and video footage of our boats and events on board which will inevitably include images of passengers. These images are used in our marketing material which includes brochures, DVDs and our web site. The organizer agrees to allow us to use such images, we will not pay any royalties or fee. We will not take photographs or film or use images should the organiser object. We will cease to use images should the organiser lodge an objection, however media will remain in force for the life of the publication. Electronic images (on our web site) will be removed within 7 days should we receive any objection from an organizer. Please indicate by ticking the opt out box on the booking form should you object to images being taken. French Brothers retain copyright on all pictures. You may apply to us for permission to use such images for your own use and distribution.

14. Jurisdiction.

All matters arising from your contract with us are governed by English Law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.

15. VAT.

15.1 Boat hire is currently zero rated. If changes are made by HMRC whereby VAT is applied to boat hire in the future - this cost will be passed on to the customer.

15.2 Prices of optional extras (such as pre-ordered wines and food etc.) are shown including VAT at the current rate of 20% but will be adjusted in the event of a change in the VAT rate in the future.