Cancellation & Refund Policy

Prestige Charters | www.prestigecharterscr.com
Operated by 3-102-949316 S.R.L.

This Cancellation & Refund Policy applies to all charter bookings made through Prestige Charters (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “Prestige Charters”), including bookings requested through www.prestigecharterscr.com, WhatsApp, email, phone, or any other channel. By paying a deposit, making a payment, or confirming a booking, you agree to this policy.

Booking Deposit

A booking deposit of USD $500 is required to secure the date, vessel, and crew. The deposit is applied toward the total charter price. Bookings made within 72 hours of departure may, at our discretion, be allowed to pay the full balance at the dock prior to departure. A booking is not confirmed until the deposit is received (or until we confirm in writing that an alternative arrangement has been accepted).

Final Payment

The remaining balance is due 48 hours prior to departure, unless we confirm in writing that payment will be made at the dock before departure. If payment is due at the dock, it must be completed before boarding and/or before the vessel departs, as determined by the captain or crew.

Customer Cancellations and Rescheduling

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via WhatsApp, email, or the same channel used to book, and are effective only once acknowledged by Prestige Charters. “Days” are counted based on the scheduled departure date and time in Costa Rica local time.

Cancellations more than 7 days before departure: You will receive a refund of 100% of the deposit, minus 5% for administrative costs and/or payment processing fees (including non-refundable merchant or bank fees, if applicable).

Cancellations between 3 and 7 days before departure: You may choose either (1) a 50% refund of the deposit (minus applicable processing fees), or (2) a credit equal to 100% of the deposit to reschedule within the next 3 months, subject to vessel and crew availability.

Cancellations less than 48 hours before departure or no-shows: No refund will be issued. If the full charter balance has not been paid yet, the customer authorizes Prestige Charters to charge or collect the full reserved amount (up to 100% of the charter price), because the date, vessel, and crew are reserved exclusively and cannot typically be resold on short notice.

Rescheduling rules: Rescheduling requests are treated as cancellations unless Prestige Charters approves rescheduling in writing. If a credit is issued, it must be used within 3 months of the original charter date, is subject to availability, is non-transferable unless approved in writing, and may be applied only to a charter of equal or greater value. If the new charter is priced higher, the customer must pay the difference. If the new charter is priced lower, any difference is not refundable unless required by law.

Operator Cancellations, Weather, and Force Majeure

Safety is our priority. The captain and/or Prestige Charters may cancel, delay, shorten, or modify a trip due to weather, sea conditions, port authority restrictions, mechanical issues, safety concerns, or events beyond our reasonable control (force majeure), including but not limited to storms, lightning, unsafe swell, restricted navigation, government orders, or emergencies.

If Prestige Charters cancels before departure: You may choose either (1) a full refund of amounts paid, or (2) rescheduling at no additional cost, subject to availability.

If the trip is delayed or route is modified: No refund is owed solely due to itinerary changes made for safety, weather, sea conditions, wildlife conditions, or operational considerations. We will make reasonable efforts to provide a comparable experience.

If the trip departs and is later shortened due to safety or force majeure: Refunds, if any, will be determined at Prestige Charters’ discretion based on the circumstances, actual operating time, and direct costs incurred (fuel, crew, port fees). No refund is guaranteed once the charter has departed, except where required by law.

Mechanical Issues

We maintain our vessels to high standards; however, unexpected mechanical issues can occur. If a mechanical issue prevents departure, the customer may choose a full refund or rescheduling. If a mechanical issue occurs after departure, Prestige Charters may offer, at its discretion, a partial refund, credit, or alternative arrangement based on the portion of the charter delivered and direct costs incurred.

Late Payments, Non-Payment, and Release of Reservation

If the balance due is not paid by the 48-hour deadline (when applicable), Prestige Charters may cancel the booking, release the date to other clients, and retain the deposit as liquidated damages. If payment is due at the dock and the customer fails to pay before departure, the charter will not depart and all amounts paid may be forfeited, subject to applicable law.

Arrival Time, No-Show, and Guest Readiness

Guests must arrive at the designated meeting point at the time provided in the confirmation message. Delays reduce your time on the water and do not qualify for refunds. A “no-show” includes failure to arrive on time, inability to be reached, or failure to complete boarding requirements before the scheduled departure. No-shows are non-refundable and may be charged up to 100% of the reserved charter amount.

Minimum Requirements, Safety Decisions, and Guest Conduct

The captain has final authority on all safety decisions, including refusing boarding, delaying departure, or ending a charter early due to unsafe behavior, intoxication, possession of prohibited items, failure to follow crew instructions, or any conduct that risks safety or violates applicable laws or marina rules. In such cases, no refund will be issued.

Refund Method and Processing Fees

Refunds are issued to the original payment method whenever possible. Payment processor fees, bank transfer fees, currency conversion fees, and other third-party charges are non-refundable. Refund processing times may vary depending on the payment provider and financial institution.

Accepted Proof and Communication

All booking terms (date, vessel, departure time, inclusions, balance due date, and meeting instructions) will be confirmed in writing via WhatsApp, email, or another electronic method. The customer is responsible for reviewing the confirmation details and notifying Prestige Charters promptly of any errors.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This policy shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of Costa Rica. Any dispute or claim arising from this policy or a booking shall be submitted to the competent courts of Costa Rica.

Contact

For cancellations or changes, contact Prestige Charters through the official channels listed on www.prestigecharterscr.com.