FRENCH CANAL BOAT COMPANY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In these Terms and Conditions, ‘the Passenger’, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all persons named on the booking form (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date). ‘We’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ means French Canal Boat Company, 1201 Oakview Drive, Cross Roads, TX 76227 and our subsidiary vessels of Le Papillon Lux Barge and Peniche Hotel Nymphea. Before booking with us, please read these Terms and Conditions carefully and all the other information we supply you relevant to your booking. Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these booking conditions and agree to them.

Cruise Inclusions

Cruise includes: Accommodation with private shower, all meals, regional wines and spirits consumed aboard, all sightseeing tours and admittance fees per itinerary, use of the on board bicycles and round-trip transfers from the designated meeting point.

Cruise does not include: Air transportation, airport taxes, visas, health or accident insurance, travel insurance, optional activities such as hot air balloon flights, phone/internet charges, crew gratuities or purchases.

Booking Information

Each passenger wishing to book a cruise must complete and sign the attached Booking Form. Once this has been forwarded and accepted by us together with the payment of the deposit due, we will send out a confirmation to you and a contract exists between you and the French Canal Boat Company and its subsidiaries (Le Papillon Lux Barge and Peniche Hotel Nymphea). As soon as your confirmation is received, you must check the details carefully. If anything is not correct you should tell us immediately. All bookings are subject to availability. The party leader must be at least 18 years at the time of booking.

For each reservation, one person must act as tour leader and be responsible for contracting with and making all arrangements for payments to us, as per the Terms and Conditions, on behalf of all passengers in the charter group. Any Passenger signing as tour leader on behalf of a charter or other similar group warrants that he/she is authorized so to do. Each member of any such group shall be deemed to be a Passenger as herein defined and shall be bound by the signature of the tour leader.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is recommended for all passengers and it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance is suitable for your needs.

We consider it is essential that you have appropriate travel insurance for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover for

• Cancellation or curtailment of your trip as a result of circumstances outside your control (including accident or illness and inability to travel for other reasons),
• Personal accident,
• Personal liability,
• Medical expenses and repatriation in the event of medical need
• Cover for costs and liability arising from any specific activity you intend to participate Please note, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that the travel insurance purchased is suitable for your particular needs, including without limitation, in respect of any pre-existing medical condition (which must be disclosed to the insurer prior to purchasing the policy).

Please provide details of your policy on our Booking Form or, if later, in writing when you purchase this.

In the event that you do not have, and do not intend to purchase, appropriate travel insurance prior to departure, we will not have any liability for any costs, expenses or losses you may incur as a result of not having appropriate travel insurance. These could be significant.

Please be aware that any advice against non-essential international travel (including as a result of the covid-19 pandemic) issued by your home country may have an impact on your travel insurance. You must check the policy terms prior to purchasing your insurance.

Deposit and Final Payment

A 30% deposit is due at the time of booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.

Changes by Passenger

Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed trip, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible.

Though we will try to assist, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet

any such requests. Changes after booking may not be possible at all for some vessels / operators. Where a requested change can be made, we reserve the right to charge an administration fee of $100 per passenger together with any costs incurred by ourselves and any costs or charges incurred or applied by the operator or other supplier. A date change must be within the same year as the original trip or cancellation charges will apply.

If any passenger is prevented from travelling, that person may transfer their place to someone else (introduced by you) providing we are notified not less than 7 days before the start of your trip. The person to whom you wish to make the transfer must also satisfy all conditions which form part of your contract with us. Where a transfer to a person of your choice can be made, all costs and charges incurred by us and/or incurred or applied by the operator and/or other supplier(s) as a result together with an administration fee of $100 per person transferring their place must be paid before the transfer can be effected. Any overdue balance payment must also be received.

