terms & Conditions

Conditions of Hire

  1. BOOKING
  • The booking contract is between you (the Hirer) and Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Ltd (the Company) and is a legal agreement between both parties.
  • A 20% deposit payment must be made at the time of booking. The Hirer is responsible for the whole of the hire fee and the balance which must be paid 8 weeks prior to the start of your holiday boat hire.   Bookings made less than 8 weeks before travel should be accompanied by the full amount.
  • A £150 breakages/cleaning charge will be added to your final bill, but this will be refundable on return of the boat in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.
  • A £250 breakages/cleaning charge will be added to your final bill if you are bringing dogs, but this will be refundable on return of the boat in a reasonably clean and tidy condition.
  • A narrowboat booking is confirmed and binding when the completed and signed booking form has reached the Company with 20% of the total hire fee.
  • At least two of the hirers in your party must be aged 21 or over.
  • Only the maximum number of people the boat is designed to sleep (qty 4 on Arthur and qty 5 on Ollie) are allowed on the boat.
  1. PRICES
  • The prices shown on this web site are fully inclusive for the narrowboat, except for any River Avon Licence. This includes a full tank of fuel, pump-out facilities, boat-breakdown cover, and parking for two cars, up to two average sized dogs, post-holiday boat cleaning and boat insurance.
  • The Company reserves the right to change advertised prices. However, in the rare event of this being necessary, we will advise the Hirer at the time of booking and will not change the price once a booking is confirmed.
  1. CANCELLATION/HOLIDAY POSTPONEMENT
  • If Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Ltd have to cancel your holiday, the Company may substitute a boat of similar accommodation. If none is available the Company will refund payments made by you towards the boat hire in full, and the Hirer shall have no further claim against the Company. 
  • If Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Ltd have to cancel your holiday due to a Government COVID-19 Lockdown specifically, the Company will offer you a revised date for your holiday and if none are found to be suitable, the Company will refund payments made by you towards the boat hire in full, and the Hirer shall have no further claim against the Company.

  •  Before coming on holiday, you the Hirer and your entire party should consider your fitness to do so in relation to COVID-19. It is your responsibility not to spread COVD-19.
  • If for any reason you, the Hirer, wishes to cancel your holiday, you must inform the Company as soon as possible by phone and then confirm the cancellation in writing. On receipt of the written cancellation, the Company will endeavour to re-book the boat for the holiday period and if successful for the whole or part of the period, the Company will refund the relevant proportion of the money paid less £50 (fifty pounds) to cover office administration. If the holiday can-not be re-booked, then monies paid will be forfeited, except for the Breakages Charge which will be returned by the Company to the Hirer, and a claim should then be made against the Hirer’s own insurance policy.
  • If, following a booking, the full balance is not paid on time, the Company will notify the Hirer. If after 14 days from the date on which full payment is due, full payment has not been received by the Company, then we may cancel the booking and the above cancellation charges will apply and you remain liable for 100% of the holiday cost.
  • The Company reserves the right to delay or postpone a holiday if weather conditions are adverse. High winds or thick fog makes manoeuvring the boat extremely difficult and very dangerous to passengers on the boat and other boats and infrastructure in the Marina.  Also, the boat is not designed to break through ice and will not be moved in these conditions.  Rain is not considered adverse unless accompanied by very strong winds.  Guests will be welcome to remain on the boat if it is forced to stay in the Marina.  If adverse weather is expected to continue for more than 48 hours,  we will discuss with you the options of remaining on the boat or postponing your holiday. 
  1. DELAYS OR RESTRICTIONS
  • Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Ltd cannot be held liable for any delays or non-fulfilment of bookings caused by breakdowns, unforeseen defects, obstructions, water shortage, repairs to damage to either our own boats or the waterways system. If unusual conditions arise, we reserve the right to restrict the cruising area without notice.
  1. ARRIVAL
  • Boats should be ready for the Hirer to take-over by 2:30 pm on the first day of hire. If the boat has been received back from a previous customer in a poor condition, it may take longer for the Company to clean and have it ready for the 2.30 pm hand-over time.  The Company will do all in their power to get the boat ready in as timely a fashion as possible, but it will not be liable for any reasonable delay and the Hirer shall have no claim against the Company.
  • The Hirer must advise the company if, due to unavoidable delays or circumstances, your arrival time is likely to be much later than 2.30 pm. If the Hirer arrives too late for a safe hand-over of the boat, the Hirer may stay on the boat over-night without moving it, and the Company will return the following day to complete the hand-over.
  • The Company reserves the right to refuse to hand the boat over to any person(s) who they deem unsuitable to be in charge of the vessel. In this event all money paid will be refunded in full and the Hirer shall have no other claim.
  1. DEPARTURE 
  • The boat must be returned by 0930 am on the last day of hire. The Hirer is always welcome to moor at the boatyard on the evening before handing back the vessel.
  • Failure to return the boat at 0930 am will incur a further fee equal to twice the daily charter rate for each day or part day, and the making good to the Company of any loss sustained.
  • The Hirer is obliged to leave the narrowboat in a clean and tidy condition. Failure to observe this return procedure will result in forfeiture of the breakages/cleaning charge of £150, or £250 if dogs involved.

