General terms and conditions
1. The booking contract is concluded between the customer signing the quotation and SAS MS Maïtena (operator of the barge Maïtena), hereinafter referred to as The Company / We. All other guests in the same group are bound by the terms of this agreement, whether or not they are named in the booking request.
Our cruises include the navigation of the planned or alternative itinerary according to conditions, accommodation, breakfasts, lunches and dinners from the first meal after embarkation until the last meal of the day, depending on disembarkation time. Specially selected wines are provided with meals, and non-alcoholic beverages are available on request. Use of bicycles is included.
Not included are airline tickets and transportation to the designated meeting point, personal holiday/travel insurance, telephone use, special excursions and activities not discussed at the time of booking.
3. Booked vacations begin with the embarkation and pick-up of guests at the barge and end with the disembarkation of guests. The Company will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occurring before the start of the holiday or after the end of the holiday, however caused. The Company will not be responsible for any loss resulting from any guest having incorrect documents for entry into France; in the event of refusal of entry, our standard cancellation conditions will apply
4. A 30% deposit is required to confirm the rental reservation. Receipt of a deposit constitutes acceptance of our general terms and conditions of sale. The balance is due 60 days before the start of the cruise. If the booking is made less than 60 days before the charter start date, the full balance will be due on confirmation of the cruise. Cruise prices are quoted in euros. Payments can be made in euros by bank transfer or credit card. If the balance is not received 60 days prior to charter, the booking is considered cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
5. Cancellations more than 60 days prior to departure; the 30% deposit will be retained. Within 60 days of departure, the full price will be retained. After the start of the cruise, no refund will be given for any unused portion of the cruise if customers choose to cancel or shorten their cruise. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive cancellation insurance.
6. We ask you (in confidence) to inform us, prior to booking, of any medical condition or disability which may affect the full enjoyment of your vacation with us. Where the Company can reasonably make adjustments to the way things are done, we will do so. However, Maïtena is a ship built in 1912 on which physical adjustments cannot easily be made, and unfortunately Maïtena is not fully accessible to everyone. If you have any doubts or concerns about any aspect of the accessibility and full enjoyment of your vacation with us, it is essential that you talk to us before booking. Similarly, you must inform us of any special dietary requirements before booking. We cannot guarantee to meet any dietary requirements, unless requested at the time of booking and accepted by us at that time. Acting responsibly, we reserve the right to refuse any booking if we feel unable to meet a customer's specific requirements. If a requirement arises on arrival at the barge, which was not mentioned at the time of booking, we may need to review the boarding clearance for that person.
7. Changes in the cruise itinerary may occur due to unexpected circumstances, such as weather conditions, lock closures and repairs, unusually high or low water levels and other circumstances beyond our control. The Company reserves the right to modify the cruise itinerary and excursions accordingly. Such changes cannot be accepted as grounds for cancellation of the cruise. Alternative and equally enjoyable itineraries/excursions will be chosen. If Maïtena is not available on the dates booked, or if the Company, due to circumstances beyond its control, cancels the cruise, all monies received will be returned in full and the customer will have no claim against the Company. Sums will be prorated if only part of the trip is cancelled.
8. Unless expressly stated otherwise in these Terms and Conditions, we cannot accept any liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of obligations under your contract is prevented or affected or you otherwise suffer damage or loss as a result of "force "majeure". In these Terms and Conditions, "force majeure" means an event beyond our reasonable control that we could not, even with all due diligence, foresee or avoid, including, but not limited to, the closure of shipping, strikes, lockouts, labour disputes. We shall not be liable in any way whatsoever in the event of force majeure, war, riot, civil disturbance, malicious damage, compliance with any law or governmental order, rule, regulation or directive, accident, plant or machinery breakdown, natural or nuclear disaster, chemical or biological catastrophe, inclement weather, fire, flood, storm, air, ice and river conditions and all similar events beyond our control or that of our suppliers concerned.
9. Aboard Maïtena, we offer you a safe and comfortable cruise. By booking a cruise aboard Maïtena, customers acknowledge and accept the existence of hazards inherent in travel aboard the barge, our vehicles and associated excursions. The Company accepts no liability for injury, accident or illness to any of its guests, nor for loss or damage to personal effects, except and only in the event that such damage or loss is proven to be the result of negligence on the part of the Company, in which case liability will be limited to the maximum price paid for the stay. All customers are advised to take out adequate insurance cover for themselves and their property.
10. Any event leading to a problem encountered by one of the guests must be reported to the Company as soon as possible after the event, and confirmed in writing. No problem or claim will be valid if raised by the guest more than 14 days after the end of the stay.
11. In the event that a Guest causes damage to the vessel, its facilities and appurtenances, or to any vehicle or other property belonging to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to recover from the Guest all sums necessary to repair such damage. Guests shall also indemnify the Company for any damage or loss suffered by third parties as a result of any action taken by the Guest(s).
12. Every precaution has been taken to ensure the accuracy of all information presented by the Company in the description of the barge Maïtena and in its operation. However, all such information is provided for guidance only and no responsibility will be accepted by the Company for any changes or inaccuracies.
13. Your personal data will be collected, stored and processed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations and only when strictly necessary. Your data will only be used to administer the cruise booking and occasional marketing e-mails. The Company will keep all your personal data secure and will never pass it on to a third party, unless this is necessary in connection with the booking or we are obliged to do so by law. During the cruise we may take photographs, which may include images of guests. If we are informed at the time of shooting that a guest does not wish to be included, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that no recognizable image of that guest is retained. All intellectual property rights relating to your cruise belong to the Company.
14. Termination, If any provision or part of any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed deleted but this shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.
15. These terms and conditions form part of the contract between the company and the traveler. Any dispute arising herefrom shall be governed by French law and any legal proceedings shall take place exclusively in Besançon. These terms and conditions are issued with effect from June 2024 and supersede and cancel all previous communications and agreements. For the comfort and safety of all aboard Maïtena, smoking is not permitted inside the barge or its vehicles. Pets are not allowed on board.