Refund Policy

Clear and fair refund conditions for your peace of mind

Overview

At UniversalCommonsDesk, we understand that circumstances can change, and we strive to provide fair and transparent refund policies. This policy outlines the conditions under which refunds may be issued for yacht charter services.

Please read this policy carefully before making a booking. By booking a charter with UniversalCommonsDesk, you acknowledge and agree to these refund terms.

Standard Cancellation and Refund Schedule

More than 72 Hours Before Charter

100% Refund

Eligible for: Full refund minus processing fees

Processing Time: 5-7 business days

Processing Fee: £50 for credit card transactions

Conditions: Must be requested in writing via email or phone

24-72 Hours Before Charter

50% Refund

Eligible for: 50% of total charter cost

Processing Time: 7-10 business days

Processing Fee: £25 deducted from refund

Conditions: Valid reason required; administrative costs apply

Less than 24 Hours Before Charter

No Refund

Eligible for: No refund available

Exception: Emergency circumstances may be considered

Alternative: Charter credit may be offered at management discretion

Conditions: Documentation required for emergency claims

Weather-Related Cancellations

Our Weather Guarantee

Safety is our main concern. If weather conditions pose a threat to charter operations as determined by our certified captain, we present flexible options:

  • Full Refund: Completely refunded if rearrangement isn't possible
  • Reschedule: Shift your charter to an alternative date without extra cost
  • Charter Credit: Get a credit that's good for one year from the original charter date

Weather Assessment Process

Weather assessments are conducted with the following considerations:

  • Analyzing wind speeds and directions
  • Checking wave height and oceanic conditions
  • Forecasting visibility and rainfall
  • Heeding Coast Guard advisories and alerts
  • Evaluating our captain's safety assessments

Decision Timeline: Decisions regarding weather cancellations are finalized at least 4 hours prior to the set sailing time.

Medical Emergency Refunds

Emergency Circumstances

We're aware that medical emergencies can happen. The scenarios below are considered for exceptions:

  • Serious illness or injury calling for hospital stay
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Military deployments or emergency recalls
  • Mandatory jury duty or legal summons
  • Disasters impeding travel

Documentation Requirements

Emergency refund requests require the following documents:

  • Official hospital or medical reports
  • Death notification (if relevant)
  • Military deployment notices
  • Juridical summons or notices for jury duty
  • Travel advisories or state of emergency notifications

Processing: Requests for emergency refunds will be attended within 3-5 working days once all proper documentation is submitted.

Operational Cancellations

Mechanical Dilemmas

If technical issues arise with the designated yacht and we cannot address them:

  • Substitute Vessel: We'll endeavor to provide a similar option
  • Full Refund: Extended if there's no suitable replacement
  • Partial Refund: Issued if the alternate boat is priced differently
  • Compensation: Additional recompense could be offered for inconvenience

Crew Absence

In the uncommon event that qualified crew members are unavailable:

  • We'll aim to arrange alternate crew
  • Comprehensive refund if the charter must be cancelled
  • Opportunity to reschedule without extra charges

Refund Processing

Method of Payment

Refunds are reversed to the same method of payment from the original booking:

  • Credit Cards: Turnaround of 5-7 business days
  • Bank Transfers: Period of 7-10 business days
  • Cash/Cheque: 3-5 business days to process

Processing Charges

Credit Card Operations

£50 charge for terminations done before the 72-hour mark

Bank Transfer Operations

£25 charge for all refunds via bank transfers

Global Transactions

Extra fees may apply for international dealings

Charter Credits

Offer Circumstances for Credits

In particular conditions, instead of refunds, we might offer credits for charters:

  • Last-minute cancellations (less than a day prior)
  • Weather-dependent cancellations
  • Voluntary requests to reschedule
  • Disruptions due to operations

Regulations for Credits

  • Validity Period: Valid for one year from the issue date
  • Transfer Restrictions: Credits cannot be transferred to others
  • Value: Credits maintain full value of the charter without fees
  • Application: Credits can be utilized on any available charters
  • Expiration Terms: No prolongation beyond the one-year limit

Partial Refunds for Service Interruptions

Service Disruptions

In the event that your charter is hampered or shortened for reasons within our jurisdiction:

  • A proportionate refund for the period not utilized
  • Credit for a future charter equivalent in value
  • Offers of complimentary services or upgrades

Disruptions Due to Guests

If a charter is concluded earlier due to the actions or security concerns of guests:

  • No compensation for the time not used
  • Complete fee is still expected
  • There might be extra fees assigned

Settling Disputes

Should you have an objection to a refund resolution, you're entitled to:

  • Request a second examination by our managerial team
  • Supply additional documents or proof
  • Seek out accord through consumer rights entities
  • Employ legal alternatives as per the governing laws

Procedure to Request a Refund

First Step: Get in Touch

Forward your request for a refund via:

Second Step: Submit Required Details

Ensure your refund request contains:

  • Confirmation number of your booking
  • Date and time of the charter
  • Reason behind the cancellation
  • Any supportive documents (if needed)
  • Your preferred method for getting the refund

Final Step: Assessment and Completion

Our team will acknowledge your claim within a day's time, evaluate it based on this policy, make a decision within two days, and execute approved reimbursements within the specified timeframes.

Vital Information

  • All requests for refunds need to be made in written form
  • Reimbursements are issued in £ no matter the payment currency
  • It is strongly suggested to have travel insurance
  • This policy may be altered given 30 days notice
  • Refunds are affected by applicable taxes and laws

Contact for Inquiries

For questions regarding refunds or to lodge a refund request:

Refunds Department
UniversalCommonsDesk Marine Services Ltd.
Harbour View Road
Southampton SO14 3TD
United Kingdom

Phone: +44 23 8000 0000
Email: [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Last Amended: August 20, 2025

This policy on refunds is established to be straightforward and unambiguous. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with these conditions thoroughly before booking and approach us with any questions you might have.