  • The Hirer is requested to place all used bedding, towels, used cloths, etc, into the laundry bags provided and move them to the stern of the boat for the Company to remove on their arrival to take the boat back.
  1. INSURANCE
  • Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Ltd insures the boat and equipment against Public Liability Risks up to £3,000,000. This gives the Hirer full cover in the event of accidental damage to the boat or its equipment. However, should the Company feel that damage has been deliberately caused, or caused by negligence, it reserves the right to make a charge for the loss.
  • To be clear, the policy does not cover the following:
  • Personal accident
  • The hirer’s belongings
  • Holiday cancellation.

WE STRONGLY ADVISE THE HIRER TO ARRANGE THEIR OWN HOLIDAY INSURANCE, AND CANCELLATION COVER.

  • The Company shall not be liable for any matters arising from any cause beyond the Company’s reasonable control, or not due to the Company’s negligence or wilful default including (without limitation) the following:
  • Death or personal injury of Hirers their crew and passengers.
  • Loss of or damage to property.
  • Non-fulfilment or interruption of the booking or delays, breakdowns, mechanical problems, defects, damage, restrictions on cruising.
  • Obstructions, repairs or damage to waterways, non-availability of routes, navigational works, storms, floods, droughts, ice, shortage of water or other weather conditions.
  • Rationing, shortage, or non-availability of fuel.
  • Any consequential loss, damage, expense, injury, or claim.
  • We also reserve the right to restrict the navigation without notice if unusual conditions arise and can make no financial adjustment in these circumstances.
  • Please remember you are travelling in a vehicle be it a diesel or electric hybrid narrowboat and all such mechanical and electrical vessels can break down for whatever reason without notice or obviously preventable reason. We will get someone out to you at the very earliest opportunity to fix the problem and will never have wanted any kind of problem to beset your holiday, so please do be kind and courteous to our team as we try to fix the problem as quickly as we can.
  1. EXEMPTIONS
  • The Company may repossess the boat at any time if, in its opinion, the Hirer is unsuitable or is behaving irresponsibly, or if the boat or any persons are at risk. In these circumstances the Hirer remains liable for the holiday cost and no refund will be made.
  • If owing to circumstances beyond the Company’s control, it is unable to provide the boat booked or a suitable alternative, the Company will refund all money paid in full and the Hirer shall have no further claim.
  1. HIRER’S RESPONSIBILITY
  • The hirer is in complete charge of the boat and is responsible for its safe navigation. The only maintenance to be carried out is filling the water tank, emptying the toilet tank, checking engine oil, lubricating stern tube and clearing weed hatches. Children are not permitted to handle the boat without supervision. The hirer shall at all times comply with the by-laws of the British Waterways Board or the appropriate Navigation Authority. The hirer is responsible for any claim made for loss of water or damage caused by improper use of lock paddles or apparatus and for any claim made for damage due to excessive speed or improper navigation. Boats may not cruise between the hours of sunset. The hirer shall not enter tidal waters or tow other vessels without the prior consent of Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Limited. No boat shall navigate under flood conditions. Firearms, Bicycles, Dinghies or Canoes will not be allowed on board under any circumstances. In the event of an accident the hirer must promptly notify Cafwin Cruises Narrowboat Holidays Limited with the full details and names and addresses of witnesses. Do not admit liability under any circumstances. More details at Para 9.
  1. ACCIDENTS
  • The Hirer is in charge of the boat and is responsible for its safe navigation. In the event of any accident or damage to the boat, other craft or the waterway, the Hirer must:
