Last updated 9 June 2026

Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions govern all private charter bookings made with The Sailor. By confirming a booking you agree to the following conditions.

1. Booking & Payment

• The lead guest making the booking must be 18 years of age or over. If the booking is made on behalf of a guest under 18, written parental or guardian consent must be provided prior to departure.
• A deposit of €400 is required to hold your chosen date. Bookings are confirmed only upon receipt of the deposit.
• The remaining balance is due on the day of the charter, before departure.
• Payment is accepted by bank transfer. Details will be provided upon booking confirmation.
• Prices for each route and group size are published on our website at thesailorcharter.com. Prices may be adjusted by request depending on the number of guests, duration, route, and services included. Any adjusted price will be confirmed by email before a deposit is requested.

2. Cancellation by the Guest

• More than 14 days before the charter date: deposit refunded in full.
• 7 to 14 days before the charter date: 50% of the deposit is refunded.
• Less than 7 days before the charter date: the deposit is non-refundable.

To cancel, please contact us by email at [email protected] or via WhatsApp on +351 924 748 781. The cancellation date is the date we receive your written notice.

3. Cancellation by The Sailor — Weather & Safety

• If the captain cancels the charter due to adverse weather or sea conditions, you will receive a full refund of all payments made, including the deposit.
• The captain's assessment of weather and safety conditions is final. The safety of all guests is the overriding priority.
• We will make every reasonable effort to offer an alternative date when a cancellation occurs.

4. Force Majeure

The Sailor shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, port or marina closures ordered by authorities, strikes, or government restrictions. In such cases, we will offer an alternative date.

5. Charter Rules & Conduct

• The standard capacity of Julieta is 8 guests. In exceptional cases, a maximum of 11 guests may be accommodated; any request to exceed 8 guests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to the captain's prior approval and the safety of all persons on board.
• Departure and return take place from Zona Ribeirinha, Portimão. Guests are responsible for arriving at the agreed meeting point on time.
• The captain has full authority over the vessel at all times, including decisions regarding route, anchorage, speed, and departure or return times.
• Guests are expected to behave respectfully towards the crew, fellow guests, and the marine environment.
• The consumption of illegal substances on board is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate return to port without refund.
• Red wine, greasy foods, and any items that may stain or compromise the cleanliness of the vessel are not permitted on board.
• Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
• Guests with reduced mobility or medical conditions should inform us at the time of booking.

6. What Is Included

Every charter includes captain and crew, fuel, food and drinks, snorkelling equipment, two paddleboards (SUPs), towels, and Bluetooth audio. Any additional services must be agreed in writing before departure.

Vessel-only hire: if you have booked the vessel without the full-service package, food and drinks are not included in the price. This will be clearly stated in your booking confirmation.

Food restrictions and allergies: any dietary requirements, food allergies, or restrictions must be communicated at the time of booking. We will do our best to accommodate them, but cannot guarantee it if not informed in advance.

7. Liability & Insurance

• The Sailor holds the required maritime insurance and RNAAT licence for the operation of private charter services.
• Guests who choose to use the paddleboards (SUPs), swim, snorkel, or engage in any physical activity on or from the vessel — including jumping from the boat — do so entirely at their own risk. The Sailor accepts no responsibility for any injury, accident, or loss arising from such activities.
• The Sailor is not responsible for personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged on board.
• Before guests disembark, the captain or crew will conduct a brief inspection of the vessel. If any damage is identified, guests will be informed on the spot. Guests are responsible for any damage caused to the vessel or its equipment during the charter.
• In the event of a medical emergency, the captain will take all reasonable steps to ensure guest safety and access to medical assistance.

8. Right of Withdrawal

Under EU Directive 2011/83/EU (Consumer Rights Directive), the statutory 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to contracts for leisure services provided on a specific date (Article 16(l)). Because each charter is booked for a specific date, you do not have a statutory right to withdraw after confirming the booking.

Our voluntary cancellation policy (Section 2) is offered as a goodwill measure and applies instead.

9. Complaints

If you have a complaint about our service, please contact us in the first instance at [email protected]. We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and aim to resolve it within 15 working days.

You may also file a complaint through the Livro de Reclamações (Portuguese Official Complaints Book), available online at www.livroreclamacoes.pt.

10. Alternative Dispute Resolution

In the event of a consumer dispute that cannot be resolved directly, you may refer the matter to an accredited Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body. The competent ADR entity for tourism and leisure services in Portugal is:

You may also use the EU Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform for disputes arising from online contracts: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

Use of ADR is voluntary. We are not obliged to participate in ADR proceedings but will consider any referral in good faith.

11. Photography & Image Use

The crew may take photographs or short video clips during the charter. Our approach to this is guided by respect for your privacy.

• As a general rule, we do not use images of clients for marketing purposes.
• Where we do capture images for potential use on our website, social media, or advertising, these will show guests from behind — looking out to sea, jumping from the boat, or similar — in ways that do not identify individuals.
• If the crew takes photographs that include guests' faces, those images will be shared with you directly by email after the charter. They will not be used in any marketing material without your explicit written consent.
• If you prefer that no photographs are taken of your group at all, please let us know at the time of booking and we will respect that fully.

12. Data Protection

Personal data collected during the booking process is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at thesailorcharter.com/privacy.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version in force at the time of booking confirmation applies to your booking. Updated terms will be published on this page with a revised effective date.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by Portuguese law. Any disputes that cannot be resolved through ADR will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Portimão, Portugal.