Cancellation by Passenger Cancellations must be made in writing with notice being delivered directly via email or mail to the French Canal Boat Company. It is your responsibility to verify that we have received your notice of cancellation. The following fees apply for written notice of cancellation:

2025 & 2026 Bookings

• 90 or more days prior to departure, guests may either move their cruise to a future date (no change fees) OR cancel and forfeit their deposit,
• Within 30-90 days of departure, guests may either pay a 10% fee (based on total cost of cruise) and move their cruise to a future date OR 50% of total fare will be
• Within 29 days of departure, guests may either pay a 25% fee (based on total cost of cruise) and move their cruise to a future date OR 50% of total fare will be retained

No refunds will be given in the event of forfeiture or cancellation of the cruise by the Passenger after the start of the cruise, including and not limited to unused sightseeing tours or meals.

Communications

In order to process your booking we need to collect certain personal details from you, for example names and addresses of party members, credit/debit card or other payment details, special requirements such as those relating to any disability or medical condition which may affect any party member’s holiday arrangements and any dietary restrictions which may disclose religious beliefs.

If we need any other personal details, we will tell you before we obtain them from you. We need to pass on your personal details to our crew so that your booking and any travel- related services (if any) can be provided or for verification of details relating to your booking and any travel-related services booked.

We may also disclose your details to immigration or law enforcement authorities where we are required to do so.

We will only deal with the personal details you give to us as set out above unless you agree otherwise. You are generally entitled to ask us (by letter or e-mail) if and how we are processing your personal details.

The Passenger understands and agrees that we are not liable or responsible for the following:

• any personal injury, death, property damage or loss occasioned by theft, vandalism, fire, water, weather conditions, explosion, or any cause whatsoever, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, or for any loss of whatever kind or nature
• arising out of or in connection with the acts or omissions, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable or any loss of any kind or nature arising out of or in connection with the acts or omissions, whether negligent or intended of any third party, regardless of the relationship, if any, between such third party and the Passenger or us; and
• any additional expenses incurred by the Passenger as a result of any delay or failure of and/or by any Operator or contractor of any services connected with the specific booking; and
• any loss sustained by the Passenger as a result of any cancellation, delay, advancement or postponement of any tour by any Operator or any service provider such as steamship company, airline, railroad, vehicle rental company, hotel or similar or their and
• any Force Majeure event as specified below;

Force Majeure

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our obligations under our contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of force majeure. In these booking conditions, force majeure means any event, situation or circumstances which are beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural disaster, adverse weather conditions, unusual water levels, fire, flood, drought, closure, restriction or congestion of airports, other transport hubs or airspace, flight restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party and volcanic activity. Force majeure also include the covid-19 pandemic (and any other pandemic) and its impact such as travel restrictions and the measures and other action being taken by governments, public authorities and businesses to control and manage its effects (such as the implementation of social distancing).

Reservation of Rights

We reserve the right to:

• cancel or change any itinerary in whole or in part and to make such alteration to any itinerary as it reasonably deems necessary or desirable;
• refuse any Passenger be allowed to embark unless the full cruise fare due has been

In the event of cancellation, we will either substitute or provide another vessel of similar standard or refund any fare paid. If mid-journey, fare returned will be pro-rated.

All routes are subject to change without notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, National holidays or other unforeseen circumstances that result in conditions unsafe for navigation. In the unlikely event of such occurrences, the following conditions shall apply:

• if navigation must be suspended, Passengers will continue to be accommodated on the stationary vessel and the regular excursions will continue to be made, with cruising to be continued as soon as By way of compensation for any suspension of cruising, additional excursions will be provided by the vessel’s crew,
• we reserve the right to reverse a cruise route, cruise another waterway or transfer Passengers to another vessel of similar standard,
• in any decision related to navigation, the judgement of the Captain on any action or inaction is considered

Special Requests

If you have any special requests, or dietary requirements, you must advise us in detail on the form below at time of booking. Every attempt will be made to accommodate requests. Conditional bookings cannot be accepted ie: any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request, unless specifically agreed to by us in writing.

