Top Cat Charters – Taupo, cruise to the Maori Rock Carvings Terms

Terms and Conditions
Top Cat Charters – Taupo Limited

Tour Details
Your Maori Rock carvings, Lake Taupo cruising adventure takes place aboard our white and grey catamaran – Top Cat, on New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake.

Passengers must be present at the marina 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure: Top Cat is located at Berth #6, Redoubt Street, Taupo Boat Harbour, Taupo.

Our skipper and crew: will make your sailing trip aboard our cat, Lake Taupo’s smoothest cruise boat, enjoyable and memorable. Soak up the sun or roll up your sleeves. You can take the wheel, help or just sit back and enjoy the view.

Photos & Videos:
Top Cat Charters often takes photographs and videos at the Maori Rock carvings (and other areas) for use in Social Media and Advertising. Acceptance of these terms and conditions and allowing your photo/video to be taken during the cruise will mean that you agree to the use of those images of yourself being used by Top Cat Charters – Taupo Ltd. for the above purposes. Should you not wish to be included please feel free to let us know on board.

Safety Guidelines:
All Top Cat skippers are commercially qualified and are Maritime New Zealand certified. They are certified First Aiders.

Top Cat is Maritime New Zealand surveyed: We are externally audited to ensure systems and operating procedures are of highest standards. There is a documented maintenance program and all gear is maintained regularly.

Top Cat is fully licenced for sale & supply of alcohol: Any consumption and sale of alcohol is strictly limited to 18 years and over. You may be asked to provide acceptable photographic proof of age. Top Cat promotes responsible drinking.

BYO is acceptable to us.

The Taupo Boat Harbour is a liquor ban area at certain times of day and year – this means you are not allowed to consume liquor when you are not on board one of our vessels, and cannot take open liquor off the vessels.

Listen carefully to the pre-departure safety briefing: Your Captain will give you a safety briefing on board before you leave the marina. Pay close attention. These rules are in place for your comfort and ultimate safety, so please abide by them.

Motor boating can be adventurous when the wind is up: Your Captain/Crew know the conditions and know how the boat will respond. If asked to do something, please do as requested. At any time if you are not comfortable or feel unsafe please advise your Captain. The cruise can be adjusted so that all passengers have a good time.

Top Cat will not be responsible for any personal injuries, equipment loss or damage sustained while travelling with Top Cat.

We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. We also reserve the right to cancel the cruise if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.

Children are the Parent/Guardian’s responsibility: Children must be under continuous adult supervision when on board and while the boat is under way. Maximum of two children (under 15 years) per adult on the boat.

Stow your gear: You are welcome to stow bags and personal belongings in the main cabin. Please note, Top Cat cannot be held liable for loss or damage to your belongings.

Lifejackets: Top Cat is equipped with lifejackets for all persons aboard. It is recommended that they are worn by children during the cruise.

While we are underway: Please keep “one hand for yourself and one for the boat” when moving around the boat. Please try to keep the main cabin entrance clear.

No Smoking: For health and safety, smoking is not permitted on public cruises.

Toilets: A marine toilet (called “head” on boats) is located on the back lower deck. Please Do Not flush sanitary items or rubbish as will block the system. Use bins provided. If you’re in doubt, ask before use.

Dress for the conditions: Layered clothing works best. There is potential for getting wet, wear suitable shoes and jacket. Hat and sunglasses recommended.

Swimming is an option: During scheduled cruises, or private charters we may stop for a swim if conditions allow.
To participate in swimming you must be able to swim competently in open water: The Captain/Crew must be informed of any medical condition that may affect your swimming ability. Children under the age of 15 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

The Captain’s word is Law
If weather conditions or other safety or time constraints prevent cruising to a given area or swimming in the lake, don’t argue the point. The captain wants to provide you the best experience possible and, within reason, cater to your every wish – but they are also ultimately responsible for your safety and the safety of the yacht.

Nature and Being Realistic
On the lake, Mother Nature ensures that every trip is different. Each season of the year brings different conditions. Sometimes the cruising is easy, sometimes it rains. But whichever way it happens it always works out great.

Minimum Numbers
As is normally the case with group tours, a minimum number of bookings are required in order for a tour to be financially viable and to have a pleasant group atmosphere. In the event that adequate numbers cannot be achieved, it may be necessary to cancel a scheduled departure and to offer the nearest possible alternative date (or a full refund of monies paid).

Booking Confirmation
• All departures are subject to demand, lake and weather conditions.
• To secure your spot, we recommend you book online through our secure website.
• All online bookings will receive a confirmation email.
• Bookings are also accepted over the telephone. An invoice will be issues for payment.

Deposit/Payment
• All prices are in New Zealand Dollars and inclusive of GST (Goods and Services Tax).
• Prices are subject to change without notice.
• The name “Top Cat Charters – Taupo Ltd” will appear on cardholder statements for any transactions.
• Top Cat does not store your credit card details. Payment is processed through our secure Payment Gateway.
• Unless otherwise agreed, to secure a Private Charter we require a $500 deposit for boat hire, including catering, on receipt of invoice. Any outstanding balance is payable 21 days prior to cruise departure. If booking is made within 21 days of the date of charter, full amount will be due on receipt of invoice.

Cancellation Policy
• For scheduled cruises: Cancellations by the client with less than 24hours notice will incur the full charge.
• For Private Charters: Bookings cancelled by the client up to 21 days before departure of the cruise are fully refundable. Cancellations by the client within 21 days and no-show are subject to 100% cancellation charge.
• To cancel a cruise, clients are to contact Top Cat by phone and follow-up with an email.
• Please note, if you do not show for your booking the full charge will apply.

Refunds
• We reserve the right to cancel or amend any cruise or transfer to our second boat, due to lake or weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control, on the day. A full refund will be given if an alternative date cannot be arranged.

Top Cat Evening and Sunset Cruise to the carvings Terms

CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS:

If the customer wishes to cancel their cruise:
• Cancellation by the customer with less than 24 hours notice will incur the full charge.
• To cancel or reschedule a cruise, customers must contact Top Cat direct by phone – 021 223 9898 and follow-up with an email.
• If you do not show for your booked cruise the full charge will apply, and your ticket will not be transferable, redeemable or refundable.

Top Cat reserves the right to cancel or amend the cruise due to operational, lake or weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control.
• If we cancel a cruise due to inclement weather, we will notify you via email in the first instance, followed up with a text and/or call (if you have provided an New Zealand or Australian phone number). If you have not provided suitable contact details, please email us at info@topcatcharters.co.nz with suitable contact details if possible.
• If you have any queries about the weather within 24 hours of departure, please give us a call on 021 223 9898.
• We will try to reschedule your cruise if possible – if this does not suit you then you will be entitled to a full refund.
• Please note: We do not rely on MetService (or any other forecasts) for weather predictions. Lake Taupo is a micro-climate that often has different weather from the surrounding areas.

Please visit www.topcatcharters.co.nz for full Terms & Conditions

We look forward to having you aboard!

Kindest regards,
The Top Cat team.