terms and conditions

These paragraphs (together with the Liability and Waiver Form) define Set Sail Chicago's responsibility with respect to its cruises.  Payment of your trip deposit or submitting your credit card to hold a reservation represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions:

Price Includes: The trip price includes the cost of the Set Sail Chicago captain, crew, sailing cruise, necessary equipment, teambuilding curriculum (for corporate teambuilding programs) and taxes. 

Price Does Not Include:  Food, beverages, entertainment, ground transportation, tips and gratuities and any other items not specifically noted as included in the trip price.  Catering, entertainment and vehicle transfers can be arranged and included upon request. 

Reservations:  Early reservations are recommended since our sailing charters sell out months in advance, especially for popular dates (e.g. Chicago Air Show, Venetian Night, Navy Pier Fireworks shows).  In order to make a reservation, please click here to access our on-line reservation request form.  You may also call us at 877.578.SAIL or e-mail us at Info@SetSailChicago.com.

Deposits:  The following deposit polices apply to Set Sail Chicago's recreational and corporate sailing bookings:

Recreational Sailing:  A credit card is required to hold the reservation and a $100 deposit is required at time of booking.  If a reservation is made 3 days or less before the cruise departure, then the full cruise payment is due at the time of booking.
 
Corporate Sailing:  A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to reserve a corporate charter or teambuilding sailing program with Set Sail Chicago.  Payment can be made by check, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) or wire transfer. If a reservation is made 60 days or less before the cruise departure, then the full cruise payment is due at the time of booking.

Final Payments:  You will be invoiced later for the final payment which can be made by check, money order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) or wire transfer.  If the final payment is late, a $250 late penalty will be added. If the final payment is not received on time, Set Sail Chicago reserves the right to treat the reservation as cancelled.

Recreational Sailing:  Final payment is due 3 days prior to the cruise departure. 

Corporate Sailing:  Final payment is due 60 days prior to the cruise departure.

Information Packets:  About 1 week after Set Sail Chicago receives your deposit and Reservation Form, an invoice will be sent to you.  At the same time, Set Sail Chicago will send you confirmation of your booking, along with a detailed cruise itinerary and pre-cruise information packet which includes: directions, suggested clothing and footwear for your cruise and other general information to help you in your cruise preparation. A final trip information packet will be sent to you approximately 2 weeks prior to departure.

Cancellation Policy:  If it becomes necessary to cancel a Set Sail Chicago cruise, the following cancellation fees apply from the date Set Sail Chicago receives written notice that you must cancel your trip.  Set Sail Chicago's cancellation policy applies in every instance. There will be no exceptions for any reasons. 

Recreational Sailing:  Final payment is due 3 days prior to the cruise departure.  Cancellation penalties are:
        Over 21 days prior to cruise                    No penalty, deposit is refunded
        Between 3 and 21 days prior to cruise      Deposit is not refundable
        72 hours or less prior to cruise                100% of cruise price 
 
Corporate Sailing:  Final payment is due 30 days prior to the cruise departure.  Cancellation penalties are:
        Over 60 days prior to cruise                    Loss of deposit
        60 to 31 days prior to cruise                    50% of cruise price
        30 days or less prior to cruise                  100% of cruise price

Cancelled Cruises:  Set Sail Chicago reserves the right to cancel any cruise prior to departure for any reason whatsoever, including weather or logistical problems that may impede cruise operations. The refund of all trip payments received shall release Set Sail Chicago from any further liability. If a cruise is cancelled due to force majeure (e.g. acts of God, war, labor strikes, earthquake, flooding, etc.) Set Sail Chicago will promptly refund the portion of the trip price not already advanced to suppliers and use its best efforts to recover and refund the balance as promptly as possible. However, Set Sail Chicago does not guarantee recovery of any of all of the advance payments made.  Set Sail Chicago is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip participants in preparing for a cancelled cruise (e.g. non-refundable advance purchase air tickets, transportation, equipment, etc.).

Transfers:  You may transfer your deposit or payment to another Set Sail Chicago cruise without penalty provided that you notify us of your wish to transfer more than 2 days prior to your cruise. After that time, you are subject to the cancellation fees outlined above. You may also transfer your cruise to another person or group.  If Set Sail Chicago accepts the transfer, only the original customer can transfer his/her booking to another person. That person must submit a Liability and Waiver Form, must be suitable for the trip and must pay any outstanding balance. There also may be additional costs that this person would have to pay.

Refunds:  Leaving a cruise in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund. No refunds will be made for any unused portions of a cruise including, but not limited to cruise, meals, beverages and entertainment.

Weather:  Set Sail Chicago reserves the right to cancel a cruise due to adverse or severe weather conditions.  Weather conditions are determined solely by the captain of the vessel after a review of local conditions, current and forecasted weather patterns and any potentially hazardous marine warnings.  Set Sail Chicago will operate its sailing cruises in sailing conditions approved by the captain.   Weather conditions may change during a cruise.  If at any time the captain determines the sailing conditions warrant returning to dock,  a pro-rated refund of unused sailing time will be issued.  If the weather is deemed suitable by the captain, but the customer still wants to cancel - then a 25% self weather rescheduling fee will apply.

Rescheduled Cruises:  Date changes can be accommodated for scheduling changes or weather (see below). In the event of a cancellation by Set Sail Chicago due to adverse or severe weather conditions, mechanical failure or other reasons at Set Sail Chicago's discretion, Set Sail Chicago will work with you to reschedule your charter as soon as possible. Rescheduling is subject to availability and no specific dates can be guaranteed. If rescheduling is not possible during this season, rescheduling will be available for the next season.  

Catering and Entertainment:  Catered goods and pre-arranged musical entertainment are the property of the customer and must be paid for prior to the charter date.  In the event of a cancellation or rescheduling, the customer will need to make arrangements for the rescheduling, delivery or pick-up of the catered goods and entertainment.