Booking Terms & Conditions

Last updated: 7 May 2026

1. Scope

These Booking Terms govern any charter you confirm through mavisail.com. They supplement, but do not replace, our Terms of Service (which govern your use of the website itself) and our Refund & Cancellation Policy (which sets out refund tiers and disputes).

For a partner-agency vessel, the partner's own charter contract takes priority over these terms where the two conflict. The partner's terms are linked from the listing page and are sent to you with the booking introduction.

2. The parties

  • Guest — the person making the booking and, where applicable, the passengers in their group.
  • Captain — the operator of the vessel (either an individual licensed captain or a TURSAB-licensed partner agency) who is the charter contracting party.
  • MaviSail — MaviSail Ltd (England & Wales), acting as the broker and concierge platform. MaviSail is not the charter contracting party.

3. The booking process

  1. Inquiry. You submit an inquiry through the site or WhatsApp. MaviSail forwards an anonymised summary to the captain to confirm availability and pricing. No contract is formed at this stage.
  2. Quote. The captain returns a quote. MaviSail relays it to you with the partner agency's booking terms attached, where applicable.
  3. Deposit. If you accept the quote, you pay a non-refundable deposit (typically 30–50% of the charter fee) to confirm the dates. For direct-booking vessels the deposit is processed through MaviSail's Stripe checkout; for partner-agency vessels you pay the partner agency directly.
  4. Balance. The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days before embarkation, unless the captain specifies a different schedule in writing. For last-minute bookings the full amount is due at confirmation.
  5. Charter agreement. The captain provides a written charter agreement before embarkation. Sign and return it. The agreement, the deposit confirmation, and these terms together form the booking contract.

4. Pricing and what's included

The price quoted by the captain is the inclusive figure for the charter as advertised. Standard inclusions in the Turkish gulet market are: the vessel and crew, fuel for the published itinerary, harbour fees inside the published cruising area, bed linens and towels, and an end-of-charter clean. Items typically not included unless the listing says otherwise: meals and drinks (a per-person catering rate is offered separately), water-toy fuel, transit-log fees if the itinerary leaves Türkiye, and gratuities. The captain's quote will state inclusions explicitly.

5. The captain's obligations

The captain warrants that they:

  • hold the licences required to operate commercial charters in Türkiye (master's ticket, transit log, TURSAB registration where applicable);
  • carry the insurance required for the vessel and the published group size (P&I, hull, passenger liability);
  • present the vessel in the condition advertised, in seaworthy order, with all safety equipment serviceable and certified;
  • crew the vessel as advertised and ensure the crew can communicate with you in a working language (Turkish, English, or as listed);
  • sail the agreed itinerary subject to weather, harbour availability, and the safety judgments described in section 8.

6. The guest's obligations

  • Provide accurate guest count, ages, and any relevant medical or accessibility information at booking.
  • All passengers must be 18+ or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The captain may refuse boarding to anyone without valid identification.
  • Comply with the captain's safety briefing, signage, and reasonable on-board instructions at all times.
  • Do not bring on board: illegal drugs, firearms, or hazardous materials. The captain may refuse boarding or terminate the charter without refund if these are found.
  • Take reasonable care of the vessel and crew. You are responsible for damage caused by the negligence or wilful misconduct of you or your group.
  • Carry valid travel insurance covering the charter dates. We strongly recommend coverage that includes cancellation, medical evacuation, and personal effects. MaviSail does not provide travel insurance.
  • Bring a valid passport and any visas required to enter Türkiye. Itineraries that leave Turkish waters (e.g. Greek-island day trips) may require additional documentation; the captain advises before departure.

7. Damage deposit

The captain may collect a refundable damage deposit at embarkation, typically EUR 1,000 to EUR 5,000 depending on the vessel size. The captain holds the deposit (MaviSail does not). At the end of the charter the captain refunds the deposit less any reasonable deductions for damage to the vessel, lost equipment, or extra expenses (excessive cleaning, fines for guest misconduct). Deductions must be itemised and supported with receipts where applicable.

8. Itinerary changes, weather, and safety

The published itinerary is the intended plan. The captain has the final say on whether to depart, where to anchor, and whether to alter the route for safety, weather, or operational reasons. The Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are subject to seasonal winds (meltemi, lodos) that can force itinerary changes at short notice.

Where weather forces a change, the captain will offer the closest reasonable alternative within the cruising area. A weather-driven change is not a breach and does not give rise to a refund except where the charter has to be cut short or cancelled outright (in which case the Refund & Cancellation Policy force-majeure section applies).

9. Cancellation, refunds, and force majeure

Cancellation tiers, force-majeure handling, mid-charter interruption, and dispute process are all set out in the Refund & Cancellation Policy. Read it before paying a deposit.

10. Behaviour and right of refusal

The captain may, in their reasonable judgment, refuse boarding or terminate the charter early without refund where guest conduct creates a safety risk, breaches Turkish law, harasses crew, damages the vessel, or makes continued service untenable. MaviSail supports the captain's decision in such cases.

11. Health and medical

Charter is a physical activity in a marine environment. Guests are responsible for assessing whether they are fit to participate. Inform the captain of medical conditions that may affect safety on board (cardiac issues, mobility limitations, allergies, pregnancy, recent surgery). The captain may decline to board a guest where doing so would create unmanageable medical risk.

12. Children and pets

Children are welcome on most vessels. Life jackets in children's sizes are carried as standard. Inform the captain of children's ages at booking so the right equipment is on board. Pets are at the captain's discretion and must be agreed in advance.

13. Photos and content

The captain or crew may take photos during the charter for their own marketing and MaviSail's. If you do not want to appear in such photos, tell the captain at the start of the charter and they will exclude you. You retain ownership of your own photos.

14. Liability

The captain's liability for the charter is governed by the charter agreement and Turkish maritime law. MaviSail's liability as the platform is governed by the Terms of Service; we are not liable for the conduct, acts, or omissions of the captain, crew, or partner agency. Nothing in these terms limits liability for fraud, death, or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be limited by law.

15. Governing law

The booking contract between you and the captain is governed by Turkish law (most charter agreements specify Bodrum, Marmaris, or Antalya as the seat of any dispute). Your relationship with MaviSail Ltd as the platform operator is governed by English law per our Terms of Service.

16. Changes to these terms

We update these terms from time to time. Material changes are flagged on this page; the "last updated" date at the top is always current. The version live on the day of your deposit governs that booking.

17. Contact

MaviSail Ltd, UK. Email: [email protected]. See also our Refund & Cancellation Policy, Terms of Service, Cookie Policy, and Privacy Policy.

Booking Terms & Conditions — MaviSail | MaviSail