  • Obtain and record the name of any other boat and names and addresses of all parties involved, including the other boat owner and other hirers.
  • Notify the Company by telephone immediately with full details of the accident, including damage incurred and information of names and addresses.
  • NOT, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ADMIT, OR ALLOW ANY OTHER PERSONS ON THE BOAT TO ADMIT, LIABILITY TO ANY OTHER PERSON.
  • Proceed, in accordance with and follow, the Company’s instructions.
  • In the event of an accident the Company may repossess the boat and the hiring contract shall then terminate without liability on the Company.
  • In the event that the Company’s insurance cover is prejudiced or invalidated by any failure on the part of the Hirer to comply with the provisions of this condition, the Hirer shall indemnify the Company in respect of all liability claims, loss damage or expenses incurred.
  • Any repairs are the responsibility of the Company and should not be put into the hands of other companies without the Company’s authority.
  • The Hirer is responsible for any charges made by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) for any loss of water or damage to CRT property caused by the Hirer.
  • The Hirer is responsible for any charges made by the River Avon Trust for any loss of water or damage to River Avon Trust property caused by the Hirer.
  1. BOAT INSTRUCTION
  • The Hirer and passengers undertake to receive instruction from representatives of the Company in boat handling and agree to abide by their procedures as told and shown on take-over. In particular the Hirer will comply with all instructions given concerning safety of the boat, passengers, canal structures and canal environment. This covers, but is not limited, to:
  • Not cruising in hours of darkness.
  • Observing all speed limits and not creating a damaging wash.
  • Showing courtesy to other canal and river users.
  • Operating the locks carefully and properly – never leave a lock open!
  • Observing all bylaws, navigation limits and instruction/advice from British Waterways representatives.

Breach of these conditions will result in curtailment of hire with no refund.

  1. LIVE BAIT
  • No live bait is to be carried inside the boat at any time.
  1. PETS
  • The Hirer must bring their CLEAN pet-blanket or basket as two reasonably sized dogs are allowed on the boat only on the clear understanding that in no circumstances may they lie on the bedding or chairs.
  • Your pets must not be left unattended in your boat.
  1. STAG & HEN PARTIES
  • Boats will not be hired to all-male or all-female parties except at the discretion of the Company.
  1. COMPLAINTS
  • The Hirer must fully check the boat and its contents and equipment on arrival at the boat yard and notify the Company of any alleged deficiencies or shortcomings before the boat leaves the boatyard.
  • The Company shall not be liable in respect of any matter which is not so notified immediately and, in any event, shall not be liable in respect of any matter which is notified after the end of the hire period. (The boat may by then have been taken over by another hirer and may not be available for inspection).
  • Letters of complaint should bear the Company’s booking reference.
  1. WEB PAGE DESCRIPTION
  • The description of the boats on this web site are generally accurate, but the Company will not be liable for any minor inaccuracy that may exist. Maps and plans are not to scale, may have steps not shown, and are for guidance only.
  • If the Hirer’s party includes any infirm persons, the Hirer should make relevant enquiries at the time of booking to ensure that the boat is suitable for their stay.
  1. ENJOYMENT
  • These Conditions of Hire are written to ensure that the Company has covered off every eventuality, but first and foremost, we will wish to reach an amicable solution to any difficulties the Hirer may face. Cafwin Cruise Narrowboat Holiday Ltd wants nothing more than the Hirer to experience an amazing, stress-free, fun-packed and memorable holiday.  Let’s work together to ensure that you, the Hirer, get just that.  Happy Holidays!