Medical Conditions/Disabilities/Accessibility/Reduced Mobility/Infectious Diseases & Allergies

Passengers with disability / accessibility issues are asked to advise our staff of the nature of their disability at the time of booking as the configuration of the vessel and/or itineraries may be unsuitable. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate the particular needs of the person concerned, we reserve the right to decline the reservation.

Smoking Policy

In accordance with legislation, a strict non-smoking policy applies in all internal areas of all vessels. Those passengers who wish to smoke must do so outdoors on the deck and sun-deck area away from other passengers.

Children

The minimum age of child accepted on board is 12 years except for Charters and special “Family Departures” (please enquire for further details) for which Children under 12 years are welcome. All children under the age of 18 years accepted onboard qualify for a discount of $300 per child per week.

Pets

No pets are permitted onboard other than on charters and with the prior written permission of French Canal Boat Company.

Advertising Inaccuracies

We aim to ensure that the information provided by us is accurately conveyed in brochures, on our website and other promotional literature or material produced and circulated by us. Itinerary, crew and excursions are subject to change without notice. We cannot accept responsibility for any changes or closures to area amenities or attractions mentioned in the brochure/website or advertised elsewhere.

Our Responsibility

If you have any complaints regarding any services we provide, please notify us in writing within 30 days of the infraction. We cannot intercede or accept any liability if we are not notified.

Responsibilities of the Passengers All Passengers expressly agree to the following:

• that (subject to any already disclosed items) he/she is in good general health;
• that he/she shall abide by the safety instructions as given out by the Captain and crew and displayed on board
• that he/she shall not operate or seek to operate any vehicle or other technical equipment owned or operated by our vessels, hotel or other service provider except the bicycles that are made available by the crew for the express use of the Passengers; and
• that he/she shall indemnify and hold harmless both French Canal Boat Company, its employees, agents, representatives and assigns against any and all liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal fees and costs of litigation) which may be incurred in connection with any claims, suits or any cause of action brought by him/ her against any third party, or by any third party against him/her, his/her heirs, representatives or assigns regarding injury or loss to person or property sustained by him/her or such third party, directly or indirectly, arising out of events, acts or omissions that occur during the course of a cruise tour.

Behavior

Our captains reserve the right within their reasonable discretion to terminate your cruise, without notice, if you or your party’s conduct or behavior is disruptive in any way and/or affects the enjoyment of other passengers. No liability will be accepted for any extra costs incurred by you/or your party as a result of any such termination. You accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by you/ your party. Full payment for any such damage or loss must be paid direct at the time to in question. You/your party will be required to leave the vessel / other service. We will not have any further responsibility toward you including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made nor payments towards any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

Complaints

Every effort has been made to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable cruise. If, however, you have any cause for complaint then we are anxious that remedial action is taken as soon as possible. It is essential that you contact us immediately if any problem arises so that it can be speedily resolved while you are still on board. It is often extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to resolve difficulties properly unless we are promptly notified. If, after this, you feel that the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction, then you must put your complaint in writing to us within

30 days of returning from your cruise. This procedure is designed to ensure the speediest possible investigation and rectification of complaints. Please help us by following this procedure. If you fail to do so, this may affect your entitlement to claim compensation where this would or may otherwise have been appropriate.

Photography & Use of Likeness

During your trip, we or the operator / other supplier may photograph or record video images of passengers individually or as general participants in activities. If the passenger informs us and the photographer acting on our behalf of their wish not to be included in such photography, we shall take reasonable steps to avoid including recognisable images of the passenger in any resulting photographs or videos. Notwithstanding any such request by the passenger, we, and our suppliers, shall have the right to publish, in any medium, and for any valid business purpose, without obligation to compensate passenger for such usage, an image taken in good faith that may include images of the passenger.

Advertising Material Accuracy

The information contained in our brochure, on our website and in our other advertising material is believed correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. However, errors may occasionally occur and information may subsequently change so you must ensure you check the up to date position at the time of booking.

Addition

Each independently-owned and operated barge listed with us may have additional Terms and Conditions which will be provided to clients at time of booking.